Hello all. I'm new to Inkscape and I plan to use this software to design some decorative items that I will cut out with my CNC machine. What I really would like to learn is how to add some design to the interior perimeter of some shape.

Let's say I have a star shape to be cut out with some text to engrave into the center. How might I go about adding a zigzag pattern to the inside of the star that traces out the shape? What if I wanted to do to add some other pattern? Is there a library of trim patterns like this to utilize?

Thanks!

I'm not entirely clear what you mean about a decorative trim inside a shape. But I don't know of any pre-existing libraries. You can make your own library though. If I understand what you're asking, I know the perfect tutorial for you: http://verysimpledesigns.com/vectors/in ... rders.html That's the first of a series of 3 tutorials on the subject of making and using your own design library.

There are also a few tutorials and channels on youtube, this one for example:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cuttingtimes/videos

I dont think there is one simple answer how to achieve the effect you want. Some things can be done with 'Scatter', some with 'Pattern Along Path' (and sometimes you would use the LPE and sometimes the extension, depending on what you want to achieve).
A lot of stuff can be done nicely with tiled clones.

But some things just need clever thinking and a bit of math.

Thanks. Those two replies really help clear things up.

I think the scatter and pattern along path are just what I was looking for.

And that video series looks like a wonderful resource!