Hi everyone,
Inkscape newb here. First of all let me say how much I appreciate the wealth of info on this forum. A lot. What I am stuck on right now is how to draw segmented shapes. In particular a 10x6 rectangle containing a 4x4 section in the upper left corner and a 2x10 band on the bottom. In addition to that, how would I center text or objects in each of those separate sections? Thank you!

The easiest approach to this would be to draw it as three separate rectangles. Draw the 10x6 first (use a grid with snapping, or enter the dimensions directly into the toolbar to get the size right). Then draw the smaller ones on top of it (* see below). Depending on the fills and borders you use, you may end up duplicating the bottom rectangle and putting the copy on top, with a stroke but no fill, in order to give you neat edges.

For the alignment part of it, you would draw the text (and other objects), then use the Object > Align & Distribute dialogue. On the canvas select the rectangle first, then hold SHIFT and select the text. In the dialogue set the "Relative to" drop down to "First selected", then try the various buttons in the "Align" section to align the text relative to the rectangle (the third icon in each line will centre the text horizontally and vertically).



* When drawing the initial rectangles, I would get the large one in the right place, then use the Align & Distribute dialogue to position the smaller ones relative to it. Alternatively you can use the snapping tools, the grid, or manual entry into the toolbar - but I prefer to use A&D.

Align & Distribute was the tool to use. Thanks Xav! Sorry for the delayed response. This forum is awesome!