Gaussian Blur Problems in Publisher V2

[Karl T]

I like to create drop shadows for type in separate layers and use the FX panel to apply a gaussian blur. That was easy in Publisher V1. But in Publisher V2, the bevel box gets automatically ticked when I select gaussian blur, so I cannot make a proper drop shadow in Publisher V2 - I can only get a bevel effect. Is there a way to stop this happening, and for gaussian blur to be selected on its own in V2?

Thanks in advance.

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums @Karl T

Can you show us the result you get in V1 and what the difference is in V2?

If we can see what you expect to get it will be easier for us to know what you mean by things like “drop shadows for type in separate layers”.

Also, I don’t know what you mean by “bevel box gets automatically ticked when I select gaussian blur”. Can you give more information about this, preferably with a screenshot/video?

[Karl T]

Hi Garry,

Attached are screen grabs of what I mean. A master logo in two layers - the logo style solid, and the shadow treated with Gaussian blur and made transparent and offset. The two layers are apparent in the second screen grab. Then I show the FX panel in V1, with 'Gaussian Blur' at the top of the list and when you tick it, you can work on it. In V2, the Gaussian Blur box is at the bottom of the list, and the moment you try to adjust anything with that ticked, the Bevel box gets ticked too, so you cannot achieve the same effect in V2.

[Karl T]

I've tried all options - selecting the grouped words, highlighting one text box, and then highlighting the text itself. Bevel box gets selected every time. 

 

I was hoping there was a setting I could change that would fix it. Otherwise, it looks like a flaw in V2. 

 

The only work-around is two create the shadow effects in V1, and then copying the box into V2. (Which kind of defeats the purpose!)

 

[Ron P.]

Can't you just duplicate the text layer, then either create the shadow effect, or apply a Shadow Layer FX to it?

FWIW, the Bevel/Emboss Layer FX is not applied until you check the box beside it OR change one of properties (move a slider). If the box is checked, then uncheck it. Since the Bevel/Emboss is located at the top of the FX panel, it's always highlighted (not active or applied) when you first open the FX. Select the FX you want (in your case the Gaussian Blur).

[Karl T]

Hi NMP,

No, it doesn't work that way on my MacBook Air. (Though it did work that way in V1) There doesn't appear to be any way to get the Gaussian Blur option without the Bevel option. It is driving me mad!

 

[Karl T]

Hi Ron P,

You've highlighted the problem. The minute I try to adjust the Gaussian Blur layer, the Bevel layer gets selected and applied. I can have an adjusted Blur layer without a bevel.

[MEB]

Hi @Karl T,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
From your screenshots of V2 seems you do not have the Gaussian Blur FX properly selected. Notice it's the Bevel/Emboss effect that's always highlighted (in yellow) in both screenshots and thus that's the one that's active.
Please try this: on the left (in the list of effects) click over the Gaussian Blur label (the letters) - it must become highlighted in yellow to become active (having the box ticked or not is not relevant) - and the right side of the panel will switch/show the Gaussian Blur controls at this point, then change the Radius slider on the right side (the box becomes ticked automatically if it wasn't already). Does it work?

[Karl T]

Yes... That does the trick, thank you. Selecting the box beside Gaussian Blur meant that once I tried to adjust things, it hopped to the Bevel selection. Selecting the name rather than the box keeps me in Gaussian Blur. I am glad to have this sorted, as I use this effect quite often, and it is much more flexible than using the shadow effect on the type layer. 

 

Thanks again to everyone for their advice.