Davg

Example/s?

Where can I find the recording? But surely the background layer is locked, and I see no reason to touch it. Creating a Duplicate Layer and working on that means there is no reason to touch the original at all?

I can't find anywhere in the documentation where it says a Snapshot is automatically created. It says To create a snapshot: On the Snapshots panel, click Add Snapshot. I'm not in anyway disputing what Carl123 says because as I said I've never used Snapshot. It's interesting to read different views on using the software. For myself, I'll continue to edit using the Duplicate Layer which seems to me to be the most logical way to protect the original image.

I have not used Snapshot, but the documentation suggests that it serves a different purpose than simply creating a Duplicate Layer to edit an image. Not sure where the 'third copy' comes from, as making a duplicate of the original image is only creating one copy.

Making a copy is the same as creating a duplicate, which is what I do to preserve the original, and I have my files backed up to a portable hard drive. Good advice.

If you don't create a Duplicate Layer and edit the original and save it the original will be changed. Far better to duplicate the layer before editing.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. Unfortunately though, I didn't receive the definitive answer I was looking for. So I did some more experimenting with these two methods and I have arrived at some conclusions which unless someone corrects me, I will use to edit my images. If I want to make CHANGES to the image, for example by using tools such as the Clone Stamp Tool, or the Inpainting Brush Tool, I will definitely duplicate the layer. This will make sure that the original image will be preserved, as I will be making the changes to the Duplicate Layer and not the original. Creating a New Pixel Layer however is a better choice If I want to ADD to the image for example text or artwork. This means that the text/artwork will be on it's own layer and can be hidden or deleted if I change my mind. This would not the case if I added the text/artwork to a Duplicate Layer. If I have got this wrong I would welcome any comments.

I don't think I've misunderstood them. Example: I open an image which has some blemishes which I want to remove using say, the Clone Brush Tool. This image will be named 'Background'. To edit this image non-destructively, I can either duplicate the layer, or I can go to the Layers menu and select 'New layer', which will then create a pixel layer (and yes, this layer is 'empty). But I seem to be able to use either of these methods to use the Clone Stamp tool to edit my image without writing over it. So my question is: what is the difference between these two methods?

When opening an image in Affinity Photo for editing non-destructively there appears to be conflicting suggestions as to whether to create a new layer from the Layers menu (pixel layer) or whether to create a duplicate of the image before editing. What is the difference (if any) between either of these methods or does it not matter?

I have just watched this official Affinity Photo-Mask Layers where the annotator says "...I'll just clarify that adjustment and filter layers inherently have there own masks. So there is absolutely no need to add a separate masking layer to them", which is what is what I understood to be the case. But the point I was making was that a couple of tutorials I had looked at suggested adding an adjustment layer and then adding a mask which didn't make sense to me. I now know that I can add an adjustment layer and paint straight on the mask instead of adding a separate mask. Thanks for all your replies.

Thanks for your replies. I can understand what Old Bruce says about a text layer or shape, but I was referring to adjustment layers, and the example I gave was adding a Black & White adjustment layer. If I was to add such an adjustment does it come with a mask already attached or would I need to add a mask?

I hope someone can explain something which as a newbie is puzzling to me. From what I can gather, adjustment layers come with built-in masks and having added an adjustment, one can then begin painting on a mask. But in a couple of tutorials I've looked at they suggest creating an adjustment and then adding a mask to the adjustment. The screenshot shows a Black & White adjustment, which I've painted on without adding a mask and it seems to work as you would expect it to. So my question is: Why add a mask to an adjustment if the adjustment already has a mask attached to it and is there a difference between the two methods? Or am I misunderstanding something? I would appreciate any help with this as it's driving me crazy!

Thanks for the reply. It's a relief to know I wasn't doing something stupid!

As a new user of Affinity Photo, I'm trying to learn about Mask Layers. As I understand it, when creating a mask, the icon should change from white to black when inverted? When I create a mask and then invert it the color of the mask doesn't change, so I'm unable to tell from the mask whether I'm hiding or revealing. Hope this makes sense?