Affinity Photo, iPad, Layer FX and Mask layers (bug report?)

[GaryD9]

Hi, I'm a (very) new Affinity Photo user (still in the trial period.)  I'm encountering a problem and suspect it's either a bug in functionality, or a bug that the software is allowing me to try something that isn't supported. 

Summary:  "Layer FX" (layer effects) do not work with 'Mask' type layers.

Steps to Repeat:

Using Affinity Photo iPad (2.0.4), upon loading the software, I import a photo from my photo library (which creates a "background" layer with that image.)  I then use the ellipse selection tool and select a random ellipse.  I open the layer tool, and add a new layer mask.  As expected, this creates a mask based on the selection.  I then deselect, and in the layer tool I expand the original "background" layer, and drag the layer mask out to be it's own layer above the "background" layer.  From the layer tool, I ensure that the mask layer is selected, and then the "layer FX" icon, turn ON "gaussian blur", and move the slider that appears to a large value.  My expectation is that this layer FX would blur the mask image (similar to the gaussian blur 'filter', but the layer FX would be non-destructive.)  The actual result is that the layer FX is not at all applied to the 'mask' layer.

Other comments:

Performing the same steps as above, but selecting the 'background' layer does blur the photo (not the mask), so layer FX works fine for that type of layer.  I tried other 'layer FX' effects on the mask layer, and none of them seem to do anything to the mask image.  The opacity slider in the "layer FX" slide out does seem to work.  The reason for using a "layer FX" on the mask instead of a blue filter is because the layer FX is supposedly non-destructive and would allow me to change the blur amount later if needed.

The manual for Affinity Photo iPad states "Layer effects can be applied to any layer to add more creativity to your design." and I don't see anything that suggests it shouldn't work with mask layers.

[Dan C]

Hi @GaryD9,

Welcome to the Affinity Forums

On 3/26/2023 at 12:29 AM, GaryD9 said:

"Layer FX" (layer effects) do not work with 'Mask' type layers

I can confirm this is expected behaviour, as FX are not compatible with mask layers at this time, my apologies.

On 3/26/2023 at 12:29 AM, GaryD9 said:

The manual for Affinity Photo iPad states "Layer effects can be applied to any layer to add more creativity to your design." and I don't see anything that suggests it shouldn't work with mask layers.

I can see the help file page you're referring to and I agree this should be clearer, so I will be logging this as a bug with our documentation team now.

On 3/26/2023 at 12:29 AM, GaryD9 said:

The reason for using a "layer FX" on the mask instead of a blue filter is because the layer FX is supposedly non-destructive and would allow me to change the blur amount later if needed.

I would recommend the following workflow instead:

1. Import your image
2. Create a marquee selection
3. Add a mask based on this selection
4. Deselect the marquee selection
5. Select the Mask Layer in the Layers Studio and move this to the top of the layers stack, meaning it's no longer nested within the background layer
6. With the Mask Layer selected, navigate to Filters and enable 'Add Live filers' at the top of the list
7. Select Gaussian Blur in this list, this will add a new Live Filter layer automatically nested to the mask
8. Adjust the filter radius to increase the blur on the mask, until you're happy with the result.

I've created a quick screen recording of this below- 

 

I hope this helps!

[GaryD9]

20 minutes ago, Dan C said:

 

1. With the Mask Layer selected, navigate to Filters and enable 'Add Live filers' at the top of the list
2. Select Gaussian Blur in this list, this will add a new Live Filter layer automatically nested to the mask

Thank you!  Using a gaussian live filter instead of a layer "FX" is a perfectly acceptable alternative! 

[Mike Leski]

Quick chip-in to say that our documentation is being re-written to correct the topic. Huge thanks for pointing it out! 👌