retrograde

Looks like a Starsky and Hutch mobile in the left foreground...?

Squeaky wheel here...
 
Busenitz, I don't see this as a feature, I see this as a one of the basic cornerstones of a vector app's toolset... especially one that is as cutting edge, innovative and industry leading as Designer is.
 
...would really love to see some of these core and fundamental aspects nailed before adding "x" features and/or export/compatibility functions/workflow/you name it, etc... It's these "little" things that you do hundreds of times over the course of a piece that need to be solid. They're not sexy, they're not buzz worthy, they don't make for compelling video teasers but they are absolutely essential!  :-)
 
If some of the core structure needs addressing or rewriting as suggested above, in order to make some of this possible, I would think sooner rather than later is the easier course to follow. No? 

Squeaky wheel here...
 
Busenitz, I don't see this as a feature, I see this as a one of the basic cornerstones of a vector app's toolset... especially one that is as cutting edge, innovative and industry leading as Designer is.
 
...would really love to see some of these core and fundamental aspects nailed before adding "x" features and/or export/compatibility functions/workflow/you name it, etc... It's these "little" things that you do hundreds of times over the course of a piece that need to be solid. They're not sexy, they're not buzz worthy, they don't make for compelling video teasers but they are absolutely essential!  :-)
 
If some of the core structure needs addressing or rewriting as suggested above, in order to make some of this possible, I would think sooner rather than later is the easier course to follow. No? 

Squeaky wheel here...
 
Busenitz, I don't see this as a feature, I see this as a one of the basic cornerstones of a vector app's toolset... especially one that is as cutting edge, innovative and industry leading as Designer is.
 
...would really love to see some of these core and fundamental aspects nailed before adding "x" features and/or export/compatibility functions/workflow/you name it, etc... It's these "little" things that you do hundreds of times over the course of a piece that need to be solid. They're not sexy, they're not buzz worthy, they don't make for compelling video teasers but they are absolutely essential!  :-)
 
If some of the core structure needs addressing or rewriting as suggested above, in order to make some of this possible, I would think sooner rather than later is the easier course to follow. No? 

Thanks MEB! Sorry, I'm just seeing your response now, any progress?
 
I am working on a large complex designer piece right now and a right click menu structure to hide, unhide all, hide everything but the selected element/object, and /or lock, unlock all, lock everything but the selected element/object is really going to the top of my wish list of "gotta haves"...  :-)
 
I like to work as "ui free" as possible, going to the layers panel to do these things is taking me out of the flow. I'm probably not the only one, I'm guessing...

Hey MEB, what if I have something locked but I can't find it in the layers panel to unlock it because it's locked and I can't right click on it? Should users always have to go to the layers panel to unlock something. There is an unlock key short but it only works if I have the element selected in the layers panel... if I am going to go to the layers panel to select the element I will just unlock it there
 
There currently is an "ungroup all" ability, why no "unlock all" ability? I really miss this. Or am I not seeing something?
 
Edit: it appears that ungroup all actually only ungroups all groups within a group, not all instances of all groups. Hmm.

Nice to see a bit of a 3d/2d workflow here. Probably should have started a new thread, but thought this was related to the 3d aspect of the post...
 
I have been using Designer to paint textures on a few test projects I've been playing with in Blender. I don't do much with height or normal maps for the type of work I do, mostly I use Designer as an assistant to Blenders internal texture painting toolset when more complicated layering or something specific is required. Both apps talk nice to each other.  ;-) 
 
(You can even export svg's out of Blender to use in Designer, but that's a different discussion)
 
Just export the UV layout out of your 3d app (I use a png for transparency) and in Designer I open that image and add painting layers, having the UV layer on top (it's there just for a guide so you know where you're painting). When you export the png back out to your 3d app after painting or adding type etc... you hide the UV guide layer before exporting so it won't show up in your texture...
 
Here are a couple of screens showing a really simple example of Blender and Designer using a basic cube, sphere and cone models/UV's. I added those little yellow and white circles after updating the texture back in Blender. Any 3d app should be basically the same.
 
I definitely want to get more into this with some upcoming 3d projects... using the power and ease of Affinity's 2d toolset to help create cool 3d stuff!

Nice to see a bit of a 3d/2d workflow here. Probably should have started a new thread, but thought this was related to the 3d aspect of the post...
 
