I'm using Inkscape and I'm at this point (they're supposed to become three gears)
I want to split the paths at each intersection so that I can delete the useless segments and merge the remaining ones. How can I do it?
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3Any reason why you wouldn't use Extension > Render > Gear > Gear for creating the gears? Also it seems your teeth wouldn't be able to connect because of different sizes...– AAGDOct 25, 2017 at 17:14
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2 Answers
I would abandon the method you're trying to employ, because the gears won't fit if you try to do it that way.
The tooth size of gears must be the same so that the gears will fit together. It's the number of teeth that changes for smaller gears.
The best way to do this in Inkscape is to use Extensions > Render > Gear > Gear.
Make sure you keep the Circular pitch (tooth size) the same each time you render a gear. To get smaller gears you need to reduce the number of teeth. The beauty of the Gear extension is that it does all the maths for you!
answered Oct 25, 2017 at 18:20
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1@joojaa You could create rounded shaped teeth using the rendered gears as a guide, and use the star tool to redraw the gear, set with the same number of corners as teeth. Example Oct 25, 2017 at 19:15
By using Path > Cut Path you can split with the topmost path one underlying path when both are selected before applying. The path to be splitted can be a combination of multiple paths (Path > Combine). The cutter path vanishes, so duplicate it, if you need it.
Consider to fill with the paint bucket tool what you want to keep and delete the strokes after that. Filling creates new shapes that can have strokes, too, if you want to fill the gaps.
NOTE: Inkscape's Paint bucket works unfortunately only in the screen resolution. If you need better accuracy you must join the pieces to get fillable closed areas.
Not asked, but still: Gears in mechanical machines have about 200 years had complex forms which are mathematically designed for continuous transfer of torque and keeping tear and wear in minimum (=no peaks in surface pressure during the revolution). Circle sectors are not up to the task. They are in practice impossible even to make fit. If you want your own teeth patterns, consider to use path function named "Pattern Along Path". Careful calculations are still needed to make all fit.