: How to "detach" or separate parts of a vector image in Illustrator CS5? I scanned a sketch of a wreath of flowers with stems and leaves that I drew, changed it to a vector image, and I

@Berryessa866

Right now the green is one shape so you need to break it up in to different shapes. You were probably on the right track with the scissors tool, there are some other, possibly easier methods though.

Scissors Tool

If you use the scissors tool, to 'fix' the image, you need to re-join the paths. This is because you now have open paths where you had a closed shape before. Since using the scissors tool will leave overlapping points where you cut the path its normally easier to move one section then move it back after re-joining the paths.

A quick example to illustrate what I mean:



Pathfinder

Another option is to use the Pathfinder tools. You draw an overlapping shape, divide the shapes and delete the unwanted areas. A quick example using Divide:



Shape Builder

Probably the easiest solution in this case is the Shape Builder Tool. The Shape builder tool is similar to pathfinder, you just need to draw a path over the area you want to separate. A quick example using the Shape Builder Tool:

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