1. I have two vector objects, each in its own layer. How do I combine
them into the same vector layer? When I use "combine layers," the
vector objects get rasterized; when I "group objects," the two vector
objects keep their separate layers.

2. Once I've gotten the two vector objects on the same layer, and once
they have identical properties, how do I combine the two objects, so
that I can run a line between the former end-node of Vector Object A,
and the former start-node of Vector Object B?

tomhr wrote:
> 1. I have two vector objects, each in its own layer. How do
> I combine them into the same vector layer? When I use
> "combine layers," the vector objects get rasterized; when I
> "group objects," the two vector objects keep their separate
> layers.

Copy and paste one object. Fetch the Object Selector tool. Select 
one, copy it, switch layers, Edit > Paste > Paste as Vector Object. 
Now you may delete the first layer.

> 2. Once I've gotten the two vector objects on the same
> layer, and once they have identical properties, how do I
> combine the two objects, so that I can run a line between
> the former end-node of Vector Object A, and the former
> start-node of Vector Object B?

Copy and paste the nodes of one object. Put the Object Selector tool 
into Node Edit mode (right-click menu or Tool Options palette). 
Select all the nodes and copy them to the clipboard. Select the 
other object, enter Node Edit mode, and paste. Now you may delete 
the first object.
-- 
Fred Hiltz,  fhiltz at yahoo dot com