Re: [Gimp-user] layers, new problem with old methods

[Steve Kinney <admin pilobilus net>]

On 01/21/2013 06:54 PM, bgw wrote:
> On 01/21/2013 03:10 PM, Richard Gitschlag wrote:

[...]

> > I can -- perhaps not changing the actual functionality but the
> > manner in which it is displayed in the layer list.  For example,
> > say my layer stack is:
> >
> > - C
> > - B
> > - A
> >
> > Say I make/float/paste a selection using layer B.  My layer stack
> > now displays:
> >
> > - Floating selection
> > - C
> > - B
> > - A
> >
> > Here's the problem:  The floating selection is not at the "top" of
> > the layer stack - it is actually between layers B (the source
> > layer) and C (the layer above it).  The layer stack SHOULD display:
> >
> > - C
> > - Floating selection
> > - B
> > - A
> >
> > This makes it visually clear WHICH layer the float came from.
> >
> > (Or, alternatively: )
> >
> > - C
> > - B
> > - - Floating selection
> > - A
> >
> > Which is something of a group-like display, but again this makes
> > clear which layer the float belongs to.

I can't quite wrap my head around that.  Floats "belong to" whatever
layer or mask was current when the clipboard content was pasted in.
 You can only do two things with a float:  Make it a new layer by
using the 'add layer' command, or use the 'anchor' command to merge
it down into whatever layer or mask was already selected when the
float was pasted into the image.

I thought this might have changed with the new layer groups feature,
but I just did some tests and it looks like that's not the case:
Doing this operation with the source and destination of copied
content in different layer groups works the same as when there are
no groups.

If you want to add content from the clipboard as a new layer at any
specified location in the layer stack, the workflow would be:

1. Select and copy the content you want to duplicate.

2. Select the layer you want the float to be above, create a new
empty layer (Ctrl+Shift+n, Enter).  A new transparent layer appears
above the previously selected layer and becomes the currently
selected layer.  (Or better, Ctrl+Shift+n, type a name then Enter.)

3. Paste (Ctrl+v) and anchor (Ctrl+h).  A float will appear and
merge into the new layer you just created.

I don't understand the reason for inserting a float anywhere but at
the top of the layers list, because it's really just a transitional
place holder.  The float enables the user to tweak the position,
scale and geometry of a copied and pasted selection before merging
it into its destination layer, but that's the only use I see for it.
 Others may know more things to do with floats.

:o)

Steve