How to see what is painted / found on a single or multiple layers?

[avim1968]

Hi All

here is a problem i have, (also the workarounds.)

and i want to know is there is a better way to do it?

Working with many layers, I sometime want to isolate a layer or a number

of layers to see what they have on them or how their effect/image look like

APART/OUTSIDE of the current image.

mainly when a layer has very small details or/and many light effects which are too bright/small

that can't be seen in the small layer preview window inside the "layers box".

my current solutions/workarounds are:

1. copy the layer/layers to a new image, (which is good for small number of layers.)

with black/white background layer to see, what was on those layers from the original PDN.

2. place a black/white layer in the middle of the PDN itself and move it up/down to block

the layers below, however this does not block the layers above so its not

very useful for most things.

solve this i would save the PDN and then unchecked all the layers above/below.

again working with many layers it takes time.

the simple way for solution 2 to work best , would be, an option added to paint.net layers box,

like an "Uncheck all" button (with a question "are you sure", to stop us doing so without saving 1st)

then we can select the layers we want to view/check.

after that we just restore the saved PDN.

do you have any other way to it or comments ?

thank you

Avi

p.s.

also when having only those layers selected and adding my other topic about making a new image

from selected layers http://forums.getpai...visible-layers/ would allow even more options to do)

"DDAP=Don't Drink And Post! :-)"

Edited June 23, 2012 by avim1968

[jim100361]

How about opening and adjusting most of the image separately, then copy into your layers?

Edited June 23, 2012 by jim100361

[avim1968]

How about opening and adjusting most of the image separately, then copy into your layers?

Hi Jim

I don't see the connection ,

no need to make any adjustments to the layers. :-(

I already have a PDN with 60+ layers,

all i want is the ability to see/view/check part of the layers in the PDN that has

to do with lighting and smoke or other layers that make up different parts of the image/effect

in the greater PDN image etc.

think of a face PDN image made up from many layers, some layers make up the eyes some the nose some the mouth

some the ears some add effects etc..

and i want to be able to see each time just the layers that make up the eyes or mouth etc..

Avi

"DDAP=Don't Drink And Post! :-)"

Edited June 23, 2012 by avim1968

[jim100361]

Sorry, I misunderstood.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Paint.NET 4.0 introduces drag & drop for reordering layers. This means you can quickly drag a layer above a temporary layer with a solid color background to see what it has on it.

I can't help but think you're doing it the hard way. If you used the layer name to accurately describe the contents of the layer you wouldn't have to think about what the layer contains:

[avim1968]

Hi Ego

its not about the names.

i can have the names correct like all layers that make up the nose called nose1-23 etc..

all i want is the ability to isolate a number of layers and see how they look like.

i can't move the layers up/down since this would change the larger PDN image.

the simple way i have to do it is save the PDN the remove all the visible marks from the layers and

then mark/select the layers i want to view . ie, all layers that make up the nose or the eyes+ eyes effects.

then restore the saved PDN.

all i need is the option to remove all the visible layers marks in one go, ie with a click on a button

in the layer box. (of course with an "are you sure" question)

can this be arranged for ver 4.X ?

i have other wild ideas how to solve it, but i think this simple way is the best.

thank you

Avi

p.s.

love the bird pic :-)

"DDAP=Don't Drink And Post! :-)"

Edited June 24, 2012 by avim1968

[jim100361]

I think I have shortened resolution for you.

Create a new canvas the same size as current canvas, then copy the couple layers to the new canvas to view them. If all is well, then delete the layers but not the canvas. Then if there are a couple more layers you want to view separately, copy them as well and view them.

Edited June 24, 2012 by jim100361

[avim1968]

I think I have shortened resolution for you.

Create a new canvas the same size as current canvas, then copy the couple layers to the new canvas to view them. If all is well, then delete the layers but not the canvas. Then if there are a couple more layers you want to view separately, copy them as well and view them.

Hi Jim

I already do this , if you read my 1st post , solution number 1.

and as welshblue said it has its problems too.

the solution should allow isolating the needed layers inside the PDN.

my very simple request/idea, is to allow a quick removal of ALL the marked visible layers

at a click of a mouse, on an "unmark all" button in the layers window.

allowing me to manually select the layers i want to view.

i don't think that should be so hard to implement. (4.x)

Avi

"DDAP=Don't Drink And Post! :-)"