Is there a way to delete a specific distance from a path without needing to use difference/etc?

It would be similar to "delete segment between two non-endpoint nodes", but without needing nodes in the first place.  Almost like a "scissor" function where you specify that you want 1mm cut out of the path, then you click on a part of the path and it cuts the path by that amount where you clicked.  I would imagine if this was possible, it would create new nodes where the gap occurs (at the new endpoints).

I have a combined/union path with multiple sections that I really don't want to break or split apart.  I want the path to remain whole and intact except for the small parts deleted.  I've tried doing it with difference, but that always deletes the extra parts I have.  For example, in the screenshot all the non-selected elements are part of one path.

Screenshot shows a desired gap.

Thanks!

If you want to cut at the intersection points, you could use Path > Cut Path. But - I'm not sure why - it will still separate your shape. But if you put every thing in its own group/layer first, it would be easy to combine them again later. See attached capture of the operation.

aperitero

If you want to cut at the intersection points, you could use Path > Cut Path. But - I'm not sure why - it will still separate your shape. But if you put every thing in its own group/layer first, it would be easy to combine them again later. See attached capture of the operation.

That makes sense, thank you! Might still speed up my workflow compared to creating new nodes and breaking them off every time I need a gap.

It‘s just 2 clicks to establish 2 new nodes at the crossings - then select these 2 nodes and hit „delete segment between selected nodes“.

Polygon

It‘s just 2 clicks to establish 2 new nodes at the crossings - then select these 2 nodes and hit „delete segment between selected nodes“.

I understand that; for my application it would be great to have a more precise tool that always separates nodes by the same distance.  (rather than having to check each gap with the measure tool)

I don't know if you aware of that: to use Polygon solution, you need to enable snapping (and also path intersections snapping in advanced snapping mode if it's not already enabled). With the node tool, you should see the intersection highlighting when approaching the cursor. Then, double clicking would create the node precisely where the intersection is.