telemax

I was able to get 1 and 2-bit PNG, with Posterise + Gradient Map + PNG export settings. 2-bit.afdesign
This was just out of curiosity, and probably won't help your workflow.

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In Affinity Photo, there is a full-fledged work with the vector. Use vector shapes to do this.
 
vector.mp4

I can barely recall if we discussed this in the past...   🤪
Happy that someone's finally re-discovered this feature!
When I worked on refreshing the brush library for version 2.0, I had designed some tools specifically for use with these features. 

If you haven't already, I suggest trying the brushes in the "Oils" set, especially the "broken bristles" ones.

Oils_BrokenBristles.mp4  
 
The effect achieved is almost "expressionist," and with the right gradients, it can yield intriguing results.
For some reason, Affinity does not have a Gradient Studio, so the usability of this feature necessarily depends on creating a specific palette made up of gradients, this likely contributed to making it "hidden."
 
 

Variant for AP
1. Create a rectangle the size of the canvas.
2. Place the layer in the rectangle.
But it may be difficult or impossible for you if 400 files, each with 5 layers, have already been created.

Layers.mp4

I would use artboards in AD, they automatically create a canvas-sized slice.
 

Artboards2.mp4 ---

Artboards.mp4 ---

Blur.afdesign

An updated and improved version is there:
 

thx so much - works great 

Hi,
This is a method of creating a completely non-destructive mask that allows you to use a normal layer as a mask, and do with it everything you can do with a normal layer, without any restrictions. 
You can also use a group as a mask! Everything you put in this group automatically becomes a mask, and you can mix them together in Multiply mode, for example. This way a mask can be a composite of multiple layers of any type (raster, vector, color, grayscale). This gives full creative freedom! 
This non-destructive mask method, created with two layer settings, Blend Ranges and Erase Blend mode. This method creates a mask from any Layer type, in a non-destructive way, keeping the original intact. And also apply Live Filters, and Adjustments.
1. Select the layer that should be the mask
2. Change its curve in Blend Ranges
3. Change its blend mode to Erase 
 
Creating a Mask

Mask_1.mp4  
Creating a Composite Mask 

Mask_2.mp4  
Using an image as a Mask

Mask_3.mp4  
Creating a Composite Mask using different layer types

Mask_4.mp4  
Applying the Live Filter

Mask_5.mp4  
An alternative method using Procedural Texture
 

Star brushes with a glow effect. Vertical and horizontal brush movement, give a different effect. Vertical for star fields, horizontal for galaxies.
For a high-quality glow effect, use a 16-bit document. And it is better to use light colors than white.

The brush works correctly, only on a transparent layer. This is due to the Reflect blending mode, which is set by default, in the brush settings.

Stars.afbrushes

You can generate a Normal Map using Lighting live filter.
Normal_Map_Generator.afphoto
Normal_Map_Generator.afassets
1. Open your texture in Affinity Photo.
2. Use the attached file or assets file.
3. In the Lighting ilve filter settings, load the same texture.
 

Normal_Map_Generator.mp4


Added AO generator.
  AO_Generator.mp4

There are two things in this video that can be sent to a feature request.
- Selection to a curve
- Brush along the curve
https://youtu.be/9iQxaE3In3A?t=223

I can only show the desktop workflow. Perhaps this will be a hint for the principle.
 

vignette.mp4 vignette.afphoto
 

You can generate a Normal Map using Lighting live filter.
Normal_Map_Generator.afphoto
Normal_Map_Generator.afassets
1. Open your texture in Affinity Photo.
2. Use the attached file or assets file.
3. In the Lighting ilve filter settings, load the same texture.
 

Normal_Map_Generator.mp4


Added AO generator.
  AO_Generator.mp4

You may find it useful to use ready-made PBR texture sets. They are designed for 3D graphics, but they can also be used in 2D, to create very realistic surfaces.
The AP allows you to use a ready-made PBR texture set. You will need at least 3 of the PBR texture sets, Height, Albedo, Normal.
You can buy PBR or download it for free:
https://www.textures.com/browse/pbr-materials/114558
https://ambientcg.com
 

PBR.mp4
The Height map must be loaded into the Lighting filter by pressing the "Load bump map" button in the Lighting filter settings. For the Height map, it is preferable to use a 16-bit PNG.

Previous explanations were insufficient for new users. More detailed explanations: 

Installing
1. Download and install the Normal_Map_Generator.afassets file by simply dragging it into the program window.
2. Open the "Assets" panel (View > Studio > Assets), and select "Normal Map Generator" from the list.




