How to add images to .pdf template

[larshoel]

Hi — I have a template (in .pdf format) for laying out a CD booklet. It shows crop lines, bleed lines, safe area, etc. for the printer. I can open the pdf in Affinity Photo with no problem, but I can't figure out how to add jpeg images, resize them, and move them into position. I do understand I have to create one or more layers … but how, and what kind of layers?

 

If I drag an image on top of the pdf from the Media Browser I get an Image layer that I can't seem to resize or move. If I go to Layer > New Layer, I get a Pixel layer that I can't seem to add an image to.

 

What am I doing wrong? I've tried looking at the tutorials but none seem to cover this simple workflow.

[Madame]

I think it's odd that you can't alter the layer once you have dragged it into your work.

Are you sure you have the top layer selected (it's marked blue). 

Use the move tool. It's the "arrow tool" and you see a box with handles in each corner. You can grab the corner and drag it upwards/downwards diagonally. 

 

If you click the "add layer", you just get an empty (invisible) layer.

 

Just delete any layer you have added that you don't need. Maybe they are hiding the picture layer.

 

(If you post a screenshot of your work including the layers pallet, it will be easier to help you.)

[MEB]

Hi larshoel,

Welcome to Affinity Forums :)

You can drag the images directly from finder to the pdf document you have opened. They will be inserted as Image layers. To resize an image layer, change to the Move Tool, click over the image to select it and drag one of the corner's handles to scale it up or down proportionately. To rotate an Image layer move the mouse cursor near the corner handle coming from outside the image - you should see the cursor changing to a rotate icon-. Click and drag to rotate it. To move the image just click on it with the Move Tool and drag it to position the image where you want.

[larshoel]

Thanks, everyone! Locating the Move tool was key. And learning the context toolbar, and reading the Help topics …

Now if I can figure out how to crop just one image in a layer and not the entire canvas …

[MEB]

Hi larshoel,

Welcome to Affinity Forums :)

The Crop Tool in Affinity Photo is document based (rather than object based). There's no way to use it to crop just a single layer.

What you can do is to create a selection around what you want to keep with the layer you want to "crop" selected, invert it (menu Select ▸ Invert Pixel Selection) then press Delete on your keyboard. Make sure the layer you want to crop is a Pixel layer (you can identify its type looking at the label after the layer's name between parenthesis). If it's identified as an Image layer, right-click on it and select Rasterise... to convert it to a Pixel layer, before creating the selection.

 

If you need to transform the selection (adjust its size, scale or position), create the selection then press Q to enter Quick Mask mode and select the Move Tool. You can now adjust the selection as if it was a shape. When you have the selection as you wish press Q again to quit Quick Mask mode, invert the selection (menu Select ▸ Invert Pixel Selection) and press Delete on you keyboard.

 

Let me know if you still have trouble.

[R C-R]

Thank you MEB for the tip about using the Move tool while in Quick Mask mode!!!

 

For whatever reason, I never realized the move tool was available in that mode.