I normally lurk, and read, and appreciate all of the fantastic help - but my search of the forums isn't coming up with an answer this time.

I'm using the Erase tool in the Cut Out From Objects mode.

I'm hoping to be able to move my tool in straight horizontal or vertical lines - so that I can erase a clear horizontal path. I would guess that some version of control or option or shift or command when erasing would do this, but I'm failing.

Is this possible? How?

Thanks so much.

Oh wow, my Eraser tool is actually working, for the first time!

I don't think there's any way to erase in a straight line, with Inkscape. But even if it could, I would probably advise against using the Eraser tool, because in my experience, it tends to be buggy, or doesn't always work, or work properly. But more than that, because other tools are more effective. It's a relatively simple matter to draw parallel lines. Or in this case, I'd probably use simple rectangles.

Let's say you have a larger rectangle filled with....well anything really. Then duplicate it, grab the top, middle arrow, and drag up or down, until it's the same width which you wanted to erase. Then select both rectangles, and Path menu > Difference.

With a couple of variations, you could do a whole page of transparent stripes, all at once.

If you could provide more details, I could write steps for you.