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Multiple Layer Effects


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I'm really happy to see that effects aren't in a floating dialog by default. Thank you! I hope that comes to the Window's variant of Designer. I haven't used DrawPlus in awhile..so it's possible it already has.

 

One thing I always wished to see was multiple layer effects on a shape layer. So I could have 3 inner shadows layered on top of each other to create a specific visual effect.

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Nichod,

I'm not sure they are targeting UI designers. Affinity Designer already has some great features for UI (half-pixel snapping, split view etc), but has some problems as well, particularly the antialiasing in some situations isn't still there. And without that solved i don't see how adding more specific UI related features would help. I'm all for it but from what i've found there's some stuff that needs to be fixed or fine-tuned first.

 

To compete it really has to improve its antialiasing. And for some that may not be enough. iDraw and Sketch are specialised tools and as such they offer some specific functions for UI (multiples fills, strokes, shadows; symbols, layer naming conventions etc etc) and output (retina ready assets/multipliers, targeted file formats; code export options - CSS, CoreGraphics and Swift) that i'm not sure will (or should) be covered by Affinity Designer.

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Affinity antialiasing should be equal if not better than iDraw and Sketch. We offer 256 levels and perfect clipping on output. If you find iDraw or Sketch better then explain why and we will improve it.

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Hi Tony,

I wasn't saying specifically that Affinity antialiasing is worst than Sketch or iDraw. I said it's probably not ready to compete with them specifically for UI due to the rest of the options they offer.

 

Regarding the antialiasing issues in Affinity i already reported them here (this one involves clipping effects) and here (some antialiasing problems with filters).

 

 

[EDITED] Didn't know about that Andy. So you are really targeting UI design too. Glad to ear that.

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Thanks for all the feedback MEB. With your help we hope to make Affinity the best range of creative applications available on the Mac. It might take us a while to get there but thanks for your support.

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Further,

 

CSS, CG, Swift etc. is all part of the future of designer - we have a working CSS model right now, but it's not ready for use - so it's not shipped..

 

All of these things will come.. 

 

AndyS

 

That is excellent to hear. I assumed with a name like "Designer" that you are going to offer some focused UI tools. Hence me making it a point to communicate regarding the tools I need / use on a daily basis.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Any updates would be awesome. I understand you guys are busy, so any information you can shoot my way when you get a chance.

 

This functionality is something I use daily in Sketch, and would hamper me using Designer as a UI/UX tool. Ideally every effect should be capable of being applied multiple times, and each version individually tweaked. This was a limitation in DrawPlus, and was one reason my use of DrawPlus was limited to personal play.

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Any updates would be awesome. I understand you guys are busy, so any information you can shoot my way when you get a chance.

 

This functionality is something I use daily in Sketch, and would hamper me using Designer as a UI/UX tool. Ideally every effect should be capable of being applied multiple times, and each version individually tweaked. This was a limitation in DrawPlus, and was one reason my use of DrawPlus was limited to personal play.

 

Can you post some of these common cases of multiple effects/fills in a real UI design so we can have a look? If you look at any iOS, Android, Mac, Windows App then I haven't seen it used yet but it would be great to see some. We might be able to provide an even better solution if we see the actual problem.

 

Many thanks,

TonyB.

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  • 1 month later...

BUMP for this.  Affinity Designer makers, don’t listen to these comments and think that multiple effects would just be for UI. It’s just a KILLER way to make TERRIFIC illustrations and designs. Multiple inner glows, multiple gradients especially, multiple shadows, they ALL make for even better photo-realistic illustration.

 

I vote this becomes THE new feature for the next version. Sketch has so much promise, but is so very buggy. Let me use Designer from now on with this single feature addition.

 

Terrific product.

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We will add this and our backend already supports it but we need to get the UI right. I don't like any if the UI implementations (including Sketch) I have seen so far but I will keep thinking. If anyone has any ideas then post away.

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We will add this and our backend already supports it but we need to get the UI right. I don't like any if the UI implementations (including Sketch) I have seen so far but I will keep thinking. If anyone has any ideas then post away.

 

Just utilise Layer Effects panel for this? The Effects could be treated as layers and there could be unlimited number of them — something similar to Illustrator's Appearance panel perhaps?

 

Screen_Shot_2014_10_13_at_11_08_44.png

Screen_Shot_2014_10_13_at_11_26_39.png

—ALx

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Would the layer effects appear below the affected layer, as if children? I can visualise expanding a collection of them with a triangle of their own over by the fx indicator, appearing below the affected layer might be odd compared to adjustments that appear above. Or am I overthinking it?

Twitter: @Writer_Dale
Affinity apps run on: Ryzen 5 3600, 32GB RAM, GTX1650 Super

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+1

 

just brainstorming here:

 

In the layer Effects floating palette, if there were 2 panes, the left would have the list of FX and the right side would be blank. Maybe have some temporary text saying "Drag and drop an Effect on this area." Once an effect is dragged, it's opened for adjustments. There's an disclosure triangle, so the effect could be reduced down to just it's name, the visibility checkbox (like in layers) and opacity/strength slider. The individual FX entries could be dragged up or down (like layers) so some kind of hierarchy could be established for the effects. Perhaps something like applying a Gradient for the effect (like the transparency tool) could have a Blur FX as a child, so the black areas of the gradient would blur the layer and the white parts wouldn't be blurred (IOW the gradient would act as an Effects mask). For the "attached" palettes, there could be an "Add Effect" button that displays the list of FX that can be chosen, once one is chosen, it'll appear in the panel (where the list of FX are currently). 

Mac OS X Catinlina, 2014 iMac, 3.5 Ghz Intel Core i7, Huion Kamvas Pro 22 Graphic Tablet, 16GB RAM, MacOS10.12 || Magic keyboard w/numeric keypad, wireless trackpad, Kengsington Edge Trackball || Flux Capacitor in a secure location

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+ me.. 

..what CartoonMike said, but maybe in a tab functionality?

the effects would be listed on the left, while the effect quantity would go in a tab fashion above the effects settings.. with a plus at the right side of the last tab/effect for adding another one.. 

in the tab, there could be a little rectangle thumbnail with the previewed effect (like in PS), and the order number, following a hierarchy.. the first effect, furthest to the left would be the bottom most effect, under all the new ones added which would cover it up... vice versa.. 

 

just brainstorming.. 

 

from a web designer / graphic designer / ui ux designer / illustrator etc's stand point... multiple fx would be unbelievably practical.. 

 

EDIT

 

something like this attached preview i mocked up quickly... just to give a slight idea.. ofc, I myself didn't think this through to the end.. but this seems logical for me, and easy to understand/use.. retaining as much space as possible needed for the fx itself..

 

EDIT 2

 

i didn't add the "delete" current tab and "duplicate" current teb buttons.. could go right under the tabs.. with a divider separating the fx's settings ..

post-509-0-21283900-1413244784_thumb.jpg

web & graphic designer :: front-end web developer :: illustrator

www.dribbble.com/bbwebdiz

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  • 1 year later...

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