How can I pick a colour from a layer without applying a transformation

[Sunil Wu]

In Designer I have a drawing with many layers.

I want to pick a color from an object or layer without changing any properties of anything.

At the moment to select a color I do this:
I select a layer  -> select the color-picker -> click on a layer

I expect a color to be loaded.
Instead an obect changes color.

How do I simply pick a color without actually simultaneously making changes to the illustration that I'm working on?
 

[Brian_J]

It sounds like you’re using the Color Picker Tool. To select/load a color without effecting any objects in your file, make sure no layers are selected before selecting the color.

There’s also a color picker in the Color and Swatches panels. This Affinity help article provides some info: https://affinity.help/designer2/en-US.lproj/pages/Clr/samplingClr.html.

[NotMyFault]

Use the context toolbar to deactivate Apply to Selection

• Apply to Selection—when selected (default), the picked color will automatically apply to the selected object's Fill or Stroke, depending on which color selector is active on the Color or Swatches panel. If this option is off, the picked color is not automatically applied.

https://affinity.help/designer2/en-US.lproj/pages/Tools/tools_clrpicker.html