"Align" tool ignores multiple selected layers
@ToBeFree
Submitted by Tobias Frei Link to original bug (#749042)
Description
By linking layers (using the chain button next to the layer visibility eye button), the normal behavior is that moving one of the linked layers also moves all other linked layers. http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-image-combining.html#idp17339040
However, the "Align" tool completely ignores the link. This is very frustrating when working with a lot of chained layers that need to be properly aligned. I know that there is the "Align Visible Layers" tool, but it will not do exactly what I expect the "Align" tool to do with linked layers.
The "Align Visible Layers" tool, depending on the used settings, will do one of the following tasks: A) exactly the same result that I'd get by aligning every layer manually OR B) exactly the same result that I'd get by merging all layers, aligning them and somehow undoing the merge.
The "Align" tool, when the layers are linked, should do the following, which is neither A) nor B): C) Ignore all linked layers, then move all linked layers exactly in the same way, thus maintaining their relative position to the aligned layer!
At the moment, it behaves as if the link does not exist. If I desire the current behavior, I should need to un-link the layer before using the "Align" tool. Never should any tool ignore my links.
I hope that my knowledge of English is sufficient to explain the problem accurately; if not, I can also try to create screenshots to explain the issue graphically.
Here is what you can do to quickly reproduce the bug:
- Start GIMP, create a new empty image.
- Create a second, transparent layer that is smaller than the image. Using the text tool and entering "abc" is probably the fastest way to do so.
- Create a third, transparent layer that is smaller than the image. Maybe use a text layer containing the characters "def".
- Move both layers to different positions within the image, e.g. put them next to each other so that you can read "abcdef".
- Link "abc" and "def" by clicking the chain icon next to them in the Layers dialog (http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-dialogs-structure.html#gimp-layer-dialog-using).
- As you can try, moving one of both linked layers will also move the other linked layer. This is awesome and working just as intended.
- Select the "Align" tool (http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-tool-align.html), and click precisely on the text "abc", so that the "abc" layer is selected for aligning.
- Align "abc" to the right side of the image. This makes the three different behaviors (A, B & C in the explanation above) most obvious.
The "Align Visible Layers" tool can behave in two ways in this situation: A) You have "abcdef" at the right side of the image. B) You have "abc" and "def" above each other at the same position at the right side of the image.
The "Align" tool should do the following after your 8th step in the list above: C) You have "abc" at the right side inside the image, and "def" outside of the image, right next to "abc".
The "Align" tool currently behaves in this weird way: D) "abc" is at the right side of the image, and "def" stays where it was, because the link is completely ignored. This is definitely not intended.
If you really want to achieve D), you should need to un-link the layers and then use the Align tool.
Currently, C) is not possible to achieve because of this bug.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this report, and thank you in advance for the work needed to fix this bug. :)
Best regards, Tobias Frei
(Note: #683713 seems to be a different problem; also, it has been "resolved fixed" which can not be true for this bug here)
Version: 2.9.2