Quick question - How to draw a line?

[Crescendo]

I want to make a line. A solid black line. I'm a retard in terms of these types of programs.

How does the line tool work?

Here's what I'm trying:
Select intended color for line.
Left click on line tool to activate line tool to utilize primary color choice.

Drag out line to appropriate specifications.

What else would I possibly need to do after these steps? Am I missing something here?

Help would be hugely appreciated. Are there tutorials available for the most sucky of sucks?

[david.atwell]

Yes, that should work. What isn't happening that you think should be?

[Crescendo]

Well, a line isn't appearing. Just the option to change various line points. Hehe

[david.atwell]

Well, you may have a selection active that you're not aware of; try hitting Ctrl+D to clear any active ones. Also, make sure that the color you're using isn't the same as the color underneath it. Finally, you may have selected a layer that is beneath a layer with pixels in it; try adding a new layer, dragging it to the top of the layer window, and trying to place the line on that layer.

[Crescendo]

Okay, I'm getting somewhere. I created a new layer, and am able to draw a line there.

For what reason would I not be able to create a line on the existing image?

[barbieq25]

What colour were you using?

[Crescendo]

Black on white. I couldn't create any lines until I created a second layer for some reason. I don't know, I'm doing something wrong here. The eraser tool turns black stuff blue, and sometimes it creates a white and grey checker board.

This is discouraging.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

White and gray checkerboard pattern is the way paint.net indicates transparency.  It's quite correct to have this pattern in an area devoid of color.

[Crescendo]

I'm pretty sure I'll have a broken computer if I use this program any further. I think I'll just end my photo editing career before that happens.

The simplest things are not simple, at best. The inconsistencies are going to drive me off a cliff.
I have an image of a cartoon dude. There is a white background in the image. I want only the cartoon dude. Simple. As simple as it gets. Use the magic wand. Nope, it wants to highlight everything. Okay, no problem. I read a tutorial. Outline what I want to wand with the pencil or paintbrush. Nope. Because apparently, I'm only allowed to pencil outside of the edges of the image. I can draw all I want on the canvas outside of my intended drawing target.

Me=/=Software

Edited July 22, 2014 by Crescendo

[DrewDale]

If you want to remove the white (or black for that matter) from an image use Grim Color Reaper plugin found here -  http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?showtopic=15595  Remember to save your completed image as a .png in order to retain the transparent background  See attached image for magic wand options. 

 

 

[Crescendo]

Thanks for your reasonable response to my whiny post. I'll check it out, and push through my frustration.   

As much as I want to blame an outside source for my frustrations, it's clearly user error.

[DrewDale]

Thanks for your reasonable response to my whiny post. I'll check it out, and push through my frustration. 

As much as I want to blame an outside source for my frustrations, it's clearly user error.

We all have been there, learning from tutorials on this forum is a good way to start, reading through other general questions on here can also be of help, plus this is one of the best forums where help is always on hand.

[Pixey]

Frustration abounds when starting to learn all these things - been there done that .  Persevearance is the name of the game and lots of patience.

 

You can cut an image out from it's background.  Here is the tutorial, which sounds like you've tried already ...... it does work, believe me.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

For a white background removal I would use

1. Magic want with a low tolerance or

2. The AlphaSpace plugin..

AlphaSpace is particularly easy to use.

[Crescendo]

Thank you. You've all been quite helpful!