Link layers

[slaterousJ]

Hi,

does anyone know, if it's possible to simply link two layers -without grouping them?
So that if I move/scale etc. one of the two linked layers, the other will move/scale/etc. too?

Thanks

[MEB]

Hi @slaterousJ,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
What application are you using? Designer, Photo, Publisher?

[slaterousJ]

Ah, sorry I forgot to mention, it's Photo and Designer.

[MEB]

Hi @slaterousJ,
The closest you have in Affinity apps is Symbols in Designer and Linked Layers in Photo to sync various attributes however they also do not apply to move/scale operations specifically, sorry.

[Old Bruce]

19 minutes ago, slaterousJ said:

does anyone know, if it's possible to simply link two layers -without grouping them?

What do you mean when you say Link? Lock their relative positions? Have them share Opacity and / or blend modes? Take on applied strokes and fills?

[slaterousJ]

I mean like when you link two layers in Photoshop (like in the picture)

[Old Bruce]

I am unfamiliar with Photoshop's Link layers capabilities but there is a Photo Link Layers panel, go to View > Studio > Links. There are many things that can be linked depending on the layer types, you link Layer able to Layer baker by choosing able on the Layers panel and then dragging baker onto the little square next to the label of what can be linked.

 

[slaterousJ]

That are some pretty decent functions. 

But sad, that it's missing a simple "transform"-square.
So the only way is to group them, which restricts the individual layer sorting a lot.

Thank you all!

[Dazmondo77]

I'd use tag colours for all the layers you need to link then use 'select same tag colour' which selects all items or groups scattered throughout your layer stack

Alternatively - give all layers you want to link the exact same name, for instance 'link' then click on one of the named layers then select same name and resize / recolour or whatever 

[carl123]

3 minutes ago, slaterousJ said:

But sad, that it's missing a simple "transform"-square.

Very true, I was hoping it would include that when they mention Linked Layers were now available.

Maybe as they improve that function, they will add it

[MEB]

If you want to apply transforms to multiple objects (including moving and scale) you can also enable Transform Objects Separately in the context toolbar (Move Tool selected) in Designer and Photo with the objects selected. Then apply the transform to the object that remains selected (which is the last one you select) after you enable that function and all the others will replicate the transform.

[slaterousJ]

3 minutes ago, Dazmondo77 said:

I'd use tag colours for all the layers you need to link then use 'select same tag colour' which selects all items or groups scattered throughout your layer stack

 

The tag-solution is a good work-around. Thx

 

 

[carl123]

3 minutes ago, MEB said:

If you want to apply transforms to multiple objects (including moving and scale)  perform/apply select them then enable Transform Objects Separately in the context toolbar (Move Tool selected) in Designer and Photo. Note you must apply the transform to the object that remains selected after you enable that function. All the others will replicate the transform.

Unfortunately, impractical if you have 50 random layers out of 150 you need to move/scale

Reselecting the 50 layers each time you need to do this gets a bit annoying

 

4 minutes ago, slaterousJ said:

The tag-solution is a good work-around. Thx

True, but Select > Select Same is currently only available in Designer

 

The Photoshop way of linking layers is still needed in APhoto

[Dazmondo77]

7 minutes ago, slaterousJ said:

The tag-solution is a good work-around. Thx

I wouldn't call this a workaround, it's fully functional. I suppose it's the same thing as linked layers really - although linked layers is already available in photo, which I've never found a use for 

[Dazmondo77]

6 minutes ago, carl123 said:

True, but Select > Select Same is currently only available in Designer

Ahhhh I use studiolink 95% of the time so it is available for me in photo - I forget that some users only have one of the Affinity trio😕 

[carl123]

5 minutes ago, Dazmondo77 said:

Ahhhh I use studiolink 95% of the time so it is available for me in photo - I forget that some users only have one of the Affinity trio😕 

My correction/mistake...

Select > Select Same is not available in APhoto

But Select Same Tag Colour is available in a right-click menu in the Layers Panel

[loukash]

7 hours ago, slaterousJ said:

if it's possible to simply link two layers -without grouping them?
So that if I move/scale etc. one of the two linked layers, the other will move/scale/etc. too?

7 hours ago, slaterousJ said:

it's Photo and Designer

Of course it's possible:

1. create your document, regardless if afdesign or afphoto (or afpub, for that matter)
2. add/create the object you want to have linked, be it text, vector shape, a pixel or an image layer
3. if you're currently in Photo: File > Edit In Designer
4. convert the object to a Symbol
5. if you came from Photo: File > Edit In Photo – to get back where you were before
6. duplicate the Symbol layer; both symbols are now linked; you can even disable attributes you don't want to link via the Links panel in Photo
7. to "move/scale/etc." the linked symbols, select the child object(s) of one of the linked "Symbol" layers
8. "move/scale/etc." as you see fit…

 

[DylanGG]

The "Transform" link option was silently added in V2! Now we have a fully functional linking system like Photoshop. Great job, Serif!

Here's a tutorial how to use it - the UI feels very confusing to use.