Linked file LAYERS dropbox is missing from Context Toolbar

[aleale1]

[walt.farrell]

It would help to see the complete application window, and with the Layers panel visible, too.

[aleale1]

1 minute ago, walt.farrell said:

It would help to see the complete application window, and with the Layers panel visible, too.

This happens for both beta and public apps.

Linked PSD file contains 20 layers, BTW

 

[walt.farrell]

16 hours ago, aleale1 said:

Linked PSD file contains 20 layers, BTW

According to the Technical Specifications at the Affinity Store function you're looking for applies to Linked PDF, DXF, or DWG files. I haven't seen anything that says it applies to PSD files.

Sorry; the What's New (vs the Technical Specifications) does say that PSD is supported, but see below for more information.

[stokerg]

Hi @aleale1,

Is correct and this option is only available for Linked PDF, DXF, or DWG files, so isn't a bug and would be more of a Feature Request if anything. However, due to the lack of documentation for PSD files, it might not be possible for the Developers to implement.

Edited January 19, 2024 by stokerg
I was wrong

[joe_l]

16 minutes ago, stokerg said:

this option is only available for Linked PDF, DXF, or DWG files

What about TIFF with preserved Affinity Layers?

19 minutes ago, stokerg said:

However, due to the lack of documentation for PSD files, it might not be possible for the Developers to implement.

Hmm, not a developer. When you open a PSD in AP you have access to different layers, so this part should be known?

[stokerg]

2 hours ago, joe_l said:

What about TIFF with preserved Affinity Layers?

3 hours ago, stokerg said:

Nope, not an option.

2 hours ago, joe_l said:

Hmm, not a developer. When you open a PSD in AP you have access to different layers, so this part should be known?

As we are placing a PSD file and not just opening it, then that may limit what options we have available.  Hopefully, I'm wrong, but from past experience with PSD files, there's a lot more going on behind the scenes with them that just hasn't been documented.

 

[aleale1]

11 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

According to the Technical Specifications at the Affinity Store function you're looking for applies to Linked PDF, DXF, or DWG files

Below is a screenshot of official Affinity site

[aleale1]

1 hour ago, stokerg said:

this option is only available for Linked PDF, DXF, or DWG files

https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/whats-new/version-2/#version-2

[walt.farrell]

Thanks, @aleale1. I hadn't found that description, which includes more than what I found.

Assuming it's true, my next question would be: does your PSD actually include Layers (capital L), such as you would get in Affinity Designer or Publisher using the Layer > New Layer function?  (I have no idea how you would do that in a PSD created in Photoshop, unfortunately.)

I think those are the only kinds of Layers that function applies to.

[stokerg]

Hi @aleale1,

I'll be editing my other reply shortly.

I've been looking into this with the help of @Dan C.  We've both found this won't work with a Linked PSD file.  You'd need to have your Image Placement Policy set to Embedded then place the PSD, which would allow you to double-click on the placed PSD file to edit it.  You'd then be able to create the Layer Container using Layer>New Layer and then drag everything to that container.  If you then go back to the main document, you'll now have the Layer option on the context toolbar.  Photoshop doesn't use Layer Containers, which just complicates things a bit more, as theres no way to create one.

Sorry for the confusion and I'll be looking to get the website updated