"The developer's vision" of GIMP UI directions complains that there is no space on a layer entry (one in the layers list) to show layer grouping. My observations on the topic: a) Current layer entry contains too little info anyway. There is no indication of presence of a alpha channel (moreover, the layer-mode and transparency lock are shown on current layer only). b) The left 40-50 pixels (or somesuch) are used to visualize 2 bits of information only. c) To visualize groups, you need about extra 5 pixels per extra level of depth (ask me if one doesn't see how). So a solution which immediately comes to mind is: 1) merge 3-4 bits of info into 1 icon (using transparent icons as layers ;-). 2) make this icon twice as narrow as each of the current wasteful visibility/move-lock icons. This would free enough space to 4-5-deep layer group hierarchy. The other layers will have more space for names, or may be used with larger icons. How to implement (2): make the eye to look to the right instead of "at me": / /\ < O This icon may be of 1:2 aspect. \/ \ How to implement (1): make icons (decreasing order in z-layer) "eye": black on transparent; "chain": gold on transparent, along left edge; "has alpha": usual checkerboard. If desirable, one can also add "lock" icon in LR corner (for transparency locking), and/or "Layer mode" icon in the UR corner (e.g. red "ASCII-symbol for the arithmetic operation"). Both below eye in z-order. [I do not think that "transparency locking" is needed to be visible on all layers - it influences only editing, and one cannot edit non-current layers ;-). However, "non-normal" layer-modes should better be visible on all layers. ======================================================= DEFECTS: Currently, one can switch "chain" on/off by clicking on chain icon. With a merge, this should be controlled separately (e.g., the same way as "transparency locking"?). What do you think? Ilya _______________________________________________ Gimp-developer mailing list Gimp-developer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx https://lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU/mailman/listinfo/gimp-developer