Objects and layers

[Algebraist]

Hi. As a new user to Affinity Designer, I'm finding the layers palette very confusing. It seems that every object I draw appears as a separate "layer" under the layer I'm working on. This serves no purpose that I can see, and adds to the workload. If I select a single object, the whole sub-layers palette opens up, showing all the objects in that layer. Very frustrating. Is there a way to disable seeing all these objects in the layers palette, and just see the layer? This would save a lot of time. Two screenshots attached which might explain what I'm trying to say.

Thanks in advance.

[Gear maker]

In the preference > user interface > auto-scroll to show selection in layer panel.  If clicked will do what you are talking about. 

[Algebraist]

Yes, that works! A big thank you for your help!

[Pšenda]

3 hours ago, Algebraist said:

every object I draw appears as a separate "layer"

Try "Add new curve to selected curves object"

https://affinity.help/designer/English.lproj/pages/CurvesShapes/draw_linesAndShapes.html

[Algebraist]

This works with the pen tool, but not with the pencil or brush tool, which are the ones I use. The  "Add new curve to selected curves object" option isn't available for the pencil or brush. Shame! Would be a tremendously useful option to have.Affinity developers, please take note.Thanks for your reply though.

[R C-R]

If you do not want to organize your work into "(Layer)" layers, you do not have to use them. Just select one of the drawing tools & begin drawing on the canvas with it. By default, each new object appears on its own layer, for example as a "(Curve)" layer for items drawn with the Pen, Pencil. or Vector Brush tools.

If, as in your first screenshot, all of your "(Curve)" layers are currently child layers of a parent "(Layer)" layer like your "Line" one & you want to eliminate that parent layer, you can do that by selecting all of the child "(Curve)" layers using one of several provided methods & on the Layers panel, right click on any one of them & choose "Release" from the popup menu. This will move them above the now empty "(Layer)" layer, which you can then select on the Layers panel & delete.

[Move Along People]

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[Pšenda]

1 hour ago, haakoo said:

After some drawing you can merge curves>Menu>layer>geometry>merge curves (but will treat it as one object)

... which can be if necessary divided into individual curves Menu>Layer>Geometry>Separate Curves (you can edit strokes separately). 

[Pšenda]

14 hours ago, Algebraist said:

This works with the pen tool, but not with the pencil or brush tool

Yes, that's a shame. There should be nothing to prevent this, since the individual curves (whether created using the Pen Tool or the Pencil/Brush Tool) can be grouped using Layer> Geometry> Merge/Separate Curves.

You might just need to add a checkbox to the Context Toolbar.

Edit: I create feature request.