Mask and gradients

[DarkClown]

Dealing with gradients in masks is a well known nighmare in Affinity. If one needs a mask that fades from white to black on both sides you either have to define a more complex gradient structure (what itself is a "pain in th a*** " since AP keeps forgetting all settings instantly ... or is it "deliberately" ... sorry - "by design" of course). Certainly if you need this kind of gadient more often. Thankfully the gradient resets to a default setting that for sure no one ever will be able to use - so we can be sure each time you need a gradient, extra effort is involved.

Or you have to merge 2 seperate masks into one - what is a quite "non-intuitive" task as well ...

If at least the gradient itself would be kept "editable" in the mask ... but it is simply converted into a bitmap and forgotten as well. Seems to be a major Affinity handicap: it keeps forgetting nearly everything ...  it's a bit like having a Cray computer at home with 2KB memory

How do you solve these "challenges"? Has anyone a good idea for a practical workaround with regards to the mask?
This is what I need ... (involves adding 2 more anchorpoints to the gradient setup ...changing the colour of 3 of these anchorpoints and refining the position of the anchorpoints and the 50% setting inbetween of all anchorpoints).

Cheers, Timo

 

 

 

[NotMyFault]

Hi Timo,

i fully share your frustration about masks being second class citizens in Affinity, but dislike your way to express it which feels a bit aggressive to me.

i would suggest to use vector shapes or fill layers and gradients when possible. In contrast to masks, they remember  gradient settings and can be re-edited. In many cases, they can be used as full replacement for masks. In other cases where you really need to continue with a mask, just copy, and rasterize to mask, and preserve the (unselected) vector as option to re-start later. 

Second, you could create swatches for gradients, so you can always have a prepared starting point instead green field. 

 

After using Affinity for about 2 years i learned to find good workflows where i initially struggled  badly with the UI before. At least, Affinity remains constant so you do not need to relearn with every new release. 
 

Best, Timo (another one
 

 

[Dazmondo77]

I love the way you can have multiple masks and multiple objects (both raster and raster) which make up a mask - loads of power when used with blend ranges and layer effects - not really a fan of bog standard layer masks in Affinity - as an alternative to a standard layer mask, I prefer to make a selection then refine then create a new pixel layer and fill the refined selection with a colour then use that as a mask plus combine it with vectors

[Chris26]

49 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

i would suggest to use vector shapes or fill layers and gradients when possible. In contrast to masks, they remember  gradient settings and can be re-edited. In many cases, they can be used as full replacement for masks. In other cases where you really need to continue with a mask, just copy, and rasterize to mask, and preserve the (unselected) vector as option to re-start later. 

 

Thankyou for this.  It is a great tip that I never realised.  

[DarkClown]

5 hours ago, NotMyFault said:

 but dislike your way to express it which feels a bit aggressive to me.

Ah, dont worry, pure desperation since I've been picking on these topics now for some years and it just gets ignored ... I'm german - we are selfish and lack the british politeness ... that's nothing to worry about ... just a typical german rant. Most of us suffer from social and emotional disabilities ...  We don't talk around the bush - regardless ... that's why few of us have any friends. We learned to live with it ... don't shout me a beer!

 

[DarkClown]

5 hours ago, NotMyFault said:

i would suggest to use vector shapes or fill layers and gradients when possible. In contrast to masks, they remember  gradient settings and can be re-edited. In many cases, they can be used as full replacement for masks. In other cases where you really need to continue with a mask, just copy, and rasterize to mask, and preserve the (unselected) vector as option to re-start later. 

Would you be so kind (I'm working on my politeness!) to explain how to use a vector shape as a mask - without or with making it a mask? ... (I briefly mentioned the gradation problems above)  - aside the shown example the gradation is not necessarily left an right and can be covered with one edited gradation setting - but may also be to the left and the bottom ...

Cheers, Timo

[NotMyFault]

Hi Timo, 

 

see file attached.

Just a fill layer to show the masking effect of a vector layer with a gradient. 
The trick for the gradient is to use opacity instead (or in combination with) with color. 
You can adjust the gradient at any time.
Grüsse aus Hamburg. 

Untitled_6.afphoto

[DarkClown]

Thanks!

Took me a while to figure it out ... but it's helpful since the gradient is not lost. As well I can copy a more complex gradient now and don't have to enter it over and over again. Another workarouind on the list

Grüße aus München

[gp_photoi]

Hello guys,

for anyone interested to understand clearly how to create and manage a mask with 1 or more gradients in Affinity photo, I suggest to watch thevideo below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXEJEnzdsh0