07-25-2021, 08:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-25-2021, 09:28 AM by rich2005.
Edit Reason: typo
)
@bozo
Your question makes me think you come from some other graphics application
Gimp is a bitmap (raster) editor that creates the image using rectangular pixels. It does not really use "elements" or "objects" that you might find in a vector application, although you can have layers and layer groups.
That ENTIRE layer (element + background) is just one collection of those pixels. You have to separate that "rectangle" from the other pixels yourself. That might be easy or complicated. A rectangular selection or sometimes a fuzzy select then a Edit -> Copy a Select -> None then Edit -> Paste As -> New Layer can work. A lot depends on the image.
Sometimes if the rectangle shape is simple, create a new one from scratch on a new transparent layer.
This an example using the fuzzy select tool. Note that all the selection tools have different modes (add / subtract etc) depending on the nature of the selection.
Just a one minute animation example, there are several other ways: https://i.imgur.com/E0C0v96.mp4
Your question makes me think you come from some other graphics application
Quote:...I want to move a single element on the canvas....
Gimp is a bitmap (raster) editor that creates the image using rectangular pixels. It does not really use "elements" or "objects" that you might find in a vector application, although you can have layers and layer groups.
Quote:....I duplicate the layer so I can move around a second rectangle:
Then I attempt to reposition the second layer that contains the second rectangle...
But when I do that the ENTIRE layer (element + background) is moved....
That ENTIRE layer (element + background) is just one collection of those pixels. You have to separate that "rectangle" from the other pixels yourself. That might be easy or complicated. A rectangular selection or sometimes a fuzzy select then a Edit -> Copy a Select -> None then Edit -> Paste As -> New Layer can work. A lot depends on the image.
Sometimes if the rectangle shape is simple, create a new one from scratch on a new transparent layer.
This an example using the fuzzy select tool. Note that all the selection tools have different modes (add / subtract etc) depending on the nature of the selection.
Just a one minute animation example, there are several other ways: https://i.imgur.com/E0C0v96.mp4