Place warning before grouping objects of different layers

[Jorgen Bodde]

Hi all,

I am aware of the "objects being grouped are promoted to one layer" feature. I also understand that the SVG standard does not support grouping of objects on seperate layers. However, as an average user I should not be concerned about the SVG standard and it's limitations, but however I *would* like to know if Inkscape decides to group all my objects which I carefully placed on seperate layer and place them on a single layer. It can screw up someone's work really bad and when they are not aware at the time to undo, a later realisation leaves a lot of damage repairs.

So this is more of a feature request which is relatively easy. If I select "Group" on objects on seperate layers, could Inkscape remind me with a Yes/No dialog box that the objects that I am grouping will be promoted to a single layer? Sometimes when multiple layers are unlocked that is something that might happen more often without really being aware of it.

Thanks in advance,
- Jorgen

[pRototype (regeir)]

I have an additional suggestion.

When selecting objects in different layers, then the bounding boxes around the objects should change color, so the user would easilly see if objects belonging to multiple layers is selected.

[Victor Westmann (victor.westmann)]

IS there a way to group a lot of objects from different layers and NOT group them into ONE layer?

[su_v (suv-lp)]

On 2013-09-29 20:33 +0200, Victor Westmann wrote:
> IS there a way to group a lot of objects from different layers and
> NOT group them into ONE layer?

No, not with the current implementation of layers in Inkscape. This might change if/once the SVG specification adds the concepts of layers. Right now, layers in inkscape are groups with a special attribute (which makes inkscape treat them as layers).

[crysman (crysman)]

+suv-lp is right, I think suggested warning box is a MUST.

[EmanueleSabetta (fmuaddib)]

Layers should not be converted in groups. Groups and Layers are very different things.

Suggestion: add a new attribute applicable to ALL ELEMENTS to the Inkscape namespace, called "inkscape_layer".

Each element should have the attribute inkscape_layer set to the layer it belongs to, indipendently from the group hierarchy. This would allow creating groups with many layers (i.e. useful in multi-layered buttons... a button made of 4 layers must be a single group).

All the layers would be listed at the beginning of the SVG file, in a special section defined in the namespace called "InkscapeLayersList".