hi
Ok...I have a couple questions...sometimes when I use the erase (cut out from objects) the function works fine and it erases (see the pink shape - it has a portion erased).
Other times when I go over a shape, nothing happens (green shape).
And when I go over a cube, the red erase line just stays there. (see picture, red line on top of cube)

What's going on?

thanks
a

I would watch the status bar at the bottom to see the message when performing operations.

It is likely that the objects are not paths.

I covered the eraser tool in part 27 of my tutorial series: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11981&start=25#p64965

My conclusion was that there are better ways of achieving the same result using other tools - in your case using the Calligraphy tool whilst holding the ALT key (but you might need to convert objects to paths first).

It's worth noting, however, that 3D boxes are almost always a rule unto themselves. Personally I'd rather see them removed - at least from the primary Inkscape toolbox - as they trip up a lot of the standard functionality (try cloning a 3D box, then editing the parent!). If you really want to erase part of a 3D box then there are two practical options:

1) Ungroup it first - but that stops it being a 3D box so you can no longer edit it with the 3D box tool.
2) Draw a rectangle over the box and use the eraser to cut through the rectangle. Then use the cut rectangle as a clipping path on the 3D box.

Thanks for both replies! I'll double check to be sure both objects were paths. I'll also look at the tutorial by Xav.

In terms of erasing the 3d box...I'll try that too.
thank you
a

The Eraser tool works erratically for me as well. I think it may not be a "mature tool" yet, developmentally speaking. But I agree with Xav, regarding better ways to achieve the same result. I actually never use the Eraser tool (although I might, if it worked every time).