Plugin -> UtilsPlugin2 -> Replace Geometry
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+G
Substitutes the geometry of one object for another retaining as much metadata and history as possible. Replaces one 
way with another way or a 
node with a way.
Replace one way with another way
In some cases it may be faster or more convenient to draw a new way rather than adjust the existing one, but you want to retain the history.
Replace geometry moves some or all nodes of the old way to positions of the new ones, and transfers some nodes between ways. Then the new way is deleted, having played its role. This is done to preserve way and node history as much as possible. For example:
- Choose a poorly drawn way in OSM database that you want to fix.
- Draw a new way, neat and correct, with all the correct angles.
- Select both ways.
- Use Replace geometry action.
This transfers tags and history of the old way to the new way and as much as possible re-uses the nodes of the old way. After uploading to OSM, it will appear as if the old object was simply adjusted a bit, rather than entirely replaced.
Replace a node with a way
Sometimes you may encounter a node for a feature, like a restaurant, but you have imagery with sufficient detail that you can trace the building outline. Or perhaps you've encountered a situation where the same feature is represented with both a node and a way, violating the principle of One feature, one OSM element.
In either case, select the node and the way, and the Replace Geometry action will replace (upgrade) the node with the way, retaining as much history as is possible.
Note that any combination of uploaded/new node and way is accepted. The node is always replaced in favor of the way.
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