GIMP Version: 2.8.10
Operating System: Mac OS
OS Version: 10.8
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

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Ok, so I'm using GIMP to colorize specific areas of an image. I use the copy/paste command all the time. Its great because it places the copy directly on top of the original so i don't have to match edges. I know to make attach the floating layer to a new layer.

I was right in the middle of a project however, and suddenly that command is no longer accessible. Its literally paled out on the drop down Edit menu (meaning you can't use it) and i can't use the short i've been using. The Float selection from the Select menu is also no longer usable. I've tried deleting and redownloading because I can find no other reason it would so suddenly stop allowing me to do this (even though I was doing it two layers previously). I've tried starting new projects and starting over, but nothing works. But the "Paste As" in Edit still works, so I can paste it as a new layer. And I can see the selection on my clipboard, so I know its copying it.

Today when I was trying to work despite the pain of dragging the small selection piece copy to line up with the original, it suddenly turned back on. I got super excited and went to try to use it. Deleted the layer I was working on and tried to copy/paste. And it disappeared again.

Any ideas on how to get this to start working again??? I'm in the middle of commissions and it takes me a lot longer to move the copied layers (and even then it doesn't always match up perfectly).

Have a look see here, Subject: suddenly unable to copy & paste

I'm not trying to move the layer. Im simply trying to paste it or be able to float it.

The option to paste it does not exist, nor the option to float it.

EDIT: Also, I've read through that thread before and read through it again when you posted it. Nothing works. I can close and reopen the program and this still happens. Like I said, I even deleted it and redownloaded it and this still happens.

Do you still have a floating selection in the Layers list? If so Anchor it (Crl-H) or make it a new "true" layer (Ctrl-Shift-N).

No. The float option is also not available, which makes me think something is clicked off or there's a glitch.

What message appears in the status line (bottom of the image window) while your mouse pointer is hovered over the "Edit->Paste" command?

Nothing. It simply says the name of the original layer. Or it says "selection copied to clipboard".

I should note, the paste only seems to disappear when I use any of the select tools. If I am selecting a layer, I can copy and paste to my hearts content.

Thank you for the suggestion. I tried this but it did not work. :/

Will this still open the xcf files i made in GIMP already? because I have a lot of templates and in progress things I need to use.

Yes, any xcf file from any Gimp from any computer will open with Partha's McGimp.

I don't see any purpose of switching version at that point... unless we know why this happens. But since it's probably due to the image state when the image will be reloaded in Partha's version this will likely continue (after all if I'm not mistaken the OP has already reinstalled Gimp to try to fix this...). Before reinstalling a better fix is to disable the Gimp profile to have Gimp recreate a new one. But in this very case I don't think it will fix anything because I have not seen any evidence here indicating that it also happens in other images.

Question to OP: did you try on another image? Can you share the image with us? Or at least post a screenshot that show the Layers list?

That would not explain why it worked before... and why the menus are disabled. If Gimp disables the menus, it's because something in its code decides to... this is why I think that the image has something that the OP has not noticed, and so he is of course not telling us...

For what it's worth, I am not aware of any situation that would gray out the Paste command. The Ubuntu Unity interface had a bug recently which incorrectly grayed out menu commands (had something to do with the "global menu" handling, IIRC); I wonder if there might not be a similar thing happening under MacOS.

Saul, this is not part of the initial question but When I download a script, plug-in or anything that I want to place in my molly folder, copy and paste doesn't work anymore. It just stopped working three or four months ago.
I don't get the paste option when I right click, but I can drag the file over from downloads to scripts etc.

I was struggling with this same problem. Now I feel silly because 1. the solution was too simple, b) because I didn't look for a solution sooner, and iii: because my underwear is on backwards.