Affinity Designer lets you erase areas of a pixel or vector layer using a combination of the Erase Brush Tool, the Brushes Studio and the tool's context toolbar. Typically you'd erase previously unwanted pixel brush strokes on a pixel layer.
Erasing on a pixel layer
If you're working on a pixel layer, you can use the Erase Brush Tool to erase unwanted pixels directly on the layer.
To erase on a pixel layer:
From the Pixel Persona, select the Erase Brush Tool.
From the Brushes Studio, select a brush thumbnail of your choice.
Adjust the brush width and other brush-related properties from the context toolbar.
Drag on the page in the direction that you want the erase brush stroke to follow.
To use the Flood Erase Tool:
From the Layers Studio, select a pixel layer.
Select the Flood Fill Tool and change the Mode to Erase.
Adjust the context toolbar's Tolerance setting to control the extent of flood erasing across pixels. Experimenting will produce labor saving results.
Tap on the image to select the target pixel.
Erasing on a vector layer
Pixels don't exist on a vector layer so a pixel mask is created and applied over the vector layer instead; the vector layer remains unaffected. By painting with pixel brushes directly on the mask, you can decide what can be shown or hidden on the underlying vector layer.
To erase on a vector layer:
From the Layers Studio, select the vector layer, group or object contained within it.
From the Pixel Persona, select the Erase Brush Tool.
Paint on the vector layer to erase.
You'll notice a vector mask thumbnail appear on the layer, group or object. While this remains selected you can continue erasing. Back in Designer Persona, selecting the adjacent vector thumbnail allows you to edit the vector layer, or group or object once again.
To erase on a pixel layer:
To use the Flood Erase Tool: