GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Linux
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

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Hi! How does one produce a layer copy, that is linked to the original, and changed when the original is changed. I'm working with isometric tileset elements and having changes translate to a tiled scene preview would be nice.

I know in Photoshop you can do that easily with smart objects, but what about GIMP?

Thanks in advance!

If Gimp you can "link" objects (chain link icon next to the eye icon in the Layers, Channels and Paths lists). Then if you apply a geometric transform (move/rotate/shear/scale/flip/perspective...) to one of the linked objects the transformation will also be applied to the other linked objects.

That is completely unrelated "linking". I meant having "ghost" copy of the layer, that mirrors the changes to the original layer. I.e. Photoshop smart objects. Unfortunately Google search tells that GIMP still doesn't support such useful feature as smart objects or non-destructive editing at all.

For example, I have tileset objects, arranged in a grid formation and a scene composed of these objects in some other place, and that scene immediately mimics any change done to these objects.

I doubt that can be done with script either, because such script would need to run constantly in background to copy content from master layer to its slaves, and GIMP scripts are called manually. Also, GIMP scripts don't support saving their state, so you lose all linking info after the script was run.

My guess is you'd have to manually right-click and select "New From Visible" after every edit change. Unless someone has a better idea?

You can link many layers together by left clicking while holding down the shift key. It's the 'chain' symbol next to the 'eye' symbol on the LHS of the layers box.
The eye works the same way, so try hiding and unhiding the layers and then linking and unlinking them.
When they are all linked you can go Layer>Group>Pack linked layers. Unfortunately I can't remember if this is built-in to Gimp or if it's a script or plugin.
The 'group' function packs all the layers into a single unit that can be copied and manipulated in quite a few ways. Scaling is an obvious one but you can even do things like 'Perspective' so all of your layers when unpacked become a video playing in a screen on a wall at an angle.

If anyone knows if pack/unpack linked layers is part of Gimp or an add-on then please remind me

Are you thinking of this old script from Saul Goode

http://chiselapp.com/user/saulgoode/rep ... ked-layers

Thanks rich2005. After some investigating I find it's 'AnimStack' by Timofei Shatrov.
http://tshatrov.github.io/animstack

AnimStack does the pack/unpack linked layers and also provides reverse/mirror layers.
This script is extremely useful for animating with Gimp IMHO.

I tried out that AnimStack script. I was looking for something like that when I first started using Gimp. I can't figure out how flatten the groups for gif export. I had to merge visible each layer.

For my test, I used N-Point Deformation Tool on this png with transparency.

Hi racer-x. Good test animation

I could be wrong but I think every layer should have the 'replace' tag rather than the default 'combine' tag.
I unpack the layer groups and then use 'Rename All Layers python-fu'
(pasted into a text file, saved as 'Rename Layers.py' ticked 'allow to run as a program' and put it in the Gimp plugins folder.)
I use it to change the framerate and change 'combine' to replace' on all layers.

Is that not a standard option in the layers menu? or is it something else? I using the old sg script because it is in resource-manager and handy. I think anistack is the same.

Promote linked layers to a layer group https://i.imgur.com/8zOKSA3.jpg

Flatten (merge) the layer group. https://i.imgur.com/5zMxdDy.jpg

I missed it, but there is an option under the "Image" menu that will "Flatten Layer Groups". Tried it and it works.

Having fun with the N-Point Deformation tool.....

"Having fun with the N-Point Deformation tool....."
Nice GIF and nice subject material. I once had a '72 Valiant Charger made by Chrysler in Australia.
Now I just do some <nearly> extreme 4wheel driving.