Hi @Ron P.Thanks for your questions. Let me explain how I use Illustrator, and how I find Designer confusing.
In Illustrator, I create 3 layers.
Top layer: I do all of my drawing, labelling, etc in outline with no fill.
Middle layer: I add a 'Colour' layer. Add blocks of colour, copy shapes from above and add fill colour
Lowest layer: I paste a sketch (of a house floor plan) Trace it in the layers above.
So when I use Designer, I find that I have tens or hundreds of layers and I find it difficult to have control over what object is on top. I am constantly moving an object up the layers palette.
In Illustrator, I lock other layers and draw my lines all on the same (top) layer. I know I can click to open the layer and see every object on a sub layer. But that seems to be the default in Designer, that is what I find difficult to work with. For example, how can I quickly copy a shape to the level below and change it's colour. I want all my coloured objects to be on a layer of their own.
I should say that I have worked with Designer for about 3 months but I have had to return to Illustrator for now because I can be productive without the confusion in the layer palette. I find nearly everything else in Designer superior for my purposes.