The brand new mixed affinity software
The large reveal is over. It’s a brand new device with all three elements merged into one software with added options… and it’s FREE [with generative AI as an option via a Canva pro account].
After studying (most) posts and the repeated questions and points, right here is my (private) tackle the brand new device from the quick time I used [more like tested it on existing projects of mine].
Listed below are some regularly requested questions I’ve seen to this point:
v1 and v2 considerations
The older variations are nonetheless working superb and should not affected by the brand new device.
The brand new affinity reads the outdated v1 and v2 recordsdata with out points [and gives you a warning that they are files created with earlier versions [similar to v2 on v1 files]. Seeing the brand new device has a special file format [.af], recordsdata saved right here can’t be opened with the older variations.
It’s nothing new however value maintaining in thoughts (and possibly backing up the unique recordsdata earlier than modifying and saving the brand new model).
Set up
The brand new affinity is obtainable on a brand new web site:
https://www.affinity.studio/obtain
[It’s a new application, not an update of v2. There won’t be an update message in the older applications.]
It installs like some other device however lacks the verify for current property, palettes, brushes, or kinds that the v2 enabled with a single tick.
Home windows customers have a couple of choices. In case you are uncertain, verify your home windows setting System > Particulars to verify whether or not you might be working an ARM chip or not. It’s extra frequent with mild, moveable, battery-powered gadgets, together with smartphones, laptops, and pill computer systems, in addition to embedded methods.
The brand new iPad model hasn’t launched but. So far as I may see, there was no launch date for it (but).
Importing your property
Since your property should not routinely transferred, you’ll have to do that manually.
There may be an choice within the file menu (File > Import Content material > Import from V2) to import all of your property, gradients, brushes, and palettes.
To import property selectively from earlier variations, export them first through the menu [burger icon] within the class panel you want to export [brushes, styles, assets, or palettes]. Both drag the saved file into the brand new software or use the menu in affinity’s classes panels or the Import Content material > Import from file menu choice to import.
Belongings bought from the serif retailer are nonetheless out there by linking your Affinity account to the brand new affinity software.
Loading your recordsdata
From what I can see to this point, older recordsdata [including templates] load superb. I’ve but to strive the pixel [Affinity Photo] on extra elaborate picture edits and uncooked recordsdata.
Maintain the brand new file format in thoughts; overwriting current recordsdata will make them incompatible with the older variations. I often use a brand new file identify or a brand new folder location.
A brand new [and flexible] UI
At first look, not a lot has modified so far as the instruments go. The icons modified to a extra simplistic monochrome design. (I can’t actually see the purpose right here. A contact of distinct color would have made it simpler to shortly decide the device you need.)
There are some oddities, like the form builder device and the vector flood fill device sharing the identical toolbar place. Sure, they’re form of related, however then once more, very completely different.
The large addition is a versatile UI. You possibly can create your individual ‘studio’ and produce the device icons you want essentially the most into extra distinguished positions and conceal device icons you utilize much less typically.
Shortcuts
An integral a part of the UI/ UX expertise is the usage of shotcuts. It appears to be like like some [limited] relearning is required.
[I frequently export bitmap images. The export now is CTRL+Alt+Shift+W. It was CTRL+Alt+Shift+S before.]
File codecs
On the upside, plenty of file codecs have been added with extra choices. One thing I will probably be attempting out in better element (hoping some import points might need been fastened within the course of).
[The Canva Design files are not being exported. I get an error message without an explanation.
Files get opened with a switch to the pixel view mode. I had to switch to vector view mode to get a clear and crisp display of the design.]
New options
That is the half everybody has been wanting ahead to and hoping their want would come true.
Picture Hint
A protracted-time favourite on the want lists of many customers has discovered its manner into the app [Vector > Image Trace]. It’s on the less complicated facet with simply two sliders [Edge Threshold and Curve Fitting Tolerance] and traces the outlines solely. There isn’t any centreline hint.
Bringing in inked sketches and drawings, in addition to pen-coloured or water-coloured illustrations, gave me good outcomes [with the object count on the higher end] whereas images and sophisticated gradients returned the anticipated mess that’s not editable because of the want for lots of shapes to recreate the picture [and the hairline issues that come with it].
Any vector hint relies on the supply picture (irrespective of which device you utilize). Affinity provides you loads of choices within the Pixel Studio to optimize the picture earlier than you hint it.
Realizing what works and what doesn’t is a matter of taking part in round with a couple of pictures and picture hint settings. Usually, fewer colors, excessive distinction, and no gradients get you first rate outcomes.
Gradient Mesh
This new function was launched in one of many teaser movies as is among the additions to the Gradient Instrument fill choices [accessible via the mode dropdown menu].
Hatch
That is the opposite addition to the Gradient Instrument. It permits simple sample creation (with vector output through the ‘bake look’). Add extra strains to show a striped sample right into a hatched sample.
Each fill choices could be added as swatches [the hatch comes with a category of pre-made hatched swatches].
…to be continued [the handymen for the ongoing renovation need my attention]
Stability
A key subject with any new launch or replace is stability. Simply as I replied to a remark that it had not but crashed on me, the applying folded on me when closing the one open doc [a template file without edits].
I should look into this with extra detailed checks and a greater diversity of recordsdata.
For now, the export appears to be a serious subject. I couldn’t get my 458 web page useful hints to export to PDF [error message with no explanation] or epub [crash].
General, it’s wanting good and appears to do what it ought to. Will it’s a reliable device for skilled every day use? Time [and a lot more testing] will inform.
At this stage, I can’t delete my v2 suite as I do know these instruments will carry out [while I managed to crash the new tool more often in a few hours than v2 in the past 3 years].
Mess around with it. It’s free. You possibly can’t break it. Have enjoyable with it and tell us the way it goes.
