AffinityJules

The first thing to make sure of is that the layer you are using these tools on are highlighted/selected in the layers panel. A screen shot of the problem usually helps - full screen with the context tool bar showing. These tools work fine, it's probably an easy fix once the issue has been identified..

The quickest way to cut out the ribbon and scissors is to use the selection tool. However, if it were me I would use the pen tool it's way more accurate.

I used Photo. Normal text from the text editor - any text can be converted to curves.

Try creating the text/hit the move tool/you should now see on the context tool bar an option to convert to curves - convert and use the node tool to modify the letters of the text.

As mentioned above tutorials are quite helpful if you're a beginner - they will demonstrate the tools and how they work. Also, many techniques exist that will produce similar results in application, and it will come down to what tools you prefer. The link below is quite useful and you should check it out because it's pertinent to your requirements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXc-Gh3rcN4&t=1655s

Yes, it is absolutely possible to improve photos like this, but it is not a 5 minute task to undertake. There are many tools available which will help, and all of them will do slightly different things, but at the end of the day it all depends how much improvement you wish to do? If you've never done anything like this before then ahead of you waits a steep learning curve regarding the tools and their usage. So. . .what is your ultimate intention on improvements?

But seriously... Just make the star shapes the colour that you want them to be when you create them.

Where's Alfred? 😁

You've encountered a pixel glitch - it happens from time to time, just paint over the affected area on the actual guitar layer. Worked for me.

I remember those days. . .that program started me off into photo editing. I still have it installed but never really use it anymore. A new love lights the way!

If I were you I would put your question to Olivio on his YouTube channel. There's more chance that he will see it and offer a reply - he uploads every week so he'll definitely see it. I've just followed all the steps in the tutorial and can report that the layer arrangement and settings do not reflect what happens in his video.

Were the images rasterised and cropped before printing? If the image wasn't cropped and still existed outside of the canvas, would that be included in the printable file? Outside of that idea - I'm with you, stumped.

I've never tried this method to create vignettes - nor do I mess about with printers (I find the whole experience painful...ha!), but if I didn't know better I would say that the adjustment layer is smaller than the image size. The effect I'm seeing is exactly the same if that were the case. Have you tried checking the move tool on the vignette layer in question to see whether the bounding box covers the entire image?

When did you paint this? 😛