Effect outlines are flickering (Performance Issues)

[kamgam]

Hi everyone,

I am new to Affinity (currently evaluating it). Sorry if this is an already known thing (did not find it in the forum but maybe I lack the lingo to search for it).

I noticed that while moving the brush the effects (outline) are "flickering". It seems they are regenerated with every brush move but the process it too slow so it is noticable and rather irritating. Here is a video I have recorded (since it's hard to describe. Please notice the orange outline on the sword is getting thinner and wider while the brush cursor is moved):
https://kamgam.com/stuff/AffinityOutlineFlickeringPerformance.mp4

I was surprised to see that as my system is not that old and usually does fine with any kind of software (GeForce RTX 3060, Intel i7-13700, 32 GB RAM, Samsung 990 Pro nvme 2 TB).

Hardware acceleration is ON in the settings. Anything else I can do to make it work? The file I opened was a .psd file (I am evaluating PS alternatives).

Thank you

 

Edited November 24, 2024 by kamgam
typo, added video as attachment

[NotMyFault]

Your observation is correct. 
Rendering the outline is heavy for cpu/gpu and as you found out needs to be done after each brush stroke again. 
 

Designer had view mode options to disable rendering of layer fx globally.

I think this issue is unavailable no matter how good you pc is equipped 

[NotMyFault]

Consider alternative approaches, e.g. using vector objects and strokes instead of layer fx.

layer fx are extremely convenient, but can degrade performance and there are countless unfixed bugs and UI traps.

[kamgam]

Thank you fro your quick reply 🙂
I gotta admit that is a bit disappointing. I was hoping that there is some setting I could change to make this work (cache effects or something).

UPDATE: I was able to fix it by changing the "Retina Rendering" setting in the performance section to "low quality". I am on a 4k Screen with 144 Hz (maybe should have mentioned that). Now it works fine and I do not see any difference. Does anyone know what this setting actually does?

Thanks again.

 

UPDATE again: I've found this explanation on reddit:

Quote

It refers to a second higher quality document view pass. When set to automatic, the document view will first be drawn at a lower resolution, then the second higher quality pass will be displayed once it’s ready.

Switching to low or high quality will only draw that pass—for most setups, it makes sense to just leave it on automatic though.

You will tend to notice the two draw passes more in Designer with complex vector line work—when zooming or panning, new “tiles” will appear at low resolution then gradually transition to high resolution. It shouldn’t have any effect during export, although if you are always using the low quality pass this may not be representative of the final export quality…

To me it seems this was exactly what happened. It rendered the outline approximately right very fast then on "high quality" it re-renders it in more precise quality giving the laggy effect I showed in the video. On "low quality" mode it seems to render everything just fine in terms of speed but the quality is low (jagged font edges etc.).

Quote

although if you are always using the low quality pass this may not be representative of the final export quality…

Does not sound too good but for now it looks fine to me (editor looks like the exported image). I guess time will tell once I have had more time to test different scenarions. Just wanted to leave this here so others my benefit from my "research" 🙂

Edited November 25, 2024 by kamgam

[kamgam]

What I also noticed is that with the "Automatic" or "HighQuality" setting brush strokes lag quite significantly (like 500ms delays for the brush stroke to show up) which is unacceptable for a drawing. This only happens after a certain number of UNDO actions have been performed (or at least that's how I can reliably reproduce it). Video attached.

I had high hopes for Affinity but this is not great 😕.

Again, as with the layer effects it all goes away once "Retina Rendering" is set to "low quality".

Edited November 25, 2024 by kamgam

[kamgam]

Here is another odd thing. Selections are lagging too. Notice, this is a simple 1900x700ish png file, no layer, nothing. In the video I continuously drag new rect selections. Notice the delay or sometimes it misses the starting point completely. My Pc is not doing some other heavy stuff on the side (in case people wonder).

It seems I can reliable reproduce it if I make on selection and the try to make a quick one (dragging fast) immediately after the first.

Edited November 26, 2024 by kamgam