selection inside object

[handrawn]

if its vector you can select by colour even without upgrading from 8 to 9 - but how you do this depends on what it is - it should not be difficult, but without the file we are all working in the dark - still don't know exactly what you mean by 'preset' - clipart, fill, design, template, style.....?

and even if it's not vector it can be very likely be done with live effect in version 8

magic wands only work on pixels and they are by no means perfect when dealing with pixels that have transparency [for example]

[coldwetnoz]

There is no file. I was trying to color a large letter taken from my font files.

[handrawn]

but there is a file - the one you were trying to colour it in

if its a font letter - try converting it to editable shape first [you wont be able to edit it as text afterwards]

[wizard509]

OK then, only the black parts are a solid color. The white is the background but not part of the symbol. What you will need to do is create a shape that can be colored and put it behind the black shape. You can group them, but if you do and want to change the color of one of them select one of the objects by Ctrl clicking on the one you want. You can also try breaking shapes.

[handrawn]

could be but coldwetnoz already said the white parts were white in post #9 [although could just be page area showing through]

I can't understand the reluctance to post up a file with it in - it would save everyone's time, and you never know we might all learn something

[coldwetnoz]

This is an "E" from the font, Dance Hall Caps. If I type it, it will only color the black edges. If I change to editable shapes, I can click inside and see a bunch of editable nodes but still no way to color that.

But like wizard509 said, it has to be the background. So I made a background of dark blue and it gave me the color. Then I added yellow to the black edges. That works.

Another question: is there a way to make the background transparent while keeping the text background colored? Probably not, I would think. Seems impossible to me. But maybe not..

If you could open a new image transparent, you would immediately see that the white part of the E is transparent.

[mwenz]

Only the black parts of a font are opaque.

But you can convert to editable shapes and end up with the below.

1. Make a copy of the letter that is converted to editable shapes.
2. Place the letter behind a rectangle. Hit CTRL+J.
3. Break shapes.
4. Select the rectangle and delete it.
5. Select the bazillion shapes left over.
6. CTRL+1
7. Place the original letter on top.
8. Alternatively, group them.

Mike

[handrawn]

okay ignore me

you seem to be getting along fine doing it the long way round

[tonylondon]

okay ignore me

you seem to be getting along fine doing it the long way round

handrawn, I share your frustration!

[handrawn]

if it had just been put in a file and posted up it would probably have been answered by post #3 and we might all have learnt something new, who knows.. but there you go....