Layer FX on mask layers not working

[NotMyFault]

Hi,

Layer FX can be activated for mask layers, but show absolutely no effect.

Gaussian blur, outlines, fill, gradients (with opacity) etc would be extremely valuable in many situations.

If Affinity don't want to have them usable, it would be great to at least make them invisible.

 

[Chris B]

Hey NotMyFault,

I don't think they are supposed to but this has popped up a few times before. Do you know of any apps that do work with Layer FX and masks? I'm curious to see what kind of potential opportunities it would unveil. 

[NotMyFault]

4 hours ago, Chris B said:

Hey NotMyFault,

I don't think they are supposed to but this has popped up a few times before. Do you know of any apps that do work with Layer FX and masks? I'm curious to see what kind of potential opportunities it would unveil. 

Hi Chris,

i don't use other "professional" Photo apps beside Affinity, so i can't name one.

The main use case is that often i use e.g. freehand selection tool or pen tool / vector shapes to create perfect sharp selections.

For vector shapes, you can use them for masking, and apply layer fx. But once you deal with masks (e.g. after rasterizing), it becomes complicated.

To feather a mask layer, applying  a gaussian blur is the perfect non-destructive tool. Whits work good, unless you nest the mask, leading to layers nested to the mask become inaccessible.