Clip a layer with a group

[Gunny]

As far as I can tell there is still no way how to clip a layer with a group of objects..?

That's rather strange considering that other similar options works:

- clipping a group with a single object

- masking a group with a single object

- masking a single object with a group

I suppose the fastest workaround is to create a copy of the group and use it for masking but I don't think it's a desirable solution because it increases number of objects in document and you have to take care of them while editing the primary group.

[Old Bruce]

I don't know what it is that you are trying to achieve in the looping gifs (because they are looping, no start no end) but it is possible to clip a group in a layer. Are you wanting to use an existing object (the green curve in loop 1) to clip both itself and the other members of the group?

[Alfred]

8 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

it is possible to clip a group in a layer

It’s only possible to use a (single object) layer to clip a group. The OP is saying that isn’t possible to use a group to clip a layer, despite the fact that masking can be done either way around.

[Old Bruce]

21 minutes ago, Alfred said:

It’s only possible to use a (single object) layer to clip a group. The OP is saying that isn’t possible to use a group to clip a layer, despite the fact that masking can be done either way around.

Need more coffee. Thanks for the clarification.

[Alfred]

26 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

Need more coffee.

At your service, sir!

[ashf]

I think the only way is to merge layers with Geometry>Add

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, ashf said:

I think the only way is to merge layers with Geometry>Add

Yes, it's another workaround but that unifies the colour (and other attributes) of all objects that were part of the group so it's not an ideal solution.

I suppose my original post is a feature request. =)

[ziplock9000]

So is there a none-destructive way of doing this yet?

[dominik]

On 12/31/2020 at 4:43 PM, ziplock9000 said:

So is there a none-destructive way of doing this yet?

You can use a 'compound group' to do this. But once the compound is a clip mask it is not possible to edit the compound's elements. You first have to unclip the mask, then edit the compound and clip again.

d.

[ziplock9000]

4 hours ago, dominik said:

You can use a 'compound group' to do this. But once the compound is a clip mask it is not possible to edit the compound's elements. You first have to unclip the mask, then edit the compound and clip again.

d.

That's why I asked for a non-destructive method.

[Alfred]

36 minutes ago, ziplock9000 said:

That's why I asked for a non-destructive method.

The method that @dominik suggested is non-destructive! It’s a little tedious, but there’s nothing in the procedure that can’t be undone.

[ziplock9000]

57 minutes ago, Alfred said:

The method that @dominik suggested is non-destructive! It’s a little tedious, but there’s nothing in the procedure that can’t be undone.

Then I'm not understanding the solution then.

Am I correct in assuming that a "compound group" is when you hold 'alt' when clicking the boolean 'add' on multiple objects?

So that I get this:

 

When I do that and collapse the compound object and try and use the whole thing as a clipping mask for a 3rd object it does not work. The 3rd object just becomes part of the compound object

[Alfred]

15 minutes ago, ziplock9000 said:

Then I'm not understanding the solution then.

Am I correct in assuming that a "compound group" is when you hold 'alt' when clicking the boolean 'add' on multiple objects?

So that I get this:

 

When I do that and collapse the compound object and try and use the whole thing as a clipping mask for a 3rd object it does not work. The 3rd object just becomes part of the compound object

Ah, I see we’re getting caught up in confusing terminology here! A ‘clipping mask’ in the Photoshop sense results in the target object being masked/cropped rather than clipped. The comment about groups that I made a year and a half ago also applies to compound objects.

On 7/15/2019 at 5:16 PM, Alfred said:

It’s only possible to use a (single object) layer to clip a group. The OP is saying that isn’t possible to use a group to clip a layer, despite the fact that masking can be done either way around.

In other words, although you can’t move your third object to the clipping position for the compound object (because, as you’ve observed, it simply becomes part of that compound object) you can drag the compound object and drop it onto the thumbnail of the third object, thereby masking the target object.

[dominik]

7 hours ago, ziplock9000 said:

Am I correct in assuming that a "compound group" is when you hold 'alt' when clicking the boolean 'add' on multiple objects?

This is what I am talking about.

@Alfred explained it very well. You have to make sure to drop the compound group onto the thumbnail or select 'Mask to Below' from the right click menu in the layers panel.

I'd rather prefer if the compound group could be edited still in this 'masking position' but that is currently not possible. But if you move the compound group outside again it can be modified non destructively.

d.

[ziplock9000]

Although it has several limitations, I got it working, thanks! 

 

[Move Along People]

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[Alfred]

3 minutes ago, haakoo said:

Better use geometry>merge curves
Editable with node tool

If I merge overlapping shapes or curves I get holes where they overlap.

[Move Along People]

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[Alfred]

17 minutes ago, haakoo said:

Layer>fill mode

That doesn’t do anything in the iPad version of AD, which seems like a bug.

[Move Along People]

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[Alfred]

1 minute ago, haakoo said:

Not trying to be pedantic

I know this is an ‘Affinity Designer on Desktop’ thread, but where the same operations are available in the iPad app I think it’s reasonable to expect the same results.

[ziplock9000]

On 1/2/2021 at 1:09 PM, Alfred said:

That doesn’t do anything in the iPad version of AD, which seems like a bug.

Same with Windows version even if I swap Fill mode I get a hole.

[Alfred]

40 minutes ago, ziplock9000 said:

Same with Windows version even if I swap Fill mode I get a hole.

I believe @haakoo is on Windows, too. I wonder what we’re doing differently!

[Move Along People]