How Do I Move and Resize a Layer in GIMP?

To move and resize a layer in GIMP, you primarily use the Move Tool for repositioning and the Scale Tool or the Scale Layer command for resizing.

Moving a Layer in GIMP

Moving a layer allows you to change its position on the canvas.

• Tool Name: Move Tool
• Keyboard Shortcut: M

Here's how to use the Move Tool:

1. Select the Move Tool: Click the Move Tool icon in the Toolbox (it looks like a four-headed arrow) or press M on your keyboard.
2. Select the Layer: Make sure the layer you want to move is active in the Layers dialog.
3. Move the Layer:
   • Click directly on the canvas within the layer's content and drag to move only the layer's contents.
   • Hold down the Shift key while clicking and dragging to move the entire layer, including any transparency around the contents.
   • Alternatively, you can click anywhere on the canvas with the Move Tool active, and it will usually move the currently active layer by default, depending on the tool options.

You can also nudge the selected layer by using the arrow keys on your keyboard after activating the Move Tool.

Resizing a Layer in GIMP

Resizing a layer, also known as scaling, changes its dimensions. GIMP offers a couple of ways to do this.

1. Using the Scale Tool (Interactive)

The Scale Tool is ideal for visually resizing a layer directly on the canvas.

• Tool Name: Scale Tool
• Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + T

Steps to scale a layer using the Scale Tool:

1. Select the Scale Tool: Click the Scale Tool icon in the Toolbox or press Shift + T.
2. Click on the Layer: Click anywhere on the canvas within the layer you want to resize. A Scale dialog will appear, and a grid with handles will overlay your layer.
3. Resize the Layer:
   • Click and drag the handles on the corners or sides of the grid to scale the layer interactively.
   • By default, the width and height are linked (indicated by a chain icon in the dialog), maintaining the layer's aspect ratio. Click the chain icon to unlink them and scale width and height independently.
   • Enter specific numeric values for Width and Height in the Scale dialog box for precise resizing. Choose your desired unit (pixels, percent, etc.) from the dropdown.
4. Confirm: Once satisfied with the size, click the Scale button in the dialog box.

2. Using the Scale Layer Command (Numeric)

GIMP also provides a specific command to numerically resize a layer and its contents.

• Menu Path: Layer > Scale Layer...

As mentioned in the reference: The Scale Layer command opens the “Scale Layer” dialog that allows you to resize the layer and its contents.

Using this command:

1. Select the Layer: Ensure the layer you want to resize is active in the Layers dialog.
2. Open the Dialog: Go to the menu and select Layer > Scale Layer.... This opens the "Scale Layer" dialog.
3. Set Parameters: In the dialog, you can:
   • Set the desired Width and Height numerically. You can link/unlink the dimensions to maintain aspect ratio, just like with the Scale Tool.
   • Adjust the Quality parameters, specifically the interpolation method used for scaling.
4. Confirm: Click the Scale button in the dialog.

Important Note from Reference: The image loses some of its quality by being scaled. This is true for any resizing operation, especially scaling up (making it larger), as GIMP has to create new pixel data. The interpolation method selected in the dialog affects how this is done and influences the resulting quality.

Here's a quick comparison:

Choose the Scale Tool for interactive visual adjustments or when you want to scale the layer's content within its existing boundary. Choose the Scale Layer command for precise numeric input that resizes the entire layer and its contents simultaneously, paying attention to the quality settings.