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.

JWtje (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)

Hi Rich,
Thanks for the reply. Problem not solved yet. I do close the circle but still things go wrong. If I first close the circle like you say I do not get the crawling ants outline. If I press enter after closing the selection I do get the crawling ants. If I then press delete it deletes everything "but" the selection. The layer that I am working in has a yellow and black outline that is constantly present. Does this mean anything?
The scissor tool has a "No go" sign right above it.

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

JWtje (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)

OK, I've found a way to do this.
I now complete the selection by clicking the first point, the I click within the selection while holding Shift key and then I can delete the selection. However I still don't know what changed. I used to be able to click the first point and the simp[ly click delete to do the same.

But I can live with this method.

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

First complete the scissors 'curve' by clicking on the first control point. That
is still not a selection, you have the option to edit the curve in some way.

When satisfied then Enter or click inside the curve to make a selection.
Depending where you are on the canvas determines the icon 'action' symbol
(including a not possible) Look at the bottom of the Gimp window - the information bar for what is possible.

If the selection is the wrong area try inverting Selection -> Invert before
deleting.

Yellow and black outline is a layer boundary, Useful to know, part of Gimp not
the image.

Screenshots seem not to work so a quick video, all of 3 minutes, should explain
enough for you to progress.

https://youtu.be/EHe0UpGH_tU

JWtje (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)