So I've figured out how to create a layer, and I guess when I have that layer selected, my drawn components go into that layer. I now have to create a saved image file consisting of just the components from that layer.

I also have to ensure that the image has a transparent background.

What do I have to do for this?

Hi. Have you seen this topic?

Here is another one related.

Using the Layers dialog (Layer menu > Layers (all the way at the bottom of the menu), you can hide and/or lock layers (among other things).

If you will be exporting this layer to PNG, just make sure all the other layers are hidden. Then File menu > Export PNG. It will have a transparent background automatically (unless you've purposely changed the canvas background previously).

If you will be saving as SVG, things may be a little more complicated. If you'd rather not have any hidden layers in the SVG file, you can do File menu > Save a Copy. This will save an identical file (with whatever name you give it, and in whatever folder you choose). Open that new file and delete all the hidden layers. (Don't worry, they still survive in the original file. Just be sure to save the original as SVG as well.)

If it will be yet some other format, follow the same procedure as for SVG. After you've deleted the hidden layers, and assuming you've finished drawing, save as whatever format you want. Note that some may not support transparency very well, or at all.

The options Lazur suggested are for if you need to save or export multiple files with transparency. Perhaps he's read some other message of yours, which gives him the idea you could use those batch export options. But for this message, you didn't mention it. So my comments are for creating 1 or maybe a few files.

(To hide all but selected layer: right-click on layer in dialog -> Show/Hide other layers)

Wow, I never heard of that before, Moini.

At first, I was thinking it must be a new feature, perhaps only in the dev version or only in 0.91. But I tested in 0.48.5 and it does work! I assume it should work in all 0.48.x releases, but I don't really know for sure.

(I only learnt that when working on the German translations for the program with Eduard - you get to see all available options that way. Translating the keyboard reference and the man page was also some kind of 'revelation' for me.)