new install - why blank window? where is main tool dialog?

[johnpank]

I just installed Gimp. When I start it, all I get is a blank screen with a menu bar on top. But the tutorials on Youtube for new users show Gimp starting with many dialogs set up. I understand that these are "Dockable Dialogs" that I can set up.  But:
* Is it normal for Gimp to start with nothing set up?
* Where do I find the main Tool dialog that see in all the tutorials? (with brushes, pens, an eraser, etc.) I can't seem to find that anywhere.

[johnpank]

I found a way to get some default dialogs: Edit -> Preferences -> Windows Management -> Click "Reset Saved Window Positions to default Values

Is this what new users are supposed to see after an install? Why then was mine blank?

I had once installed Gimp years ago, but had not used it for some time. Before I posted my question, I removed the old version and also deleted the GIMP folders in users/<username?/AppData/Local & Roaming, and then installed the new version. So I should not have had any old saved windows positions hanging around.

[rich2005]

Quote:Is this what new users are supposed to see after an install? Why then was mine blank?
I had once installed Gimp years ago...

It could be an old Gimp 2.8 installation coming back to haunt you. Do you have a folder C:\Users\"yourname"\.gimp-2.8 Settings from there can be transfered to the new Gimp 2.10 installation.
I did this before your second post
----
Should not happen but...
Are you using a graphics tablet or display ?  Maybe a sticky button ? 
If you open the 'Windows' menu does it look like this ?  https://i.imgur.com/Xpkt7Rq.jpg
Try hitting the tab key to get back to this: https://i.imgur.com/FahfFHm.jpg
Note: by default Gimp saves the last used settings so be careful how you leave Gimp.
---
Could have been that old setting - I do not know.
For a clean new Gimp
Delete that C:\Users\"yourname"\.gimp-2.8  if there is one
Delete the current Gimp 2.10 user profile C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP

Restart Gimp to make a new, clean, default Gimp profile.

[johnpank]

Thanks Rich. Yes, I did still have a ".gimp-2.8". I did what you said and deleted it and the 2.10 user profile.
I guess doing the "Reset Saved Window Positions to default Values" must have accomplished the same thing, because the layout was the same after doing that as after following your steps.

Quote:Try hitting the tab key to get back to this: https://i.imgur.com/FahfFHm.jpg

"Hide Docks" was already turned off, so that was not the problem.

Anyway, everything looks fine now. And I won't have that .gimp-2.8 hanging around to mess me up later.

BTW: How do I upload a photo from my computer to this forum? When I click on "Insert an Image", it asks for a URL.

[rich2005]

(12-11-2020, 06:14 PM)johnpank Wrote: BTW: How do I upload a photo from my computer to this forum? When I click on "Insert an Image", it asks for a URL.

Have a look at this: https://www.gimp-forum.net/misc.php?action=help&hid=11

It should be self explanatory but .. browse for your file  - click on Add Attachment - and if you want to insert in (wherever the cursor is)

There are file size limits, jpeg / png / tif ..etc 500 KB Gimp .xcf (and compressed .xcf.gz ) 2 MB

It will tell you if the file is too big.

edit: you can also use file sharing sites such as imgur. Get a link from the site and paste it into the body of your post