Very slow performance when moving a significant number of layers

[Alejandro Cámara]

Repro:
1. Open new canvas 2048x2048.
2. Create a bunch of layers (say 64).
3. Select 40 layers.
4. Press shift + left arrow to move left.
5. Notice how the UI becomes irresponsive for a few seconds.

What should happen:
The UI should be responsive in this case. Moving a single layer is ok, so I don't understand moving several should be this slow. I wonder if this is because the algorithm to move several layers moves a single layer, renders everything, then moves a second layer, renders everything, and so on and so forth.

System Info:
- Macbook Pro 15" 2018 - 2.6 Ghz i7 - 32 GB RAM
- MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6
- Pixelmator Pro 1.1.3 Monsoon

[Andrius]

This is (most likely) a known issue and we've actually been working on a few different performance improvements for cases like this over the last few months. Although some of those improvements will be included in the next update (1.1.4), most of them should make it into the one after that (1.1.5). Right now, 1.1.4 is available as a public beta — if you'd like to test those improvements out and provide feedback (would be much appreciated), you can sign up for the beta here:

https://rink.hockeyapp.net/recruit/f070 ... fdd709ed71

[Alejandro Cámara]

Cool! I'll give it a go in some of my projects to see how the performance compares.

Thanks
ALE

[Andrius]

Awesome, keep us posted on how you get on!

[Alejandro Cámara]

Sorry for the delay, I only got to try this now

In the newest stable version (1.1.4) moving a heavily nested layer is quite painful. Sometimes taking 5-6s to move the parent layer left or right.

But the newest beta (1.1.5 (80906.1112)) works way better. I can move heavily nested layers with very low delay. Good job!

Looking forward for the stable 1.1.5!

[Sebastiaan]

Thanks for the feedback on the beta. Good to know it gave you the performance improvement you were looking for.

[C.G.]

Having similar problem indicated in thread title with some difference. Slowness is experienced when trying to move any layer. Very slow when switching between text, arrange, and style functions. My graphic is multi-layered large file.

System Info:
Pixelmator Pro 1.3
MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6.
27" iMac

[C.G.]

UPDATE: Saw the upgrade to 1.3.1 and speed has improved a bit. Speed still inconsistent but part of the problem could be that I am new to the app and need to build workflow skills. Also, the project I'm working on is a large poster and I may be taxing the system.
Will review training videos and keep trying. I am a Pixelmator fan!

System Info:
Pixelmator Pro 1.3.1
MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6.
27" iMac

[Andrius]

UPDATE: Saw the upgrade to 1.3.1 and speed has improved a bit. Speed still inconsistent but part of the problem could be that I am new to the app and need to build workflow skills. Also, the project I'm working on is a large poster and I may be taxing the system.
Will review training videos and keep trying. I am a Pixelmator fan!

System Info:
Pixelmator Pro 1.3.1
MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6.
27" iMac

Glad to hear you're seeing some improvements! If you ever encounter any issues like this, we'd really appreciate it if you could share the troublesome PXD files with us at support@pixelmator.com — that way we can see whether it's the file itself that may be inadvertently too large (happens more often than you might think) or whether it's a performance issue for us to work on.

[C.G.]

Glad to hear you're seeing some improvements! If you ever encounter any issues like this, we'd really appreciate it if you could share the troublesome PXD files with us at <a href="mailto:support@pixelmator.com">support@pixelmator.com</a> — that way we can see whether it's the file itself that may be inadvertently too large (happens more often than you might think) or whether it's a performance issue for us to work on.

Thanks Andrius. My email restricts size of sent files. Would have to use dropbox or something similar. I've upgraded to 1.3.2 today. Will see how it goes.

[Andrius]

Sure, keep us posted!

P.S. You can always upload files to http://upload.pixelmator.com and send us the link you get after doing so. There's no limits (more or less) to what you can upload there.

[C.G.]

Sure, keep us posted!

P.S. You can always upload files to <a href="http://upload.pixelmator.com" class="postlink" target="_blank">http://upload.pixelmator.com</a> and send us the link you get after doing so. There's no limits (more or less) to what you can upload there.

Andrius,
I've uploaded the file, will provide any details you need.
Thanks,
cg