Selecting objects inside groups

[LeoVitalis]

Hello,

 

Is there an easy way to select objects inside groups? I work primarily with vectors, and have many shapes grouped for easy masking. So far, I could select objects inside a group only by using the node tool via holding the node tool modifier key. If I select the node tool from the tools bar, it selects whole groups. The move tool can select objects within a group only if I have a layer from that group selected already. The moment I happen to tap away from any layers thus diselecting them, the move tool cannot select individual layers any more, and selects whole groups instead. I have lots of vector shapes in layers panel, so the only workable way to select what I need have been to select the pen tool from the tools bar, then tap on the right arrow on the context toolbar to get to the modifier keys, hold the node tool modifier, and only then I can select the object. It gets worse if I need to transform several objects, in which case I need to select the move tool each time, and then repeat the whole process to get to the node tool again to select my next object.

 

This has been my experience so far, but maybe I am missing something and there is an easier way to do it.

 

Thanks!

[MEB]

Hi LeoVitalis,

Welcome to Affinity Forums

Double-tap the object on canvas to enter the group then tap again a single time to select any object inside that group. If the object is buried inside several groups you have to double tap several times to enter inside each group.

[LeoVitalis]

Hi, Meb, thanks for answering!

 

Doesnt’t work for me. I am double tapping with the move tool, but still only the group gets selected. Is this a new behavior in 1.6.7? Because I am using 1.6.5, due to the pen tool magnifier in the new version. 

[MEB]

Hi LeoVitalis,

Yes, i'm using the latest version (1.6.7.76). Not sure if it worked already in 1.6.5 without checking.

[LeoVitalis]

Glad this was added in the new version. I’ll have to wait for the magnifier toggle off option, though. Right now it’s more important for me to be able to modify curves without the distraction of the magnifier. 

 

Love be the app in all other respects. Really impressed with it’s performance. Vectors seem more responsive, then in Photoshop on my desktop system. And it handles lots of vector layers without any drop of performance. Very impressive. I am very excited about the future release of Affinity Designer on iOS, and I am thinking about trying out the desktop versions as well. 

[MEB]

Pen tool magnifier? Can you expand a little please? What issue are you having specifically?

Is it appearing for you when using the Pen Tool in which circumstances?

[LeoVitalis]

When I am modifying the curves with the node tool, or holding the node tool modifier key, a magnifier glass appears on screen, like when you are typing and long pressing with your finger. Only with the pen tool it appears with Apple Pencil too, blocking the view, and preventing from working with curves normally. There was a question on the forum already about this, and the answer was it cannot be switched off yet. So I had to downgrade to 1.6.5 version, where this same magnifier appears only with finger. 

[Paul Mudditt]

2 hours ago, LeoVitalis said:

When I am modifying the curves with the node tool, or holding the node tool modifier key, a magnifier glass appears on screen, like when you are typing and long pressing with your finger. Only with the pen tool it appears with Apple Pencil too, blocking the view, and preventing from working with curves normally. There was a question on the forum already about this, and the answer was it cannot be switched off yet. So I had to downgrade to 1.6.5 version, where this same magnifier appears only with finger. 

 

That was a problem in one of the 1.6.7 beta releases but isn’t there now in the released version.

[LeoVitalis]

Quote

9 hours ago, Paul Mudditt said:

 

That was a problem in one of the 1.6.7 beta releases but isn’t there now in the released version.

 

No, I wasn’t using a beta, I was using a released version. 

[Paul Mudditt]

3 hours ago, LeoVitalis said:

 

No, I wasn’t using a beta, I was using a released version. 

Oh yes, I see it now with Apple Pencil only, just hadn’t noticed it still there. Agree it’s not much use as there doesn’t seem much magnification there but doesn’t really affect me modifying nodes etc. I guess it will be on the list of things being worked on to improve the actions that can be performed when using the pencil.