Scissors tool not working?

[jenij59612186]

I can't seem to figure out how the scissors tool works. 

I'm trying to cut apart a logo from our companies advertising department to use part of it on a slide. 

I'm trying to cut where the highlighted part is. I get this error message no matter where I try to cut. 

 

[Doug A Roberts]

Are you clicking on a path? If you have smart guides on (Ctrl + U), does it say 'path'?

[SJRiegel]

I think a clipping mask or transparency mask might work better for your purpose.

[Monika Gause]

Maybe take a look at goold old documentation to see the options? https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/cutting-dividing-objects.html

[meganchi]

Did you select the logo first before trying to use the scissors tool?

[dwightliv]

Turn off "snap to grid"? I find that with it turned on, the scissor tool will often miss the outline and not do anything. For a long time I thought it was just a random tool failure.

[스케]

it works!!!! you're right~ thank you!!

[Jacob Bugge]

jeljohns,

What happens if you ClickDrag across with the Line Segment Tool (find it under C in the link below) where you wish to cut, then Object>Path>Divide Objects Below, then select the unwanted part (if the Selection Tool fails you, you can Alt/OptionClick with the Direct Selection Tool), then press Delete?

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/tools.html

[mowglivj]

Yet another (the list is in the hundreds) buggy basic tool. When I try to use the scissors on a path I get an error message about 40% of the time. Selecting and deselecting the object to be cut a few times before cutting usually resolves the problem. Adobe please focus on making a solid, usable, reliable, PROFESSIONAL software rather than constantly adding unnecessary, bloated, all style-no-substance features.

[Doug A Roberts]

What is the error message?

[mowglivj]

that I should use scissors on a path, which is exactly what I'm doing when the error pops up. As I said deselecting and selecting again makes the scissors work as expected. This flaw has been around for maaaaaaaaaany years.

[Doug A Roberts]

If you have smart guides on (Ctrl + U) when hovering over the path, does it say 'path'?

[mowglivj]

yes