can I exclude layers from brightness adjustment

[AtomTik]

Hi all, First time posting here. I'm trying to exclude layers from brightness adjustment so I can adjust (lighten) the colors brightness and keep the black black. Is there a way to do it without changing layers order? Thanks

[Komatös]

Hi @AtomTik, welcome to the Affinity Forum.

Group the layers that should have the brigthness inclusive the adjustment layer.

[AtomTik]

Thanks! Grouping the layers might change the layers order if I skip one layer though.

[R C-R]

If ungrouped as in your screenshot's Layer panel, you can just drag the Adjustment layer downward so it affects only layers below it. As it is, as the top layer it will affect the appearance of all layers below it.

[AtomTik]

Thank you all. I ended combining the 2 methods and group layers by small groups without changing (much) layers order .

[smadell]

Hi, @AtomTik. I know you solved your issue in the short term, but it occurred to me there’s another method that might be helpful in a more complicated layer stack. First, create an adjustment layer (like your Brightness & Contrast adjustment) and make it a child of one of the layers you want it to affect. To do this, drag the adjustment layer (in the Layers panel) over the other layer’s thumbnail. Now, choose “Duplicate Linked” and drag that linked adjustment layer to the second layer you want to affect (again making it a child of that layer). Basically, do this for all the layers that should be affected by the adjustment, but do not drag a copy to any layer that should not be affected. Since they are linked layers, setting the sliders in any one of the duplicates will affect all of the linked copies. This might be helpful when re-arranging the order of layers just isn’t feasible.

[AtomTik]

Thank you @smadell. I'll keep that method in mind for the next time.