I know this is a really stupid question but I can't find the answer anywhere.

I am really new to inkscape and have tried importing some clipart. I can import okay but when I go to move the clipart it looses part of the pick ...

To be more specific - it looses highlights. For instance I imported the 3d Clouds clipart and moved them down the page and all the shading(highlights) on the clouds went away. When I moved them back to the original position it came back again. Then when I moved them up teh page the shading changed again. This is doing my head in.

I suspect this is a problem with the way the clipart has been set up but I can't be sure.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

On the selector toolbar there's an option to move gradients along with the objects (on the far right). Enable that and gradients will move along with the objects.

Another thing about using images that someone else has created, is that you don't really know how they have assembled it. So to move an entire clipart image, you should use Select All in All Layers, or use drag (or rubberband) select. Do not use Group, because if the image contains layers, they will all be combined into one layer when grouped

Hi,

FILTER(S) VIEWER BUG:
In Inkscape versions 0.47/0.48 there is a "Filter" based viewer bug that when a OBJECT(S) has a FILTER(S) applied to it and then the OBJECT is re-positioned the FILTER will NOT be rendered within Inkcapes User Interface. So if the Clipart you are using has a FILTER applied to it this will be a point of frustration for you. Because you will think the filter is no longer applied to the object when it actually is still there.
A quick check to make sure the filter is still applied after re-positioning you can use the >EDIT >MAKE BITMAP COPY (ALT + B), double check the filter is there and then delete the bitmap copy.

Hopefully this along with the feedback form brynn and prkos will help you out with you artwork.

Happy Holidays,
-vw