Extrude by moving nodes [feature request]

I think you should convert this feature request into a bug report.

"I think you should convert this feature request into a bug report."

The reason this is logged as a request is because this feature doesn't yet exist in Inkscape, but would do wonders for the software.

Inkscape is a powerful software package that sports many impressive features. However, many features are nestled either under the "Filters" menu or the "Extensions" menu. These would be better out in plain view, easily managed and intuitive.

Conclusion: Extrude can be used in Inkscape; but it requires a short step-by-step tutorial to get it working.

.:. NEW IDEA .:.
To improve the extrude the lines between the control handles could be dragged for shaping in order to produce rounder extrudes.

There exists an experimental LPE (live path effect) to allow to extrude a path interactively - it is not enabled in stable (and development snapshot) builds tough (you'd have to edit a source file and compile Inkscape yourself to test it):
<http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.graphics.inkscape.devel/33149>

Your original proposal seems very complex: AFAICT you ask for a generic (2d) cage deformation tool (several feature requests are already filed for this), which then additionally has nodes to add a pseudo-3d effect?

<off-topic>
> The reason this is logged as a request (…)

Note: it wasn't "logged as a request" - the 'Answers' section at launchpad is just that: questions and answers. Feature requests are filed and tracked in the bug tracker (as 'WIshlist' reports).
</off-topic>

I'm quite certain that several related feature requests have already been filed. I'll search and provide a list later this week (to avoid filing duplicated).

Feature requests for an enhanced 'Extrude' tool:
- Bug #185720 ""3d” shape extrusion feature”
  <https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/185720>
- Bug #241792 “Extrude System for Node and Line”
  <https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/241792>

About an enhanced freeform/warp/envelope tool, see also my last comment in
- Bug #170374 (sf1012134) “perspective/warp transformation envelope”
  <https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/170374>
  <https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/170374/comments/13>
Note: the list of reports in that "summary" might be missing some related or more recent ones.

A few quick examples done with the experimental (WIP) live path effect in current trunk:
<http://dl.dropbox.com/u/65084033/answers/193445-extrude-LPE-inkscape-0.48%2Bdevel-r11288.png>

Note: the tool in its current state does not create a pseudo-3d shading effect (calculating hidden edges and optionally omit them (if the path is unfilled) or instead create a filled/shaded mesh with correct z-order of the visible faces, according to the current viewpoint). One would still have to convert the path effect to a static path/group of paths, and add this manually.

> The new user, drawing from Extension > Generate from Path > Extrude...
> would not immediately see the need for an extra item to be created
> (rectangle, elipse, etc) into which the item to be extruded must be added.

Why don't you use 'Extensions > Generate from Path > Motion…' instead? No need for a second object to be 'extruded to':
<http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Extensions-GenerateFromPath.html#Extensions-Motion>

> To improve the extrude the lines between the control
> handles could be dragged for shaping in order to
> produce rounder extrudes.

Try 'Extensions > Generate from Path > Motion…' - it does support "extruding" curved paths (without the need to flatten bezier curves first).