Boolean operators: subtracting text layer from text layer?

[catglitter]

Hi, all!

I've attached an example from the workbook of an effect I'm trying to replicate in Affinity Designer for text in a poster. Is it possible to use the Subtract function on layers of text? Mine are greyed-out when I select all layers, as demonstrated in the screengrab I've also included. 

 

[Dan C]

Hi catglitter,

Welcome to the forums!

You can apply Boolean operations to multiple text layers, if you are only seeing the Divide option then this would usually indicate only one layer has been selected. Make sure the text you are trying to subtract is duplicated across multiple layers. If you would like, you can upload your .afdesign file here and I can take a look for you  

[catglitter]

Hey, thanks Dan! Am just noodling around until I figure things out, so I appreciate the extra set of eyes. I've also attached a screenshot that shows the greyed-out options though I do think I have all three layers selected. (Again, noodling! If I'm wrong, please set me straight.) 

SoS18template.afdesign

[dutchshader]

You should not select the layers, but the text on the layers

[Fixx]

1 hour ago, dutchshader said:

You should not select the layers, but the text on the layers

II don't think that is an answer..

But seems that in the screen capture selected layers are not text layers but groups of layers. Except it says "layer". How did you make them?

[lepr]

.

[catglitter]

Fixx: The layers are on top of one another, but are not grouped together--apologies if that's not what you're asking here. 

[firstdefence]

Removing Text from text doesn't get the effect you expect and normally ends up with the first character being booleaned.

 

In the screenshot posted by catglitter, like dutchshader has said, you would have to select all of the child/sub layers in each group and Add them together, you would do this for each group, this creates a curve with the letters and you can now remove one curve from the other.

 

removing text from text

 

get this

 

Converting the Text to curves.

 

Gets this

 

Selecting all of the Orange Letters and choosing Geometry > Add then doing the same with the blue letters gets this

 

Using Geometry Subtract

 

Gets this

 

This shouldn't be here but has decided it wants to stay lol

[Fixx]

Booleans work OK when I select text layers. It does not work when I select layer groups. Layers in the OP image have arrows in the left which means they can be opened like groups. Open and select text layers and do boolean.