Is there a REPEAT function in Affinity Photo?

[CaroleA]

Is there a way to repeat the same single step/command to multiple layers/images one after the other?

For example, if I need to resize 10 images exactly the same way? Or if I need to rename 10 different layers the same way? Or if I need to rotate elements on 10 different layers in the same way (and not as a block by selecting all the layers at once)?

 

[Pšenda]

33 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

Is there a way to repeat the same single step/command to multiple layers/images one after the other?

You mean Macro?
https://affinity.help/photo2/English.lproj/pages/Macros_Batch/macros.html

[CaroleA]

1 minute ago, Pšenda said:

You mean Macro?
https://affinity.help/photo2/English.lproj/pages/Macros_Batch/macros.html

For multiple steps, I would see the usefulness of a macro but for a single command that might not be reused in the future, it seems like an overkill.

For example, when making a scrapbooking layered template, I might need to rename 10 layers as "elements", 5 layers as "paper", 3 layers as "photo". It would just be simpler to change the name on one then change layer and "repeat". So I was looking for something quicker than creating a macro for using it only 2 times for example.

[dominik]

54 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

Is there a way to repeat the same single step/command to multiple layers/images one after the other?

For example, if I need to resize 10 images exactly the same way? Or if I need to rename 10 different layers the same way? Or if I need to rotate elements on 10 different layers in the same way (and not as a block by selecting all the layers at once)?

 

Hello @CaroleA,

basically yes. It just works different like in Adobe Products. There is no menu entry.

First: select an object, hit 'Enter' and you are presented with a dialogue that lets you move, scale, rotate and duplicate this object. Enter your desired values and press OK. There is a preview option, too.

Second: select the next object you want to transform the same way. Hit 'Enter' and at the top check 'Previous Stettings'. This will recall the settings from the first transformation and by clicking OK you achieve exactly the same transformation as before.

d.

[CaroleA]

7 minutes ago, dominik said:

Hello @CaroleA,

basically yes. It just works different like in Adobe Products. There is no menu entry.

First: select an object, hit 'Enter' and you are presented with a dialogue that lets you move, scale, rotate and duplicate this object. Enter your desired values and press OK. There is a preview option, too.

Second: select the next object you want to transform the same way. Hit 'Enter' and at the top check 'Previous Settings'. This will recall the settings from the first transformation and by clicking OK you achieve exactly the same transformation as before.

d.

I guess that would work for those specific modifications. Thanks.

Anything similar if I need to resize separate images or rename separate layers?

[dominik]

9 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

Anything similar if I need to resize separate images or rename separate layers?

Above procedure should work with seperate images. You also can enter percentages for width and height.

I am not aware that there is something like this to rename layers. You always can copy and paste names, though, and edit if there is the need to.

d.

[CaroleA]

3 minutes ago, dominik said:

Above procedure should work with seperate images. You also can enter percentages for width and height.

I am not aware that there is something like this to rename layers. You always can copy and paste names, though, and edit if there is the need to.

d.

It seems like a simple "repeat" command (with a keyboard shortcut) would be such a time-saver all around. Too bad it does not exist (yet).

Thanks.

[dominik]

24 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

It seems like a simple "repeat" command (with a keyboard shortcut) would be such a time-saver all around. 

Well, hitting ENTER is not too bad 😉

d.

Edited December 5, 2024 by dominik
Typo

[carl123]

1 hour ago, CaroleA said:

For multiple steps, I would see the usefulness of a macro but for a single command that might not be reused in the future, it seems like an overkill.

It would take 5 seconds to make a macro that renames a layer and that macro would not have to be saved

You could then select a thousand layers and rename them all the same with just one click in the macro panel

Much quicker than moving to each layer and executing a "Repeat" command

[lepr]

51 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

It seems like a simple "repeat" command (with a keyboard shortcut) would be such a time-saver all around. Too bad it does not exist (yet).

Yes, just like pressing F4 in Microsoft Office apps - a fantastic productivity booster. That's been repeatedly (pun intended) requested in the Affinity forums for many years, but a new Cat Tool seems to be considered more important.

I think most readers of this thread aren't realising you meant a generic repeat of any command, and they are missing the bigger picture by focussing on transforms and renaming since you used these as examples.

 

34 minutes ago, dominik said:

Well, hitting ENTER is not to bad 😉

Hitting Enter twice for each repeat of a transform. F4 in Office is a single key press and it is far more versatile in that it repeats any previous command.

[CaroleA]

1 hour ago, carl123 said:

It would take 5 seconds to make a macro that renames a layer and that macro would not have to be saved

You could then select a thousand layers and rename them all the same with just one click in the macro panel

Much quicker than moving to each layer and executing a "Repeat" command

OK. I see this. I didn't realize that I could rename while having selected multiple layers. That is good to know.

Thanks.

 

1 hour ago, lepr said:

I think most readers of this thread aren't realising you meant a generic repeat of any command, and they are missing the bigger picture by focussing on transforms and renaming since you used these as examples.

Yes, I was just looking for something generic. Although a patchwork of different solutions for different commands CAN work, it seems more intuitive to have a single command/shortcut (one click) to repeat anything. To me, it is like UNDO; it is ONE command and it applies to almost ANY command that was executed. Imagine if we needed different processes to undo steps depending on what commands were applied!

[CaroleA]

I found this thread in the Suggestions and Feedback section:

 

If you want to add your voice with different examples of how it would be beneficial for the users, just post there.

[dominik]

23 hours ago, lepr said:

Hitting Enter twice for each repeat of a transform. F4 in Office is a single key press and it is far more versatile in that it repeats any previous command.

I said 'not too bad' and not 'is equivalent'. And I agree it is not a simple F4 but it can be useful in many scenarios. And I am aware that the OP asked for a true repeat command. I perhaps first should have stated that this is not possible.

d.