floating selection / copy from other layer

[i3i]

Hi, my first post here. Coming from years of paintshop pro, fighting the limited file size it can handle. Stuck on a relatively simple problem.

I am creating a selection from one layer but with to copy the contents of the layer underneath, however it just copies the entire image when I paste as a new image. I have two rendered layers, one is a png with no background (top layer) the other is a full colour render including background. I duplicate the bottom layer, turn it to grey scale and then want to steal the shape without the background, using this method I have used for many years. 

please help and thanks if you can.

[Blighty]

I don't quite understand your description so I'm just giving some general principles.

When you copy:
It will copy from (1) the active layer ie the one selected in the layers dialogue (may not be the visible one) and (2) the contents of the active selection.

When you paste:
You get a floating selection in the layers dialogue. You now have two choices (1) right click the floating selection and select To New Layer and (2) anchor the floating selection (the anchor button) - this will merge the floating selection with the active layer. Note- many options are unavailable until one of these choices has been made

[rich2005]

welcome to gimp-forum.net

A selection is image wide but you do have to select the appropriate layer when applying. Copy in one active layer / Apply in a different active layer

With copy/ paste there are various options If you just paste (on a new layer) it will be in the same place and all you need to do is anchor the floating selection. Layer -> Anchor Layer Note there is lots you can do with the temp floating layer - scale / rotate / move for example.

Paste-as-a-new layer results in a layer just the size of the selection with origin 0,0 (top left corner)

However, from the rest of your post.

When you say no background, do you mean a solid colour background rather than a transparent background. That would require no editing. screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/n4M1wQt.jpg

If you have a solid colour background there are several ways, some better than others, to remove it. All depends on the image.

Something simple like this:

1. Give the layer an alpha channel if it is not there: Layer -> Transparency -> Add Alpha Channel

2. Try the fuzzy select tool and select the background. https://i.imgur.com/XCCtGUj.jpg

3. That often gives a faint border due to anti-aliasing so grow the selection by a pixel (or 2) Select -> Grow

4. Now you can remove the background Edit -> Cut then kill the selection Select -> None

https://i.imgur.com/WxvmaXG.jpg

Remember to Save your image as a Gimp .xcf - which keeps all the layers etc. When complete you can Export as a png / tiff / jpg

[i3i]

Let me try and explain a little.

Starting at image one I have an example BG with the word TEST embossed. Image two shows the background hidden and a new layer showing reddish layer with an [overlay] effect on the layer setting. Image 3, enable the background and that's the result.


For image four, I want the word TEST as a selection, then select the reddish layer and the shadow layer and simply delete the red and shadow that are below within the selected region. Then I set the layer effect of TEST to exclusion giving the negative effect.  over the whole image and the result it gives.

The point being I want to get the selection of one layers content and use that selection to remove or copy the content of another layer. Very simple in PSP just by clicking the layer you want to affect after you have the selection made. I am used to being able to simply click copy, or copy merged or delete etc.

Sorry if I haven't explained it better now, I'm not used to reaching out for help with paint programs. THis is my first time lol.

Thanks for the replies. I will focus a bit better later as I have to go to the hospital for some checks now.

[Blighty]

(03-20-2018, 02:03 PM)i3i Wrote: Starting at image one I have an example BG with the word TEST embossed.

Is the word TEST on its own layer?

Quote:Image two shows the background hidden and a new layer showing reddish layer with an [overlay] effect on the layer setting.

Is the overlay effect on its own layer?

Quote:For image four, I want the word TEST as a selection, then select the reddish layer and the shadow layer

Which is the shadow layer?

Quote:I want to get the selection of one layers content and use that selection to remove or copy the content of another layer.

This is easy.
First, select one layer in the layers dialogue and make your selection.
Then, select another layer and Edit > Clear (or press the Delete key) to delete content.

[rich2005]

Are you trying to apply PSP operations to Gimp - not going to work

You are going to have to explain a bit more.

Quote:one I have an example BG with the word TEST embossed

This is 2 layers - yes A background layer and a layer with some text on it. If it is some type of PSP image, you will have to make it into 2 gimp layer.

Quote:Then I set the layer effect of TEST to exclusion giving the negative effect

definitely not a Gimp - no layer effects and no exclusion layer modes.

Pass for the moment on this one.

edit:

Quote:..The point being I want to get the selection of one layers content and use that selection to remove or copy the content of another layer. Very simple in PSP just by clicking the layer you want to affect after you have the selection made. I am used to being able to simply click copy, or copy merged or delete etc.

It is simple in Gimp as well.

Have a look at this little video - 2 mins duration - see if there is anything applicable to what you require.

https://youtu.be/R5u1gCUevQc

[i3i]

Layer one - black + colourful image
Layer two - TEST
Layer three - shadow
Layer four - red effect layer

➤> This is easy.
➤> First, select one layer in the layers dialogue and make your selection.
➤> Then, select another layer and Edit > Clear (or press the Delete key) to delete content.

I have been selecting all ➤ float ➤ click chosen layer ➤ delete - except I cannot chose the layer I want, to then delete the content within the selection area. Copying the selected area, pasting as new image or new layer, takes the whole layer, not the contents of the selection.

A little confused what I am doing and what I have done. Just walked in from hospital. Lemme sort myself out and have another go. Back soon.

[i3i]

Wow Rich, thank you so much. I have managed to do it. I also managed to configure my mouse wheel for zoom too. I want to thank you for putting up a YT video to explain this, in the end that was the key to me figuring this out. I guess I have to learn new control/methods etc. Again, thank you !