Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

Hi I have been exploring the GIMP as I do not have photoshop. When I try to open my JPEG files in layers all I get is a background layer. Does gimp actually support JPEG in layers and if not is there anything I can do? I use a Nikon D3100 and GIMP does also not seem to recognise .nef format if I shoot in RAW I have never really used any programme like Photoshop or GIMP before.

Hello.

GIMP does not support RAW files in the same way Photoshop doesn't. You have to use something like Adobe Bridge with Photoshop.

To get your RAW files to GIMP, I used RawTherepee, although there are plenty of others.

As for jpegs with layers, I don't really get what you mean. When you load your jpeg up, it will be the background layer. If you want to stack layers, then you need to add layers. Jpeg is a 'flat' file format. Only the GIMP and Photoshop can save layered files, you have to flatten them back to jpegs for instance for display.

Does that help, or have I missed your point?

chickfreeman wrote: Hi I have been exploring the GIMP as I do not have photoshop. When I try to open my JPEG files in layers all I get is a background layer. Does gimp actually support JPEG in layers and if not is there anything I can do?

I read this the same way that Philip did. A jpeg is a flattened file format, so doesn't contain any layers. If you want to work on the jpeg in GIMP or Photoshop you can create duplicate layers or adjustment layers and work on these. When you've finished editing the image you can save it in various ways, eg a .PSD file with the layers intact.

Is that what you're asking?

chickfreeman wrote: I use a Nikon D3100 and GIMP does also not seem to recognise .nef format if I shoot in RAW

A google search for ".nef and GIMP" throws up this site:

How to process NEF files with Gimp
http://teacherdudebbq.blogspot.com/2009 ... -gimp.html

Have a read through and see if it helps.

Hi and thanks very much for your comments. I really had no understanding of JPEGs .NEF etc or how files photos were built up, i.e. in layers, flat files etc, so I have already learned something! I will have a look at the link that you sent and have another play. Many thanks. What would I do without ADAPs and it's knowledgeable members.

Janice

Photoshop layers for beginners (video tutorial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EooYoYYTQ