Bri-Toon

Hi Walt, thank you for taking the time of figuring out the best approach for me. I like the idea of exporting and backing the different preferences. I never knew that was an option or for the keyboard shortcuts to export settings. I'm thinking I might do that. Thanks.

Just checked what forums you've posted topics in, and as you seem to be a Mac user I probably can't help you very much.
On Windows, though, in %Appdata%\Affinity\Designer (or Photo) there are folders named 1.0 and 1.0 (Beta). Below each of those there are additional folders.
Note that I have not tried the following procedure, as I'm happy with my Beta preferences as they are, and I know that when I upgrade my 1.6 installation to the retail version when the beta is done, my 1.6 preferences will survive and be present in 1.7.
However, if I were trying to transfer all the settings from 1.0 to 1.0 (Beta) I would first make sure that Designer (or Photo) was not running. I would then make a backup of the complete 1.0 (Beta) folder in case things don't go well and it becomes necessary to revert. This is important!
I would then copy the Settings, user, and Workspaces folders from 1.0 to 1.0 (Beta), and also the preferences.dat file. Or I might copy the contents of 1.0 into 1.0 (Beta), replacing any existing files of the same name. That way, if there are new files in 1.0 (Beta) that don't exist in 1.0 they wouldn't be lost.
Then I would start Designer (or Photo) and hope (and try to verify) that everything is OK.
This approach is risky and I am not certain it would work. I can think of two scenarios for getting the files updated when you install 1.7 on top of 1.6, to include new functions:
The installer updates them when run.
or When Designer 1.7 (or Photo 1.7) starts, and notices that the various user preferences files, etc. are at the 1.6 level, it updates them before continuing. If scenario 1 is true, then replacing the 1.0 (Beta) files with the 1.0 files will probably cause some kind of loss of function, making this process unfeasible. If scenario 2 is true, then everything should be fine. Only Serif would know, and without guidance from them one can only experiment and see what happens.
For a Mac I believe a similar set of files exist, but they are located somewhere else. Others have commented on that in these forums before. The risks are probably the same for Mac and Windows. Make sure you make a backup of any files or directories you're modifying!
A safer approach: This Serif video shows how to export many of the settings, brushes, etc. using functions provided by the Affinity applications. Following the instructions in that video to make backup copies using 1.6, and then importing them into 1.7, should be safer. I don't think it will transfer as much as the approach I listed above, but it should have fewer risks.

Hi Bri-Toon,

Thanks for letting us know. I've reproduced it with your file and it is something that is with development so I'll get it bumped with them. If you select the 'hidden layer' it will reappear after you deselect it.
 

i simply like this version.
Download was straight, no fail !
no crash up to now, no major lag.
even i created a flyer with it ... simply nice

Hi, Patrick! I think I found the reason for the lack of color samples. I installed English, instead of my native language, Russian, and a color palette appeared. I believe that this is due to the language barrier. See screenshots that I took in AD. The same situation occurs in Photo and Publisher.

Wow! There is certainly a lot added to this new version. I'm excited to try it out. Also, that Local Contrast slider looks like it will be very useful.

This 3 way triangular symmetry took me less than 2 minutes to set up (including launching Designer).
I'd never done it before, and have saved to use as a template if I ever need to do it again.

Aw bummer. I'm not sure then seeing how illustration is more of what I do, but if I get an idea, I'll let you know.

I agree. Taming the web for small devices has created these situations. I wish they would check to see if I'm on desktop first and not screw with my view if I am. When the software takes control from me I have no idea what's happened.
Personally, I wish MS had stopped at Win 7 which I consider the golden age of the PC desktop. It was stable, beautiful and readable.

I have not been able to come back to the forum since I posted my questions. Oh my gosh! When I posted this 3 days ago, I certainly did not want to create a conflict!
 
R C-R - thank you for your suggestion. Based on the example you posted, this is not what I was looking for.
 
Carl123 - I see that Publisher is in Beta and available to try. I may try that. It looks like Publisher may ultimately be a better replacement for InDesign (I've been trying to use Designer and knew it was not an exact fit).
 
Bri-toon - I appreciate the video. Videos help me see it better - I'm better with those than written instructions sometimes. Although not ideal, it looks like this may be the best way to do what I want to do in Designer.
 
I could try Word's Publisher I guess, I've just never liked it. That is another option too.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. Please don't fight!!!
 
MarcySB (BTW - I'm a she)

What I understand is that what someone wants to do at one time may not be what they want to do at another.

Okay, I have a suggestion. The beta of Designer 1.7 introduced a new tool, the Point Transform Tool. I am aware of what it does, but I’m interested in learning its advantages. I’m interested in learning in what cases it can be used.

Okay, I have a suggestion. The beta of Designer 1.7 introduced a new tool, the Point Transform Tool. I am aware of what it does, but I’m interested in learning its advantages. I’m interested in learning in what cases it can be used.

Would it make sense to just lock the character layer?

Alternatively, look in the Layers panel for the Hamburger menu! 

thanks!

Hi Matt, I don't know if it's a bug, but it can't hurt to bring it up. When I have a shape selected and then have the "Insert behind the selection" button enabled, using the Pencil or Brush Tool to start drawing from behind the shape and work my way out, the stroke does not work in real time (if that's the right term). In other words, the Pencil Tool and Brush Tool do not leave a stroke as I draw. The stroke appears after release. I tested the the other two buttons, and the Pencil and Brush Tool do work in real time. It's just that first button that results to that issue.

I think some tools like the Pencil was left out as a way to draw an equal comparison between the apps. Publisher, just being in beta, can already do a lot of the tasks Designer can do. To make proper use of those personas, Designer would need to feature some tools specifically for illustration. That how I perceive it anyway.
But hey, don't be afraid to ask. Like Stokerg said, you could always put it as a feature request.

On top of that, I found that this is the case for custom artboards only. I press the delete key while the Artboard Tool is selected to keep the new canvas size and keep the objects inside. Then if you drag the marquee from outside the artboard, you should be able to select the objects inside.

Hi Matt, I don't know if it's a bug, but it can't hurt to bring it up. When I have a shape selected and then have the "Insert behind the selection" button enabled, using the Pencil or Brush Tool to start drawing from behind the shape and work my way out, the stroke does not work in real time (if that's the right term). In other words, the Pencil Tool and Brush Tool do not leave a stroke as I draw. The stroke appears after release. I tested the the other two buttons, and the Pencil and Brush Tool do work in real time. It's just that first button that results to that issue.

Hi there,
Linking objects it's a common feature in some other layer based softwares and I don't use it very much... however, sometimes this is the only way to achieve what we want. 
It's different from grouping objects because sometimes you might want to move/scale to elements together from different layer for example. I know we can do it by selecting objects manually, but it's kind of annoying repeating this process every time... so, I'd love to just see a chain icon somewhere in the layer panel to make life a bit easier.
Reminous.

It's why forums exist, sort out issues, learn from others, suggest features and grumble lol! If we can help we will.  happy Ishtar
 

ok..I understand now.  Thank you very much for all the help!!  It's so appreciated
 

Don't worry about it. We're here to help you.
Once a vector is saved as a PNG (raster), you cannot reverse the process. It's a one way conversion.