Layer linking request

[Herbert123]

This feature was requested and/or asked about by others and myself in the past 15 years. The subject also comes up when I mention PhotoLine outside this forum: "how do you link layers in PhotoLine?". Well, unfortunately we can't.

The very last ingredient to perfect PhotoLine's extraordinary flexible layer system is the ability to link arbitrary layers and groups. We have cloned layers, layer comps, grouping, excellent blending (with a blend range that exceeds anything else), and pretty much everything we'd ever want when working with layers.

...except the ability to link layers. And it hampers the workflow! Groups do not provide the solution. Neither do virtual layers. Or comps. The only solution is to multi-select the same layers again, and again and again and again. And again. Just to perform a simple change in position.

In my latest project I've wasted SO much time just re-selecting the same layers for small changes in position. Instead of just being able to select one group or layer and have the other relevant layers across the layer stack automatically move along with that one layer or group.

Let's compare the competition: Photoshop, Affinity Photo, GIMP, PaintShop Pro, Photopea, Corel Photo-Paint. All of these support layer linking. All of them support shared transformation. Affinity Photo goes one step further and introduces a linked layer 'Links" dialog that offers transform, pixel content, blending mode & ranges, opacity & visibility, and layer effect parameters linking. So the user can choose which parameters are linked.

Even a simple transform layer linking feature would be the finishing touch to PhotoLine's super duper layer system.

Comps have made my life tons easier. The only missing part: linking layers.
Please consider this request.

[der_fotograf]

Anybody else of the PL community and/or users who need linked layers?

[Herbert123]

It was requested by @shijan as well.
https://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?t=6952

User csanchez requested this functionality in his own thread:
https://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?t=6951

User Kirkl also made their own thread about it:
https://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?t=5308

I've had multiple non-PhotoLine users ask me about linked layers functionality in PhotoLine over the years as well (I know, anecdotal, but it demonstrates a universal need in image comping and editing.)

After Effects also allows for linking of layers - and various parameters. (Would be awesome if the Hubers could come up with a simple way to link arbitrary parameters between layer properties somehow...)

Grouping layers is fine, but it is not always possible or wanted to group related layers. And too many nested groups can be awkward to work with as well. It's not always the best solution. Virtual layers are great too, but not all content that needs to be positioned as related content can be converted to virtual layers because the content is different. Placeholder layers behave more like saved groups nested as a layer in the master document.

A linked layer option closes that gap that exists in these usage contexts. And like comps, it is a very useful tool to organize layer stacks into simpler to manage and understand stacks. Less clicks, and more efficient depending on the context.

This big selling point for linked layers is the fact you can connect multiple layers across different groups and locations. Their positions on the canvas are linked. Move one, and all move. And that fundamental functionality is still missing in PhotoLine because grouping doesn't solve all comp problem in all possible contexts.

(Affinity Photo goes one step further and allows their users to link specific properties between layers, btw. I dislike how their developers implemented layer linking, though.)

[der_fotograf]

Thank you for the explanation. However, I never needed linked layers, and I guess I never will. Never missed them for my photographs. But maybe it's necessary for intense and complicated graphics…

As always: If there are only 4 or even 10 users out of XXXXX out there in the world, does it justify the extra effort (=time and money) in coding? Would all other users be willing to pay for this feature if they don't need it? Will this extra feature generate more buyers or even attract Photoshop users to switch over?

[Herbert123]

Of course I cannot predict whether this feature by itself will convince new users to jump aboard. I do know that it is an expected feature of a mature image editor, and without linked layers a gap exists in PhotoLine's feature set.

I also kept track of Affinity users who kept complaining about missing linking layers in Photo, and there were many requests: enough to convince the Affinity devs to include it not so long ago.

I suppose it is also a case of a tool that isn't missed by those who never knew they wanted it. I am pretty sure that linked layers, once it is integrated in PhotoLine, will be used by many users. Perhaps even by you @der_fotograf once you have tried it!

In the end it is up to the Hubers to decide whether to implement it and in what way. At the very least I expect that this would be a fun challenge for them as developers: just imagine a super-charged linked layers option with arbitrary linked attributes between layers!

But a simple positional linking between layers would suffice for most things and fill that gap.

[PhilM]

I am afraid of the added complexity to the UI ...

I do not know of a use case where groups and comps do not fit (photo developing)

Phil

[shijan]

I am afraid of the added complexity to the UI ...

It is just a Chain icon in panel toolbar and near linked Layers. No any complexity to the UI.

[PhilM]

It is just a Chain icon in panel toolbar and near linked Layers. No any complexity to the UI.

What Herbert123 described (in Affinity) looks a bit more complicated than just a chain icon ... ?

[Herbert123]

It is just a Chain icon in panel toolbar and near linked Layers. No any complexity to the UI.

What Herbert123 described (in Affinity) looks a bit more complicated than just a chain icon ... ?

Yes, but in all other image editors it is a simple chain symbol. And as I mentioned: I dislike how Affinity implemented that. It is too convoluted and not even possible to link multiple layers in one step.

There is potential to expand the linking functionality to other parameters but positioning, of course. That requires a different implementation.

But a simple chain icon would suffice.

[shijan]

It also could be useful to have menu option "Select Linked Layers", when right-click to one of the linked layers in Layer List.

[Herbert123]

It also could be useful to have menu option "Select Linked Layers", when right-click to one of the linked layers in Layer List.

Definitely!