Gimp: Floating selection - this is how the level works

Almost all GIMP operations are performed in a pending selection. You can find out what you need to know in this practical tip.

GIMP: Automatic generation of pending selections

Some image operations automatically create a floating selection:

• The "Paste" operations "Paste from clipboard", "Paste" and "Paste into selection" create a floating selection.
• In addition, the Mirror, Shear, Scale, Rotate, and Perspective transform tools create a floating selection when applied to a selection rather than a layer.
• If you click on a selection while holding down the key combination [Ctrl] + [Alt], a floating selection is also created automatically.
• After the selection has been made, you can move this area immediately without having to select the move tool. You can do this by placing the mouse pointer within the selection (the pointer becomes an arrow with four directions) and then clicking and dragging.

GIMP: Anchoring a floating selection

As long as the image has a floating selection, you cannot perform operations on other layers. You must first connect the floating selection to a layer. There are several ways to anchor a floating selection:

• You can anchor the floating selection on the active layer by clicking the left mouse button outside of the floating selection.
• Use the command "Anchor level" or the key combination [Ctrl] + [H].
• You can also click the anchor button in the layer dialog.
• If you create a new layer while a floating selection exists, that selection will be anchored to the new layer.