Disable ML Layer Naming

What features would you like to see in Pixelmator Pro?
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2019-05-18 05:59:18

Please add a way to Disable & Enable ML automatic layer naming when dragging images to the layer list. If not in the GUI, is there a "defaults write" terminal command that can be used?

I often have projects where the file names are significant and those names should be the layer names. Having names randomly overwritten by what the app thinks it should be when dragging the stack into PP is frustrating and adds work. I don't want the app "helping" me in these cases. I'm still smarter than the box.

Thanks.
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2019-05-20 08:09:24

Feedback noted! I believe you aren't the first person to request and we had some plans for this a little while ago — we'll see if we can squeeze it in in one of the next few updates.
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2019-05-20 14:43:51

That would be great! Thanks.
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2019-12-06 00:35:19

Has this been implemented? I hope it becomes (or has become) possible to disable automatic layer naming for the same reason.
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2019-12-06 16:35:25

by Starfia 2019-12-06 00:35:19 Has this been implemented? I hope it becomes (or has become) possible to disable automatic layer naming for the same reason.
Not yet, but thanks for the reminder!
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2020-04-24 18:30:14

by Andrius 2019-12-06 16:35:25
Not yet, but thanks for the reminder!
Has anything come of this reminder? 🥺🥺🥺
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2020-04-24 20:13:05

Andrius: Coming up on a year now since this was raised. There’s been a number of releases (all with good stuff) in that timeframe but this is still not addressed.

Can you give some insight on when it will be incorporated? (Turning things off usually isn’t that hard ;) )
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2020-04-26 15:26:53

My feeling is this one just slipped through inadvertently — I'll follow up with the devs and let you know.
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2020-04-26 15:41:59

Turns out we added it already! :sweat_smile: Here's the full Terminal command for turning off auto layer naming:

defaults write com.pixelmatorteam.pixelmator.x enableSmartLayerNames -bool false

Apologies for not sharing it earlier. :pray:
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2020-04-26 19:06:18

Well, that’s excellent. Thank you!
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2020-04-27 08:42:05

You're very welcome. Just FYI, in the future, we may also add this to Pixelmator Pro preferences.
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2020-06-04 10:25:56

yes... it is hacking for programers, not for artist..
:-)
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2020-12-30 18:05:14

by Andrius 2020-04-27 12:42:05 You're very welcome. Just FYI, in the future, we may also add this to Pixelmator Pro preferences.
Hi Andrius, I wonder when this will be added. I think it's an easy change but provides much convenience.
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2021-01-05 10:43:49

by PixelmatorAaron 2020-12-30 16:05:14
Hi Andrius, I wonder when this will be added. I think it's an easy change but provides much convenience.
It's an easy change but the issue is with keeping the UI free of clutter (all these small additions eventually add up) – as we have more of these advanced options, though, maybe we can think about adding an extra section for them.
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2021-01-05 16:07:18

If not a preferences option directly, how about a modifier key when dragging a file or files in? Normal drag uses ML layer naming. Option drag uses the file name as the layer name. (Option or some other key or combination.)
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2021-01-08 15:20:38

That might be an option (hah), sure!
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2021-01-21 14:07:10

When come the UI setup for this ?
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2021-01-21 16:28:57

by Varjubacsi 2021-01-21 12:07:10 When come the UI setup for this ?
A few other things will most likely come sooner but it's something we'd like to add moving forward! It's a bit early to talk timeframes at this point, though.
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2021-04-23 19:12:04

I need this to happen. Please!!!!!!
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2021-04-25 05:39:22

Got bit by this again this week. Auggh! Nothing worse than having to undo a bunch of work 'cause the app decides it knows better than me what I am trying to do!! :triumph:

Please guys. At least give us the option (key)!!!
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2021-04-26 09:05:03

by Rob Ell Got bit by this again this week. Auggh! Nothing worse than having to undo a bunch of work 'cause the app decides it knows better than me what I am trying to do!! :triumph:

Please guys. At least give us the option (key)!!!
It's true that automatic layer naming won't always be helpful in all possible workflows, so I agree that there needs to be a way to turn the feature off. Until we add a UI-based way to do it, you can use the following Terminal command to turn automatic layer naming off (also mentioned by Andrius above):
defaults write com.pixelmatorteam.pixelmator.x enableSmartLayerNames -bool false
Also, if a layer you've inserted has been renamed, you can choose the original image name from the list of suggested names here:
Image
Hope that helps!
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2021-04-26 17:30:32

Aurelija: yup, that's the work around we've been using. Seems though that whenever a new version of Pixelmator is installed 9via update), it resets the
defaults write...
to
true
, so then after dropping a stack of files into the layers list, that has to be undone. Then quit Pixelmator, redo the
defaults write...
relaunch PX, redo the drag & drop and then carry on. Not an ideal workflow. :unamused:

Thanks for the reminder about renaming from the drop down list. OK for one layer, does it also work on multiple selected layers?
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2021-04-30 11:49:21

That's really odd because technically, updates shouldn't affect the app preferences. Unless there's something set up differently on your Mac... Either way, we'll think about what we can do here (manually changing back multiple layer names doesn't sound like an option, for sure).
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2021-07-01 19:43:50

From the release notes for v2.1:

"Pressing and holding the Option key while dropping layers into your compositions will now turn off automatic layer naming."

A step in the right direction!

Thanks Pixelmator team.
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2021-07-02 14:28:22

by Rob Ell From the release notes for v2.1:

"Pressing and holding the Option key while dropping layers into your compositions will now turn off automatic layer naming."

A step in the right direction!

Thanks Pixelmator team.
Glad you liked the update. :red_heart: And thanks for a great feature suggestion!