I'm a new InkStitch user and am trying to create a pantograph (one continuous line) for a quilting longarm machine. I have imported a pdf of the design I want to use and have changed the width and height of the document in InkStitch to fit a single run of the pantograph. The imported design is approximately 11.5" square and I want to repeat it 8 times with final dimensions of approximately 11.5" x 96".. 

I have copied the design and have organized objects so that they are side by side. Next step is to merge the connecting nodes so that I have one continuous line for the longarm machine to follow.

I am able to connect two objects together by selecting the node tool, clicking the 1st image, shift and clicking the 2nd image, zooming in, highlighting the connection area, and selecting Join Selected nodes. The two objects become one. No problems yet.

I then use the exact same process to connect the next object (2) to the previously merged object (1). When I select Join Selected nodes, it appears to join and the (1) object looks fine, BUT the (2) object is showing only nodes, i.e. no lines connecting the nodes are visible. This happens every time I try to connect an object to an already merged object.

For debugging sake, I downloaded version 1.3.2 and installed it on my Windows 11 Pro machine using the msi installer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Before proceeding further, please reset the preferences.

It is useful after installing a new/old version of Inkscape.

Please also attach an example Inkscape svg file that has the issue. Even partial artwork may be suitable if you don't want to share an entire design, as long as we can evaluate the issue.

I've reset user preferences (using the button to the right of the Preferences -> System -> User Preferences data field. Am getting the same behavior (as an FYI).

I'm willing to attach a portion of the .svg file but since the design is copywrited and I'm a new InkScape user, I'm not sure what I should remove from the file to not be in violation of one thing or another. With a little guidance, I'm sure I can give you a partial file that will help in the evaluation...

If you prefer to send confidentially to my email, click to my profile https://inkscape.org/~TylerDurden/  and then the envelope button on the right. Send me a request and I will send you an email address.

Hi,

The objects in the file all had "clipping" objects applied. Clipping is commonly used to hide elements of an object, but is sometimes produced as an artifact from programs that convert vector files from one format to another. SVGs converted to PDF are regularly filled with clipping objects that are redundant and not useful for editing.

Select any object and refer to the status bar at the bottom of the screen for indications. The Objects & Layers dialog will also indicate objects that are clipped. Using View>Split Mode>Split to see green outlines of the clipping objects.

I have removed all the clips (select-all, then menu: Object>Clip>Remove clip) and deleted all the unneeded bits that are not part of the pattern, and the node-joining behaves as expected.

Give it a go and chime back.

It worked! I removed the unnecessary clipping objects and was able to join the nodes as expected. Thank you so much for your help!