Why doesn't the perspective tool work when I do the following:
1. create my art work to be put in perspective;
2. use the rectangle tool to create a shape;
3. un-fill the rectangle and turn its stroke into a path;
at this point the rectangle path is in the same state as if you created the path using the pen tool.

So, why can't you select both the artwork (turned into paths) and the rectangle path and hit Extensions > Perspective and have the art work placed into the path?

As I answered in your other message, please see the info in the manual to learn how to draw the perspective path correctly. http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... erspective