Paths have no pre-defined lengths or widths. They are arbitrary in nature and come in three basic types: open paths (have two ends), closed paths (have no ends, like a circle), or compound paths (uses a combination of two open and/or closed paths).
In Inkscape there are a few ways we can make paths: the Pencil (Freehand), Bezier (Pen), and Calligraphy tools—all of which are found in the tool box. They can also be created by converting a regular shape or text object into paths.
Paths are used in web design to create unique text styling, when tracing other images like photographs and when building icons, buttons, and logos.
In general, we use paths to build unique objects that aren't part of the SVG standard shapes in Inkscape discussed in the next section. Since we can combine paths and make them closed objects—they again can be resized, manipulated, and then exported as web graphics.
