Hi, I'm an absolute beginner and probably I'm missing some fundamental concept in Inkscape, but I find terribly difficult to cut a line.

I have just one line connecting the centers of two discs. What is the best (and fastest) method to trim the line accurately to the borders of the discs?

Thx in advance!

Duplicate one of the circles, select that duplicate and add the line to the selection, then go to Path > Cut path.

The duplicated circle will be created above the line, as it should be, and it will disappear after the cutting.

Hmm, good tip.

I should invest some more time in the path operation, it might save me quite some work.

What I would have done was :

• duplicating the line (ctrl D) and then convert the duplicate in a guide (shift G).
• duplicating the circle (ctrl D) and then convert the duplicate in a guide (shift G).
• use the node tool to move the nodes of the line to the requested positions, where the guides cross.

Apparently more roads lead to Rome, and your road seems shorter

Thank you for your suggestions!

The "duplicate and cut path" method is faster but has one problem.
The part of the line which remains on the screen is the one WITHIN the circle, rather than the one outside of the circle.
Any idea on how to reverse this?

Following the "guides" is something I had not learned about, yet. This works, but if the diagrams get complex it is not very handy.

Best would be the "cut path" method if there would be a way to leave the outside part of the line.

I'm not sure if this is a bug, I'll have to look into it, but you can work around it.

Duplicate the line, duplicate both circles, then cut the paths, one path with one circle, then the other path with the other circle.

Use 'Path > Revert' on the duplicated path you want to trim - this leaves the other side of the path (outside the circle).

Ok, that works! Thx!