Chain Paths

Source of documentation: https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-chain-paths

An inkscape extension to combine paths. Like really combining path snippets into longer paths. The stock inkscape path operation "combine" does not do that. It only creates a single path object consisting of multiple distinct segments. Many commercial CAD packages create object contours consisting of separate path snippets using adjacent end points. Such objects cannot be used in path operations like "add", "intersect", "difference", as they are technically a set of objects, rather than a single stroke. This extension forms a longer path from multiple shorter path segments. It is irrelevant if the path segments are separate path objects in Inkscape, or if the path segments belong to the same path object. If two path segments have an end point in common, or if their end points are close together, they are linked together to form a longer path. It is optional weather the linking end points meld into a single common point, or if an optional straight line ('chain link') fills the gap, if any. The maximum distance for end points is a user setting. Usually a fraction of a millimeter works fine.

Usage

Select multiple pathlike objects. If the status line shows you different object types, then use "Path → Object to Path". This is needed as we operate only on paths only. You can choose the maximum endpoint distance for path ends to be linked, and the combination method: snap the points together, or create a linking path segment.

Note, that paths never fork. This means, that if there are three or more path ends at the same location, only two are chained together. The others are left unchanged.

Additional notes

• this plugin can be used to reduces node by chaining (linking) overlapping points
• by selecting "Snap connecting ends together" you are creating closed loops. Otherwise they are open!

• This plugin does not apply for paths in groups. Please ungroup before!

Similar extensions: Line Merging (Combine Paths), Close Paths, Join Paths / Create Tabs And Dimples