I have a path that is shaped like a bell curve. It was created with a bunch of nodes e.g. 7 nodes. I would like to place another node exactly a given distance from the beginning of the path.

Examples:

* place a node 3.4mm from the start of the path

* place a node at the center of the path

Any suggestions how that could be accomplished?

Using a recent installation of Inkscape 1.4.2 on a Mac

Distance in X-direction, Y-direction ?

Or did you meant to say "distance along the path" ?

Ruler lpe could help you (set the right length of intervalls)

Distance on the path. It should measure along the path. No matter what shape I have drawn, it should find the distance from the beginning (or if possible from a selected node) following the path.

I’m assuming Ruler Ipe is an extension. I will take a look,

Thank you

Here's my suggestion.

[Enable snapping]
[Nodes]
    [Cusp nodes]

Starting at the first node of your bell curve, draw a vertical line.

Duplicate it [ctrl+d].
Open the Transform dialog [shift+ctrl+m].
[Move] [Horizontal: 3.4 mm] [Apply]

Select the line and the bell curve.
[Path > Cut] breaks the bell curve into two separate shapes, one to the left of 3.4mm and one to the right.

Now you want to join these together again.
Node tool [n].
[click+drag] to select the two overlapping nodes at the break. In the bottom status bar you should see "2 of 9 nodes selected."
In the tool control bar [Join selected nodes].

Duplicate the vertical line again [ctrl+d]
Select the duplicate, then the bell curve.
Open the Align and Distribute dialog [shift+ctrl+a].
[Align] [Relative to: Last selected] [Centre on vertical axis]

As before, cut the bell curve into two shapes, then join the pieces together.

Doesn't that measure 3.4cm along the x-axis? I'm trying to find 3.4cm along the path. That would give me the distance "as the crow flies", and I'm after the "driving distance". Perhaps that's a better explanation what I'm looking for?

Maybe this:

To get the length of the path: Hover with the ruler tool,

or menu: Extensions>Visualize Path>Measure Path

Same procedure to place a node at midpoint on the path, but using the expression 1151.16/2 in the distance field.

This looks like what I’m after. Thank you

Tyler's method reminded me of a long-forgotten solution using [Extensons > Generate form path > Pattern along path...]. Like the path effect, this extension overlays one shape on another, but it works with groups too. If you use the right group, you can create convenient cut points.This example splits an arbitrary curve in several different ways.