Can't figure out what I am doing wrong

[Linda]

I have been trying to trace and break apart this clip art for several days. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? I have followed the directions given on this site and was successful with other items. With this one I can't get the entire cross to show. When I go to break it apart, the cross and part of the flame are all in one. The other flame parts end up being single lines. I tried using other pictures and clip art of and haven't been able to get anywhere. I've tried so many different ways that I can't remember the right way to do it now! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Original:

[jancy]

it won't break apart, because when you trace it, you're tracing the ouline.

where did you get the clipart from? I can take a look at it if you like. you can post it here, pm or email me at cacroppin@yahoo.com.

before tracing, try "ungroup" under object & see if it comes apart that way.

another thing you can do is add nodes & draw lines connecting them where you want them.

[AnointedHands]

I created the file tracing it twice. Once for the cross, then for the flame. Separated the cross and the flame on the second cut and there are two separate cuts.

scut file attached.

[Linda]

Anointedhands, thank you so much! The cut is just perfect. I appreciate the time you took to do this for me and to explain how you did it.
Jancy, thank you too for your advice and offer. I will try some of the things you suggested. I'm determined to learn how to do this stuff.
Linda

[gatechgal]

So how did you get it to do just the cross part?

[AnointedHands]

Using the pic in the post, once you click on Path>Trace Bitmap, the default value in Brightness will only show the cross. That was easy. Second trace, I has to up the value to get the flame to show, and then I separated the cross from the flame and deleted the extra parts of the cross.

[kkrewtea]

How did you up the value???

[AnointedHands]

You use the arrows to change the value.

[kkrewtea]

I didn't know you could do that!!!!! How cool! thanks!