aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Hello - I'm new to Paint.NET but i like what i see. I'm trying to do what I think is a simple task with the program. I'm importing a set of pictures onto a new Paint.NET canvas, and each image is a separate layer. I'm resizing, adjusting and positioning each layer (image) where i want it on the canvas. My final goal is to set the opacity for each so that all the images blend together into a collage, and then ultimately save the final combined image as a separate file to use as a background in a document. The problem that I am facing is that i don't see how to easily select any layer out of all the files i've imported as separate layers. If I import a file as a new layer, i can move/resize/etc with that to my heart's content. But when i go and import a subsequent file as a new layer, i don't see how to go back and work again with Layer #1, etc. Its probably simple, but i cannot figure it out. Thanks much. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickman Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Layers> Import from file... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 Hi trickman - Thanks for the reply, but i think you misunderstood my question. I am using the Layers-Import from file... menu option to do just that - to import my image files. My quesiton is, once i have my 2nd layer/image imported and i work on it, and then import a 3rd image/layer...how do I go back and select either the 1st or 2nd layer to do more work on those layers. Ultimately, lets say i've imported and edited 10 layers. Before i go and save my final image to a separate file...how do I go back and select the 4th layer to move it around just a bit? Thanks, Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickman Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 oh make sure the layers window is open (if not, F7) and then select the layer (not the checkbox, click the name of the layer instead) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entY8 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I guess, what you want is just to see one certain layer, without all the others on top... for this deselect all checkboxes next to the layers you don't want to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 No, i guess i'm not explaining myself well. Apologies for that. I go and import 10 files to have 10 layers. I want to have the program select layer #5, with the selection retaingle around the entire image. I then go and resize/move that layer/image. OK, then i want to work on layer #2. I want teh system to select that layer/image so i can move it around. Then i want to work on layer #8. etc. etc. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickman Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 i already answered: "oh make sure the layers window is open (if not, F7) and then select the layer (not the checkbox, click the name of the layer instead)" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 That doesn't auto-select that layer/image. I have no selection rectangle around my image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickman Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 :? yeah it doesn't auto-select, but just type Ctrl+A and it'll select the layer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 I thikn i see the problem i'm encountering. Each "layer" is the same size as the entire canvas. When i go and import an image, only teh image itself is selected, so i can resize that image, move it, etc. It seems as though when i go and import another image, the previous image/layer is fit to the canvas so i no longer am able to just select the image i resized and moved around. Perhpas i cannot do what i need to do with Paint.NET. alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickman Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 what you just replied is a bit confusing... maybe rick knows what to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I read the whole thread and still can't figure out what you're asking. If you want to select a layer, you just click on it. If you want to ensure that only the contents of that layer are visible, then uncheck all the other layers that are on top of it. The layer list shows you the layers in the current image, it is not an MDI list. The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 I apologize for my apparent inability to describe what i want to do. Let me try again. I create a new canvas in Paint.NET. I go to the layer menu and choose 'Import from file...' and import a JPG image. At this point - only the image itself has a selection rectangle and i can resize the image, move the image around, apply effects, whatever. Once I feel i'm happy with the resizing, the positioning etc - I go and create a 2nd layer and bring in another image and do the same. But, what if i want to go back to teh first image i loaded from a file and adjust the image size or move it around? I can no longer get the selection rectangle around just the image. I can go in the layers window and select the layer that CONTAINS that image, but now that layer fills the entire canvas. It seems that I can only resize/move the image rectangle after i loaded it from a file. Once i start to work on a 2nd layer, i can no longer to back to the image on the first layer and resize/move it. It gets flattened to the layer once i create a 2nd layer. Does this make sense? Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 So click on the Rectangle Select tool and draw a new selection rectangle. The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aolson Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 I guess what i assumed was that the data/attributes for any object you placed on a layer would be retained and therefore i would be able to go back to a layer, reselect an image (or text, or whatever on that layer) and make changes to each objects properties and attributes. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 No. There is only ever 1 active selection path. The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illnab1024 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Just set the tolerance to 0%, magic wand the transparent area, then Invert Selection. ~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemmerling Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 (edited) I had the same problem as the thread opener. The most obvious and problem-solving answer is missing. Here it is: There is a menu item "Windows / Layers" https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/LayersWindow.html which opens a dialog window to select all active layers, i.e. to select a single layer for modification. Sincerely Rolf Edited August 6, 2018 by hemmerling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 @hemmerling, This thread is 12 years old ... it's really not helpful to comment further The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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