'Layer > Insertion' not respected by create 'New Layer' or moving layer into group + pasted layers get reversed order

[mocny]

When I lock-customize `Layer > Insertion` (by Alt+click) or single-customize (without the use of Alt), creating `Vector layer` does not respect this setting and after first creation, this setting resets to the `Default` state. This is not the case for pixel layer, objects, text layers, etc. It does work for pasting copied `Vector layer`, but oddly, if lock-customized, having `Behind` selected, it nests the consequent pastings, which means, it behaves the same as if option `Inside` was selected.

So there are 2 bugs (at least!).

Next: This `Insertion` option should be also respected when moving layer into a group (e.g. in case of `Behind`, layer should be positioned at the `End` and not at the `Start`)

Next: Creating Artboard also does not respect custom insertion settings. It obviously should.

Next: Option 'Behind' should be called 'Below'. Calling it 'Behind' suggest something more of a `Insert (the new/copied item) outside of the current group (if it exists)`. There should be functions more like `Before/After`, `Above/Below`. For now, current namings are unintuitive and not very well thought-out (and this is not the only place where this applies).

On top of this: Duplicate should respect the insertion mode

 

I am using latest Affinity Publisher 2 2.6.2 version and this bug is present in all of your desktop products.

[mocny]

Omg, another (and probably most crucial) bug:

Quote

When you have insertion set as `Behind` and you copy/paste multiple layers, they get pasted in reversed order... really crazy, unwanted behaviour.

This software is so unpolished, that it is makes me to consider switch to something else, or write it all by my own from the ground up...
I have so much more notes on bugs that I did not shared yet, because I did not had time for it yet   😶
It is definitely still a few years from a truly professional software.

[NathanC]

Hi @mocny,

On 4/30/2025 at 1:31 PM, mocny said:

When I lock-customize `Layer > Insertion` (by Alt+click) or single-customize (without the use of Alt), creating `Vector layer` does not respect this setting and after first creation, this setting resets to the `Default` state. This is not the case for pixel layer, objects, text layers, etc. It does work for pasting copied `Vector layer`, but oddly, if lock-customized, having `Behind` selected, it nests the consequent pastings, which means, it behaves the same as if option `Inside` was selected.

I've replicated and logged these issues.

On 4/30/2025 at 1:31 PM, mocny said:

Next: Creating Artboard also does not respect custom insertion settings. It obviously should.

This has also been replicated and logged.

On 4/30/2025 at 1:31 PM, mocny said:

On top of this: Duplicate should respect the insertion mode

This is a known issue logged internally, I've updated and bumped the report.

On 5/1/2025 at 4:42 AM, mocny said:

When you have insertion set as `Behind` and you copy/paste multiple layers, they get pasted in reversed order... really crazy, unwanted behaviour.

This is also a known issue logged internally, I've updated and bumped the report.

 

On 4/30/2025 at 1:31 PM, mocny said:

Next: This `Insertion` option should be also respected when moving layer into a group (e.g. in case of `Behind`, layer should be positioned at the `End` and not at the `Start`)

Next: Option 'Behind' should be called 'Below'. Calling it 'Behind' suggest something more of a `Insert (the new/copied item) outside of the current group (if it exists)`. There should be functions more like `Before/After`, `Above/Below`. For now, current namings are unintuitive and not very well thought-out (and this is not the only place where this applies).

These are both considered feedback, you're nesting/re-ordering an existing object in your layers panel and nesting it into a group, so the insertion mode isn't considered here.

[mocny]

Thank you very much for fast response Nathan, hopefully it will get fixed soon...

24 minutes ago, NathanC said:

These are both considered feedback, you're nesting/re-ordering an existing object in your layers panel and nesting it into a group, so the insertion mode isn't considered here.

You are right that it is not related directly, but the behaviour I mentioned (by your narrative, more like 'suggested'), makes sense (in more cases than not) for the workflow the user is aiming for, when switching the insertion mode to 'Behind' >> stacking any new (and existing, in my reasoning) layer 'Below'.

But if not related, it could be made as an separate option, possibly in 'Menu > Edit' option (and ideally to have an option to have shortcut for it).

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, mocny said:

Thank you very much for fast response Nathan, hopefully it will get fixed soon...

You are right that it is not related directly, but the behaviour I mentioned (by your narrative, more like 'suggested'), makes sense (in more cases than not) for the workflow the user is aiming for, when switching the insertion mode to 'Behind' >> stacking any new (and existing, in my reasoning) layer 'Below'.

But if not related, it could be made as a separate option, possibly in 'Menu > Edit' option (and ideally to have an option to have shortcut for it).

 I think the key word in Nathan's comment is "feedback". Serif requests that Feedback be made separately from Bug reports, and in the Feedback section of the forum.

[mocny]

Quote

When you have insertion set as `Behind` and you copy/paste multiple layers, they get pasted in reversed order... really crazy, unwanted behaviour.

Back to this issue, since I find myself that I actually need such feature at times and it comes handy (to switch the order of selected layers, not necesarilly copied)... so it is upon consideration how to implement this, because also loosing such function, is kinda shame.

And there are also tutorials on YouTube on this subject: Reverse Layer Order Quickly in Affinity Designer, Photo & Publisher | iPad or Desktop | Beginner

(but obviously, it should not be embeded into `Insertion > Behind` mechanics, but rather as an separate option)

 

Btw. there was similar issue that walt.farrell considered as "a trick" 🙄.

Feature request for the layers panel - reverse order of selection - Feedback for the Affinity V2 Suite of Products - Affinity | Forum

And another one with same "trick" comment from this individual... 

layer stack order - Desktop Questions (macOS and Windows) - Affinity | Forum