Align only selects Canvas, it won't select layer (v3.2.4 2026)

[HFC3]

Just installed GIMP on new PC.  When I try to select a layer, it always selects the entire canvas.

1) I have shrunk all 3 "PVC" layers to "Content"

2) ALL 3 of the PVC layers are ABOVE the "Cabinet" main image (Canvas size) in the layer list
2.1) None of the layers are in a group/folder
2.2) Hiding "Cabinet" layer does NOT change how Align is working (it still selects entire canvas)
2.3) DELETING the "Cabinet" layers STILL selects entire canvas for align

Forum will not upload attachment images (upload failed, images are JPG <300kb).  They are just screenshots of the GIMP window showing the layer pane, and the align corner select blocks.  I've circled the selected layer corner blocks in both images indicating it's selecting the 
canvas, NOT the layer.

What am I either doing wrong, or is there an internal setting I have to update?

I did NOT have this issue in a previous installation (I had to replace that PC), which ha an older version of 3.2.4 installed (2025).  Odd that both were noted as v3.2.4, and 2026 (April) is the same version, but has this bug when the 2025 installation didn't.

Thank you

Forum won't upload image attachments.  I've got them on my server at;
http://krhyss.com/GIMP/
http://krhyss.com/GIMP/GIMPAlign.jpg

http://krhyss.com/GIMP/GIMPAlign-Cabinet-deleted

[rich2005]

Oh... 20 something years ago I worked in Aramco which used the "Universal Plumbing Code" (universal my a**e) and chlorinated pvc pipe

I had to "remake" your image a little for a CPVC layer, did not bother about the others and it depends what you want to align.

First, the align tool options is a bit wide, you need to widen the left side to show the extents options.
If Align ... Relative to .....   Image is set then you do get those corner indicators.
However that setup does (1) center horizontally and then (2) vertically.

   

For three little layers like that, not align tool which is awful, I would be inclined to put in a guide (s) and move manually.

[rich2005]

Possibly a better answer to your question.  You can pick say a cropped layer as the Align reference, something like this:

   

[HFC3]

Well, that's irritating. I selected "Relative to 'Picked Reference' and it worked. I guess the "default" changed between installations.

I thought I'd tried that before posting, but obviously not

Thank you!

---

(to make a legend)Actually, that didn't work.

It DID allow me to select 1 of the PVC layers.  It did NOT allow me to select more than one layer (align to layer A, etc) manually.  I was able to select more than one layer in the layer list, but it only aligned 2 of the 3 (to the canvas) selected layers (NOT the selected (hoped to be the layer the others were aligned layer).

Even then, would ONLY align whichever layer I could select to the IMAGE, NOT to the 1st selected layer.

I should mention that I'm trying to align the 3 PVC layers (0.5, 0.85, and 1) to the 0.5 layer (to make a legend).

The previous (working) version had an option " align to Image, first selected, ... - 5 or 6 different settings.  "Picked Reference object is meaningless, and even if you interpret it as the selected layer (the one with blocks at layer corners), it's IGNORING that layer for an alignment action (at least with my settings). 

   

[rich2005]

The only setting I can see in your screenshot that I would change is change the target center reference to left. Forget about how the Gimp 2.10 align worked.

Something like this:

   

[rich2005]

Back to my earlier post, and have you considered a guide and the move tool ?

(1) In the view menu there is Snap to Guides (which is usually the default) and a Gimp 3 addition Snap to Equidistance which you can toggle on.  Moving the first layer, snaps to the guide.
(2) Moving the next layer, snaps to the guide and sets an offset from the first layer.
(3) Moving subsequent layers, snaps to guide and snaps to the offset between layers.
(4) Once all aligned, you can of course move as selected layers.

   

[HFC3]

None of that worked, and none of that is the "traditional" align. Snapping, selecting different layers in different orders, moving layers manually - that all eliminates the need for an Align - and makes aligning more important as the result is NOT aligned. At least, from what I can determine.

Furthermore, why does "Snap" have anything to do with Align, to begin with? Aligning is "aligning" 2 or more objects to a specified target. No snapping. Maybe manually moving a layer (which doesn't appear to be happening, even though "Snap" was selected), but not align.

Furthermore, the offset it (again) unrelated to aligning - it's supposed (and did in the previous installation) to ignore that and just align.

I'm going to have to find a GIMP alternative more like 2 or 3 versions ago, or find an older version that works to install.

Thank you for your help.

[rich2005]

If you can not get to grips with the latest then an older version of Gimp is a good option.

https://download.gimp.org/gimp/v2.10/windows/

Quote:..Furthermore, why does "Snap" have anything to do with Align

Since the Gimp 3 align does not have an offset option that Snap-to-Equidistance is one way to get equal spacing.