How do you "cut out " part of an embellishment on CS5?

Hi all!

I'm just getting started on Photoshop CS5 and wondering if anybody can tell me how to cut out part of an embellishment. I want to break up the words "sweet dreams" that form one embellishment so it can fit on two lines.

Thanks in advance,

Amy

i use CS3 - not sure if it's the same or not - but i normally click on the layer i want to edit, then use the marquee tool to select the portion of the element i want to move etc - then i use the move tool to move it where i want it to go. if i really want to make it into two separate elements, i'll hit control-J (or command-J on a mac) to duplicate that part of the layer, and then erase that portion from the original layer ...

hope that helps ?!?

Dana,

Thanks so much for the quick response!

I got it to work using the command J and then erasing from the original layer but couldn't get my marquee part to move when I wanted it to using your first method mentioned!

I'm just learning photoshop and its sooo frustrating! Why can't I just have somebody like you looking over my shoulder for the first few pages??? I'm sure I would learn much faster than trial and error!

Thanks again!

Amy

After you have the area you want to move selected, you have to switch to the "move" tool. I do this by typing "v" on the keyboard. When you have the "move" tool selected, your cursor will have a little scissors icon under it.

ETA: Many of the designers have tutorials for using the various software programs on their blogs. These are a great resource for learning how to use the software! You can find the tutorials on Penny's blog here.

Thanks Kate, I think I am going to go through a couple of the tutorials now. I was thinking of taking the online classes from Jessica Sprague but they are a little spendy ($45, $69) and all I can think of is how many kits I could buy from Sweet Shoppe with that money if I could learn on my own. Then again, time is valuable and maybe if I did a class it would be worth it. Thanks again!

Amy

you can save a step by just using the marquee and selecting what you want cut..then right click/layer via cut and it's on a new layer already separated from your first layer. Then just use the move tool to move it where ya want it

I'd recommend lynda.com she has some great photoshop tutorials (free and pay) but so worth it.

You guys have been so helpful, thank you!

Amy