Can I "erase" part of an image?

[shortonideas]

I have a butterfly image...and want to pop it out of a card. So on either side of the butterfly, I'd like to have a spot where it does not cut for about 1/2". Any suggestions?

[gj1]

In scal...what can be done, is to place your card base in the center of the mat for reference measurement points with arrows top and bottom being aligned with the dark ruler marks in the center of the mat. So, the rectangle is there...I check the X and Y in the Properties Panel to get it centered right, also. Then, go to the Library of shapes and Spring for butterfly(I love the Shape Library!). Click it and size as you would like and then copy and paste it...with the copy paste, make a shadow outline and with the up down arrow in the Properties panel...make the shadow as small as it goes..now, put that around the butterfly in the center so it does not touch it...now, 'hide'(right click on mouse while clicked on center butterfly and 'hide'). Now, select the base and butterfly shadow and go to Object Merge(if at any time Merge does not work then do Path and Back minus Front)...now go to Object Show All and the other butterfly will come in the center. Now pick a point to attach to the base with two rectangles and then Select All and Union.

You can do this in Inkscape but I like SCAL :)

ALSO, the attachment for the rectangles sometimes needs to be adjusted or the size of the butterfly, to make the card close proper...keeping it all inside.

[gj1]

A couple added notes...maybe make two copies of the center butterfly, and hold one off to the side..this will be your contrasting color cut to glue on top.

Also, if you can not click on the center butterfly to hide it...when you want to merge the shadow...go to Window at the top and then Layers and click on the line for that center butterfly and that will put a box around it so you can then 'hide' it for the Merge of the shadow with the rectangle.

[gj1]

removed

[gj1]

Thank you so much for getting me going on this, as I am often 'shortonideas' also. Thanks again!

[Delene]

In scal...what can be done, is to place your card base in the center of the mat for reference measurement points with arrows top and bottom being aligned with the dark ruler marks in the center of the mat. So, the rectangle is there...I check the X and Y in the Properties Panel to get it centered right, also. Then, go to the Library of shapes and Spring for butterfly(I love the Shape Library!). Click it and size as you would like and then copy and paste it...with the copy paste, make a shadow outline and with the up down arrow in the Properties panel...make the shadow as small as it goes..now, put that around the butterfly in the center so it does not touch it...now, 'hide'(right click on mouse while clicked on center butterfly and 'hide'). Now, select the base and butterfly shadow and go to Object Merge(if at any time Merge does not work then do Path and Back minus Front)...now go to Object Show All and the other butterfly will come in the center. Now pick a point to attach to the base with two rectangles and then Select All and Union.

You can do this in Inkscape but I like SCAL

See photos below. And a couple added notes in the post below. ALSO, the attachment for the rectangles sometimes needs to be adjusted or the size of the butterfly, to make the card close proper...keeping it all inside. Card shown in post below.

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be trying this now that I know how to do it!
Thanks again!

[TheresaTT]

heck yea, i printed it out to try. i love thorough instructions.

[sstehman]

Just love your directions.

[gj1]

Thanks! Glad to help. Now, show me your cards that YOU make :)
Actually, I often wonder when I explain...is it really clear.