Favorite Layer [Feature Request]

[dieg467]

Hello, I would like in multi-layer .pdn files to be able to select a layer as a favorite so that, when opening the file, the preselected or active layer is the favorite. Thank you so much.

 

[Tactilis]

You asked about this (or a very similar feature) earlier this year and received the answer "No".

 

When making any such request, it strengthens your argument if you explain:

• Why the feature is important to the way you work with Paint.NET
• Why it would save so much time/effort compared to not having the feature

i.e. you should clearly explain your use case.

 

Then, if enough people agree with you and also ask for the feature, then maybe the developer will add it to their list of things to implement.

[Rick Brewster]

You can just add colored emojis to the layer name. Press WinKey+. to bring up the standard Windows emoji keyboard popup

 

[dieg467]

I use Paint.net to teach virtual classes. I chose it because I had previously used it to create shapes and drawings with "ShapeMaker", and I incorporated its use for classes.
I use a two layer .pnd file. The background layer is checkered and the foreground layer is transparent. That way, when writing on the transparent layer, if I erase what I wrote, the background grid is not erased because it is on another layer.
But, when I open the .pnd file, the layer preselected by Paint.net is the background layer, and if I don't select the transparent layer before writing, I end up accidentally writing on the background layer, thus ruining the whole grid. Of course I have several of the same files for any contingency like that.
For that reason it seemed interesting to me to have the option of a favorite layer.

[Tactilis]

1 hour ago, dieg467 said:

For that reason it seemed interesting to me to have the option of a favorite layer.

It seems a rather niche requirement. I doubt that this has widespread applicability among Paint.NET users.

 

57 minutes ago, dieg467 said:

if I don't select the transparent layer before writing, I end up accidentally writing on the background layer

If you've done that more than a couple of times, and your files are always 2-layer, then you just need to train your fingers to select the upper layer first.
Every time, the first thing you should do after opening the file is to press Alt+PageUp, which will select the layer above the background.

And do as @Rick Brewster suggests by adding a star emoji to your transparent layer name - maybe as the first character - so that it visually reminds you to select that layer.

 

1 hour ago, dieg467 said:

I end up accidentally writing on the background layer, thus ruining the whole grid.

Undo is your friend.


Or you could add a transparent layer underneath your 'background' checkered layer. If you open a file and accidentally start drawing on that then you will see instantly see that you are drawing on the wrong layer.

[null54]

6 hours ago, dieg467 said:

I end up accidentally writing on the background layer, thus ruining the whole grid.

 

It sounds like the feature you need is the ability to protect a layer from modification. Photoshop calls this locking a layer, see https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/moving-stacking-locking-layers.html#lock_layers.

Photoshop's layer locking has a few different modes that can be used individually or in combination with one another:

• Restricting the editing tools to modifying opaque pixels.
• Preventing the editing tools from modifying the layer contents, this appears to be a superset of the first option.
• Preventing the selection tools from moving the layer contents.

Photoshop also has a Lock All option, from the description it sounds like it does all of the above plus locking the layer's opacity, blend mode and other properties.

[Tactilis]

6 hours ago, null54 said:

It sounds like the feature you need is the ability to protect a layer from modification.

That's a more generalized capability and would have widespread use, even it were limited in Paint.NET to just a Lock All option.

[dieg467]

Interesting option to lock a layer in Photoshop. I have never used it, sometimes I have used Gimp, until I discovered Paint.net and that's where I stayed.
In a virtual class I open 6 .pdn files, with 2 layers each. So, before starting I have to click to select each file, and another click to select the transparent layer. In total, 12 mouse clicks. Additionally, I must take the file from size 35% to 100%, with the keyboard combination Ctrl +, pressing 3 times. A total of 36 actions to get everything ready.
I clarify that all this is not a complaint. I have been doing it daily, for years, and I continue with Paint.net. I only proposed the favorite layer as a feature to incorporate in future updates.
Thank you so much.

[null54]

The layers window has keyboard shortcuts for selecting layers, e.g. Alt + Page Up to move to the next layer up in the document.

See https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/KeyboardMouseCommands.html#36

[Tactilis]

17 minutes ago, null54 said:

The layers window has keyboard shortcuts for selecting layers, e.g. Alt + Page Up to move to the next layer up in the document.

Already suggested up thread.
 

 

27 minutes ago, dieg467 said:

Additionally, I must take the file from size 35% to 100%, with the keyboard combination Ctrl +, pressing 3 times.

Just press Ctrl+B (see the Documentation)


 

 

27 minutes ago, dieg467 said:

In a virtual class I open 6 .pdn files, with 2 layers each. So, before starting I have to click to select each file, and another click to select the transparent layer. In total, 12 mouse clicks. Additionally, I must take the file from size 35% to 100%, with the keyboard combination Ctrl +, pressing 3 times. A total of 36 actions to get everything ready.

I have been doing it daily, for years...

OMG, that adds up to a huge amount of effort just for set-up.

This is trivial to automate with AutoHotkey. You could then press just a single key and have all 6 six images set to the correct layer and zoom level.


If you'd like a hand with this, I'd be happy to assist. Just send me a message (envelope icon at the top of the page).

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by Tactilis

[BoltBait]

1 hour ago, dieg467 said:

before starting I have to click to select each file, and another click to select the transparent layer. In total, 12 mouse clicks. Additionally, I must take the file from size 35% to 100%, with the keyboard combination Ctrl +, pressing 3 times. A total of 36 actions to get everything ready.

This is the sort of thing that can be automated using https://www.autohotkey.com/

 

User @Tactilis could probably help you with a script once you get AHK loaded. 

[Tactilis]

5 minutes ago, BoltBait said:

This is the sort of thing that can be automated using https://www.autohotkey.com/

 

User @Tactilis could probably help you with a script once you get AHK loaded. 

Look up thread one comment 😉

[dieg467]

Thank you. I am going to install Autohotkey to automate these processes. 

Edited October 15, 2023 by dieg467

[Tactilis]

8 minutes ago, dieg467 said:

Gracias. Voy a instalar Autohotkey para automatizar estos procesos.

Please note the Forum Rules (there's a link at the top of the page)

Rule 22) All forum activity must be in ENGLISH.

Thanks

[BoltBait]

1 hour ago, Tactilis said:

Look up thread one comment 😉

 

In my defense, I was asleep when I posted that...