A copy of an embedded PDF object is automatically linked?

[sAnderO]

Hello all,

I'm quite new to Affinity, loving its easy workflow, but struggle with automatically linked objects. I have a vector pdf design (a carpet print to use as a texture in 3d CAD) which I want to change in different variations. 

When I place/drag it in Designer, its embedded and that's, lets say, option 1.

For option two, placed next to option 1 on the same page, I do a copy/paste but it's always linked to the originally placed object. By making a colour variation to option 2, option 1 changes also... The only way to work without a linked object is to drag the original pdf file again in Designer, but then I have to do all the basis changes (like resizing & positioning) for each variation I want to make.

Is there a way to copy/paste an embedded pdf object without a link to the new object? Or can you unlink an object?

Greetings,

Sander

[Hangman]

@sAnderO Welcome to the Affinity Forums.

If you Place the pdf each time rather than copy/pasting it, so Place the first instance of your pdf on the page and then repeat and Place the second instance of the same pdf of the page then both remain embedded but editable individually, so editing the second file won't affect the first one.

[sAnderO]

Hi Hangman,

Thanks for your quick reply. I know I can avoid the 'problem' of linking by placing or draging the original pdf file each time again, but I'd rather use a copy withing Designer so it directly has the same size, position and changes as the previous variant. 

Hope there's an easy solution for that.

[Hangman]

As far as I'm aware that isn't possible but using the transform panel would allow you to match placed image size easily perhaps along with snapping for position or a combination of the two. I appreciate that's not as simple as a copy/paste but equally there is also a case for actually wanting to be able to edit multiple copies of a placed graphic once so it affects all other copies.

Equally you could place multiple copies of your pdf, align them, group them and then transform the group so each instance is transformed in the same way prior to arranging all instances on the page? Again, not as quick as a copy/paste but I don't believe there is any way around it.

[sAnderO]

Thanks Hangman,

Using the transform panel could save some steps, so thats the best option for me now I guess. Maybe in the future its a good option to let the user choose either to use a link between objects or not, best of both worlds!

[Hangman]

One possible alternative would be to create a symbol from your initial opened pdf (depending on how complex it is). This would then allow you to transform the initial placed pdf so it is sized/transformed as you want it and then create a symbol from it. You can then drag multiple instances of the symbol onto your page which will match exactly the initial resized/transformed pdf.

You then have the option to edit any instance of the pdf to change all versions or you can also detach any instance of the pdf to make changes unique to that particular detached instance.

I don't know if that would be a better solution for you but perhaps give it a go and see which works best for your workflow?

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/tutorials/designer/desktop/video/301628203/

[sAnderO]

I was'nt aware of this symbol option, but it seems a good idea! Let you know, thanks anyway!

[Hangman]

Take a quick look at the video link I posted, that may help to understand how it works and to see whether it will give you what you're looking for...

[Old Bruce]

2 hours ago, sAnderO said:

I'm quite new to Affinity, loving its easy workflow, but struggle with automatically linked objects. I have a vector pdf design (a carpet print to use as a texture in 3d CAD) which I want to change in different variations. 

What is the nature of the change you want to do to this Carpet Print. If it is just the colour that could be done with colour overlays or a Recolour adjustment layer.

[Hangman]

Actually thinking about it further, a simple change to your workflow would actually give you exactly what you want. If instead of placing/dragging your pdf onto the canvas you Open the pdf instead, then simply group the elements and either resize your document or resize the opened pdf within your existing document so it appears at the size you need it then you can Copy/Paste or Alt Drag to your heart's content to create new instances all of which are independently editable.

The only caveat being, should the pdf you open contain fonts you don't have on your system you will potentially run into font compatibility issues but if no fonts are involved or you already have the fonts on your system then this would I think give you exactly what you want with a simple Copy/Paste solution.

[Hangman]

29 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

What is the nature of the change you want to do to this Carpet Print. If it is just the colour that could be done with colour overlays or a Recolour adjustment layer.

Potentially not so easy to achieve when the pdf is embedded since there is no easy way to change individual elements within the embedded file, unless @sAnderO is looking to change the colour of the entire pdf.

[carl123]

@sAnderO

Are you on MAC or Windows?

[sAnderO]

@Old Bruce I'm using a carpet in my interior design of a library. The pdf has three layers, a base colour, some spots/figures, and a layer with illustrations. I'd like to make colour variations on each complete layer. Like shown in the added image in this post.

@carl123 It's on Windows

@Hangman Opening the pdf does the job! Easy and quick! However creating a symbol shows me new ways to create patterns! I'm gonna use that function in the future to create seamless patterns! Very, very nice function!

 

Thanks to you all guys for your fast and quick responses, nice helping community!

Edited September 10, 2021 by sAnderO

[carl123]

7 hours ago, sAnderO said:

@carl123 It's on Windows

After you copy the PDF, use...

Edit > Paste Special > Serif Persona Nodes

See if that does what you want

[sAnderO]

On 9/11/2021 at 4:22 AM, carl123 said:

After you copy the PDF, use...

Edit > Paste Special > Serif Persona Nodes

See if that does what you want

@carl123 The Paste Special option works fine too! Learning a lot of new functions, superb!

[R C-R]

On 9/10/2021 at 9:22 PM, carl123 said:

After you copy the PDF, use...

Edit > Paste Special > Serif Persona Nodes

See if that does what you want

Just as a side note, there is no Edit > Paste Special item in the Mac version. Anybody know if one of the Edit > Paste options available in the Mac version will work for this?

[Hangman]

@R C-R Only using the method mentioned in my 5th post, i.e., open rather than place the initial pdf, group it, transform it and then copy/paste it. You are then editing separate individual copies of the pdf rather than the same embedded, duplicated copy.