What happened to the Merge Layers in Designer? Is there a workaround, because I can't find it.

[swendtland]

Hi,

I upgraded and now the merge layers in Designer is not an option. Is there a workaround for the merge layers options? I'm on version 1.10.5.1342.

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums @swendtland

1.10.5 is an old version of the V1 software.
Version 1.10.6 should be available which has various fixes.

Also, which “merge layers” functionality are you referring to?
If you can tell us how you used to get to it we can probably tell you how to get to it now (even though I don’t think 1.x changed all that much near the end).

[swendtland]

Thanks Gary P! I just upgraded to 1.10.6 and the "merge visible" in Affinity Designer is missing. The example (New Taruna) provided consists of 3 layers. A white background behind the person's photo, the person's photo, and the orange donut. I need a transparent background, so that is why there is a white background. 

These are the steps I used to take in order to get the perfect look (as shown in Kai.png graphic).

1. Select the 3 layers.
2. Select Layer, then merge visible.
3. Deselect the layers, because a new Pixel layer was created
4. Erase outer ring pixels.
5. Reselect the donut.
6. Select Layer, then merge visible.
7. Deselect 1st pixel layer.
8. Export to a PNG. 

[NotMyFault]

Hi,

the following workarounds are possible:

1. export as png, place png into document
2. create snapshot. Create new file from snapshot, copy/paste back into document
3. open in Photo. Merge visible in Photo
4. open in Designer on iPad. There you have all merge options available

[GarryP]

Thanks for the extra information.
Are you sure you were doing this in Designer and not Photo?

[NotMyFault]

6 minutes ago, swendtland said:

Thanks Gary P! I just upgraded to 1.10.6 and the "merge visible" in Affinity Designer is missing. The example (New Taruna) provided consists of 3 layers. A white background behind the person's photo, the person's photo, and the orange donut. I need a transparent background, so that is why there is a white background. 

These are the steps I used to take in order to get the perfect look (as shown in Kai.png graphic).

1. Select the 3 layers.
2. Select Layer, then merge visible.
3. Deselect the layers, because a new Pixel layer was created
4. Erase outer ring pixels.
5. Reselect the donut.
6. Select Layer, then merge visible.
7. Deselect 1st pixel layer.
8. Export to a PNG. 

You can use a totally different (better) workflow.

1. add a ellipse shape to create a circle, fill with white
2. nest circle to image layer into masking position
3. no need to ratsterize

 

 

[swendtland]

You are correct, Gary P. I did this in Photo and not Designer. I updated my notes!

[GarryP]

Here’s a short video showing the steps as mentioned by NotMyFault above.
Watch carefully where I drag the ‘disco’ layer over the name of the ellipse layer to clip the image inside the ellipse.