just downloaded new version 2/9/13. Now the, bezier and calligraphy tool do not display the lines that I am drawing. I see temporary lines while I am drawing, but when I click off the lines disappear. Totally unable to use the node editor, the spire tool etc.
What do i need to change to set preferences to have them show on screen please.

Hi.

Maybe they are only set to be transparent.
Change to outline display mode to make them visible (Ctrl+5 on the numpad twice), and use the fill and stroke panel to change those values (Shift+Ctrl+F).

Check out Brynn's Inkscape FAQs:
http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=5

Good luck!

Thanks so much. This worked for all of the tools except the calligraphy tool. I still cannot see the line as I draw it. I will start through the tutorials to see if there is an answer there.

Maybe that's related to the zoom level too.
Double click on the tool's icon, and set the width to absolute values.

Set thinning to 0 at the tool settings.

Calligraphy tool creates a closed path, so set a fill colour with 255 alpha value -and no stroke.

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Paths-Creating.html#Paths-Calligraphy