[Inkscape-user] Objects on a path

Hello, Is there a way to place copies of an object along a path the same way that text can be put on a path (with orientation perpendicular to the path)? Would this require that an object first be converted to a font?

I've tried the Tiled Clones tracing and see that the L-system effect in 0.44 can define paths from rules.

Thanks!, John