GIMP: Opacity Access Obscurity I. Would-be Satisfied User Question & II. System Feature Access Change Request | Recommendation, for GIMP SMEs and Online Enthusiasts' Forum: Maddening | Urgent Help Request: I. Apparent is no navigational work-around for a lost, deleted (or simply no included/provided) Layer Opacity access feature ... at least in my version of GIMP v. 2.8.6; ie, I cannot locate among the application's Primary tabs any tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt | window/mini-portal, to a much desired {ASIDE 1 of 2: albeit often one such Layer Opacity tool is readily referenced in several of the extant online tutorials .... as a "given", and it is, too, often depicted, replete with a supporting screenshot, no less: so the feature must exist .... perhaps commanded by hidden access privilege(s) somehow, somewhere within GIMP ... for some users, at least ;-)}: GIMP | GUI & Other Layer Opacity Access Priority Change Recommendations: Primary Layer tab's, anticipated, Layer Opacity tool/option tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt | window/mini-portal or the like access point(s) is not found. Its (such a Layer Opacity tool/option's form-factor would be manifest typically as an Opacity Glider aka a selectable |adjustable progress bar; nor, for that matter, is there evidence of any semblance of a percentage (%) transparency scroll bar nor an expectable like prompt data-entry field, of any description, which conceivably would execute a "layer's desired fade user-specification (opacity)" aka a amiss is any Layer Opacity adjustment tool (if such does in fact already exist) access point(s), whatsoever. Despite CIRCULAR narratives communicated on this, GIMP's official site, and among the posts of those others created by or in service to | contributed to by GIMP enthusiasts, there exists no CLEAR nor MEANINGFUL ADDRESS as to how one MAKES APPARENT aka would ACCESS ie, access point(s) for Layer Opacity: neither by mouse clicking nor by eg, shortcut keys entry navigation/specification, for such a Layer Opacity tool access point(s). II. Again, when no such tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt | window/mini-portal can be readily found to exist among one -- and ideally in more than one -- access point and by more than one navigational path -- GIMP's version (again, v. 2.8.6) is rendered effectively useless for layered imagery work; user satisfaction spirals downward rapidly after a work-around search -- proves counter-intuitive ie, poor anticipatory GUI provisioning, or within the application ie, its Help and/or its User Guide index, and/or among online forums -- exceeds 5, 10, 30, 60, 120 minutes. FIASCO is what that scenario spells: Why could GIMP's SMEs have failed on such an imperative SDLC GUI, indexing and easy-access multi-cross-referencing point(s) objective for this version's release? And what, if any, work-around, for Layer Opacity tool access point(s) within the application, for selection of a layer(s) desired opacity display aka fade level, would be advised, if, in fact, said does exist as a viable tool (just not easily nor readily accessed) within GIMP 2.8.6? Why the Layer Opacity access point(s) convolution? Welcomed would be directions as to any navigation(al) path for said Layer Opacity tool access point(s). NONE is (access point) | are (access points) currently apparent under GIMP's 2.8.6 banner | top-level ribbon | panel of Primary Tabs, nor is such evident within its sub-tabs nor User Guide's Index nor tutorials nor blogosphere. {ASIDE 2 of 2: in fact, Layer Opacity should appear in, so addressed, in both the very beginning of the User Guide, and then latter in the specific Layers section .... but in a more detailed explication, within the latter] nor those tabs' secondary tabs, nor, for that matter under any tertiary-level tabs. Primary Tabs, namely, Tools, Layer, View nor any their "cross-linked sub-tabs" to other tab/sub-tab/path/palette link/hot button/menu/sub-menu/relevant-other-tab/data entry field prompt | window/mini-portal | option(s) | location(s) avails a sort of Layer Opacity Adjustment tool, whatsoever.} Lack of any easy-access point(s) aka obscure Layer Opacity (eg, a % glider) tool(s) blemishes one's entire would-be GIMP user-experience. Address of said shortcomings is URGENTLY needed, as recommended. Again the question persists: "Is there a reset button (virtual) and/or Command Key Combo and/or some other keystroke Shortcut Key combo, for immediate access point(s) for Layer Opacity specification? If so, kindly direct me as to its access procedure: again, I am attempting to use GIMP v. 2.8.6. I recall vividly, from years ago, that upon my initial GIMP v. 2.6 trial, in fact, readily apparent were an array of access points | paths for/to GIMP's Layer Opacity tool | dialogue field(s). Among that tool's access options was a sub-tab option under Primary Layer Tab, which could also be accessed from Tools Tab's sub-tabs, as well as comforting was the fact that said automatically appeared as an option palette in Toolbox's adjustable-size tool-box | "floating icon" column. Several online forum contributors mention that | similar functionality for v 2.6. Where and how do I access | activate Layer Opacity tool: either % glider and/or keystroke entry of desired layer % fade render; unable to find said. One would think that GIMP management/development/administrative SMEs OUGHT TO seriously consider my GUI Change Requests, and answer my queries, SINCE Layer Opacity is a PRIMARY aka FUNDAMENTAL image manipulation requisite ... and OBSCURE ACCESS POINT(s) [anything other than, at least, immediate sub-tab access from the Primary Layer Tab and the Tools Tab seems counter-intuitive, poor GUI and an utterly ridiculous would-be user nuisance] simply do not make the grade with would-be user communities. Additionally, the '"clouded Layer Option access point(s)", detailed above, pervades all current relevant online instruction content; that would-be educational GIMP instructional content, for Layer Opacity access point(s) navigation is amiss; that dearth of plain language information/directions bodes dark days for GIMP's prospects at garnering new users or retaining user allegiance. Currently, online (anywhere) goes wanting for a clear, concise and expedient answer | directive ........... such goes begging; and, that multi-faceted matter bespeaks serious, if not utterly fatal GIMP application, GUI and User Guide design flaws. Shortcomings of that significance likely silently and unrelentingly go unaddressed, overlooked and/or "lightly dismissed", which, unwittingly, turns off legions of would-be eager converts to GIMP from other imaging software. Do what you can to remedy those flaws, and kindly advise, ASAP. Thank you for your replies to my Layer Opacity access point(s) information request." -- PSCS5ImagerConvert (via www.gimpusers.com/forums) _______________________________________________ gimp-user-list mailing list List address: gimp-user-list@xxxxxxxxx List membership: https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gimp-user-list