Layers in Gimp - help

[july_hymn]

So I've been using GIMP for quite a while - mostly for WB, color, levels adjustments, BW conversions, and the like.

I've tried to make the jump into using layers, but this program is making me feel like an idiot. Can somebody please tell me if I'm doing something wrong, or if I'm just not understanding Layers correctly?

The photos I've been trying to edit are simple - just a subject (usually my dog, hehe) and a simple background. To start, what I've done is clone the original layer and have one that I'm working on be adjustments to the subject, the other, adjustments to the background.

Say I'd like to adjust my background on the original layer, and my subject on the duplicate. Here's the steps I think I should go through:

1. Duplicate layer.
2. While working on the original layer, make curve/color/level adjustments.
3. While working on the duplicate, erase the background.

To me, in my brain, that would mean the erased top layer would allow the bottom layer to show through, while leaving my subject untouched. But, the erased area just has white showing, not the layer below - even when I have the visibility on on both layers.

Am I misunderstanding how layers work? Or do I need to set something differently in the program? I'm banging my head against a wall here.

Thanks in advance for any tips

[IABoomer]

You're right. Mine does the same thing.

What I'd suggest is to learn how to do layer masking. The advantage is, you can tweak the layer mask by painting white/black to alter the transparency. If you erase something and later decide you didn't want to erase it, you're stuck. With a layer mask, you go back to that spot and paint it the opposite color on the mask and the detail returns.

There should be some good tutorials out there that explain how to apply, select, and use layer masks.

[july_hymn]

Thanks Boomer - I will give that a try!

[RLucas]

If you want to use the eraser tool, be sure you right click on the upper layer, and click on "add alpha channel" , which will allow transparency. This will allow you to erase the upper layer and see the layer below, instead of a bunch of white streaks.

[july_hymn]

Thanks Luke! I will try that as well. Just out of curiousity, and for my own better understanding, is there some explanation for why that works?

[wulf]

Forget the eraser (for now at least). Layer masks are the way to go, because you can paint back in what you accidently erased (as well as the possibilities of painting on the mask with grey rather than black or white for translucency and using various manipulations to give you a head start on creating the mask).

Wulf