Slice Auto-size does not respect the actual size of the layer.

[pkclsoft]

I have an Affinity Designer document with a number of layers, each representing a single asset for an app.  I am in the process if migrating away from Photoshop.

In the Designer persona, the size of a layer can be seen easily by clicking on the layer and looking in the proper sheet below:

So because I need to use the Export Slices feature I naturally want the slice to match this as closely as possible.

In the Export persona, I find that I have to manually adjust the size and position of the slice for virtually every layer which is very frustrating and slow.

Here is what I've had to do manually:

and if I click on "Revert to Auto Sized", I get:

So is there a way for the auto size to follow the size of the layer?  What determines this extra boundary or margin?

Thanks

pkclsoft

[walt.farrell]

What are the contents of that Group in your first screenshot? Why are you clicking on Revert to Auto Sized? It seems correct in your second screenshot already.

Can you share a sample .afdesign document that demonstrates the problem?

 

[pkclsoft]

Thanks Walt,

I'm clicking on "Revert to Auto Sized" to demonstrate what I see as a problem.  When I first create the slice from the layer it uses the same slice dimensions as those the "Revert to Auto Sized" button produces.

I guess I'm just trying to understand why the auto size is not a "tight" rectangle around the largest size of the layer and it's contents.

Attached is a cut down of the file containing the pictured layer.  In this I have manually altered the slice size to what I think it should be.  Clicking on the "Revert to Auto Sized" button, to my mind, should give the same result.  I'm trying to understand why it doesn't.  that way, maybe I can improve my process somewhat.

 

demo of slice problem.afdesign

[GarryP]

There are various effects – Outer Shadow, Bevel/Emboss, etc. – applied to some of layers inside the themebutton.png group and some of these will probably affect the overall dimensions of the export.

[pkclsoft]

I've seen that happen, but I've gone to the trouble, especially in the example, of making sure that none of the nested layers exceed the bounds of the hexagon layer, which is the 102.8x118.8 pixels (which I round up to 103x119 for the slice).  So if I'd done it right, and that is the largest layer in themebutton.png, where are the other pixels coming from?

[GarryP]

The issue seems to be with the “Layer 2” layer.
Deleting that layer and then recreating the slice from the themebutton.png group gives a 104x120 slice.
Switching the Outer Shadow and Bevel/Emboss effects OFF, then re-creating the slice, has the same effect.
Only switching one of those effects OFF doesn’t have the same effect.
My guess is that one of those effects (or both) is making the software calculate a larger size, maybe because they are effects which extend beyond the visible part of the layer itself (e.g. a shadow will need to go outside of the shape to be seen).
The group contains all of the layers within it which includes the result of the effects on those layers.

[pkclsoft]

So perhaps if I mask the group it will prevent this, but that is a little heavy handed.  I must admit that Photoshop had similar issues at times.  OK.  I'll play with this and see what I can work out.

Many thanks.