Here is an example of what I want to do:



Basically a cross with round corners. If anyone knows how to replicate this in inkscape and can teach me that would be great!

Here's one way, maybe not the best...








The appearance is of one object, but actually it is five. One benefit of this method is, the rounded corners can be changed on the original and the clones will update.

File:

A quick and dirty solution:

• draw a rectangle with about 3/1 height/width ration,
• pull down it's corner handle while holding Ctrl for a rounded corner
• duplicate object (Ctrl+D) and rotate it with 90°
• select both objects and add them together (Ctrl++)
• dynamic offset path -inside-
• preferably convert object to path (Ctrl+Shift+C)

I would draw it in a different way though.
Starting with the * tool to make a polygon, convert it to a path, make nodes smooth, disconnect a segment and delete nodes so it would turn it to an open path, resembling a quarter turn, add a 55% opaque red fill, no stroke; duplicate it several times, position with the align and distribute panel and grouping, then use the node tool to connect the right nodes.
Can be done in minutes, giving a clear description could take much longer.


Tylerdurden's method reminds me of the old idea about making dynamic blocks -a feature that doesn't seems to get implemented soon.
Wondering if only clones of a rectangle could produce that result, because, then it would work the same, by responding to the parent's corner handle.

Tried to upload it to openclipart, but somehow an error appears.
Anyway.


This svg covers the dynamic block concept.
You can move the top right rectangle's rounded corner handles, the rounded cross shape will respond and change.
Quite good except for it cannot have a stroke.




Edit:
Now I could upload it to openclipart:
https://openclipart.org/detail/203290/dynamic-block-by-lazur-urh-203290
(An improved version compared to the one attached.)

Excellent quick tutorials guys! Really appreciate it. Thank you.