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I don't see how to create a feature (object/layer) that is visible, but won't print.

What I'm thinking of is an alternative to the classic layers: a node editor, where each layer would now be a node, with a mask and before input, so that you can reuse layer groups. What I'm thinking of: Each node has inputs and outputs depending on the type (example blur: input=image, radius form=type, radius, output=image) Creating groups and naming them storing created groups as global templates (like macros, but as components that can be stored) adding custom inputs to groups with custom labels maybe sharing groups online? (like as a marketplace for quick templates) As an orientation for how it would work, I would like something like Blender 3Ds node editor. As for how it's integrated into the UI, either it's a separate editor that you need to toggle on/off on a per-project basis, or it's a layer (like a node layer or something) that then opens a UI

Why am I seeing the icon to the left of "White Balance Adjustment". I've never seen this before and there seems no explanation as to what it is (seems to only affect the layer below I think) or how to get rid of it. Normally I expect adjustment layers to affect ALL layers below which is what I want. Not sure how to look this up in a FAQ as I don't know what it is called. I assume I did something to make this appear.

I often want to compare two different versions of a shape in two layers. Is there a way to do that with one keyboard shortcut without having to perform three actions (hide layer => show other layer => press spacebare to hide bounding boxes)? -thx Dave

Hello, I have a situation where I have ~650 layers, all well named that I need to search through quickly to hide/show for different permutations of an image. Is there a way I can either sort the layers alphabetically to find them more easily or search for them. Thanks.

Hey, I'm in the position showed on the screen. I wanted to change colour of the background. I already did, but how to merge it all together to have green plant and creamy background?

When you have many layers that includes different adjustments or effects I feel that the layers panel gets very cluttered, and it's hard to find the layer I am looking for even though I try to be thorough with naming the layers. I think it would be much easier to overview the layers if the name sticked to the same position regardless anything else happening within the layer. I've added a screenshot with a suggested solution (the suggestion probably have a lot of challenges that I have not thought about, but I thought it might at least be a good way to explain the clutter I am experience today, and how much simpler it would be with a consistent title placement). Finally, just want to state that I truly love Affinity and all the great work you do!

This is so necessary for keeping objects in register for things such as animation.

I cannot preview the grouped layers in the layer panel in V2, but no such bug existed in V1 on the same computer running the same system.

In AD sometimes when I read Layer it seems to refer to an object, other times a container in which to place multiple objects much like a group. Can you explain the difference between vector layers and groups as containers? Why would I use one instead of the other? Does one have certain properties and/or affects on the objects in them that the other doesn't? Any pros and cons? From reading the help I don't see really a difference. I appreciate it.

Just revitalizing this huge thread from the 1.x version since this crucial (but rather complex) feature still has not made it into Publisher. 😢 The original discussion is here.

My eyesight is not good and I use 2 monitors with 2 different settings for ease of use. I find that working on a single layer (image) the image gets distracted with surrounding images/colours. Yes I can select layers by clicking them on or off but it would speed up workflow if I could click on it and hold the mouse button down on it for 3 seconds would automatically turn OFF view of all other layers. So this is more like an accessibility issue than anything else. Just a suggestion. Thank you.

It would be very nice if you could collapse all layers at once in the layers panel. Layers become very difficult to work with when you have many of them since selecting objects expands the parent layer, so you have to scroll back up and manually collapse them yourself. Perhaps you could have it so that layers are only expanded for as long as the item within it is selected? That way, after deselecting an object, the layer expansion goes back to its previous state, which is ether expanded or collapsed. Am I making any sense?

I am getting the message: Please select an RGB pixel layer before entering Develop, when I either attempt to close out photo project or access development persona. I'm new to Affinity and am basically listening it via on-line Vimeo videos and playing around with it. I have no idea how to address this or how to cancel it out. Help appreciated.

Scenario: I am working on creating a tileset for my game. In order to make my tiles seamless, I need to ensure that each side is able to match up with the opposite. So what I have is a single tile created, and I created copies of that tile on all edges that way I can see what needs changing. What I would like to do is have one 'master layer' per say, and have each of those copies just be representative of the original master layer. I think this is something you can do in photoshop but not sure. Anyways, is there any feature or assistance with this type of workflow?

