The checkerboard pattern is the standard way to indicate where you image is transparent (something has to be displayed...). It is not part of your image.

If you see transparency when you erase it's because the layer you are working on support transparency using an "alpha-channel" (it's name is not in boldface in the layers list). So there are trwo ay to do what you want:

1) Use the Layer>Transparency>Remove alpha channel. Then when you erase you get the background color. But this is typically the wrong way, because fixing things later are going to be difficult.

2) Layer>New layer and have it filled with the background color. Then Layer>Stack>Layer to bottom. You now see this background layer where your image layer is transparent. Don't forget to set your image layer active (otherwise erasure will happen on that background layer).

When you'll "File>Export" the image it will be flattened to one single layer, but it is usually a good idea to also "File>Save" the image (as XCF, then) to save the separate layers.

On 11/09/16 05:58, DaveC wrote:

Ive started using Gimp editor just yesterday.

I read the on-line manual but cant find the answer to my question.

When I use the eraser to edit an imported pdf file, what remains is the checkerboard pattern, not the background color as indicated in the tool pallet.

How do I configure Gimp such that when I erase I see the background color?

Thanks, Dave

Gimp 2.8.14p2
OS X 10.9.5 Mavericks
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Thank you for this great group!

I have been stumped on a project that I have been working on all weekend.

I am attaching an image that is my inspiration. It is a McDonald's gift card with the french friends and a heart in the middle.

I want to recreate this image with a pattern of images and then insert a heart image. Then, I assume that I can just somehow delete the heart image and have that space now be clear to the transparent background of the image?

I know this is possible, but have no clue how to do. Please help me! Thank you so much in advance for your assistance!

Ive started using Gimp editor just yesterday.

I read the on-line manual but cant find the answer to my question.

When I use the eraser to edit an imported pdf file, what remains is the checkerboard pattern, not the background color as indicated in the tool pallet.

How do I configure Gimp such that when I erase I see the background color?

Thanks,
Dave

Gimp 2.8.14p2
OS X 10.9.5 Mavericks

Wow! So Sorry! I thought we were trying to do the same thing.... Are you stressed? Wishing you well!

Hello,
This is a new question, not an answer to the original question I asked.

When asking a new question, 1. Open a new mail message (Cmd-N usually) 2. type the Gimp mail list address
3. type the new subject
4. type your question
5. send it.

Do NOT ask your question by replying to another messagethis is known as HIJACKING a subject and is not appreciated. If youre not answering the original question, youre HIJACKING the subject.

-=-=-=-

Try this:

If I understand you correctly, create a GIMP image with three layers.

- Top layer has the pattern of images. - Middle layer has a heart image.
- Bottom layer has something or nothing.

- Turn off the top layer and lock it. - Select just the heart on the middle layer. If you filled it with a solid colour you can select by colour.
- Go back to the top layer. Turn it on and unlock it. You should see the heart outline on the top layer.
- Delete the heart from the top layer. Your middle layer will show through the hole where the heart outline was. - Delete the middle layer and your bottom layer will show through. If you want to see right through to the transparency checkerboard, delete the bottom layer.

Hope that's what you want.

Rick Strong

-----Original Message----- From: RitzRather
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2016 5:07 PM To: gimp-user-list@gnome.org
Cc: notifications@gimpusers.com
Subject: [Gimp-user] Erasing to background color

Thank you for this great group!

I have been stumped on a project that I have been working on all weekend.

I am attaching an image that is my inspiration. It is a McDonald's gift card
with the french friends and a heart in the middle.

I want to recreate this image with a pattern of images and then insert a heart
image. Then, I assume that I can just somehow delete the heart image and have
that space now be clear to the transparent background of the image?

I know this is possible, but have no clue how to do. Please help me! Thank you
so much in advance for your assistance!