Affinity Photo 2 lets you make duplicate layers to increase workflow or to temporarily create a 'backup' layer. Move data entry and power duplicate features also allows you to duplicate and repeatedly transform layer contents.
Affinity lets you make copies of your original layer content using several methods.
Creating a single duplicate using a command.
Creating many offset duplicates by using Move data entry.
Creating many offset duplicates by using power duplicate.
Layers panel before and after layer duplication.To duplicate:
Do one of the following:
On the page, drag a selected layer with the pressed. While dragging, release the key to move the layer instead, or press the key while moving to duplicate rather than move.
On the Layers panel, -click a layer, group or object and select Duplicate.
On the Layers panel, press the down and drag the layer you would like to duplicate into its position.
With an object selected, select Layer>Duplicate.
Duplicate using Move data entry
As well as moving, rotating and sizing an individual object precisely, Move data entry lets you create any number of copies of an object in one operation which, when combined with move, rotate and scale operations, leads to some striking object transformations.
Move data entry has the following characteristics:
You can duplicate curves and text as well as shapes
It is controlled via a dialog
Your chosen transformation is previewed on the page
You can edit the properties of the object being transformed (affecting its its previewed duplicates) as well as its transform origin while the dialog remains open
The duplicate(s) can be placed in front of or behind the original object
The previous settings can optionally be used
Scaling is cumulative, e.g. 80% scaling is applied to each duplicate in turn
(A) Linear offset (Horizontal: 6mm; Number of copies: 6), (B) Rotating (Rotation: 30°; Number of copies: 12), (C) Scaling (Scale: 80% and 110%; Number of copies: 6), (D) Rotating and Scaling (Rotation: -4°; Scale: 93% and 101%, Number of copies: 50)
You can achieve very different duplication results if you experiment with the Insertion mode option on the dialog.
Effects of Insertion mode when set to add duplicates in front of (A) or behind (B) the original itemTo duplicate (by Move data entry):
With the Move Tool active, select one or more layers or groups.
Press the to display a Move / Duplicate dialog.
Enter new settings that will offset the duplicate(s) from its original position, with optional Angle, Rotation and Scale settings. The Distance setting is the measurement between duplicate layer midpoints.
Check Duplicate and set the Number of copies you want.
(Optional) Choose an Insertion mode to add duplicate objects either in front of (Insert new items in front) or behind (Insert new items behind) the original object.
Click OK.
Click Reset to clear previously applied settings and remove the duplicates.
Pressing the will cancel the operation; the entered settings will still be remembered.
Power duplicate
If you duplicate a layer(s) and then transform the duplicated contents, you can immediately duplicate the layer containing the transformed content. The transform is applied accumulatively to subsequent duplicates.
(A) original content, (B) original content duplicated and rotated, (C) transformed duplicate duplicated numerous times.To power duplicate:
Select the layer(s).
From the Layer menu, select Duplicate.
Transform the duplicated layer content.
From the Layer menu, select Duplicate. A duplicate is created and the transform is automatically applied to the duplicate.
Repeat step 4 to create more duplicates with the transform accumulatively applied.
Duplicating selections
If you have made a selection, you can immediately duplicate the selected content into a new layer (or layers).
To duplicate selected content:
Select content within the layer(s).
From the Layer menu, select Duplicate Selection.
The selected content will be duplicated into a new layer. If content has been selected across multiple layers, the content will be duplicated into multiple separate new layers.
Insert new items in front) or behind (
Insert new items behind) the original object.