In this article I’ll show you how to delete nodes along a path in Inkscape, as well has how to delete the path or line segment between two nodes. There are multiple methods for deleting nodes depending on what result you’re looking for.
Delete Nodes Along a Path or Curve
If you want to delete a node or selected nodes located on a path, simply grab the Nodes tool from the Inkscape Toolbox (assuming you’ve already drawn a straight path or curve using the Paths tool). Click on your path with the Nodes tool to select it. Next, click on the node you want to delete to select the node. If you want to delete multiple nodes, shift-click on all the nodes you want to delete.
Finally, click the “Delete” or “Backspace” key on your keyboard to delete the nodes. Keep in mind that this method won’t delete the line segments between your nodes – it will simply remove the nodes along the path.
If you’re deleting nodes along a straight path, it will keep your straight line intact. If you are deleting nodes along a curve, the curve may adjust slightly to fit the new path along the remaining nodes.
Delete a Line Segment Between Nodes
You can easily delete a line segment between multiple nodes. This method will only be visible if you have a stroke color painted along your path (click to select the path with the Selector tool, then shift-click on a color in your Color Palette at the bottom of the Inkscape user interface).
To delete a line segment between two or more nodes, start by once again grabbing the Nodes tool from your Toolbox. Shift-click on the nodes that contain the line segment you want to delete.
In the Tool Controls Bar, click the icon labeled “Delete line segment between two non-endpoint nodes.” This will delete the line segment, turning the remaining path segments into two independent paths and maintaining the trajectory or shape of the original curve.
Other Ways to Manipulate Nodes
There are many other ways to manipulate nodes and line segments along a path in Inkscape. I cover all these features and more in my Inkscape course on Udemy! Plus, I include practice worksheet downloads to help you practice working with the Paths and Nodes tools in Inkscape while reinforcing important concepts for these tools. You can enroll in my Inkscape course via this link.
That’s it for this tutorial! If you enjoyed it, you can check out my other Inkscape tutorials on my website.
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