• Like 0.39, very large paths (4000 nodes) are very slow, especially during

zoom and when I go into node-edit-mode (inkscape spends a lot of time drawing stuff that's off-screen).

Yes it's a problem. We need to do more optimization in one of the future versions.

• While dragging with the middle mousebutton, inkscape should stop drawing

when I move the mouse. That would prevent these nasty "hickups" when panning and allow to pan in models of any complexity.

Well, in my experience it draws only when you slow down or stop, but when you move fast it lets you do that.

• Is there a way to leave the "cut object" (used in cut path) alive?

ctrl+d before cutting?

• There should be a way to set the layer of an object; using "next layer" and

"prev. layer" is ugly.

yep, a "move to layer..." command with a dialog

• I'm editing a vectorized image (a scan of a map). Unfortunately, the

"strokes" of the original image were converted to polygons by potrace. Is there an easy way to turn them into lines?

that's a question for potrace... or if you find any other tracer that can do that, we might incorporate it too

• I'd like to have a way to split a path at a point (turning that point into

two endpoints, leaving orientation, etc, alone). Can you add that, please?

If you have a node at that point, use a button in node editor. If you don't, use "cut path" or add a new node to the segment (it will be added in the middle, currently) and then move it to where you want it to be. A way to add a node at an arbitrary point of the curve will be added later, it's a much requested function.

• How do I join the ends of two paths?

Combine them first, then use node editor button.

• Is it possible to create a polygon by specifying a set of paths? The idea is

that I have N paths which are the borders of an area (a land on a map). Now, I want to be able to create a polygon and the borders from the paths. The borders themselves should get special styles (border to the sea, to another land, province, etc) while all "borders" of an area joined should give the outline of the background. Even better: Two adjoining lands would share the same border. When I move a point of the border, I change the border and the two "land areas".

In SVG, an object has one fill anf one stroke only. We can program interaction of linked objects for example as you describe for neighboring lands, but it's unlikely to be done soon (unless someone specifically interested in this joins the team).