Speed up your workflow with macros and shortcuts (Affinity Photo)

Watch in 4K60 (2160p) if you can! Originally recorded for the online Photography Show 2020.
Find out how to seriously speed up your workflow in Affinity Photo by taking advantage of macros and custom keyboard shortcuts.
Free macros, custom shortcuts and other resources on my website: jamesritson.co.uk/resources.html
Tons of official video tutorials on the Affinity Photo TH-cam channel: affin.co/photoyt

[@extremelydave]

People are mad. Just freaking mad. Here is one of THE best instructors on the internet with only 3.5k subscribers. I can only hope that you are with us for a long time Mr Ritson.

[@cassie4816]

O.M.G! Life will never the same again! Great tutorial, thank you.

[@JohnCarter-ln6nn]

Amazing! I am so enjoying your videos more than any others.

[@mvereker]

Another excellent tutorial. Well done.

[@arielrglaze]

James, you remind me of the guy in the MAD magazine from years ago, sorry. I had to say it. I love your tutorials.

[@ashleysoots7250]

Amazing! Thank you!!

[@edwardrussell5413]

I just wish I remember a fraction of it!

[@peperoni3140]

But why not show how to create shortcuts for your macros? Cant seem to find that option under Keyboard Shortcuts

[@JohnCollins-iy1pw]

The problem with creating a custom macro is the AP will not allow the move command in the adjustment layer stack,I do wish AP would allow this.However by using the C&P method this may have solved the problem,thanks James for bringing this idea to my attention.

[@JamesRitson]

Hi John, you can manipulate layers in the layer stack, you just need to use absolute commands (eg Arrange>Move Up/Move Down/Move Inside/Move Outside) instead of relative commands, so no mouse drag-dropping. Is that what you're referring to?
E.g. if you want to group a series of layers, create a group (Layer>New Group) then with each layer in turn do Arrange>Move Inside.
Hope that helps!

[@JohnCollins-iy1pw]

@@JamesRitson No James I think you misunderstood (or I explained badly) what I meant is when recording a macro I sometimes need to move an adjustment in the stack.This is where AP says the adjustment will not allow the move command,this also applies to the fill command (with color).So it would be much appreciated if there was a list of commands that the macro will not allow,rather than my trial and error method.Thanks for your great work,I have been following you from the outset of AP and still refer back to the legacy YT'S as a refresher.

[@JamesRitson]

@@JohnCollins-iy1pw Hi John, apologies, still not sure what you mean by moving an adjustment in the stack! How I interpret that is moving layers up and down the layer stack-which you can do when recording a macro. If you try to drag it will say "Cannot Record Move", but you can use the Arrange menu options instead. Hopefully this is what you mean?
Also, I don't have any restrictions with the Fill command (assuming you mean Edit>Fill or Fill with Primary/Secondary colour?)-is this what you meant?
Thanks,
James

[@JohnCollins-iy1pw]

@@JamesRitson Thanks for your patience James,yes the arrange option has now cured the problem of moving layers up and down the stack.Playing around with the new layer / child layer on the assistant manager is my next challenge.Regarding the fill I was trying to set a vector layer (square) over an image and then change the color,this was a no go so by using some of you old videos I have now found the solution to that problem also.There does not seem to be many videos covering the use of the top command bar,(you are a keyboard man) again thanks for your input all I can say is practice will I am sure pay off even after the last 5 years of use.

[@MarcinGil]

James, do you develop RAW files in Affinity? How?

[@davidwright8920]

Hi James, is there a way to use a macro to rotate an image 90deg left to save having to click Rotate Left 6 times

[@SandcityDe]

How do you ever keep track with all your shortcuts, James? I would probably need a Numbers sheet, not sure if that would speed up my process ;) Great tutorial though: specially the macro section gave me a lot of information that I was lacking. Thank you.

[@JamesRitson]

Repetition mainly I think! Also, if you create your own shortcuts, you tend to remember them more as they’re relevant to you. I use my custom shortcuts all the time because I created them specifically around my workflows. Hope that helps!

[@SandcityDe]

@@JamesRitson nice coincidence: was just visiting your website ;)

[@johankoning15081972]

Hello James, I see you clicking on a record button in the popup menu from the mask layer when recording the macro, I can't find it in mij popup menu, where can I set the changes for it ?

[@JamesRitson]

Hi Johan, I'm not quite sure which part you're referring to, do you have a timestamp you could give me?

[@extremelydave]

Added note: I would wish to download this video for reference later, but I cannot... it times out... is this your intention?