Trouble adding new layer while using channels

marji4x · **Joined:** Sep 12, 2015 **Posts:** 2

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Mac OS
OS Version: OSX Yosemite
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

List any ERROR messages you received:
cannot create a new layer from the floating selection because it belongs to a layer mask or channel

Hi all! I am having trouble making a floating selection become a layer!

I received this message:

"cannot create a new layer from the floating selection because it belongs to a layer mask or channel"

I tried posting a link to the tutorial I was using but apparently that's not allowed by new users on this board...that's unhelpful...I'll try to summarize:
Basically, you copy your layer with the lineart to the clipboard then paste it into a new channel. You should then be able to select all the linework, fill it with the paintbucket or edit-fill and then you have a transparent layer with just your lineart on it....so you can color it.

Unfortunately when I try to make the new floating selection a layer, it gives me that error message.

I looked this issue up and saw one solution of trying "Edit ->Paste As --> New Layer" but that didn't work for me. The layer stays as a floating selection and won't let me turn it into a layer.

Any insights would be appreciated!

Wallace · **Posted:** Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:36 pm **(#2)**

marji4x wrote:

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Mac OS
OS Version: OSX Yosemite
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

List any ERROR messages you received:
cannot create a new layer from the floating selection because it belongs to a layer mask or channel

Hi all! I am having trouble making a floating selection become a layer!

I received this message:

"cannot create a new layer from the floating selection because it belongs to a layer mask or channel"

I tried posting a link to the tutorial I was using but apparently that's not allowed by new users on this board...that's unhelpful...I'll try to summarize:
Basically, you copy your layer with the lineart to the clipboard then paste it into a new channel. You should then be able to select all the linework, fill it with the paintbucket or edit-fill and then you have a transparent layer with just your lineart on it....so you can color it.

Unfortunately when I try to make the new floating selection a layer, it gives me that error message.

I looked this issue up and saw one solution of trying "Edit ->Paste As --> New Layer" but that didn't work for me. The layer stays as a floating selection and won't let me turn it into a layer.

Any insights would be appreciated!

Have you tried to anchor the floating selection, by selecting Layer>Anchor?
Are you trying to remove the white background for the line art?

marji4x · **Joined:** Sep 12, 2015 **Posts:** 2

Thanks for responding! I tried anchoring the layer and it simply disappeared :/

And yeah I am trying to remove the white basically. I could put the layer on multiply but I seem to remember that wasn't ideal for some reason when I used to try this method years ago... so I thought I'd try this other method. It seems to be the standard method recommended in Photoshop for comic book artists and illustrators.

Wallace · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2015 3:24 am **(#4)**

marji4x wrote:

Thanks for responding! I tried anchoring the layer and it simply disappeared :/

And yeah I am trying to remove the white basically. I could put the layer on multiply but I seem to remember that wasn't ideal for some reason when I used to try this method years ago... so I thought I'd try this other method. It seems to be the standard method recommended in Photoshop for comic book artists and illustrators.

The link below is to a tutorial here on Gimp Chat.
It shows how you can remove the white background form a piece of line art.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13032#p176607

AnMal · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:45 am **(#5)**

marji4x: next time this happens: look at the layer list and make sure it's a layer being selected at the moment, not a layer mask. then look at the channels dialogue and make sure you don't still have the channel selected. i don't know how many times i've tried to paste something into a new layer and had a layer mask selected by accident, and quite a few times i've had a channel on too. that's when you get that error message! using an inverted copy of a channel is one of the most elegant ways i know of removing white background from black foreground or vice versa, by the way.