copy/pasted vector image which turned into a rastor

You are using OS X? The FAQ <http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#Copying_and_pasting_in_Inkscape_creates_pixellated_images_instead_of_copying_the_vector_objects> says
<quote>
You need to deactivate this functionality in X11 preferences > Pasteboard: uncheck "Update Pasteboard when CLIPBOARD changes".
</quote>

On the OS X menu bar at the top of the screen, on the left side just after the '' item, select 'X11 > Preferences…'. In the preferences dialog for X11 select the 'Pasteboard' page and adjust the option according to the FAQ.

hth, ~suv

when reading the solution to the problem, i failed to realize that it was talking bout mac only. no wonder i couldn't find it. how bout xp and inkscape 4.6 (released in june)?

Can you describe what exactly you are trying to do and where Inkscape fails?

1) Copy&Paste within the same Inkscape instance (either the same drawing or between windows you opened from within Inkscape using 'File > Open…') should keep the vector information with all Inkscape versions.

2) Copy&Paste between 2 separate Inkscape instances (e.g. two drawings opened by double-clicking them in the explorer) has been implemented for the upcoming 0.47 release but doesn't work with 0.46. (that's AFAIK - I'm not using windows ;-)

If 1) doesn't work: do you use any third-party clipboard manager that could interfere?

If 2) doesn't work: be patient & wait for the release ;-) or try the prerelease version…

hth, ~suv