Affinity Photo 2.2.1 - Exiting a pop-up dialogue box for a filter can make future ones appear on wrong screen

[389fe6d1]

I am a new user of the Affinity suite and am finding the odd bug now and then. While not a huge issue at the moment, they do make for workflow interruptions by forcing a program restart or some other work-around. In this case I would expect that dialogue boxes should always appear on the same screen space as wherever the program was, or at least wherever the dialogue boxes last appeared during the session.

1. What Application are you using? [Photo]
2. Are you using the latest release version? Yes
3. Steps I can reliably use to reproduce:
   1. Make a new document
   2. Make a new pixel layer and draw on it
   3. Go to Filters->Blur->Gaussian Blur - Observe that a dialogue box appears on same screen as Affinity Photo
   4. Press Esc
   5. Go to Filters->Apply Image or Filters->Shadows/Highlights - Observe that a dialogue box should appear on same screen as Affinity Photo, but doesn't
   6. Try around with other filters that should make a dialogue box pop-up, observe that some don't let the box appear on same screen as Affinity Photo and others do, until eventually they never seem to anymore
4. Does it happen for a new document? Yes
5. Other information

•     Windows 10
•     Two screens, Affinity Photo running on primary screen, layout on screenshot below
•    Hardware acceleration ON

Edited October 29, 2023 by 389fe6d1
Wrong OS number

[GarryP]

I’ve often had this happen to me too in Windows 10, with the same screen configuration (as written).

I’ve not noticed any pattern in which the dialogs move to the lower screen so it's just seemed random to me.

I’ve not needed to restart the application (as far as I can remember); I just 'tut' quietly to myself and move the dialog back to my main screen again.

[NathanC]

Welcome to the forums @389fe6d1,

Thus far we've not been able to replicate your issue on dual monitor setups. The Filters/Adjustment dialog always retains it's previous position as expected. For example, if I were to add a Gaussian Blur Filter and then move the box to the centre of my screen and then press ESC to close the dialog, when I next add another filter the dialog box takes the position of the previous filter dialog in the centre again.

Since it remembers the last known position of the filter dialog box, is it possible that the app was launched on your secondary monitor, a filter was used and then you moved the app screen over to your primary monitor? This would then remember the position used on the secondary monitor.

If not, and you can still replicate this, it may be a little difficult but are you able to capture the behaviour on a screen recording? The FAQ linked below has info on how to screen record if you're not sure.

Also, are you using standard document tabs along the top or do you have the document window floated? There's a known outstanding issue with adjustments going behind the document floating window so I also just want to make sure it's not related. 

Many thanks

[389fe6d1]

Hi @NathanC

I know it's been a few months since my OP but I was out of action. I was able to record this video for you today, where I reproduce the bug, about halfway into the video. In the video, the top-right area where it's purple is my tablet's screen (the second screen) and the windows will sometimes appear there. I had to use OBS to record the video to make sure both screens could be shown in some way.

Whenever a dialogue box disappears during the video without me clicking an option, it's because I pressed Esc.

Let me know if there's anything else you need.

[NathanC]

Hey @389fe6d1,

Thanks for following up and taking the time to record it happening, it's strange how completely random it decides to throw the panel over to the second display as I've not seen that behaviour before, what tablet model are you using for the second display?

[389fe6d1]

Just now, NathanC said:

Hey @389fe6d1,

Thanks for following up and taking the time to record it happening, it's strange how completely random it decides to throw the panel over to the second display as I've not seen that behaviour before, what tablet model are you using for the second display?

My tablet is an XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro. If probably doesn't matter but the computer connection is a multi-cable comprised of HDMI/USB, like this: https://www.storexppen.co.uk/buy/cable.html

[NathanC]

Thanks, my original tests were using dual monitor setups, and I don't think we have that specific model but I'll see if it can be replicated on a display tablet.

[389fe6d1]

10 minutes ago, NathanC said:

Thanks, my original tests were using dual monitor setups, and I don't think we have that specific model but I'll see if it can be replicated on a display tablet.

Let me know if you need me to try anything else in the meantime. I would try reproducing it on a regular dual screen setup but right now I'm not able to have that setup.

Just curious, @GarryP, you mentioned you have a setup identical to mine, is it also with a display tablet?

P.S. I forgot to mention that since my OP here, I updated the program to 2.3.1 and that was actually the version used in the recording above.

Edited January 12, 2024 by 389fe6d1
Additional info

[GarryP]

When I said that I have the same screen configuration (not an identical set-up) I only meant that I have two screens, one ‘on top of’ the other.

And I don't have a display tablet; is that what you meant by "screenshot below"?

[389fe6d1]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

When I said that I have the same screen configuration (not an identical set-up) I only meant that I have two screens, one ‘on top of’ the other.

And I don't have a display tablet; is that what you meant by "screenshot below"?

Thanks for clarifying.

And no, I just had poor wording. I should have actually said: "Two screens: Affinity Photo running on primary screen, Windows desktop background on secondary screen; extension layout of displays on screenshot below". The screenshot was simply meant to show where the mouse/program window transitions happen between my main display (a regular monitor) and my second display (a drawing tablet with built-in display), in case the relative screen coordinates were important to the developers.

[NathanC]

Hi @389fe6d1,

I've since got my hands on a Wacom Cintiq display tablet, and after arranging it on top of my display in Windows i'm now able to replicate this issue with the filter dialog and it has now been logged with the developers. 🙂