I have been using Designer to paint textures on a few test projects I've been playing with in Blender. I don't do much with height or normal maps for the type of work I do, mostly I use Designer as an assistant to Blenders internal texture painting toolset when more complicated layering or something specific is required. Both apps talk nice to each other.  ;-) 
 
(You can even export svg's out of Blender to use in Designer, but that's a different discussion)
 
Just export the UV layout out of your 3d app (I use a png for transparency) and in Designer I open that image and add painting layers, having the UV layer on top (it's there just for a guide so you know where you're painting). When you export the png back out to your 3d app after painting or adding type etc... you hide the UV guide layer before exporting so it won't show up in your texture...
 
Here are a couple of screens showing a really simple example of Blender and Designer using a basic cube, sphere and cone models/UV's. I added those little yellow and white circles after updating the texture back in Blender. Any 3d app should be basically the same.
 
I definitely want to get more into this with some upcoming 3d projects... using the power and ease of Affinity's 2d toolset to help create cool 3d stuff!

Nice work Frankentoon! And a nice texture brush pack, maybe an early christmas gift for myself... ;-)

Nice work Frankentoon! And a nice texture brush pack, maybe an early christmas gift for myself... ;-)

Hi all, a recent tutorial I did for Envatotutsplus on Affinity Designer is out.  
 
It's a step by step from start to finish type of tutorial of my basic workflow developing a fun Canine Cowboy character to a cartoony semi-realistic finish. It's an intermediate level tutorial so some knowledge of Designer is required. :-)
 
Check it out at:
 
http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-detailed-beer-label-in-affinity-designer--cms-26010
 
Also checkout the attached image here for a preview of the final image.
 
Have fun!
Retrograde
(aka Kevin Creative)

If anyone is interested in a closer look at my workbook tutorial contribution follow the link below.
 
I uploaded a few images of the finished piece (for the tutorial you'll have to grab the book ;-) ...along with some information on the tutorial in general and some of what you can expect from it and the book.
 
I was honoured to be asked to participate in the project and I can honestly say the book is gorgeous and chock full of great stuff, art and information! The Serif team has really created a beautiful, well designed user manual that just happens to double as a coffee table book!
 
https://www.behance.net/gallery/44223009/Affinity-Designer-Workbook-tutorial

I am not much of a vector illustrator. Only bitmap, really. That is why I love DAUBs brushes. 110% right for me!
 
These are my very first illustrations done in AP using Daubs brushes. First one i painted in Grayscale at 300 dpi.

 
This second one is RGB at 300 dpi.

 
Hope you like what you see :)

Nice retro tone and feeling!

Sweet. ;-)

Sweet. ;-)

Thanks MEB! Sorry, I'm just seeing your response now, any progress?
 
I am working on a large complex designer piece right now and a right click menu structure to hide, unhide all, hide everything but the selected element/object, and /or lock, unlock all, lock everything but the selected element/object is really going to the top of my wish list of "gotta haves"...  :-)
 
I like to work as "ui free" as possible, going to the layers panel to do these things is taking me out of the flow. I'm probably not the only one, I'm guessing...

Hey MEB, what if I have something locked but I can't find it in the layers panel to unlock it because it's locked and I can't right click on it? Should users always have to go to the layers panel to unlock something. There is an unlock key short but it only works if I have the element selected in the layers panel... if I am going to go to the layers panel to select the element I will just unlock it there
 
There currently is an "ungroup all" ability, why no "unlock all" ability? I really miss this. Or am I not seeing something?
 
Edit: it appears that ungroup all actually only ungroups all groups within a group, not all instances of all groups. Hmm.

The graphic tablet eraser workflow is great and very intuitive but having the ability to edit a vector path after erasing would kick it up a notch. Sometimes you want to adjust you're shaking, hand drawn eraser stroke...

Congratulations Matt!! Now that's what you call "Matt" leave. ;-)
 
Welcome back.

Great insight Brett and it sort of sums up my thoughts on both AD and AP as well. I use AD for everything and since I don't use the warping feature in my illustration workflow, I haven't really had much cause to switch over to AP.  AD also has a lot of the final image adjustment features I need to tweak my illustrations after they are complete.
 
Good to have a bit of background and thoughts on how others are using these 2 apps. Cheers!

Cheers Nat, some great info in these 4 vids!

2.78 just released.  https://www.blender.org
 
Beginners tuts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgHs8uzT3yqe4iHGfkCmMJ0P

Thanks Brett, It's good to branch out, keeps the brain ply-able. ;-)   I'm also a 3d guy, my weapon of choice being Blender. I like switching between 2d and 3d. I'm planning on starting to incorporate AD for my texturing work.

Cool thanks.
 
Hey btw, I'm loving the 3d stuff on your behance site. What app are you using for that?