Hey guys, now I know you are probably thinking changing template's as the default settings in Inkscape, but that's not what I am after. Lets say I come up with a design but I want to be able to save the basic design and every time I want to add something such as a new name or shape to the basic "template" I created how would I go about this without saving a new drawing every time. I basically want to open a file I created add a name Jon Doe convert it over to svg or dxf cut it and when I come back to the file its my basic design again. There was some random guy on youtube using inkscape that did this or I think he did, maybe something that is impossible or I overlooked?

Thanks!

This is the video around the 7:19 mark is what I am talking about if I have multiple items on the screen when I save they all end up in my "sheetcam" for cutting not just the individual. Does it have to do with converting the files as I work on them to path?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6y900errzE&t=147s

I can't quite make sense of the video, without watching the whole way. But if I understand what you're asking, the answer is yes, you can make such a temeplate.

Make the SVG file however you want it, and save it in the user directory (this is for Windows C:/username/AppData/Roaming/Inkscape/templates). After that, you can open Inkscape, then File menu > New from Template > choose that template

Now make your changes, and save a new file. As long as you save the SVG file with either a different name, or in a different folder, it will not overwrite your template file. And your template file will still be available the next time you want to use it. And you have the new file ready to send to the cutter.

Well, I mean, you really wouldn't want to save working files in the templates folder anyway, right?

Is that what you were asking?

Or maybe you're after 'Save a Copy as...' ? And then close and reopen the file, or use the undo history to go back to point zero?

I re-watched the video again and what maybe I wasn't picking up is him saving the files as v1,v2,v3, final...... just looks like he messes around with his "template" adds customs stuff for his customer and saves then only cuts what he just worked on but there are 5 other items on the screen in which he saved.

What about just making a symbol and using the symbol library? It would put your design in the library and then you just click to bring it in. Maybe not exactly what your after but seems in the same ball park.

When you save as dxf, you can specify which layer(s) gets saved by using the settings in the dxf export dialog. So, you have the option of keeping all the assets in one file, or you can save discrete SVG copies for each version.