From the original Question, Path > Break Apart functions. The problem is that the Node Tool (F2) does not. They both should function. Right? This is confusing for a new user.
After more experimentation, I found that Tool Controls for Tool Box Node Tool (F2) has a nonfunctional Break Apart, the fifth icon. Can you make it function? Should this be reported as a Bug?
***ORIGINAL QUESTION***
Please Ignore. After much Manual reading, I found Path>Break Apart.
{12/05/19 @ 13:43 EST} Given: A six-inch straight line Goal: Split into two lines with different Stroke styles One a visible line the other a dashed (hidden) line in an engineering drawing
Action: Node Tool (F2)>Break path at selected nodes
How to disconnect associations between the two separate paths? Now, changing one also changes the other. How to make them independent of each other?
Please continue posting about one subject in the same topic, as long as you started that topic.
If I can identify which other topic this message is supposed to go with, I'll merge them together.
Edit
Since you had requested (via edit) that we ignore the other topic with a similar name as this, I deleted it. So this appears to be the only message from you on this subject.
One path, even though it may be made of more than one sub-paths, can only have one style. A dashed line pattern is one type of "style". Style includes things like color, opacity, stroke width, and many, many things. If you need a path to look like is has one style in one part of it and another style on another part of it, you need to have 2 separate paths which meet at the same node, but the nodes are not joined.
A path which is made of more than one sub-path is called a compound path. Path menu > Break Apart can break apart a compound path. You need to deselect everything after breaking apart before you can select individual paths.
However, Path menu > Break Apart cannot break apart a single, whole path. First, you need to break the path at one or more nodes, or delete a segment between nodes, before the segments can be broken apart.
5th icon doesn't work....let's see... The 5th button from the left on the Node tool control bar, is Join Selected Endnodes With a New Segment. I must not be understanding which button you're talking about, since you called it Break Apart.
Ah-ha! Possibly you counted the arrow for the dropdown for inserting new nodes as a button? That would make the 5th button Break Path at Selected Nodes, which could be seen as Break Apart, sort of, but not really. That button breaks the path a one or more selected nodes. But breaking the path does not break apart the path. When you break the path at a node, you create 2 sub-paths and a compound path, which previously was a single, whole path. Still another step is needed to make them completely separate paths, and that other step is Path menu > Break Apart.
This is one area for which the Inkscape community does not have a really good tutorial, or I would refer you to it. If I could ever find some time, I'd make one myself. (Although the subject really needs a video, and I'm not very good at making videos.) I am putting out a call for some of our most needed tutorials (elsewhere on the website).
So to summarize, here's how to go from a single, whole path, to 2 entirely separate paths.
select the path with the Node tool
select one or more nodes with the Node tool
either click Break Path at Selected Nodes
or Delete Segment between 2 Nodes button (or their appropriate key shortcuts)
Path menu > Break Apart
And, before you can select one of the new individual paths, you need to deselect everything.
To join 2 entirely separate paths into one, it's a bit shorter route
select 2 separate paths with the Node tool (or select with Selection tool and switch to Node tool)
select the 2 nodes that you want to join together, with the Node tool
click either Join Selected Nodes button on the Node tool control bar
or Join Selecte Nodes with a New Segment button
Sorry, I have to run right now, but I'll be back in an hour....
Beginners' Questions Breaking a line into two lines--Updated
Inkscape.org
{12/08/19 @ 12:49 EST}
See below for the Original Question.
From the original Question, Path > Break Apart functions. The problem is that the Node Tool (F2) does not. They both should function. Right? This is confusing for a new user.
After more experimentation, I found that Tool Controls for Tool Box Node Tool (F2) has a nonfunctional Break Apart, the fifth icon. Can you make it function? Should this be reported as a Bug?
***ORIGINAL QUESTION***
Please Ignore. After much Manual reading, I found Path>Break Apart.{12/05/19 @ 13:43 EST}
Given: A six-inch straight line
Goal: Split into two lines with different Stroke styles
One a visible line the other a dashed (hidden) line in an engineering drawing
Action: Node Tool (F2)>Break path at selected nodes
How to disconnect associations between the two separate paths?
Now, changing one also changes the other. How to make them
independent of each other?
Please continue posting about one subject in the same topic, as long as you started that topic.
If I can identify which other topic this message is supposed to go with, I'll merge them together.
Edit
Since you had requested (via edit) that we ignore the other topic with a similar name as this, I deleted it. So this appears to be the only message from you on this subject.
Now let's see if I can answer....
One path, even though it may be made of more than one sub-paths, can only have one style. A dashed line pattern is one type of "style". Style includes things like color, opacity, stroke width, and many, many things. If you need a path to look like is has one style in one part of it and another style on another part of it, you need to have 2 separate paths which meet at the same node, but the nodes are not joined.
A path which is made of more than one sub-path is called a compound path. Path menu > Break Apart can break apart a compound path. You need to deselect everything after breaking apart before you can select individual paths.
However, Path menu > Break Apart cannot break apart a single, whole path. First, you need to break the path at one or more nodes, or delete a segment between nodes, before the segments can be broken apart.
5th icon doesn't work....let's see... The 5th button from the left on the Node tool control bar, is Join Selected Endnodes With a New Segment. I must not be understanding which button you're talking about, since you called it Break Apart.
Ah-ha! Possibly you counted the arrow for the dropdown for inserting new nodes as a button? That would make the 5th button Break Path at Selected Nodes, which could be seen as Break Apart, sort of, but not really. That button breaks the path a one or more selected nodes. But breaking the path does not break apart the path. When you break the path at a node, you create 2 sub-paths and a compound path, which previously was a single, whole path. Still another step is needed to make them completely separate paths, and that other step is Path menu > Break Apart.
This is one area for which the Inkscape community does not have a really good tutorial, or I would refer you to it. If I could ever find some time, I'd make one myself. (Although the subject really needs a video, and I'm not very good at making videos.) I am putting out a call for some of our most needed tutorials (elsewhere on the website).
So to summarize, here's how to go from a single, whole path, to 2 entirely separate paths.
And, before you can select one of the new individual paths, you need to deselect everything.
To join 2 entirely separate paths into one, it's a bit shorter route
Sorry, I have to run right now, but I'll be back in an hour....