I'm trying to make a rectangle follow a path, but it just seems to make a mess, am i doing something wrong or is there a problem with something else? I'm just using the default settings.

Here's an example, it's not what i was originally trying though

I got similar results with.....either they were the default settings, or the settings when I last used it. Not sure which. But this is one dialog where you do have to choose specific settings. The differences among Snake, Ribbon, Repeated, Stretched are many and significant. What kind of effect are you looking for? Maybe we can suggest the proper settings. Or you could always experiment. Inkscape crashed on me, right after it performed the pattern along path, lol. So I'll also reopen and play with it some more. But until I have some idea what you want to do, I can't give you any suggestions. Also you could refer to Help menu > Inkscape manual.

kingee wrote:I'm trying to make a rectangle follow a path, but it just seems to make a mess, am i doing something wrong or is there a problem with something else? I'm just using the default settings.

The path you are using as skeleton path most likely has the Spiro path effect applied (verify by selecting the path and reading the status line message): convert the path effect to a regular path (menu 'Path > Object to Path') before using the 'Pattern along Path' extension. And make sure that the pattern is above the skeleton path (in z-order).

@ Brynn, i was trying to use this, http://screencasters.heathenx.org/episode-097/

@suv, tried converting it, it did the same thing

I viewed the tut and it worked fine for me, but I played around and I was able to reproduce your problem two (2) ways. I got scattered Pattern Along Path objects,
1)By not converting the Rectangle shape to a Path object.
2)I converted the Rectangle to a pattern (>Object >Pattern Object to Pattern)

I suggest you try the following please.

1. Create the Skeleton Path you want your pattern along first, this will make it the lowest path in the Z-order (stacking order of objects)
Note: Your skeleton path should be a simpler path, creating a wild multi-node, with alot of curves/angles in it will lead to a blotched effect, regardless if you follow the steps in the tutorial it will look messy.

2. Create a tall thin Rectangle Width:2.0, Height:30.00 px, to resize the rectangle I suggest using the Selector Tool's Control Bar W: and H: fields (this bar is just above the canvas area).

3. Convert the Rectangle to a Path >Path >Object to Path (Shift+ Ctrl+ C).

4. Select both objects on your canvas, then open the >Extensions >Generate from Path >Pattern Along Path... menu, using the settings below i had no problems achieving the edit as outlined in the tutorial you referenced.
Copies of the Pattern:_____Repeated
Deformation Type:________Snake
Space between:___________0.0
Normal Offset:____________0.0
Tangential Offset:_________0.0
Pattern is vertical:_________unchecked
Duplicate the pattern...:____unchecked

5. Once you get this to work then you can proceed to an object of 5 multicolored 'grouped' paths for step 2 above

It works now, thanks a lot

Oh I'm glad you worked it out
I did just now solve the problem as well. First, I had not converted my rectangle to a path. And 2nd, I had the path on top in z-order, but by putting the rectangular path on top, it worked as expected.