Use markers as clip path

Question

I want to plot a line, where the markers knock out a piece of the line instead of being displayed (it would be useful if there was a way to leave a bit of space around a marker, too). Drawing the marks white doesn't always work, i.e. when anything is behind the plot.

Is there a way to add the markers to the plot's clip path, so it will be transparent in the knocked-out parts instead of white?

\documentclass{minimal}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \begin{axis}[height=3cm, width=10cm]
        \addplot[fill=blue!20,draw=none,mark=none] coordinates{(0,0) (0,5) (5,5) (5,0)};
        \addplot[mark=square*, mark options={scale=2, fill=white, draw=white},
            samples=10] {x};
        \addplot[only marks,samples=10] {x + 2*rand};
    \end{axis}
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

Answer 1

Unless I am proven wrong by some power-user, I would say: this is impossible (without considerable effort).

Markers are drawn in a special way, in a special sequence, and with special consideration of the clip path (marker paths should never be clipped) etc etc. Taking all that into account might prove to be difficult.

Perhaps it would be possible if support for \addplot[clip] was added (would be a feature request).