Bug report #4863

Should hidden layers be editable/selectable?

Added by barryrowlingson - about 12 years ago. Updated almost 5 years ago.

Status:Closed
Priority:Normal
Assignee:-
Category:Map Canvas
Affected QGIS version:2.0.1 Regression?:No
Operating System: Easy fix?:No
Pull Request or Patch supplied:No Resolution:no timely feedback
Crashes QGIS or corrupts data:No Copied to github as #:14693

Description

I was just confused when I thought I was editing a layer, but in fact I was dragging around features from identical features in a hidden layer underneath because that hidden layer was selected in the layer legend. I could see the hidden features selected when dragging them, which made me think I was dragging the corresponding visible feature, but then it seemed to snap back when I dropped it, whereas what was happening was that the hidden feature went hidden again. By the time I'd worked out what was happening I'd dragged four or five polygons on my hidden layer all over the place.

I can't think of any good use-case for wanting to edit layers that you have elected to not see. You hide them to get things out of the way, and simplify things. The only thing you should be able to do with a hidden layer is unhide it. I think maybe you shouldn't even be able to click and identify features in it either, which I think you can at the moment...

History

#1 Updated by Nathan Woodrow about 12 years ago

+1 from me. This is a confusing action.

#2 Updated by Paolo Cavallini over 11 years ago

  • Target version set to Version 2.0.0

#3 Updated by Giovanni Manghi over 10 years ago

  • Category set to Map Canvas
  • Target version changed from Version 2.0.0 to Future Release - High Priority
  • Affected QGIS version changed from 1.7.3 to 2.0.1

#4 Updated by Antonio Locandro about 9 years ago

You should be able to click and identify if you select 'Top Down' I use this all the time also in other software to hide rasters that once viewed clog the machine and make it unresponsive. on the other statements I agree.

#5 Updated by Alessandro Sarretta over 7 years ago

I think a possible use case where to use this function is when editing very complex features that cause slow rendering when you pan the map; having a visible reference and light layer to edit something heavy behind could be maybe useful (never used anyway).
A possible solution could be to have a warning when one is editing a layer not visible in the canvas, so it is explicit and the user can check which layer is selected in the legend.

#6 Updated by Giovanni Manghi almost 7 years ago

  • Easy fix? set to No
  • Regression? set to No

#7 Updated by Giovanni Manghi about 6 years ago

  • Status changed from Open to Feedback

Please test with a recent QGIS release (2.18 or 3), if the issue/request is still valid change the affected version accordingly, if is fixed/implemented then close the ticket. Thanks!

#8 Updated by Jürgen Fischer about 5 years ago

  • Description updated (diff)
  • Status changed from Feedback to Closed
  • Resolution set to no timely feedback

#9 Updated by Alex Hajnal almost 5 years ago

Being able to edit hidden layers is very useful when working with remote sensing data. Specifically, being able to see source data (aerial image, LIDAR relief, etc.) without it being obscured by the data being edited is invaluable.

I have a similar ticket open.

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