[Gimp-user] Layer Opacity Access Point(s) Madness

[PSCS5ImagerConvert <forums gimpusers com>]

--REVISED INITIAL POST-- {As of Sunday, September 1, 2013} 
GIMP: Opacity Access Obscurity Requires Features Access Clarification and/or GUI
Design Change Immediately-----------------
I. Would-be Satisfied User Question(s)                                          
&                                                                               
II. System Feature Access Change(s) Request(s) | Recommendation(s), for GIMP
SMEs and Online Enthusiasts' Forum: -----------------
Maddening | Urgent Help Request: -----------------                              
I. Apparent is that there exists no navigational work-around for a lost, deleted
or simply a not included/provided Layer Opacity access option/feature ... at
least in my version of GIMP v. 2.8.6. -----------------
I cannot locate among the application's Primary Tabs (my initial capital letter
convention, for that level feature | option; sub-tabs appear/designated with a
lower-case "t") any tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot
button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt |
window/mini-portal, for access to the much desired Layer Opacity tool/option.
-----------------
Unknown are its [Layer Opacity access option/feature's] access
point(s).-----------------
Can (is it possible to phrase the scenario any more explicitly) that be stated
any more didactically? LOL.-----------------
Simply put, Photoshop-PS+ (whichever "Creative Suite" iteration of PS ....), for
many of its options | features | tools | instruments [et cetera] readily
details/depicts (if not immediately, then elsewhere) ie,  via several
(redundant, so to speak) access points, by often cross-referenced app overlaps
(eg, navigational paths | aka click sequences, within a Tab or its sub-tab
.....): that facilitates access among each [option(S) | feature(s) | tool(s) |
instrument(s) etc.], accessible from and by a variety of methods eg, keystroke
combos (aka shortcuts), various " any tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot
button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt |
window/mini-portal" data entry/data input fields | points, click sequence(s)
and/or selectable other selectable options. -----------------
{ASIDE 1 of 2: Albeit, often one such Layer Opacity tool is readily referenced
in several of the extant online tutorials (reviewed were several youtube videos,
too).... wherein it was repeated referenced and shown as a "given" "palette" or
tabbed item; and it is, too, often depicted, replete with supporting
screenshots, no less: so the feature must exist .... perhaps commanded by hidden
access privilege(s) somehow [snicker], somewhere within GIMP ... for some users,
at least ;-)}:-----------------
GIMP's GUI & Other Layer Opacity Access Priorities | Change(s)
Recommendation(s):                                                              
What is aired above (and further detailed below) may prove to be under one and
the same rubric; namely, GUI Change. -----------------
Primary Layer Tab's, anticipated, Layer Opacity tool's option | feature
tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data
entry field prompt | window/mini-portal, click sequence or the like access
point(s) is ........................... not found! ]-----------------
Wracked one's brain ..... to no avail. -----------------
For starters, "no", I simply do not intend to "re-install GIMP", as the
assertion that my "app might be corrupted ... does not hold true (late August
2013, downloaded and installed one two occasions. Not so fast; it appears that
the problem(s) cited are systemic to GIMP, and that their resolution would
require (a) further elucidation ie, "how to" by GIMP (ie, how to access the
Layer Opacity tool aka glider); and, (b) require GIMP to apply apt resource
resolution measures, ASAP [improve GIMP's GUI, as recommended, herein].
-----------------
Its Layer Opacity tool/option's form-factor should be manifest typically as an
Opacity Glider aka a selectable |adjustable progress bar: a percentage (%)
transparency scroll bar and/or an expectable like prompt data-entry field
conceivably, which would execute a "layer's desired fade user-specification
(opacity)".  Amiss is any Layer Opacity adjustment tool [if such does in fact
already exist) access point(s), as the videos mentioned demonstrate its
existence], whatsoever. -----------------
Despite CIRCULAR narratives communicated on this, GIMP's official site, and
among the posts of others created by or in service to | contributed to by GIMP
enthusiasts, there exists no CLEAR nor MEANINGFUL ADDRESS (redress) as to how
one MAKES APPARENT aka would ACCESS ie, access point(s) for Layer Opacity:
neither by mouse clicking nor by eg, shortcut keys entry
navigation/specification, for such a Layer Opacity tool access point(s).
-----------------
II. Again, when no such tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot
button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt |
window/mini-portal can be readily found to an extant -- and ideally in more than
one -- access point and by more than one navigational path -- GIMP's version
(again, v. 2.8.6) is rendered effectively useless for layered imagery work; user
(or would-be user) satisfaction spirals downward rapidly after a work-around
search -- proves counter-intuitive ie, poor anticipatory GUI provisioning, or
within the application ie, its Help and/or its User Guide index, and/or among
online forums -- exceeds 5, 10, 30, 60, 120 minutes.-----------------
FIASCO is what that scenario spells: How could GIMP's SMEs have failed on such
an imperative SDLC GUI [non-thorough UAT?], indexing and easy-access