I'm fairly new to the forums here, and I wasn't sure how to move a post to the bug topics. But this was discussed. I was wondering if there was a way to disable having a layer be brought to the top of the layer stack after using the tool add, subtract, intersect and xor in affinity designer? For more specifics, if its not in a Art-board, and in it's own group. It works fine when it's on an art-board But when it's off to the side in it's own group, it leaves and goes out of the group when using the tools. Thomaso " if all items of the group get merged, the resulting layer is moved upwards on top, while an empty "(Group)" layer remains at their initial position." Are you using the latest release version? Yes Can you reproduce it? Yes Does it happen for a new document? If not do you have a document you can share that shows the problem? Yes If you cannot provide a sample document then please give an accurate description of the problem for example it should include most of the following: What is your operating system and version (Windows 10, OSX Mojave, iOS 12 etc)? macOS Big Sur v11.3 What happened for you (and what you expected to happen) For the merged layer not to go to the top. And for the empty group layer to be automatically removed. Provide a recipe for creating the problem (step-by-step what you did) New File, Expanded Art-board using tools, made 3 circles on the artboard, copied the 3 circles and made 6 circles outside of artboard, brought layers below the artboard group, grouped 3 circles, ADD tool the 3 grouped circles and layers were brought to the top leaving an empty group folder. ADD tool the 3 circles not in group and it was also brought to the top. Screenshots (very handy) or a screen capture/video. Video provided Any unusual hardware (like tablets or external monitors or drives that may affect things) or relevant other applications like font managers or display managers. XP-PEN Artist 22 monitor tablet Did this same thing used to work and if so have you changed anything recently? (software or hardware) I probably didn't noticed until it started becoming tedious Screen Recording 2021-06-17 at 2.51.11 PM.mov DisableLayerStack.afdesign

Hello, I tried to search and didn't find any related topic. I have been wondering why the Layer's blend mode's list is short and doesn't display all the modes at once. Is there a setting in the preferences that I might be missing? 🤔 Juan

First of all, congrats on the release of the new version. I got excellent value from Designer v1, so was happy to pay again. I am looking forward to playing with the new features. I noticed a minor glitch in text display in the Layers pane. Descenders get chopped off at the baseline. See the "g" and the "y" in this screenshot: Hopefully it won't be too hard to fix Best wishes Will

I am working on a repeat pattern utilizing the symbols capability. However, there is an object that is not syncing up properly and no matter what I try, it will not go all the way back or even underneath the symbol that it is crossing over. I am not sure what to do because I've tried sending to the back the initial object on Artboard 1. That did not work. I re-layered the objects so that the selected curve (and its whole group) are underneath the object I want on top, but that does nothing. I have no idea what I am missing or doing incorrectly. Not sure how to fix this. Included is a screen shot of what is happening. I wasn't able to find any FAQ topics that answered or mentioned my question. In the screenshot the object selected is the one I want on top. The vine crossing over it is definitely included in the group that is below that object. I have checked every section, grouping, and layer of each Artboard and every occurrence of that repeating vine. All the other occurrences of that vine are behaving as desired. Not sure what is happening with the top half of the repeat on the right. Hopefully it's an easy fix and that I am simply clueless. Affinity Designer 2, latest update, iPad Pro.

Have you ever tried to arrange objects in the layers panel only to loose them, and then find it nestled in a collapsed group of objects? Ever try and move an object so it clips anther object and it ends up with an unexpected result? Ever wonder what those enigmatic icons in the layer thumbnails are trying to tell you? This guide is for anyone with those questions. From folks that are new to Affinity Products, to people who has been using it for years and struggled with the behaviour of layers. This 3-page visual how-to guide will hopefully help reveal any or all of the cryptic layer mysteries! The guide is in English for desktop versions of the products, designed the Windows version, tested mostly in Affinity Designer, but should translate well to Affinity Photo and Publisher. I would love to hear your feedback, if you notice any errors, have any additions, and/or let me know if it helps you, please chime in! NOTE: PDF DOWNLOAD AT THE BOTTOM. Please download it! Cheers, Dave Vector Affinity Layers Guide - Understanding Masks, Moves, Crops, Clips, Adjustments.pdf

