Curves adjustment on a layer

[ski542002]

Hi: I have a 2-layer image. I want to make a curves adjustment in one of the layers, NOT having an effect on the other layer.  I have the desired layer selected and in Photoshop, I'd make the curves adjustment (Cmd-M), and my move would only adjust my desired layer.  In Affinity, the adjustment changes both layers on the image equally.  What am I doing incorrectly?

[Alfred]

Two ways spring to mind: you can group the adjustment layer the layer that you want it to affect, or you can drag the adjustment layer and drop it on the image layer's thumbnail in the Layers panel (or with the adjustment layer sitting directly above the target image layer, right-click on the adjustment layer and choose 'Mask to Below' for the same result).

[smadell]

The curves adjustment layer needs to be a child of the layer you want to affect. Drag the curves layer over the chosen layer, and it should nest itself into that layer. It should position itself below that layer, and slightly indented. The curves adjustment will. ow only affect that layer.

 

ps Alfred.. you beat me to the punch by seconds!

[ski542002]

Thanks; will give them a try.  My confusion was, to make a quick brightness adjustment in Photoshop sometimes I had no desire to make an adjustment layer,  the adjustment just worked without making a layer.  Affinity seems to automatically make an adjustment layer that shows in the layers panel.

 

I appreciate the suggestions!

[smadell]

By the way, choose Curves, make your adjustment, and click the Merge button. This will bake the adjustment into the layer without creating a new layer. But... this is destructive, so no going back to edit later.

[Patrick Connor]

There is currently no active Mac beta of Affinity Photo, moving this to the right forum

[R C-R]

On 4/18/2018 at 7:42 PM, ski542002 said:

My confusion was, to make a quick brightness adjustment in Photoshop sometimes I had no desire to make an adjustment layer,  the adjustment just worked without making a layer.  Affinity seems to automatically make an adjustment layer that shows in the layers panel.

Actually, Photoshop adjustments are also layers; they just appear differently in the PS LAYERS panel vs. how they appear in the Affinity Layers panel. See for example https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/adjustment-fill-layers.html.

[MEB]

Not necessarily. In Photoshop adjustments applied from the Image menu are destructive similar to filters applied from the Filters menu in Affinity Photo.