[publisher] some vectors reposition at random when REORDERING pages within 'facing pages' model

[AristideTorchia]

So I know that some objects can move at random when switching the document from single page to facing pages spread model and back. This behaviour definitely has no place in software like this but I just roll with the punches for now. 

However, I have now found, for the first time, that two vector lines on a page have changed their position simply upon reordering pages (i.e. moving page 32 in front of page 31, so flipping their order around).

I have tested and reproduced this time and again, so it's not an impression.

Now that's a whole other ball game and really has no place in pro software when dealing with hundreds of pages on professional publication. This is a HUGE issue – I think the devs need to prioritise fixing this asap.

Before anyone asks - I cannot share the doc I'm working on, but the steps to reproduce are simple: create complex, multi-page (30+) document in facing pages format, put lots of vectors, text and images onto it, group them. Start reordering pages. 

This is the first time I have noticed the bug, so apparently it's not that common. But as of right now I can confirm that it is indeed there.

[MikeTO]

I suggest trying it in the 2.6 beta if you have time and space to install it, or waiting for 2.6 and then reporting back here on how it's working for you. There have been a lot of changes to how this feature works in 2.6 and most of the issues have been addressed.

[AristideTorchia]

Thanks @MikeTO, that's real good to know!

I'll hold the castle until 2.6 reinforcements leave the beta camp

[AristideTorchia]

On another super high priority note, Affinity devs, please consider doing something about that wink emoji (see above) – it looks insecure, bitter and resentful  

[AristideTorchia]

@MikeTO Just coming back to report after the 2.6.0 update.

The issue unfortunately persists as individual vector objects' placement often (but not always) scrambles at random when a 2-sided spread pages are flipped around (e.g. A-B to B-A).

This on a document that has been created before 2.6.0, mind you, even as I have no reason to believe this should be a factor.

 

[MikeTO]

4 hours ago, AristideTorchia said:

@MikeTO Just coming back to report after the 2.6.0 update.

The issue unfortunately persists as individual vector objects' placement often (but not always) scrambles at random when a 2-sided spread pages are flipped around (e.g. A-B to B-A).

This on a document that has been created before 2.6.0, mind you, even as I have no reason to believe this should be a factor.

There's a new command in 2.6.0 that you can select to avoid the mirror image flipping. In the Pages panel, deselect Page Move Options > Anchor Toward Spine from the panel options menu.

[AristideTorchia]

On 2/28/2025 at 3:28 PM, MikeTO said:

to avoid the mirror image flipping

Hi @MikeTO, I am yet to look into that setting, but the issue I keep experiencing has nothing to do with mirror image flipping. 

It's exclusively about pen-drawn vector lines changing their positions on a page, when the page in question is being reordered relative to other pages in a document (e.g. moving page 32 above page 31, effectively reordering them).

[MikeTO]

1 hour ago, AristideTorchia said:

Hi @MikeTO, I am yet to look into that setting, but the issue I keep experiencing has nothing to do with mirror image flipping. 

It's exclusively about pen-drawn vector lines changing their positions on a page, when the page in question is being reordered relative to other pages in a document (e.g. moving page 32 above page 31, effectively reordering them).

I meant the position of objects being mirrored about the spine, not individual objects being flipped horizontally.

This new command in 2.6, which is on by default, mirrors objects about the spine when a page changes sides in a facing page document. In one of my books, I had all these objects laid out horizontally in a specific order and the order was flipped when I added a single page. Turning off this command will solve the problem for this issue.

[AristideTorchia]

Well, I'll be double-dog damned. It appears to have worked.

Thanks Mike, I much appreciate it.

I struggle to understand how exactly does the 'spine anchor' pertains to what I have been seeing – I had objects (mostly vector lines and squares) shift vertically and horizontally by just a fraction in some places, mirror flip horizontally or vertically elsewhere, then remain just where they were on other pages still. There seems to be no pattern here, especially when spine is to be considered as the only reference point. Be good to know how all this makes sense, if only as an academic point.

Either way, glad it's here, hope all cases will be covered and again, thanks for the headsup.