[Gimp-user] Scissors tool deleting entire background

[rich404 <forums gimpusers com>]

> Hi everybody,
> I just started working with Gimp a week ago since Photoshop no longer
> works on
> my Mac since the last OS update. Like it very much so far.
>
> I was editing a picture and removing a lot of background. I was using
> the
> scissors tool to select pieces of the background to delete them.
>
> All of a sudden this no longer worked.
> If I select a small piece with the scissors and then press delete it
> deletes the
> entire image.
>
> Does anyone know what is happening? Reinstalled Gimp in case I messed
> up some of
> the settings but nothing changed after the reinstall.

It could be peculiar to OSX but best guess is you are not completing the
selection ( I can replicate your problem)

You need to make sure the scissors tool completes - click on the starting
control point. Note how the tool icon changes for different actions from a '+'
to that double circle. There is also information bottom of the Gimp image
window. (1)

Then click in the outline or hit the enter key or select some other tool to
create the selection (2)

That gives the 'crawling ants' denoting an active selection (3) Delete key will
then do as it says (4) There is also Edit -> Cut which lets you paste the
selection back if required.

If you want transparency you need to invoke  Layer -> Transparency -> Add alpha
channel before cutting the selection.

When complete remember to close the selection Select -> None.

Are you suffering from PS syndrome, expecting Gimp to work the same way as some
other graphic editors? Always check with the documents first.

https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-tool-iscissors.html

If you want a copy of Gimp help in PDF format there is an English (or Italian)
version here. http://gimp.linux.it/www/meta/  1000 pages / indexed / searchable.

quote...Reinstalled Gimp in case I messed up some of the settings but nothing
changed after the reinstall. ..unquote

Settings are held in your Gimp profile which is created first time you run Gimp.
Reinstalling Gimp does not affect these settings. Usually resetting the tools
from Edit -> Preferences works.

Attachments:
* https://www.gimpusers.com/system/attachments/1304/original/01-scissors.jpg
* https://www.gimpusers.com/system/attachments/1305/original/02-scissors.jpg

-- 
rich404 (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)