You need to delete or put the pixel layer somewhere else to get the effects back. To get that, you have to create a pixel layer with a flashy color and put it in the group. The only problem is you don't have a visual feedback of what part of your image is concerned by each group. It works perfectly, you can add other adjustments and also modify the blend profile of the group precisely. I do this by creating groups with at least a curve adjustment in each one and for each group I define a profile in the blend option of the group to target shadows / midtones / highlights. I'm currently working on switching from luminosity masks to "blend if" profiles. If I can join de thread, I have an example where changing the behavior a bit, with both pixel layer and adjustments in a group would be useful. Anything that updates the canvas will do it, like zooming in or out will as well.
![pixel sorter on adjustment layers pixel sorter on adjustment layers](https://pixelsorter.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/outputGradient.jpg)
In passing, I also note that it is not necessary to switch to the brush tool (step 5) to see the effect. It is as if the app is trying to prevent me from creating this situation in the first place & the observed behavior of how the HSL layer is passed through when there is no pixel layer in the group for it to be applied to is just there as sort of an alternative to what would otherwise be an error condition. After that, the appropriate Toolbar "Order" options are no longer greyed out & I can use them or manually drag either layer above the other. The only way to get both that pixel layer & the HSL layer into child positions in the group is to select the HSL layer instead of the pixel layer, & manually drag it onto the group layer icon. If I then drag the pixel layer onto the group & drop it there, the HSL layer is moved to the mask position & the pixel layer is placed below it in the normal child layer position.Īt that point, if I select the pixel layer, the Toolbar "Order" options are greyed out & I cannot manually move it above the HSL layer without it being removed from the group & placed above it.
![pixel sorter on adjustment layers pixel sorter on adjustment layers](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7XuYL4yBqHw/0.jpg)
I see no other way to create an empty group.įor that matter, how did you add a new pixel layer to the group (step 4)? - if I select the group or the HSL adjustment layer in it & click the Add pixel layer button, Affinity Photo automatically adds it above the group, not in it. How did you "create an empty group" as in Alex_M's step 2? The only way I can do that is to first select or create a pixel, shape, or similar layer, & target that for the make group operation, & then delete that layer, leaving just the empty group with a folder icon in the Layers panel. I have followed your steps and get the same results and I have logged this with the development team If you're trying to do something else, it maybe worth posting additional details.
![pixel sorter on adjustment layers pixel sorter on adjustment layers](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iw3BJFq1QWM/maxresdefault.jpg)
If you want the background image to be colour, but whatever is on the pixel layer to be black and white, then clip the HSL layer to the pixel layer. If you want both the background image and the brush stroke to be black and white, then add the pixel layer on it's own layer underneath the group (or underneath an ungrouped HSL adjustment layer). (Alternatively you can add the pixel layer on it's own layer above the group). You haven't said exactly what you're trying to do, however I assume you want the background image to be black and white, but want whatever you paint on the pixel layer to be coloured brush strokes? In that case clip the HSL layer to the background image (short blue horizontal line) and add the pixel layer above it. So in your case, when you add a pixel layer underneath the HSL layer in that group and then paint on it, the HSL layer will only apply to the brush strokes.
![pixel sorter on adjustment layers pixel sorter on adjustment layers](https://i.visual.ly/images/top-10-photoshop-tools-that-you-need-to-master-photoshop_55e18fc594e3e_w1500.jpg)
However, when you add an object or pixel layer to the group, then the adjustment layer becomes clipped to that group. If there's nothing else in the group besides adjustment layers, then it passes though to the layers below. The HSL adjustment layer doesn't stop working, it's just clipped to that group.