Doubts about a few functions related to layers

[RustyDawn]

Hi. I just want some clarity on a couple of things.

1. Are "Adjustments" and "Layer Effects" icons in Layers panel/window exactly the same things as the Layer > New Adjustment Layer in main menu and "Quick FX" window, respectively? (Please see the attached screenshot with yellow and blue arrows). I've highlighted both there.)

2. Is the menu Select > Refine Edges and the "Refine Mask (which you see when you right click a mask of any layer in Layers panel)" exactly same thing? They open same dialogue (which is referenced here) but still I want confirmation. (see 2nd screenshot).

I'm a bit doubtful as I couldn't find a reference in documentation about "Refine Mask".
 

[v_kyr]

1. Yes, those from the Layer panel are meant for quicker turnaround access. - Though for Quick FX (as it's name implies) it gives as default only a quick shortened (... a not that comprehensive) options view. You would have to click on the gear icon there top right of a Quick FX panel in order to popup the full option settings view panel for/from that.

2. Even the used panel is/looks the same, one is for made "selections" and the other one is for applied "masks" (again as their names do imply).

3 hours ago, RustyDawn said:

I'm a bit doubtful as I couldn't find a reference in documentation about "Refine Mask".

See under the APh v2 help ...

• Layer masks
   

  Quote

  To refine a pixel mask:

  1. On the Layers panel, select the mask's thumbnail.
  2. From the Layer menu, select Refine Mask.

   

[RustyDawn]

7 hours ago, v_kyr said:

1. Yes, those from the Layer panel are meant for quicker turnaround access. - Though for Quick FX (as it's name implies) it gives as default only a quick shortened (... a not that comprehensive) options view. You would have to click on the gear icon there top right of a Quick FX panel in order to popup the full option settings view panel for/from that.

2. Even the used panel is/looks the same, one is for made "selections" and the other one is for applied "masks" (again as their names do imply).

See under the APh v2 help ...

• Layer masks
   

   

1. Thanks. I was curious because in all official V2 tutorials on YouTube, they never clicked those icons to apply effects or adjustments. They manually went to menu or quick FX window. Personally, I would use the icons more often as it would save my time.

2. Yeah, actually I saw that small reference "From the Layer menu, select Refine Mask." But I would like to know, if someone has to further know what "Refine Mask" means and what options it has, do I have to refer to the same reference which is provided for selections? If yes, shouldn't they provide a hyperlink to same page? It would be helpful.

[v_kyr]

2 hours ago, RustyDawn said:

But I would like to know, if someone has to further know what "Refine Mask" means and what options it has

See ...

• How to Use Masks in Affinity Photo
• Powerful Quick Mask Tricks, get better Results in Affinity Photo (Youtube video)
• ...etc.

[NotMyFault]

Refine edges starts with a selection and refines it.

Refine mask starts with a mask layer (or inherent mask of adjustment or filter layer).

So a minor difference - the function is identical otherwise until the point here you press OK or cancel.

Selections and masks a twins in many ways, can be converted into each other, but are different in relevant aspects (how you work with them, e.g. adding / subtracting etc)

[RustyDawn]

39 minutes ago, v_kyr said:

See ...

• How to Use Masks in Affinity Photo
• Powerful Quick Mask Tricks, get better Results in Affinity Photo (Youtube video)
• ...etc.

I mean I know how to use them. I was just curious about it. IMO they should have given reference to the same Refine dialogue options. Otherwise it appears they are different things and documentation for Refine Mask is missing.

[v_kyr]

8 hours ago, RustyDawn said:

...Otherwise it appears they are different things and documentation for Refine Mask is missing.

The online documentation generally has much room for improvements, certain things are just shortly named but often not explained functions/options wise in detail, as you've seen here in this case!