Layer Groups behave as layers rather than groups
GIMP version: 2.10.18
Operating System: Windows
Package: https://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/gimp_portable
Description of the bug
If you create a layer group and move some layers into it while keeping their order, the result becomes different. It seems layers within a group are merged during rendering into a single layer representing the group, so all Darken etc. layers only have proper effect on layers within the group.
Reproduction
Always reproducible
Reproduction steps:
- Create a layer with Darken blending mode.
- Create a layer group right above it and move the layer into it.
Expected result:
Nothing should change after moving it into the group.
Actual result:
The layer is drawn as if its blending mode is Normal.
Additional information
Since current behavior is important for backward compatibility and probably some use cases, this has to be a switch in layer group's properties.
In most use cases GIMP's behavior is unwanted, because layer groups are mostly used to toggle visibility of multiple layers and move multiple layers at once.
Maybe it can be chosen inside Composite Mode selection, with all current modes behaving as they do now and new mode just for layer groups called "Layer Group" or something like that.