How to Link Layers in GIMP

GIMP's Layers palette is a very powerful feature, but the Link Layers option has been almost hidden. Features such as the blending modes and opacity slider, are quite obvious and invite experimentation. However, because the Link Layers buttons are all but invisible until you actually click them, it is very easy to overlook this useful feature.

What Does Link Layers Do?

This feature quite simply links two or more layers together so that you can apply transformations equally to each layer without having to merge them first. This obviously gives you the flexibility of later making transformations independently, which you could not do had you merged the layers.

While Link Layers allows you to move, resize, rotate and flip layers in unison, it does only apply to these types of transformations. For example, you can't apply a filter to several linked layers simultaneously. You will either have to apply the filter to each layer independently or merge the layers together first. Also, if you move a linked layer's position within the Layers dialog, any linked layers will remain in their position within the layer stack, so these will have to be moved up or down independently.

How to Link Layers in GIMP

It is very easy to link layers, once you know how, but because the buttons are unmarked initially, you could easily overlook them.

1. Open GIMP with your project that has multiple layers.

2. Turn your attention to the Layers dialog. It's in the lower right of your screen by default. Select the Link Layers boxes next to each of the layers that you want to bind together. It's the empty box directly to the right of the eye icon. The icons look like chains when enabled.

3. With the layers linked together, select either layer and drag it. You'll see all the layers you linked move in unison.

4. Try removing the links by selecting the chain icons again. Then, start moving one of the layers again. Notice that it's independent again now.

If you're familiar with linking layers in Adobe Photoshop, this technique will be a little alien, particularly as there is no option to have more than one group of linked layers at any time. In most cases, however, this shouldn't be an issue unless you regularly work with documents with large numbers of layers.

Using the option to link layers will give you the flexibility to apply transformations quickly and easily to multiple layers, without losing the option to apply changes to individual layers later on.