Adding a new layer under a selected one

[youssefsem]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a simple functionality in affinity designer but couldn't find it. I want to add a new layer under the one I'm selecting. When I add a new layer, it's automatically placed on the top of the layer list, which is not very convenient when you have hundreds of layers and sublayers. I hope there is a way to quickly add a new layer exactly where I want it to be created instead of cutting/pasting the newly created layer which is time-consuming.

Regards,

[Alfred]

2 hours ago, youssefsem said:

When I add a new layer, it's automatically placed on the top of the layer list

It should be placed immediately above the currently selected layer.

2 hours ago, youssefsem said:

I hope there is a way to quickly add a new layer exactly where I want it to be created instead of cutting/pasting the newly created layer which is time-consuming.

Instead of cutting and pasting, drag and drop the new layer in the Layers panel.

[R C-R]

8 hours ago, youssefsem said:

When I add a new layer, it's automatically placed on the top of the layer list

That should happen only if no layer is currently selected, or if Layer > Insertion > Top is selected (or the equivalent button on the toolbar is enabled).

[youssefsem]

Thank you for your answers. Even when I'm selecting a layer, when I click the "Add layer" button in the bottom toolbar of the layer panel, it automatically adds a new layer on top of the list.

@Alfred : Using drag and drop is not very effective as I have lots of layers

@R C-R : Layer > Insertion > default is selected.

[R C-R]

28 minutes ago, youssefsem said:

when I click the "Add layer" button in the bottom toolbar of the layer panel

OK. I see that you mean the capital L "(Layer)" container layer type, not an ordinary layer. Yes, these container layers are added to the top of the layers stack, & I do not think there is any way to change that. 

However, there is often no need for this layer type, so may I ask why you want to use them?

[Old Bruce]

35 minutes ago, R C-R said:

However, there is often no need for this layer type, so may I ask why you want to use them?

I think it improves the export of layers in a PDF for further use in other software. Don't quote me on this though, I am frequently wrong.

[youssefsem]

Thank you @R C-R for your answer. I'm new to Affinity Designer, so whenever I had to draw something I created a new layer. But after reading your comment, I just realized that affinity designer already creates automatically a layer every time I draw something. In my previous experiences with other softwares like GIMP for example, If I didn't create a new layer, I would draw on the selected layer. Now I see the Affinity works differently.

Sorry @Old Bruce, it's nothing as sophisticated, just a newbie question 😅