Layers disappear from saved files

[ink_stroke]

Thanks for your reply!

(3 hours ago)rich2005 Wrote: It has never happened to me unless I make the mistake, maybe a do a merge down by error and lose a layer. If you spot it then you can undo.

I can guarantee that I did not accidently delete or merge any of those layers. One layer, an "Image" one, disappeared in two different files that represented two different states of the same project. In another case, a text layer disappeared that had been there and untouched for weeks. The files were alright when I closed them, and they were flawed when I reopened them - in two cases shortly after closing them, in two cases the next day. I always remove USB devices properly.

(3 hours ago)rich2005 Wrote: What format are you saving the files ? - Gimp xcf I hope.  Some multi-layer formats .psd / tiff / .ora might lose some properties such as editable text.

Yes, I work with xcf files only.

(3 hours ago)rich2005 Wrote: Are you using any of the new functions such as linked layers. ?

That's an interesting question. Only now that you've asked me that and that I've checked the program have I realised that there are 2 similar options under File: Open as Layers and Open as Link Layer. It's very likely that I've opened some of the image files as link layers; but I've no idea what that means and what the difference between the two options may be. Is the link-layer function known to cause any problems? It would be very strange though if that had something to do with the lost textfield.

(3 hours ago)rich2005 Wrote: Do you have any of those references where users have lost layers ?  No good giving me Reddit / Facebook / anything-social.

Yes; here you are:
https://www.gimp-forum.net/Thread-Lost-L...ter-saving

Many thanks again for your engagement!