Despite all of the differences between the various graphic design applications that exist in the world, one of the things they all have in common is that they handle layers and layer merging in a relatively similar way. Merging layers with Affinity Designer is complicated though, because Designer handles layers in a fundamentally different way. Before we begin going over how to merge layers in Affinity Designer, we first need to have an understanding of the three different types of layers that exist in Merge layers affinity designer free download Designer.
Vector layers exist in the Designer Persona. Every time merge layers affinity designer free download create an object in the Designer persona, it is placed on its own vector layer:.
Contrary to how other merge layers affinity designer free download design applications work, each vector object that you merge layers affinity designer free download can only exist on its own layer.
There is no way to merge vector layers together so that multiple objects can exist on one vector layer unless you combine them into a single object via Boolean operations. Vector layers can be grouped together into layer groupsbut they cannot be merged. For them to exist together on a single layer, as would be the case in other applications, would require you to create layer groups with them.
What you think of as a layer in other applications is really just a layer group in Affinity Designer. Pixel layers exist in the Pixel Persona. Every time you generate a pixel drawing using one of the tools in the Pixel Persona, it will be placed on its own pixel layer.
Pixel layers function in a slightly different way than vector layers do, mainly because of the fundamental differences in how vectors and pixels are created. You can indeed create multiple pixel-based drawings and designs on a single pixel layer by adding to the existing layer.
Finally, there are Adjustment Layers. Merge layers affinity designer free download layers allow you to change the appearance of an object in a non-destructive way that can easily be undone. The benefit of using an adjustment layer is that it can easily be deleted, allowing your photo to have color again. Adjustment layers can also be applied to multiple layers and objects, applying the black and white effect to merge layers affinity designer free download of them. Adjustment layers can be added to vector layers or to pixel layers, and in either the Designer or Pixel persona.
Much like vector layers and pixel layers, adjustment layers cannot be merged. They can, however, be segmented into layer merge layers affinity designer free download. Despite the unique nature of how layers work in Affinity Designer, we still have a problem to address. Therefore, if you want to organize your artwork using layers, you must place the layers into layer groups.
To place your vector layers into layer groups, hold Shift on your keyboard and click each layer in order to select them all. You may have to rearrange the position of your layers accordingly. This can be done by simply clicking and dragging them into the desired position.
The group will then function in the same ways that an individual layer would function, making it easy to organize your work. And unlike merging, layer groups are non-destructive and can be undone at any time. Much like merging vector layers, you can segment pixel layers into groups. Now, group them together by right-clicking them and selecting Group from the dropdown menu:. This will rasterize the entire group, turning your group of pixel layers into a single pixel layer, effectively merging them:.
It would be nice if Affinity added a shortcut that combines both of these actions so that it could be done directly, but regardless, this workaround is just as effective as a traditional merge function for pixel layers anyway. Next, right-click on the layers merge layers affinity designer free download select Group from the dropdown menu. This will place your adjustment layers into a layer group:. Seeing as how layer groups can be just as effective as merging layers in Affinity Designer, you could make the argument that layer merging is an outdated concept, and that Affinity is being innovative and forward-looking by doing away with it.
However, when layers are merged in the traditional sense, the change is permanent. There is one downside to this approach though, merge layers affinity designer free download in regards to vector layer groups.
When grouped together, the vector objects will no longer be editable independent of each other. They will have to be released from the group in order to do so. If you have any questions, or if any part of this lesson was unclear, simply leave a comment below. Want to learn more about how Affinity Designer works?
Enroll Now. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read affiliate disclosure here. Save merge layers affinity designer free download name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Mobile devices, such as smartphones, traditionally aren't thought of as useful tools for photo editing. However, if an iPhone is all you have any you need to make a basic edit to an image such as If you only have flattened, rasterized copies of your logo such as PNG and JPG then you may find it difficult to make alterations such as color.
In this tutorial we'll be using a workaround that Skip to content. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Comment Name Email Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Read More. There is no way to directly merge vector layers in Affinity Designer. Instead, you must segment them into layer groups. There is no way to directly merge adjustment layers in Affinity Designer.
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