: How to make edge of layer round in GIMP? I am using GIMP. I want to make a new layer (above another layer) with round edges. How to do it? thanks

@Vandalay110

Layers are always rectangular - not only in GIMP, but in all other raster image editing software I know off.

What could restrain the layer shape and for all effects to make it look like it does have rounded colors is to create a layer mask in full white (meaning the opacity of the layer is not changed) but for the corners of the mask, which would be painted black.

Unfortunately, there is no "shortcut" for that in GIMP - so follow the steps bellow. Keep in mind that by setting "Edit->preferences->itnerface>Dynamic keyboard shortcuts" you can assigning a single shortcut for most operations bellow. Asking someone to write you (or write yourself) a Python script to achieve the results is another wya if you are doing this a log.

With your layer selected,


on the context menu for layers, Add Layer Mask.... Pick "Full
opacity" (white)
on the same menu click on Mask to Selection
Select->Feather... feather it by the desired radius.
Select->Sharpen
Select->Feather... again, but this time y 1 or 2px - in order to avoid aliasing
Select->Invert
Drag the black color (from the toolbox, or from the color selection dialog) to the image. (Easiest way to fill with black, without having to switch to the bucket fill tool)
Select->None


You are done. Just remember clicking back on the layer thumbnail on the Layer's dialog to ensure you are now editing the layer,instead of the mask.

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