Inkscape

how to un-duplicate a rectangle

Asked by jon sayer

I have duplicated a rectangle but want to delete the original. every time i click on it, another duplicate is generated (which canbe deleted). the original can't be deleted.
How can I get this problem solved?

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su_v (suv-lp) said : 		#1

WHich command are you using to delete the rectangle?

Inkscape's current keyboard shortcuts for duplicating and deleting:
'Crtl+D' -> Duplicate
<Backspace> or <Del> -> Delete

Inkscape keyboard and mouse reference:
Duplicate: <http://inkscape.org/doc/keys048.html#d0e1590>
Delete: <http://inkscape.org/doc/keys048.html#d0e2260>

Related Inkscape manual section:
Inkscape » Editing Basics » Copying, Pasting, and Deleting Objects:
<http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Copy.html>

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su_v (suv-lp) said : 		#2

Please ignore my earlier comment - I misunderstood the problem.

> every time i click on it, another duplicate is generated (which canbe deleted).

This is not Inkscape's normal behavior when selecting an object with the select tool (a single click simply selects, and does not duplicate or otherwise manipulate the object being clicked on). Are you by chance using the spray tool instead of the select tool when trying to select the original?

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Best su_v (suv-lp) said : 		#3

> every time i click on it, another duplicate is generated (which canbe deleted).

A possible explanation of what's going on: there might be multiple duplicates stacked on top of the original, and when clicking on the top-most one, and subsequently deleting that selected object, only the top-most one is removed (as is expected), revealing another duplicate stacked below.

To verify how many (duplicated) objects might be stacked on top of the original: with the select tool, drag a selection frame around the rectangle, and read the message in the status bar: it will tell you how many objects are currently selected, and give you a hint why possibly you have to first delete multiple duplicates before finally being able to select the original rectangle stacked at the bottom by itself.

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jon sayer (jon-sayer) said : 		#4

I'm using the select tool(top black arrow). It's wierd because the instance is deleted but i can't deletetheoriginal rectangle?
Wonder if i clicked some other command when creating the rectangle in error?
i am new to inkscape and, as an Illustrator user in the past, think this is a fantastic piece of software!!!
Thanks for such a prompt reply:)))

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jon sayer (jon-sayer) said : 		#5

Thanks ~suv, that solved my question.

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jon sayer (jon-sayer) said : 		#6

My thanks to the support provided by Inkscape. I was a commercialillustrator for 25 years.I just do a bit for friends etc now. I've already recommended Inkscape to colleagues as it is a fantastic piece of "kit":)))