How to Merge Layers in AffinityDesigner

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to merge vector layers and pixel layers in Affinity Designer.

Once you learn to merge layers in Affinity Designer, you can head over to Envato Elements where you can get unlimited downloads of stock videos, music, graphics, photos, fonts, and more.

What You'll Learn in This Tutorial

• How layers work in Affinity Designer


• How to merge vector layers in Affinity Designer


• How to merge pixel layers in Affinity Designer

Layers in Affinity Designer

Before we begin, it's important to understand how layers work in Affinity Designer. First of all, Affinity Designer uses two types of layers: vector layers and pixel layers.

Vector layers go hand in hand with the Designer Persona. Vector shapes, text, and curves can be added as standalone objects in the Layers studio (Window > Layers) or stored inside a vector layer.

Pixel layers are connected with the Pixel Persona and are used to create pixel-based designs. So make sure that you have a pixel layer selected whenever you wish to add pixel-based objects while in Pixel Persona.

To add new layers (vector or pixel), use the buttons from the bottom of the Layers studio.

How to Merge Vector Layers in Affinity Designer

Unfortunately, there's no simple command that will merge objects from multiple vector layers, but here's a trick that you can use to achieve this result in a few seconds.

Select the objects inside the vector layers that you wish to merge. This can be done directly on the canvas using the Move Tool (V) or in the Layers studio. Hold down the Control key as you click each object to add it to your selection and, once you're done, press Control-G. This will Group your selected objects, and the group will go inside your first layer.

Now, press Shift-Control-G to Ungroup your group, and then you can select the remaining empty layers and delete them.

How to Merge Pixel Layers in Affinity Designer

Again, there's no quick command that will merge pixel layers, but here's a simple trick that you can use to easily merge such layers.

Focus on the Layers studio, hold down the Shift key or the Control key to select the pixel layers that you wish to merge, and press Control-G to Group them. Right-click the newly created group and simply go to Rasterize, which will merge those grouped layers.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Now that you've learned how to merge layers in Affinity Designer, feel free to use these techniques in your future projects.

You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato Elements, with interesting solutions to improve your design portfolio.

Want to Learn More?

We have loads of tutorials on Envato Tuts+, from beginner to intermediate level. Take a look!

• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Create a Lightning Bolt Logo Design in Affinity Designer

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Andrei Marius

  
  

  06 Oct 2022

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Curve Text in Affinity Designer

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Andrei Marius

  
  

  07 Jul 2021

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Remove a Background in Affinity Designer

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Diana Toma

  
  

  03 Oct 2022

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Create an Autumn Leaves Pattern in Affinity Designer

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Andrei Stefan

  
  

  01 Oct 2018

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Create an Affinity Designer Icon

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Andrei Stefan

  
  

  01 Mar 2023

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


• 
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Create a Stylish Emoji in Affinity Designer

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Kamil Khadeyev

  
  

  10 Oct 2018

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Note: This tutorial was written with the aid of an artificial intelligence tool. It has been thoroughly edited and checked for accuracy by the Envato Tuts+ editorial team.