How can I resize canvas equally on all four sides?

[4Candles]

Hello

Cannot fathom how to resize canvass equally on all sides. Example, I want to extend it by 10px all around.

When I try, one side is larger than the other, or two when resized from centre outwards.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

[David in Яuislip]

Try this
Document/ Resize Canvas
Set Anchor to middle
Turn off padlock
Type +20 into the width & height fields

[4Candles]

Thanks, David. That works.

[David in Яuislip]

If you do this often you can use a macro

Plus10px.afmacro

[4Candles]

That's a great tip! I did look for something to create actions, which is what I'm used to in Photoshop.

Thanks.

[4Candles]

I created a macro, but there's no "obvious" way to apply it. I double-click with my pen, nothing. I drag-drop it onto the image, nothing. I context-click, no play menu item. Then I accidentally found if I use the double-click button on my pen, the macro is applied.

I cannot record reordering layers via a macro, nor save the file. Example: open an image with a background. Unlock layer. Resize canvas (no option I could find to fill transparency, hence next step). Add layer. Drag it to below the background layer. Get a warning.

I dropped the step as I was saving JPEGs but if I wanted another colour than white, macro couldn't be created, unless you know the Cmd+[ KBSC. This feels like a bug to me because operation can be performed, just not by dragging a layer.

I tried filling transparency by using the fill KBSC: Opt/Cmd+Delete. While they fill layer as expected, Shift+Cmd/Opt+Delete just deletes layer, same action as just using Delete by itself.

[David in Яuislip]

Add the macro to the Library and run it from there
Layers can be reordered using the options under Arrange, mouse in the Layers panel doesn't work as you've found. There's another snag in that layer positions appear to be stored as N from the bottom so if you record a macro using 3 layers then use it on a file with 13 you'll get a surprise
You can only save files if you use a New Batch Job to apply the macro
If you want a matte try the attached macro. Don't use a fill layer as you can't change the colour

For a laugh record a macro using the instructions I wrote above. Now run the macro on a file with different dimensions and see what happens. This is why my macro to add 10px to each side goes around  the houses with fill layers & transforms

Photo macros are better than nothing but they're not a patch on PS actions
Hours of fun

AddMatte.afmacro

[walt.farrell]

3 hours ago, 4Candles said:

I double-click with my pen, nothing

Unfortunately, there is a known issue with clicking on a macro with a pen; try a mouse.

AF-1051

3 hours ago, 4Candles said:

I drag-drop it onto the image, nothing.

That is not how one runs macros. One just clicks on them in the Library panel, or chooses Run in the macros panel, or uses a Batch Job. Help for the more common way, the Library panel: https://affinity.help/photo2/en-US.lproj/pages/Panels/libraryPanel.html

 

[4Candles]

Quote

Add the macro to the Library and run it from there

How? There's no play button in the Library panel (please see previous post).

Quote

You can only save files if you use a New Batch Job to apply the macro

That's a big minus as I wanted to save all the steps all the way to closing the document.

Quote

For a laugh record a macro using the instructions I wrote above

There's an Export Macros menu item in the Library panel but cannot see an import Macro item.

Quote

Photo macros are better than nothing but they're not a patch on PS actions

Agree.

Thanks.

[4Candles]

 

Quote

 

I drag-drop it onto the image, nothing.

That is not how one runs macros.

 

That was one expected method. Obviously, not implemented in AP.

Quote

One just clicks on them in the Library panel

Nothing happened when I clicked. 🙄

Quote

Chooses Run in the macros pane

No longer in the Macro panel. I exported the macro I created to the Library panel.

I just spotted an import item in the Macro panel menu, but none in the Library panel (as I noted in my previous post).

I wanted to import some LUTs, again, no import option in the Adjustments panel, so gave up.

Thanks.

[David in Яuislip]

53 minutes ago, 4Candles said:

That's a big minus as I wanted to save all the steps all the way to closing the document.

'fraid that's how it is, there are lots more minuses yet to discover

.macro files can be exported & imported using the two icons on the right of the Macro panel

.macros files can be exported & imported using the hamburgers of the Library panel. Note that to Export you need the lower hamburger which is on the same level as the Category name, Default in my case

To import LUTs open the Adjustment panel and click the cog

[4Candles]

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'fraid that's how it is, there are lots more minuses yet to discover

Thanks, David. I noticed you can import macros in the Macro panel. I meant you cannot import them into Library. If that's how it is, then it needs to change.

You or someone mentioned the cog icon on the LUT row in Adjustments, but there was none that I could trigger. I experimented after seeing your screenshot and found I have to have an image open, and select the row before I can import LUTs. That's bad, IMO. Icon should appear on appear on mouseOver. If no image open, just grey out the LUT list when clicked. Once you know the secret sauce, all good but if you are new to the kitchen, creates a lot of work.

[Alfred]

49 minutes ago, 4Candles said:

I noticed you can import macros in the Macro panel. I meant you cannot import them into Library.

As David said:

1 hour ago, David in Яuislip said:

.macro files can be exported & imported using the two icons on the right of the Macro panel

.macros files can be exported & imported using the hamburgers of the Library panel

A *.macro file contains a single macro, whereas a *.macros file contains a collection of one or more macros. Affinity Photo on iPad currently only imports the latter type, so if you want to share a single macro with iPad users you’ll need to export it from the Library panel rather than the Macro panel.

[David in Яuislip]

.macro files hold a single macro. If you have a file and you want it to be in the Library you have to do that via the Macro panel by importing it then adding to the Library
.macros files hold a category which can be one or lots of macros

"That's bad, IMO." Harsh, I'd call it idiosyncratic. Just keep clicking things until you beat the program into submission then go down the pub

As the Daleks said, "Resistance is futile"

Bugger, beaten, that's me not the Daleks

Edited November 17, 2024 by David in Яuislip
beaten again

[MEB]

Hi @4Candles,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
I've bumped the report about the issue with activating/running macros using a tablet and pen.
Thanks for your feedback.

[4Candles]

23 minutes ago, MEB said:

Hi @4Candles,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
I've bumped the report about the issue with activating/running macros using a tablet and pen.
Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks, MEB. 

Not a fan of RTFM. Well, not for simple things like running macros. IMO, following would help:

Add option to Import macros into Library.

Allow drag drop macro onto image to run it .

Add Run Macro to context menu in Library.

Allow export, save, close image as part of a macro.

Allow drag layer to reorder when creating a macro.

I don’t think anything’s gained by excluding import, run, delete buttons in the Library panel. Having them in the open would help (I wouldn’t have need to start this thread, for one).