Multi Layer editing

Glyphs
1

@GeorgSeifert Hi Georg,
Would it be possible to add multi-layer editing to Glyphs? For example, being able to add or delete nodes and handles across all masters/layers, or paste shapes on all layers at once. This would be very helpful for projects with many masters or projects large glyph sets, such as CJK - or Icon fonts.

1 Like
2

To some extent this is already possible.

  • For selection, use Edit > Keep Layer Selections in Sync.
  • For deletion, use Magic Remover from Plugin Manager.
  • Edit > Paste Special (Cmd-Opt-V) offers pasting on all masters.
  • Many commands offer an all-master option with the Opt key held down.
  • There are many scripts that help. E.g., Fill Up Empty Masters and Insert All Anchors in All Layers (which tries to add missing anchors on the same relative position in all the masters where they are missing) and Propagate Corner Components come to mind.
3

I was thinking more of a mode that enables all possible operations across all masters. I used this in FL8 for several months and found it very useful and time saving.

4

not really. I can make a selection on multiple layers, using Keep Layers Selections in Sync or with the Select All Layers tool, copy that, with a UI expectation that everything that is selected, is also copied, but then Paste Special is greyed out.
Cmd-Opt-V does nothing at all in the edit mode, so I supposed it could be used just as well to paste the copied stuff from all layers to all layers?

5

Ah I see. You’re right, selective pasting on all layers doesn’t work. Workaround: paste the glyph on all layers, the batch-remove selectively with the Magic Remover plugin.