Craft Edge

I have trying to separate this peacock so I can just cut the peacock and not the background and can't get it to work. What it the best way to get rid of the background? I haven't been able to load the picture as it is too big.

Thanks
K

Can you post the file so we can take a look at the problem?

Also let us know what version of Inkscape you are using and on what computer configuration.

Also did you do a trace image first??? and then try breaking apart? Like papasue stated it would be great if we saw and image ..