Using
1. Open in AP the image that you want to convert to a normal map.
This step is necessary in order to create a document with the target resolution.

2. Drag and drop the blue "Normal Map" icon from the "Assets" panel, into your document.


You should get this set of layers:

 
3. Expand the group, and hide or delete the "Logo" layer.

 
4. Double-click on the "Lighting" layer and its settings will open. Click on the "Load bump map" button, and select the same texture you opened in step 1.

 
5. Use the "Texture" slider to adjust the bump value.

You can generate a Normal Map using Lighting live filter.
Normal_Map_Generator.afphoto
Normal_Map_Generator.afassets
1. Open your texture in Affinity Photo.
2. Use the attached file or assets file.
3. In the Lighting ilve filter settings, load the same texture.
 

Normal_Map_Generator.mp4


Added AO generator.
  AO_Generator.mp4

Normal Map Generator is here!
 

Great tutorial!
i mentioned the issue with circle radius has up to 0.5% deviation depending on position at the radius, largest deviation typically around 45+n*90 degree. This can become relevant here, and maybe the method can be extended. 
simply start with the cloud bubble tool instead of ellipse tool for a better circle approximation.

 

I’ve shown one method to do this in my attached video (the text below isn’t a step-by-step guide, just notes on the video).
“Enable Snapping” should be ON, “Snap to object bounding boxes” should be ON, and “Include Bounding box mid points” should be ON.
Part A – The first circle
If you are not using Designer, and therefore can’t use the Point Transform Tool, or you just want to do it quickly, then, instead of the instructions in this part, you can simply snap the left ‘side’ of circle B to the right ‘side’ of of circle A and then rotate all the circles to how you want them later.
Draw a line from the centre of circle A to anywhere.
Use the Node Tool to move the end of the line to get the angle you want.
Use the Point Transform Tool to move and rotate circle B.
Use the Point Transform Tool to translate circle B so that it touches circle A.
Part B – The second circle
The width of the first construction circle should be: width of circle A plus width of circle C.
The width of the second construction circle should be: width of circle B plus width of circle C.
If you aren’t using Designer (and can’t use the Point Transform Tool) you can draw a line from the intersection of the two construction circles (to anywhere, the end point doesn’t matter) and then use snapping with the Move Tool to drag circle C into place.
Note: If you don't want circle B to be rotated after this then you can just double-click the rotation handle to reset it.
Important: There may be tiny gaps between the circles but that’s because they aren’t perfect circles, and that’s because of the way the Affinity applications draw circles using bezier curves. I don’t think there’s anything we can do about this.

2024-02-04 08-50-06.mp4

Why not use artboards to crop the canvas?

You can generate a Normal Map using Lighting live filter.
Normal_Map_Generator.afphoto
Normal_Map_Generator.afassets
1. Open your texture in Affinity Photo.
2. Use the attached file or assets file.
3. In the Lighting ilve filter settings, load the same texture.
 

Normal_Map_Generator.mp4


Added AO generator.
  AO_Generator.mp4

Hi,
This is a method of creating a completely non-destructive mask that allows you to use a normal layer as a mask, and do with it everything you can do with a normal layer, without any restrictions. 
You can also use a group as a mask! Everything you put in this group automatically becomes a mask, and you can mix them together in Multiply mode, for example. This way a mask can be a composite of multiple layers of any type (raster, vector, color, grayscale). This gives full creative freedom! 
This non-destructive mask method, created with two layer settings, Blend Ranges and Erase Blend mode. This method creates a mask from any Layer type, in a non-destructive way, keeping the original intact. And also apply Live Filters, and Adjustments.
1. Select the layer that should be the mask
2. Change its curve in Blend Ranges
3. Change its blend mode to Erase 
 
Creating a Mask

Mask_1.mp4  
Creating a Composite Mask 

Mask_2.mp4  
Using an image as a Mask

Mask_3.mp4  
Creating a Composite Mask using different layer types

Mask_4.mp4  
Applying the Live Filter

Mask_5.mp4  
An alternative method using Procedural Texture
 

13 vector brushes and 4 gradient types.
The original width resolution of the brush textures is 176 px.
Arrows 1-176.afbrushes Linked Samples.afdesign
 

Creating a gradient:
Linking properties in AP:
Linked properties:
-

13 vector brushes and 4 gradient types.
The original width resolution of the brush textures is 176 px.
Arrows 1-176.afbrushes Linked Samples.afdesign
 

Creating a gradient:
Linking properties in AP:
Linked properties:
-