Hi,
I also noticed that the Object->Path command converts a circle/ellipse to a path using eight Bezier curves (and would thus have eight markers). It seems to me that it should be converting to four elliptical arc segments.
The code's there, see "svg/svg-path.cpp", l. 92. It would output elliptical arcs, if Circle::getPath (2geom/circle.cpp, l. 102) created elliptical arcs in the first place. With this I could need a bit of help ;) . Btw, the number of Bezier curves depends on the size of the objects it seems.
Inkscape currently represents circles and arcs as two path elliptical arc segments. In order to have four markers, it should be using four elliptical arc segments.
I don't know. Let's say I create a pizza slice. I'd expect to get exactly one elliptical arc and two straight lines if I convert it to a path, even if there were a marker point on the way. Then the user should rather divide the elliptical arc into two parts manually in order to get a marker there. Usually, you first create your shape and then add your markers afterwards, don't you?
It would be very nice if Inkscape could directly create the SVG circle and ellipse elements rather than use the SVG path element.
The problem here is that then it must be possible to convert between circles and ellipses and paths in both directions. This probably adds lots of buttons and menu entries to the UI.
Regards, Markus