Which uses more memory/processing power: Layer FX or Adjustment Layers? Single layers or groups?

[andydandy]

With Affinity Designer, I'm making a visual health cue of a bipedal figure, separating the torso, arms, and legs so that each section can independently show a health status with a color. This means several copies of each section's image layer with a different color (green means 100%, red is 25%, etc). I've isolated each section with a layer mask so I have to decide between adding a Layer Effect>Color Overlay, or Adjustment Layer>Recolor (or HSL) to each group of layers, or to each individual layer.

Also wondering if it's more efficient to add the layer effect or adjustment layer to the group layer or to each layer individually. I just want the program and my computer to run as smoothly as possible, been noticing the fans getting a little louder after adding a Color Overlay Layer Effect to each group. Just want to know if that's the best option or if there's a better one that's less taxing to my pc.

I'm on Windows 10, with an Asus ROG laptop which has an Nvidia GTX1070 with 6 or 8 GB dedicated graphics. I've attached a pic of how I've organized the groups. I opened the 100% group so you can see what's inside each group, and all the other percent groups are organized the same.

Edited November 13, 2019 by andydandy

[Callum]

Hi Andydandy,

Welcome to the forums

It would be hard to say why your performance is dipping without seeing the file, however if you no longer need to make changes to the layers below the layer titled torso I would recommend right clicking them and hitting rasterise then seeing if your performance improves.

Thanks

Callum