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It would be cool if you could drive text, object sizes and table values by expressions. The way I see this is that their respective input fields could get a button to indicate they are expression driven. You could input an expression as "= A + B", which is different from the "A+B" input we use now to define/ calculate a value. The values that are defined should then be exposed as variables, which can be used to build expressions with. Example Say I have a document that is 280 mm high, I have top and bottom margins of 15 mm and want to structure my document using baseline grids. In that case I might define the baseline grid height as: (Page Height - Top margin - Bottom margin)/ Number of divisions for baseline grid. In turn, if I have text that 3/4 the height of my body text, I could would be able to define it as such. That way, you could more easily make changes to the document and update all of the properties that are driven by expressions accordingly. Similarly, this would enable the creation of a adjustable layout for UI designs. A bit like using an app like Penpot, I suppose.

Can someone help me out here? I create a circle (10px by 10px) with a thickness of 2, CTRL+J to copy, go into the Transform box and type +8 in the W: and H: section. So I now have my duplicate circle (increased 8 pixels both in the width and height). OK, so all I want to do now is to power duplicate and keep pressing CTRL+J however many times I want to make these circles, each one 8 pixels larger than the previous. Isn't the expression of +8 in both the W and H correct? I'm not getting each circle +8 pixels larger than the last.

The "Typographical variables" works fantastic when setting the font size, but I can't use them when trying to adjust the leading values. It is as if the decimal points aren't honoured. Meaning 12,500 ends up being 12500. Additional question. Is there a way to calculate the distance between xheight and capheight? You can't just go 20mm/x-c, I assume it doesn't work because capheight isn't set or known.

Sometimes, when using some mathematical functions in input fields, the Unit Of Measure needs to be given for the expression to be calculated. For example, when I enter “+=cos(30)*10” (without the quotes) into the X field of the Transform Panel there is no effect, but entering “+=cos(30)*10 mm” (with the UOM) moves the selected layer as expected. Also, entering “x+cos(30)*10” (no UOM) into the X field yields no movement while entering “x+cos(30)*10 mm” (with UOM) also yields no movement, so providing the UOM is no guarantee of an expected result. However, entering “x+fraction(2.5)” (no UOM) does produce a movement. This behaviour is inconsistent. This happens on both Windows and OS X (no reports so far for iPad so I don’t know what happens there). This has only been checked in Designer (as far as I know) but all apps need testing, with expressions of differing complexity. Also, the Help for this needs to be expanded with better explanations of what each function does and example usage. For example, the Help lists “cos(t)” as a function but doesn’t say whether “t” should be in degrees or radians. Most functions don’t even have a description, which is a bit limiting. Basically the Help for this should contain much more information but the most important thing (in this case) is to get the functions working consistently. See the discussion (with a small test result table) here: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/104444-transforming-an-object-relative-to-its-position/&

Is there a list of functions which can be used in the "Apply Image Filter" equations? The online manual and video only show simple channel arithmetic. In the Affinity Photo WorkBook - London Calling 2 - (p234) - lerp(SA,Sb,0.2) is used for "linear interpretation ... mapping the b channel to a mix of a and b channels " So I assume there would be other functions.

I've just been going through a tutorial on Expressions, using the Transform tab to create mathematical patterns. I understand the basics of it, for example x+200 moves the Power Duplicated object 200 on the x axis, y+100 moves object 200 on the y axis, w*.5 reduces width by 50%, but what if I want a curved pattern? I'm trying to get a simple inward spiral using a simple ellipse. I want this to curve outward slightly, but gradually decrease in size inwards, in a spiral pattern. Can I use Expressions for this? The attached pic uses Expressions and Power Duplicate to gradually decrease size, but the spiral I have manually created.

I noticed that the very useful expressions for sizing and positioning content using the Transform panel only work for pages and not for artboards. Can variables like artboardwidth, artboardheight etc. be added as well? Thanks in advance!

Use print-ready keyboard shortcut cheat sheets to help increase your design efficiency. The cheat sheets are presented per Persona with additional gesture and expressions sheets included. Affinity Designer Cheat sheets (Download) Comprises: Draw Persona Pixel Persona Advanced Text Gestures Expressions Affinity Photo Cheat sheets (Download) Comprises: Photo Persona Liquify Persona Develop Persona Panorama Persona Advanced Text Gestures Expressions Affinity Designer + Photo Cheat sheets Pack (Download) If you’re a fan of customizing shortcuts to suit your preferred way of working, you can customize you own shortcut cheat sheets too. Simply download and edit an .afdesign template files in the Shortcuts Template zip file. Comprises: Designer Shortcuts Template Photo Shortcuts Template Best Wishes Affinity Documentation

When Resizing the Canvas, is there a better way to clear the size fields in order to enter an expression ...such as +=xx... than clicking on the desired field and backspacing 7 times? I must be overlooking something but I don't know what. Edit: Never mind! Finally realized that the equals sign in the example is not needed. The explanation would have been less confusing if the equals sign had not looked like a integral part of the expression.