multi-cross-referencing point(s) objective for this version's
release?-----------------
What, if any, work-around, for Layer Opacity tool access point(s) within the
application, for selection of a layer(s) desired opacity display aka fade level,
would be advised, if, in fact, said does exist as a viable tool (just not easily
nor readily accessed) within GIMP 2.8.6? Why the Layer Opacity access point(s)
convolution? -----------------
Welcomed would be directions as to any navigation(al) click sequence |
breadcrumb path for said Layer Opacity tool access point(s). NONE is (access
point) | are (access points) currently apparent under GIMP's 2.8.6 banner |
top-level ribbon | panel of Primary Tabs, nor is such evident within its
sub-tabs nor User Guide's Index nor tutorials nor blogosphere. -----------------
{ASIDE 2 of 2: in fact, Layer Opacity should appear in, so addressed, in both
the very beginning of the User Guide, and then latter in the specific Layers
section .... but in a slight bit more detailed explication [while never
addressing the fundamental Layer Opacity access query, nor anticipating it,
within the latter] nor those tabs' secondary tabs, nor, for that matter under
any tertiary-level tabs. -----------------
Primary Tabs, namely, Tools, Layer, View nor any those Primary Tabs'
"cross-linked sub-tabs" to other tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot
button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt |
window/mini-portal | option(s) | location(s) | navigational click sequence, it
appears, would avail a sort of Layer Opacity Adjustment tool,
whatsoever.}-----------------
Lack of any easy-access point(s) aka obscure Layer Opacity (eg, a % glider)
tool(s) blemishes one's entire would-be GIMP user-experience. Address of said
shortcomings is URGENTLY needed, as recommended.-----------------
HOW TO?: Layer Opacity Adjustment Tool [Accessibility, if Any?----------------- 
Again the question persists: "Is there a reset button (virtual) and/or Command
Keystroke Combo and/or some other keystroke arrangement aka Shortcut Key combo
or click option | selection, for immediate access point(s) ie, what path |
process | navigational sequence that would avail to a GIMP user  a Layer Opacity
.... 'err .... glider ... 'err .... palette (essentially, a layer's opacity fade
glider .... )? -----------------
If so, kindly direct me as to its access path | process | procedure immediately;
again, I am attempting to use GIMP v. 2.8.6.-----------------
I recall vividly, from years ago, that upon my initial GIMP v. 2.6 trial, in
fact, readily apparent were an array of access points | paths for/to GIMP's
Layer Opacity tool | dialogue field(s). Among that tool's access options was a
sub-tab option under Primary Layer Tab, which could also be accessed from Tools
Tab's sub-tabs (or their respective pop-up menus or sub-menus: options |
features lists), as well as comforting was the fact that said automatically
appeared as an option palette in Toolbox's adjustable-size tool-box | "floating
icon or palette" column. Several online forum contributors mention that |
similar functionality for v 2.6.-----------------
Where and how do I access | activate Layer Opacity feature | option | tool:
either % glider and/or keystroke entry of desired layer % fade render; unable to
find said. -----------------
One would think that GIMP management/development/administrative SMEs OUGHT TO
seriously consider my GUI Change Requests-GUI-CRs, and answer my queries,  SINCE
Layer Opacity is a PRIMARY aka FUNDAMENTAL image manipulation requisite ... and
OBSCURE ACCESS POINT(s) [anything other than, at least, immediate sub-tab access
from the Primary Layer Tab and the Tools Tab seems counter-intuitive, poor GUI
and an utterly ridiculous would-be user nuisance] simply do not make the grade
with user | would-be user communities. -----------------
Additionally, the '"clouded Layer Option access point(s)" problem, detailed
above, pervades all current relevant online instructional content; that would-be
GIMP's and others navigational directions eg, "how to" (at phase of app use),
navigate to a Layer Opacity access point(s): that navigation is amiss; dearth of
plain language information/directions bodes dark days for GIMP's prospects at
garnering new users or retaining user allegiance .... as the same scenario, it
seems, applies to several of the app's other features/options tested.
-----------------
Whatever happened to User Acceptance Testing-UAT; was it performed prior to
release -- are user (or would-be user) comments/recommendations actually
considered? -----------------
Currently, online (anywhere) explication goes wanting for a clear, concise and
expedient answer | directive; and, that multi-faceted matter bespeaks serious,
if not utterly fatal GIMP application, GUI and User Guide (in its "indexed
format") design flaws. Shortcomings of that significance likely silently and
unrelentingly go unaddressed, overlooked and/or "lightly dismissed" within the
ranks of GIMP {could they "really not be aware of them .... matters of such
fundamental significance?"}, which, unwittingly, likely turns off legions of
would-be eager converts to GIMP from other imaging software ... from the get (at
least those whose experience matches my own). -----------------
Do what you can to remedy those flaws, and kindly advise, ASAP.
-----------------
Thank you for your replies to my Layer Opacity access point(s) information
request." -----------------

========================================================
> On the other hand the Layers stack is already accessible in the Layers
> list...

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