"Merge Layer down" menu disabled: How to merge inserted selected rectangle otherwise?

[pstein]

Assume I loaded an image into PDN.

Then I inserted (via Ctrl+V) another image from windows clipboard.

It is displayed afterwards as selected area with a dashed border.

 

When I want to apply it now via menu

Layer-->Merge Layers down

it does not work: This menu is greyed out/disabled.

 

How else can I merge the selected area otherwise into the original base image?

 

 

[frio]

Control-V doesn't paste a layer, it pastes a selected object which will merge automatically once you deselect it.

 

Paste a new layer with control-shift-V.

[Tactilis]

2 hours ago, pstein said:

When I want to apply it now via menu

Layer-->Merge Layers down

it does not work: This menu is greyed out/disabled.

 

How else can I merge the selected area otherwise into the original base image?

As @frio says, you are not pasting a layer.

To deselect the selected area you can do any of:

1. Use the menu Edit -> Deselect

2. Press the shortcut Ctrl + D

3. Press Esc

4. Press Return

5. Press S (to activate the Rectangle Select tool) and then click once on the canvas
 

 

Even though you are a long term paint.net user, it's worth spending a little time (re)reading the Documentation, which covers all this.  Click the Help icon in paint.net.

Have at look at Paste and Paste into New Layer:  https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/EditMenu.html#7

 

Read up on the Layers Window: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/LayersWindow.html and Working with Layers: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/WorkingWithLayers.html

 

And then look at the Keyboard and Mouse Input section: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/KeyboardMouseCommands.html