To paste content directly into a selected area on an active layer in GIMP, you use the Paste Into Selection command.
This specific command allows you to confine the pasted image or selection to the boundaries of the current active selection on the active layer. This is different from a regular paste, which typically pastes content into a new floating selection layer.
Steps to Paste Into a Selection in GIMP
Here's how to perform this action:
- Make a Selection: First, create a selection on the layer you want to paste into. You can use any of GIMP's selection tools (e.g., Rectangle Select, Ellipse Select, Free Select, Fuzzy Select, Select by Color). The pasted content will only appear within the area defined by this selection.
- Copy Source Content: Copy the image or part of an image you wish to paste (Edit > Copy or Ctrl+C). This content can be from another GIMP image, an image opened in GIMP, or even content copied from outside GIMP (if supported by the operating system clipboard).
- Select the Target Layer: Make sure the layer containing your selection is the currently active layer in the Layers dialog.
- Paste Into Selection: Go to the GIMP image menubar and select Edit → Paste Into Selection.
Reference Note: As per the GIMP documentation, you can access this command from the image menubar through Edit → Paste Into Selection.
What Happens When You Paste Into Selection?
When you use this command:
- The copied content is placed onto the active layer.
- The content is automatically masked or clipped by the current selection shape.
- Anything outside the selection boundary will be invisible or removed from the pasted content on that layer.
- The pasted content replaces any existing pixel data within the selection on that specific layer.
Why Use "Paste Into Selection"?
Using this command is useful for several purposes:
- Filling complex shapes: Easily fill a selection with an image or pattern.
- Creating photo masks: Place one image inside the shape of another object or area.
- Texture application: Apply textures or patterns precisely within defined boundaries on a layer.
- Non-destructive (with layer masks): While "Paste Into Selection" directly modifies the layer pixels within the selection, you can achieve a similar effect more flexibly by pasting normally and then applying a layer mask based on your selection. However, the "Paste Into Selection" command offers a direct way to achieve the result on the pixels themselves.
Understanding how selections work in GIMP is key, as this command relies entirely on the currently active selection area.
