To copy a mask from one layer to another in Affinity Designer, press and hold the Alt key (or Option key on a Mac), then click and drag the original mask to the target layer. Release the mouse button and the Alt/Option key to complete the copy.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Select the Layer with the Mask: Ensure you have the layer containing the mask you want to copy selected in the Layers panel.
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Initiate the Copy: Press and hold the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (macOS). This tells Affinity Designer you want to duplicate the layer (in this case, the mask), not just move it.
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Click and Drag: Click on the mask itself within the Layers panel (it will typically be a child layer indented under the main layer it's masking). While holding down the Alt/Option key, drag the mask to the layer you want to apply it to. You'll see a little "+" sign appear next to your cursor, indicating a copy operation.
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Release: Release the mouse button and then release the Alt/Option key. This will place a copy of the mask as a child layer of the new target layer.
Important Considerations:
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Placement: The copied mask will be placed as a child layer of the target layer. This means the mask will only affect the target layer.
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Multiple Masks: You can copy a mask to multiple layers by repeating the drag-and-drop process for each layer.
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Visual Cue: Ensure the "+" sign appears during the drag operation. If you don't see the "+" sign, you're likely moving the mask instead of copying it. Double-check that you are holding the Alt/Option key correctly.
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Mask Types: This method works for various mask types, including pixel masks, vector masks, and adjustment layer masks.
