I could do with a script that creates guides which divide the active layer (not the image) into a number of equal sections specified by the user. Is this possible and can it be made for 2.6.11?

You can always just use the Filters>Render>Pattern>Grid and set it up any way you like for that particular layer and then "ghost" it at about 20% opacity to use as guides. There is a script for this but I'll have to dig it up.

The problem there will be getting the right number of divisions. Hopefully the script will help with that.

Found it! This is the script I was trying to remember. Oregonian turned me on to it when I was trying to post all my patterns. Hope this works for you. I think you still have to set it up or at least enter the values. Dividing an image or layer into "X" equal parts should be fairly simple math.

Get the Grid of guides script here.
http://registry.gimp.org/node/12003

Thanks for that. I've downloaded it and will have a look but it was the math I was trying to avoid.

Edit: forget it, not the active layer.

This is the one I use, GAT tools, a python plugin

http://registry.gimp.org/node/25332

no arithmetic required: http://www.imageno.com/8wqrnbtm6qvypic.html

That's a handy tool.

You should just go to Layer>Auto crop layer and add your guides then.

I've modified the script referenced at the GPR (again) to provide an option to create a grid of guides based on the active layer, rather than the canvas. The only restriction is that the script will only create those guides that lie in the canvas area, if the active layer is positioned outside it.

-Rob A>

Thank you very much RobA. This will make my figure drawing easier.