Leaving the Curves dialog without Merge (via Delete or Reset) disables some features

[Scotty E]

v2.5.3 on Windows 11

I close the Curves dialog with Delete, Reset or (X), some switch is left in the wrong state.  I can't use Sharpen/Clarity and the Blemish Removal tools do not work.  Those are the ones I have been using but other tools may be affected.  

I have to reopen the Curves dialog and click on Merge before I can proceed.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums @Scotty E 

10 hours ago, Scotty E said:

I close the Curves dialog with Delete, Reset or (X), some switch is left in the wrong state. 

• Clicking on the X in the upper-right corner of the dialog is the same as Apply. While it closes the dialog it does not remove or delete the adjustments made.
• Clicking on Delete, does just that. It deletes/removes the adjustment made, as well as closing the dialog.
• Clicking on Merge, combines, bakes in, the adjustment made. The dialog will also close. Once you Merge, the adjustment is destructive. You could use Undo, but not the same and easily changed as not merging, aka, leaving it as a live adjustment.

Affinity Online Help for Curves Adjustment Layer

10 hours ago, Scotty E said:

I can't use Sharpen/Clarity and the Blemish Removal tools do not work. 

Can you be more specific? What's happening that is preventing you from using them? Some filters, adjustments can only be made to Pixel layers, not Image Layers. The latter acts like a container in Affinity Photo, and do not allow access to the actual pixels. In the Layers Panel the Layer will have an icon, and also hovering your mouse will reveal a tool-tip of what sort of Layer.

Affinity Photo Online Help for About Layers

Some further info that maybe helpful can be found on YouTube.

Technically Trent's Tutorial on All Adjustment Layers Explained