Hello, With version 2 of the Affinity apps comes with not only new layers interface, but also new layer drop zones and new UI feedback (blue highlights). I updated the cheat sheet to reflect these changes to help anyone who is looking for better understanding on how layers behave when dragged within the layers panel. Original post for version 1 of the cheat sheet here. This is a basic guide. It does not address all the possibilities of non-destructive masks, multi-nested layers, etc. There are many complex possibilities. I hope it serves to get you on the right track to understanding the foundations of layers in the Affinity Apps. Here is a PDF version: Layers Panel Cheat Sheet v4.2.pdf Note that my example uses the light UI. I did not create one for the dark UI, but the principles and feedback are the same.

Hi Affinity Team Would it be possible to add functionality to export all the layers from a document to separate files? (especially in Affinity Photo) We often get multilayer .psd's from our clients containing a bunch of supers and splashes that we need to animate on TVC's, and we always need to export each layer out as a separate image file. In PS there is a "script" called "Export layers to files" but it is quite limited regarding file formats and saving options. So I request the addition of a "Export layers to separate files" check box in the export dialog for all formats. And regarding the naming of the outputted files then it could be just as simple as "documentName_layerName.ext". Good work so far, I'm really looking forward for the official release of Affinity Photo Cheers /johs

My main problem at the moment: My documents are/were previously created in Indesign CS6. After having successfully implemented some smaller projects in Affinity Publisher, I wanted to migrate other projects as well. And in doing so, I encountered problems that I a) didn't expect and for which I b) didn't find any explanations or help in the form of tutorials. The tutorials and also the help files probably explain some of the affected details like master pages, layers, frame texts, but without addressing my problem or even touching on it. To migrate documents from InDesign to Affinity Publisher, I created IDML exports and opened them in Affinity Publisher. These are layered documents, with various, even hierarchical, master pages, with basic text frames on them, activated on the effective pages of the document using [SHIFT][CTRL] and then used. For InDesign, these text frames are then editable on the relevant effective page. Affinity Publisher apparently sees this quite differently. After IDML import, I can edit all text frames inserted directly in these pages (e.g. for image texts, info frames, etc.) that are on "regular" layers, but not the text frames that I have brought into the page from the master page. I hope this is understandable for outsiders. These text frames, which in my case contain headings and the main text respectively, I see on a strange layer, which on the one hand is labeled with the name of the master page, but on the other hand is grayed out. My question: How can I move these frame texts to one of the "correct" layer ("Text & Images")? And this in the whole document, not manually page by page; after all, these are documents with 200 to 450 pages, but they should be adapted to new circumstances year by year. Additional question: After using optical kerning in InDesign for text, I feel now like wet-shirted in the wind with Affinity Publisher. I would have to reformat or rewrite to appropriate length every single text on every single page. Is there a solution here? Because it looks like ignoring optical kerning for Sans Serif is almost a matter of faith. Which makes a feature update in this direction not likely. My considerations for switching to Affinity Software were: I could continue to work on these documents with Adobe InDesign until CS6 stops working at the current OS level. I could, but only very theoretically, afford an InDesign subscription from Adobe. But since I don't want to support subscription models at all, and on the other hand I've been financially supporting Sans Serif with the Affinity palette since the first version without using the products in any meaningful way so far, I thought the moment when my first InDesign tool no longer supported version CS6 was the right one to switch completely. This works quite well with Affinity Photo with a few sacrifices and some tedious conversions in terms of operation. Affinity Designer, like Adobe Illustrator, I will hardly use. And with Affinity Publisher, I'm quite far along, although the changeover is much more complex than with Affinity Photo. I'm still a bit behind there.

Usually, I work with multiple layers: one is a trace-over background and then I have a group with design layers (line-work, fills and some other miscellaneous pixel layers). Something like this: I would like to have a 4th option in the Flood fill tool, which is: below, only within current layer/ group. This ensures that my trace-over layer will be discarded when filling, because it is outside of the design layer that I work in.

Trying to export to pdf an artwork with different layers, i get pdf file with messed up layers: changed in order and nested and mixed with objects. Please see attached files. Can you help me? prova.afdesign prova.pdf