Messages posted by Xiantayne

Thanks guys, I appreciate your giving me workarounds for this issue, but these are just bandaid solutions to a problem in the software. Bottom line, this is a bug in PowerDirector. This isn't how we should be forced to work on our layers. As I said before, any layer-based software is about selecting a layer and working on it. The software should never auto select a layer you didn't outright specify.

I feel like there some new hidden setting somewhere that is checked to make this happen.

So here's why I believe this is a bug. As you suggested, I tried using PiP Designer to move the clip I want. The problem is that I NEED the overlay over top of the video I'm moving so I can see WHERE to position it. In PiP Designer, my selected clip is on top of everything and I can not see the overlay in order to properly position the layer.

Perhaps clicking on the canvas itself resulted in the higher layer being selected, but what about clicking on the + in the center of the selected layer? That always resulted in being able to move the selected layer. Except in PD19.

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I understand that, which is why I wrote out the specific steps to pack an older project in PD19 and then overwite the newly created PDS file with the original one from PD18.

I'd like to work specifically with your projects so it's a true apples to apples comparison from PD18 to PD19, but I can only do that if you're willing to share an older project.

Oh, my apologies, I didn't read through that correctly. I'll see about doing that.

Unfortunately I don't have PD18 anymore since my subscription automatically upgraded me to PD19.

PDM was able to replicate the issues I'm seeing and explained that it was because one layer was completely obsuring another (such as my full screen transparent PNG file). What I'm saying is that this is not the way a layer-based application should work. It doesn't matter what's on top of what. If I've specifically selected a layer, that is the ONLY layer the application should respond to when I click on it, regardless of where it is in the project layers.

I truly believe this is a bug in the new software. The best I can do is demonstrate using a much older version of PD. I have PD15 installed on another laptop from an old purchase before I upgraded to 365.

I would wholeheartedly disagree with your statement that "The selection works as normal." There is nothing normal about a layer-based application defaulting to the topmost layer when working on the canvas. Additionally, this was never the case before now. Over the past 3 months I have created well over 50 new videos, none of which behaved in this manner, until the PD 365 upgrade this week.

Imagine this behaviour working in something like Photoshop or Illustrator. Imagine only being able to select and move the topmost layer when working on a canvas. This just isn't how layer-based programs work.

Bottom line, I've been a user of PowerDirector since version 14 and this is a bug introduced in PD19 that was not present in any of the previous versions.

Here's a link to a project that acts the exact same way. It doesn't matter what layer I make active, as soon as I click the preview window, the topmost layer gets selected.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ao6ZGgSr0V-j1JYy4q1FmsC5UEK_iA?e=x0Bbb8

You guessed right! Yes, the 4th layer is a transparent overlay over the whole screen.

This problem I'm having only started with the upgrade to PD19 the other day. Before this, I never had a problem with the layer selection changing after clicking on the screen. Why would this behaviour change with the new version?

This happens in any project I start in PD19. It's not just this project at all. Everything was started from scratch in PD19 and I've done several videos already since upgrading, all of which act the exact same way. I'll try the option you suggested and let you know if anything changes.

But, yeah, it's strange that we both have completely different experiences with the same product...

Here's a video showing exactly what I'm experiencing. It doesn't matter what layer I select, as soon as I click on it do do anything, PD19 automatically selects the topmost layer (in this video it's layer 4). If I select layer 1, 2, or 3, and click on them to move them, layer 4 is automatically selected again and I can't move the layer I want.

The only workaround I found was to either lock the topmost layer, or turn it off, neither of which should be a necessity. Locking the layer also automatically moves me back to the beginning of the timeline which is also not ideal for any situation.

I also noticed in your sample, that you're selecting the layers by clicking in the preview window. That doesn't work for me at all. Clicking in the preview window doesn't do anything for me. I have to select the layer itself first.

Quote Oh, you're using Express Projects or one of the designer tools, like Video Collage or Theme Designer, right? Again, the more info you can provide the easier it's going to be to get help.

I assumed you were talking about the main timeline editor, and unfortunately I don't use any of those modules so I may not the best resource for your issue. However, if you can share what module you're in and which template you're using, then other members may be able to assist.

I don't know what Video Collage or Theme Designer is. I'm using PD19. I've attached another screenshot of the application. The selected clip has been resized and placed where I need it to be. Normally, I can just select any of the clips, and I get the + icon in the center of the preview window, which allows me to move the clip anywhere on screen. In the new PD19, however, when I click and hold on the + to move the clip, PD19 automatically selects the topmost layer instead of the layer I selected. This never happened before PD19. I'm supposed to be able to move the clip I've selected.

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Are you using PD19 or the mobile app? I'm not aware of any "+" icon related to selecting or moving clips, but PD19 is so new that it would really help if you took a screenshot or made a screen recording showing what you're seeing.

Save the screenshot as a JPG or PNG then use the Attachments button below the forum text box to share it here. If you make a screen recording, upload it to YouTube or Googe Drive/Photos and paste the link to it here.

I added a screenshot to the original question. Sorry for not doing that to make my question clearer. The + on the clip isn't new to PD19.

I'm trying to resize and move a clip but whenever I select the + icon on screen to move the clip, PowerDirector 19 autoselects the topmost layer instead. I can't get my clips to move unless I disable the topmost layer, but I need that in order to see where I'm moving the other layer to.

This has got to either be some new bug or a new setting in PD19?

[EDIT: Added Screenshot]