How to use selecting multiple layers with the tranform tools.

[teapot]

Hi, I'm just tying to understand the details of selecting multiple layers. I get that you can do this with shift or ctrl keys. If for example you wanted to rotate three layers, what's the rule to say which one is used for the "preview" while you are adjusting the rotate?

In gimp 2.10 you could link the layers and choose which one is active so that's the one that's used while you are adjusting the rotate.

[rich2005]

The Gimp 3.0 layers selection has its pluses and minuses (thinking of the distribute tool as a minus)

However, In the layer dock, ctrl-click to select and add individual layers. Shift-click to select a block. Much the same as other programs.

The layers are highlighted, maybe not easy to see if using that  awful black theme.
The number of selected layers shows top of the layer dock.
There is a border indicator for the extents of the selected layers.
Menu items that are not applicable are greyed-out.

   

[teapot]

Thanks Rich, I get that so far.

Say you have three layers all different sizes and offsets. You select the three layers and then select the rotate tool. One of the three layers has the wire frame around it, and the centre of rotation is in the centre of that layer. You can then click and drag to adjust the angle. My question is how do you choose which of the three layers that is. If you can't choose what's the rule to say which one of the three.

My reason for asking is that when doing a transformation it often matters which layer has the visual preview / wire frame and where the centre of the transformation is.

[rich2005]

Ah, I re-read your post and realised I had not answered the question, deleted the post (not quick enough)  
I will leave it, might help someone.

The only way I can see, and it is similar to the new distribute tool which can put layers out-of-sequence,.... is move the desired layer to the top of the stack, do the rotation, move the layer back into correct order.

   

You can of course, eyeball the center of rotation and click-drag to move

[Ofnuts]

(Today, 07:07 AM)teapot Wrote: Hi, I'm just tying to understand the details of selecting multiple layers. I get that you can do this with shift or ctrl keys. If for example you wanted to rotate three layers, what's the rule to say which one is used for the "preview" while you are adjusting the rotate?

In gimp 2.10 you could link the layers and choose which one is active so that's the one that's used while you are adjusting the rotate.

You can get all the layers in the preview together using the Composited preview: 

   

[teapot]

Thanks Rich, I was trying and failing to spot a pattern, but I think that's likely it. If so it's not so good.

I think what might have confused me is that if you move the layer in the layer stack while the layers are selected it doesn't change which one gets the preview. So possibly you have to move the desired layer to the top of the stack before selecting the layers or something like that, I'm not sure.

PS: Changing to a light colour theme was the first thing I did

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(Today, 08:35 AM)Ofnuts Wrote:

(Today, 07:07 AM)teapot Wrote: Hi, I'm just tying to understand the details of selecting multiple layers. I get that you can do this with shift or ctrl keys. If for example you wanted to rotate three layers, what's the rule to say which one is used for the "preview" while you are adjusting the rotate?

In gimp 2.10 you could link the layers and choose which one is active so that's the one that's used while you are adjusting the rotate.

You can get all the layers in the preview together using the Composited preview: 

Thank you Ofnuts, I  hadn't spotted that. Just tried it, I'm still getting the centre of rotation based on one of the three layers but the composite view is helpful.

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PS Just observing MyBB is merging my separate replies into one at the end of the thread, is that a forum setting?

[Ofnuts]

(Today, 08:44 AM)teapot Wrote: Thanks Rich, I was trying and failing to spot a pattern, but I think that's likely it. If so it's not so good.

I think what might have confused me is that if you move the layer in the layer stack while the layers are selected it doesn't change which one gets the preview. So possibly you have to move the desired layer to the top of the stack before selecting the layers or something like that, I'm not sure.

PS: Changing to a light colour theme was the first thing I did

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(Today, 08:35 AM)Ofnuts Wrote:

(Today, 07:07 AM)teapot Wrote: Hi, I'm just tying to understand the details of selecting multiple layers. I get that you can do this with shift or ctrl keys. If for example you wanted to rotate three layers, what's the rule to say which one is used for the "preview" while you are adjusting the rotate?

In gimp 2.10 you could link the layers and choose which one is active so that's the one that's used while you are adjusting the rotate.

You can get all the layers in the preview together using the Composited preview: 

Thank you Ofnuts, I  hadn't spotted that. Just tried it, I'm still getting the centre of rotation based on one of the three layers but the composite view is helpful.

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PS Just observing MyBB is merging my separate replies into one at the end of the thread, is that a forum setting?

Yes, but you can drag the centre of rotation where you want. Still The UI could be improved here IMHO.

Yes, if you make two posts within 60 minutes of each other, and no-one posts in between.