Hello, I'm probably a mid-level Inkscape user trying to use Inkscape with my Silhouette cutter.

I'm trying to create a shallow box with solid cut lines and dashed score lines that I can fold.

I have 14 assorted rectangles that I have positioned as needed but need to separate the 4 sides of the stroke

of each rectangle to some dashed lines and some solid lines.

I have tried every way I can think of....is there something I'm missing? Thanks Tim

You can not have a mix of styles in one object, you`ll need to break up the rectangle at certain nodes and go Path->Break Apart to separate the parts which can then have different stroke styles. if that`s what you need.

Thanks for replying. I have tried creating a rectangle  -converting to path  -break apart. But the 4 sides/strokes are still "connected"

I have tried using the node tool and selecting the 4 corner nodes of the rectangle shaped path and selecting -  break path at selected nodes- the fill remains

and if I change the stroke of 1 side of the rectangle...all the sides change?

I would want a rectangle shaped path with 3 sides / strokes solid and 1 side / stroke dashed.

You missed the step where you have first to break/disconnect at least 2 nodes that Path->Break Apart makes sense if you go the rectangle route. Of course you can take the Bézier-tool to draw the 3 sides - hit enter and add the last segment after that with snapping enabled. Then you have 2 separate objects by default.

Maybe check your Import settings for SVG/DXF in Silhouette Studio.
 

Thanks. Yes, I discovered the proper sequence eventually. If I selected the nodes of a rectangle converted to path. Break path at nodes, then path - break apart I could select and modify the individual strokes.

Good thing I wasn't being paid by the job, but now I know!

Hello T_Esh

Do you import .svg files with Silhouette Designer Edition or do you import .dxf files with Silhouette Standard Edition ?

Do you import .svg files with Silhouette Designer Edition or do you import .dxf files with Silhouette Standard Edition ?

I'm not sure how to reply on this forum, I have the Silhouette Business Edition. I generally import svg files or pdf if I have modified with Inkscape.

My original issue wasn't with importing correctly though, I guess more of a workflow thing...

With Silhouette standard edition, direct svg import isn't possible and people have to find workarounds with dxf files. And I'm not sure dashes are correctly exported in dxf : you have to draw interrupted lines instead of a two nodes line with dashed stroke or use the extension convert dashes to stroke.

To master exactly where dashes are on the line, you  can :

1. Use dashes lpe on the segment that has been isolated as explained earlier (duplicate endpaths and break path apart) : once satisfied you have to cook lpe (flatten option or path > object to path) if you want, you can combine again and join endpaths to have one single path with three continous sides and one interrupted).
2. Create a tiled pattern that will punch holes in one side with Cut and remove by shape. The quickest way imho.

Here is an illustration of the second method where the dashes intentionnaly don't come to corners (so on the dashed side, the cut isn't at the corner, if you see what mean).

And an illustration of the first method where the cut will come to corners (a refinement of the method explained by polygon).

Wow! Very impressive! Thanks for taking the time to show me these methods.