layer individual adjustment - but see all layers

[Freddie360]

I have multiple layers (up to 7) when editing a colourway for a proposed or ongoing painting and I need to adjust an individual layer, but be able to see the effect against the whole image, which tends to be the bottom layer. I can do this by nesting the 'adjustment layer ' under the layer I want to edit  (see attached images) which seems a fag, can it be done more simply on the chosen layer as in Photoshop.

[Polygonius]

Well, the nesting needs some minutes and some trys to handle it fast. Take care there is an vertically and a horizontally line apperaing, depending how you move the layer inside the "top one". This is just important for using a shape or text as "mask" and maybe confusing in the beginning. 

However for just nesting adjustments... You can set the ASSISTANT to do the nesting automatically for you. You can define if an adjustment, a filter or a mask should do so.

Alternatively you can group a singel layer and all adjust, filter.... wil just work in this group. Its maybe a good choice with several adjusts/filters, which you possible want to reposition. But the NEST is technically also a "group", but moving some layers inside a NEST is much more unhandle than moving in group. But is technically more/less the same.

 

[Freddie360]

I have set the ASSISTANT to do the nesting automatically which I prefer over the Grouping the layer, thanks for the fix. However, I do not understand what you mean when you say..... Take care there is an vertically and a horizontally line apperaing, depending how you move the layer inside the "top one"

[Polygonius]

Well its a little bit difficult to reach the vertically line. Move the second layer as high as as the target-layer and drag it over its symbol, you will see the vertical line. 

(After 10 try you will be able to perform this stunt very fast). 

For adjustments, filter... there is no big difference, but when using eg. a shape, its signifikant... Too much to explain  here what it does - there is a video about: difference between nesting and cropping, or so...

[R C-R]

12 hours ago, Freddie360 said:

However, I do not understand what you mean when you say..... Take care there is an vertically and a horizontally line apperaing, depending how you move the layer inside the "top one"

Not sure but I think that was a reference to clipping vs. masking. If so, the Affinity Photo - Clipping vs Masking video tutorial may make it clearer.