Simple erasing on a single layer?

[bradb]

I have been all through this forum looking for this answer and I see that several people have run in to, either the same or very similar issue.

But no one has an answer......

Like many I and my daughter were introduced to a paint program through the free windows one.

It gives you the ability to erase a line or several lines with one step......one click and the eraser symbol becomes a literal eraser.

The eraser symbol is here and I can click it but it does nothing more than make a check board pattern.????

Why is there no straight forward erase ability when there is a straight forward ability to draw a line?

And if there is why is it not as easy to find and use???

Please keep in mind I am new to this paint program so telling me to lasso this,... or cover this,... or layer that,... WITHOUT telling me how to do ALL of that is not tutoring....

Thank-You very much for your response.

BradB

Edited November 28, 2010 by bradb

[becauseilearn]

Do you have an example? The word line is simple, the real thing might be complex.

[BoltBait]

If you've just drawn a line that you don't like, try pressing Ctrl-Z to "undo" the line.

[Sarkut]

The answer to this question will depend on the specifics of what you are doing.

Generally, the Eraser tool can be used.

If you have one or more lines on a white background, they can be painted over with a white Paintbrush.

If the lines are all on their own transparent layer, the layer can be deleted.

If you have just finished drawing several lines that you now don't want,

you can click on the action immediately before the lines in the History window.

So, if you can be more specific, we can give specific advice and help.

[bradb]

Thank-you for the replies....

I see how painting over with white could be a solution,............. but not an answer to the question.

Is there an eraser and no it cannot be used.

I have tried everything I can think of to make it work and it does not.

Erasing is a simple straight forward thing to do so can paint.net do it or not?

I know I am comparing it to a much simpler tool but this is not reasonable to my little brain that an eraser symbol is there yet it does not function AS an eraser.

All I have found in this forum are work around solutions that do not apply to a simple computer copy of the simplest line drawing.

Undo.......yes I see that if I want to change something after my last pencil or brush stroke I can use UNDO but what if it was 10 moves ago???

It is starting to look like this tool is not named properly as it has very little to do with drawing as apposed to manipulating photos or creating something in layers since that word is so prevalent in the responses.

I am coming at this as a sketcher who still uses the old fashion messy methods,.....paper, pencils, charcoal, and paint.

Anyone know of a program that would suit my needs better.

Thanks again.

[Sarkut]

The Eraser tool does erase, it will erase whatever it is applied to on the active layer.

If the layer consists of white with dark lines, the white will be erased along with the dark.

Erasing will leave transparent "holes".

Learning about layers is important to a proper understanding of how to use this program.

There are many digital image programs available, web searching will present many to choose from.

I believe that if you take some time to learn how to use Paint.NET it may serve you well.

Here is a link to the Help documentation:

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/index.html

You might want to look through some of the Forum members' galleries in the Pictorium,

the Archives of the competition forum, and the Galleria to see if any of the work is in line

with what you wish to be doing.

http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/forum/16-the-pictorium/

http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/forum/32-the-archives/

[mountnman]

since it hasnt been said outright and only reffered to,ill say it

.

that checkerboard pattern is what is shown when an image is totally erased-- it means that section is transparent or clear- thru all layers to the very bottom of the picture. MS paint cannot be totaly erased, it will leave a white background behind. this is what seems to be your main hang-up at the moment.

.

with Paint.net and other higher function painting programs you get the ability to create works that have truely blank areas or outside shapes other than rectangular, when saved as certain file types, the area that is checkered will remain clear, png for example, on others- say a giff image the checkerboard will be filled as white- if you need that white back ground for your peace of mind- leave the background layer white, and then add layers to do your drawing on. Sarkut has given you the link to learn about layers