I created some objects that I intend to use in my future inkscape documents. To make these objects neatly organized and easy to use I transformed them in a symbol library. Now my question:
 
With these symbols I created many documents. If one day I modify the symbols, how do I update the documents that use them? Is there any automatic way? If not, is there a manual way? How?

Thanks!
 

If the symbols have unique ids, which you have a record of then it can be done by:

Copying the files. Creating a new master file with the altered symbols in.

Then search each file for the symbol entry and replace with matching id in the modified master file.

However would require a bit of scripting.

@inklinea I have found this:

[...] Does changing a symbol in a library cause all the symbols referring to it from other documents to change as well? No, because when you use a symbol from another symbol library in a document, it gets copied to this document, in its defs XML element.

[ http://jeromebelleman.gitlab.io/posts/graphics/inksyms/ ]

If that's correct, I think I should:

- find in all the documents the ID and corresponding defs of each of my symbol
- replace the old definition with the new one

What do you think?

Correct, I think that if you know how to use python:

You could possibly use 

from lxml import etree

master_svg = etree.parse(master_svg_filepath)

target_svg = etree.parse(target_svg_filepath)

then use xpath to find the relevant symbols in each

then I think something like current.symbol.getparent() 

in each, then replace in the target svg.

the tostring().decode('utf-8'), and save the string to another file.

Maybe :)

However there is a loadsvg function in inkex ( the Inkscape extension system )

and in that case would be a lot easier - an example of loadsvg is in the built in extensions bundled with Inkscape - template_seamless_pattern.py

Thanks a lot for your help and the detailed explanation @inklinea. I was interested in understanding the principle. I hope I will not need to do it :)

Inkscape symbols are a special case of SVG clones. Parent objects are defined in the <svg:defs> element and so aren't rendered on the canvas. Select a symbol in your drawing and open the XML Editor [shift+ctrl+x]. The [xlink:href] attribute identifies the name of the parent. Use the Find/Replace dialog [shift+ctrl+F] [ctrl+F] to link a different parent.

Find: #Parent_Name_1
Replace: #Parent_Name_2
Search In: Properties
Properties: Attribute value
Object Types: Clones

@Paddy_CAD thank you, clear!!!

P.S. In my Inkscape 1.1 Find/Replace is CTRL F

@Paddy_CAD I made a test.

• I create square and a circle
• I create a clone of the square
• Using the XML editor I changed the xlink:href of the cloned square referencing the circle
• The cloned square has been transformed in a cloned circle

Thanks!

I had an attempt at making an automated version of this to replace symbols across multiple files.

I consider it to be a failed extension, due to the problem with transforms :(

However, it does seem to work in Inkscape 1.2rc ? 

I'm not 100% sure why. Just thought I would post it for anyone who is interested.

https://gitlab.com/inklinea/symbol-replace

spiffspaceman

@Paddy_CAD I made a test. I create square and a circle I create a clone of the square Using the XML editor I changed the xlink:href of the cloned square referencing the circle The cloned square has been transformed in a cloned circle

This is a standard feature: relink clones.

Doing similar with symbols is not so simple, unfortunately.