Hi everyone,
I’m coming from CorelDRAW, and in Corel's Object Manager, I can easily see a small thumbnail/preview of each shape (its geometry) next to its name in the object list. This helps a lot when working with many paths or curves.

In Inkscape, the Layers and Objects dialog only shows names like path123, circle5, etc., with no visual indication of what each shape actually looks like.

Is there any way in Inkscape to show a small shape preview or geometry next to each object in the list — like in CorelDRAW?

That is not currently a feature, but might be good to have as an option. 

Feature requests are managed on the bug-tracker:

https://inkscape.org/forums/beyond/how-to-report-bugs-or-request-new-features/

https://inkscape.org/forums/beyond/signing-up-for-a-gitlab-account-to-report-bugs/

A better screenshot of how Affinity Designer previews objects in the layers dialog. 

 

I'm writing to propose a new feature that I believe would bring a significant improvement to Inkscape's workflow, especially for users dealing with imported or complex SVG files. This idea is inspired by a functionality I've observed in CorelDRAW's Object Docker, which has proven incredibly valuable in identifying subtle yet critical issues in vector graphics.

The Problem:

Often, when importing SVG files from other software (such as files created in Rhino 8, as I've recently experienced), what appears to be a single, continuous path can actually be composed of multiple, unattached, or "shattered" segments. While the visual representation might seem fine as shown in the attached image, these underlying discontinuities can cause numerous problems downstream:

• Manufacturing/Cutting Errors: For CNC, laser cutting, or vinyl cutting, unattached segments lead to incomplete cuts, wasted material, and significant rework.

The Solution: A "Shattered Segment" Detection Feature

CorelDRAW's Object Docker has a remarkable ability to detect these "unattached segments" and clearly highlight them in its object list. This is not just about identifying a "buggy" path; it's about providing a clear, actionable insight into the true structure of the vector data.

Why this feature is crucial for Inkscape:

1. Rapid Defect Identification: Imagine being able to scan an entire complex model in a matter of seconds (as I've experienced, it can be as quick as 15 seconds!). This would allow users to instantly spot any part of the drawing that contains these fragmented paths.

2. Massive Time Savings: Currently, finding these subtle breaks often involves painstaking manual inspection, zooming in, and trying to select individual nodes. This can take hours on complex designs. A dedicated detection feature would drastically reduce the time spent on finding and diagnosing these issues.

3. Streamlined Workflow: By quickly identifying problematic areas, users can immediately focus on fixing them (e.g., by joining nodes, using Path > Combine, or re-drawing if necessary). This makes the entire process of preparing files for production or further editing significantly smoother and easier.

4. Enhanced Reliability for Production: For users relying on Inkscape for production-ready files (e.g., for laser cutters, plotters, etc.), ensuring path integrity is paramount. This feature would provide a vital quality control step directly within Inkscape.

5. Improved Interoperability: As Inkscape is often used in conjunction with other software, being able to quickly verify the integrity of imported SVGs would greatly enhance its interoperability and make it a more reliable hub in a multi-software workflow.

Potential Implementation Ideas:

• A dedicated "Path Integrity Check" dialog or panel.

• An option within the "Objects" dialog (similar to CorelDRAW's approach) that highlights or flags paths containing unattached segments.

• A "Report Invalid Paths" function that lists or selects problematic objects.

I believe this feature would be a game-changer for many Inkscape users, particularly those working with imported files or preparing designs for manufacturing. It addresses a real-world pain point with a highly efficient solution.

No doubt it would be a good option.

This forum is for user discussions. To file a feature request with the developers, please refer to the links in my post above.

Siser - 

I recently discovered a technique in Inkscape that helped solved some of the issues that you wrote about for Autodesk Fusion (360). Before I import the svg design into Fusion, I window select all the objects and simply used the Shape Builder tool. I mouse over all the objects to verify if in fact the objects had closed paths.  

I recently had an issue with an SVG import into Fusion and simply couldn't figure out what the problem was. Spent quite a bit of time trying to figure it out. I used the Shapebuilder tool and found the issue almost instantly. 

Will this technique prevent all the problems you mentioned? Nope. Hopefully it will help. 

That shape preview of Affinity would be indeed a nice feature