Bug 513458

Summary: Merging a group containing only vector layers results in a paint layer instead of a vector layer.
Product: [Applications] krita Reporter: Don <donellereed>
Component: Layers/VectorAssignee: Krita Bugs <krita-bugs-null>
Status: CONFIRMED ---    
Severity: normal CC: ahab.greybeard, dra.w.p.il.e+bugskde, halla
Priority: NOR Keywords: triaged
Version First Reported In: 5.2.13   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Other   
OS: Other   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Don 2025-12-17 01:08:40 UTC 
SUMMARY
Merging a group containing only vector layers results in a paint layer instead of a vector layer. 

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Create multiple vector layers
2. Merge all vector layers into group with shortcut key or menu option
3. Merged layer is Paint layer rather than vector layer

OBSERVED RESULT
Merged vector layer group becomes a paint layer. 

EXPECTED RESULT
Merged vector layer group should remain a vector layer

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: 10
macOS: 
(available in the Info Center app, or by running `kinfo` in a terminal window)
Linux/KDE Plasma: 
KDE Plasma Version: 
KDE Frameworks Version: 
Qt Version: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is not expected behavior and the behavior changed from a previous version. As you can see in the tutorial linked below, the woman in the video merges a vector group and the merged layer remains vector as she can then save the merged layer as an SVG layer. 

https://youtu.be/QNXg9H-ru8s?si=mmDesHPqWaQ8KCuS&t=1322

Other users have also reported the issue on a krita artists forum in the link below: 

https://krita-artists.org/t/merging-a-group-with-only-vector-layers-should-result-in-a-vector-layer/41623

The current workaround is to click each individual layer within the group and perform merge with layer below. This is tedious and time consuming, and is not an acceptable long term solution.
Comment 1 dra.w.p.il.e+bugskde 2025-12-17 01:42:57 UTC 
Doesn't even need to involve a group, selecting multiple vector layers and hitting merge will give you a paint layer as well.
Comment 2 Halla Rempt 2025-12-17 08:14:26 UTC 
Yes, though it's debatable whether this is a bug, or just the way Krita works at the moment and so should be classified as a feature request.
Comment 3 Ahab Greybeard 2025-12-17 09:42:37 UTC 
@Don: Regarding the linked tutorial video: I've just tried the 4.4.3 appimage and it does not give a vector layer when a group of vector layers is Merged, it gives a paint layer. I have no explanation for the video contents.
This would seem to be a feature request, not a bug report (unless you can find a previous version that does give a vector layer).