Gimp Layer Preview Size Fit Layers

[Joel-G]

New user here, just joined to ask this question, though I'm sure I'll have more in the future 

I know how to change the layer preview size using the little drop-down menu in the Layers window, but each layer preview maintains the shape of the document, not the shape of the layer boundaries, which in my case are a variety of sizes. But because I'm working on a document that is about 100 times taller than it is wide, the layer previews look like thin little strips, rendering them virtually useless. 

I would like to know how to change the layer preview to reflect the size of the layer boundary and show a "zoomed in" preview of the layer rather than the entire document.

Thanks in advance for all your help!


P.S.

I suppose I should mention that I did try Googling this issue for quite some time, but found no relevant discussions or instructions.

[Espermaschine]

Thats how it works, Gimp displays all layers clipped to the canvas size.

I guess the real question is: why do you need to maintain layers that are bigger than the canvas ?

[Joel-G]

(05-23-2018, 03:48 PM)Espermaschine Wrote: Thats how it works, Gimp displays all layers clipped to the canvas size.

I guess the real question is: why do you need to maintain layers that are bigger than the canvas ?

Maybe I should clarify...

Suppose my canvas size is something like 1000px by 9000px, and I have over 100 layers, all around 20px by 20px. In my Layers window, all of the layer previews would show a scaled-down view of the entire canvas, with a single pixel somewhere on it that represents the actual layer, which is downright useless for identifying layers at a glance. 

What I would like to see is layer previews that show the "zoomed in" preview of the actual tiny little layer, defined by the layer boundary size, and NOT the "zoomed out" view of the entire canvas, defined by the canvas size.


Am I making any sense at all? 

[Blighty]

(05-23-2018, 04:37 PM)Joel-G Wrote: Suppose my canvas size is something like 1000px by 9000px, and I have over 100 layers, all around 20px by 20px.

You don't want the thumbnail in the Layers Dialogue to show the canvas size; but each layer thumbnail cropped to layer size.

I don't think there is way to do that. You will have to use layer names. Useful layer naming required. And maybe use layer groups as well.

[Espermaschine]

(05-23-2018, 04:37 PM)Joel-G Wrote: I have over 100 layers, all around 20px by 20px.

1. Layer to imagesize
2. Profit

But obviously, on a 9000px canvas, something that fits in a 20px layer is tiny in the layer preview.
So go with Blighty's advice and use the naming of layers.
Yes, it can be tedious and look messy.

[Joel-G]

(05-23-2018, 05:01 PM)Blighty Wrote: You don't want the thumbnail in the Layers Dialogue to show the canvas size; but each layer thumbnail cropped to layer size.

Correct  

(05-23-2018, 05:01 PM)Blighty Wrote: I don't think there is way to do that. You will have to use layer names. Useful layer naming required. And maybe use layer groups as well.

That is unfortunate... The document that brought up this issue for me has almost all of its 265 layers named and grouped accordingly, but not by me, so I have no idea what is what.

What frustrates me further is that back when I used Photoshop, the thumbnails were all layer sized, and I could see at a glance what was a black line and what was a purple duck, etc. etc... But now that I'm on Linux, and trying to adhere to a strict free and opensource diet, that's no longer an option.

I guess for now I'll just take the time to go through layer by layer toggling visibility to find out what's what, all the while complaining and praying that the people of Gimp hear my cries 

Thanks for all the help so far! If anyone finds a way to hack together a solution, please let me know!

[Espermaschine]

(05-23-2018, 06:33 PM)Joel-G Wrote: What frustrates me further is that back when I used Photoshop, the thumbnails were all layer sized, and I could see at a glance what was a black line and what was a purple duck, etc. etc... But now that I'm on Linux, and trying to adhere to a strict free and opensource diet, that's no longer an option.

This is not my experience.
A layer is a layer in PS. You cant make layers that are smaller or bigger than the canvas. PS layers are always of infinite size so to speak, but visually still clipped to the canvas area.

When i draw lines or small dots in PS, they are just as hard to see in the layers preview, as in Gimp.

[Joel-G]

(05-23-2018, 06:43 PM)Espermaschine Wrote: This is not my experience.
A layer is a layer in PS. You cant make layers that are smaller or bigger than the canvas. PS layers are always of infinite size so to speak, but visually still clipped to the canvas area.

When i draw lines or small dots in PS, they are just as hard to see in the layers preview, as in Gimp.

I remember that layers behave differently in PS, being "infinite" or without a layer boundary, which was awfully convenient, but I'm sure I remember having layer previews that were cropped to the visible pixels of a layer. Although, it's been years since I've used Photoshop. It may have been different in an earlier version, or maybe I'm remembering it wrong. 

Regardless, since Gimp actually has layer boundaries, it would be awesome if there was an option to change the layer preview to the boundary size rather than the canvas size.

[Espermaschine]

Maybe you are confusing it with Illustrator.