Disabling "auto-select"

[gt40mk2]

Hi - I'm a PS user, but can no longer justify the cost. I'm new to Gimp, just figuring out the basics. 

Mac OS 10.13, Gimp 2.10.34 rev 3

How do I make it *not* auto-select (as it's called in PS)?

eg: I select a layer in the layer list. When I click on the screen  to move it, it will move what is under the cursor on the screen, or the topmost layer above the selected layer on the screen.

I tried Prefs > Tool Options > Set layer or path as Active - both on and off - it doesn't make a difference.

Thanks!

[zeuspaul]

Under the move tool options select pick layer or guide, not active layer.
.
.
   

[gt40mk2]

Hmm . . . I couldn't find the menu you showed, but I took as a clue "Tool Toggle (Shift)".

When I shift-clicked on the screen to move, it moved the selected layer.

So, that solves my problem - thank you!

[zeuspaul]

Look in windows (upper menu) / Dockable Dialogs /  Tool Options.
.
.
   

[Ofnuts]

(10-11-2023, 09:35 PM)gt40mk2 Wrote: Hmm . . . I couldn't find the menu you showed, but I took as a clue "Tool Toggle (Shift)".

When I shift-clicked on the screen to move, it moved the selected layer.

So, that solves my problem - thank you!

This is the Tools option dialog. Very useful. If you have lost it, put it back. 

About the initial question, the Move tool has two modes:

* Pick a layer or guide (which is the default): the tool grabs the top most layer which is not transparent where you click. For instance, to move a text layer, click on a character, and not between them.
* Move the active layer: unconditionally moves the active layer (useful when the whole layer is hidden under something else).

You can temporarily switch between the two modes by depressing the Shift key, but you can as well set the tool correctly. This can be useful.