Affinity’s new design platform combines everything into one app
www.theverge.com
Canva is making some changes.

Here is the unlisted demo video from their newsletter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP_TBaKODlw

Key bits:

After acquiring Serif last year, Canva is now relaunching its Adobe-rivalling Affinity creative suite as a new all-in-one app for photo editing, vector illustration, and page layouts. Unlike Affinity’s previous Designer, Photo, and Publisher software, which were a one-time $70 purchase, Canva’s announcement stresses that the new Affinity app is “free forever” and won’t require a subscription.

Affinity’s one-time-purchase model was one of the most appealing things about its older software offerings, standing in stark contrast to Adobe’s controversial subscription-based creative suite. While Canva’s own design platform can be used for free, it also locks most of its capabilities behind subscription paywalls, which raised concerns that Affinity would adopt Canva’s subscription-based approach following the acquisition. The company is trying to put those fears to rest for good by repeatedly mentioning how “free” the new Affinity app is, but the AI integrations will likely be met with some resistance by creatives who oppose the technology.

I’m glad they didn’t add any subscription pricing, and while I don’t know if they’ll actually be able to fund it through the optional AI subscriptions alone, at least it can be used offline for those who want any AI things. Now my only complaint is the lack of a solid Linux client.

  • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
    301·
    19 days ago

    Canva’s announcement stresses that the new Affinity app is “free forever” and won’t require a subscription.

    Until the gov does something that holds companies liable for straight up fucking lying about this shit, I won’t believe it.

    Chances are almost no one will end up paying for the AI shit and they’ll have to very quickly pivot to find some way to monetize the investment.

    • MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca
      91·
      19 days ago

      They explained how they intend to make money from Canva while keeping Affinity free; Canva has the premium options, and is where the designer’s clients will be using the packages designed in Affinity, in Canva.

      • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
        52·
        18 days ago

        Yes, and as I said in the comment you replied to, no one is going to buy those “premium” options because it’s just AI trash.

  • the_q@lemmy.zip
    10·
    19 days ago

    The fact that they’re now owned by a company that promotes the use of generative AI is enough for me to not bother. I guarantee it won’t stay free.

  • hotdogcharmer@lemmy.zip
    5·
    18 days ago

    Oh shit. I bought an Affinity lifetime thing a couple of years ago. Oh fuck, I didn’t realise I was supporting canva. Are they gonna force me to upgrade into this bullshit? God damn it, Affinity Photo and Designer were pretty good.

    Any good alternatives out there? Ideally something cheap, I am not flush with cash at the moment 😬

    • eutampieri@feddit.it
      4·
      18 days ago

      Affinity wasn’t owned by canva back then. And you can still continue to use your v1 and v2 (though I don’t know how you would download the apps, now that the login page is gone)

      • xcjs@programming.dev
        5·
        18 days ago

        The login page for the old apps is at the bottom of the page in the footer.

        That being said, I really miss this being a premium offering.

        • eutampieri@feddit.it
          2·
          17 days ago

          Thanks!

          I will continue using v1 (I have v2 but I never got around to using it). Sadly windows/macos only… (in wine it kinda works but that’s not good enough for me)

  • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgEnglish
    61·
    18 days ago

    I’m not holding my breath for a Linux version. They’re positioning themselves as the alternative to Adobe, so they only need to cover those situations.

    Though downloading it did introduce me to MSIX installers, which then led down a rabbit hole. Back in the app, all I did to kick the tires was create a layout and hit T to see if I could immediately draw a text box. The answer was “yes,” so that’s a good first impression. I just have nothing to design currently.

  • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
    51·
    18 days ago

    I have been a Serif user since the early 2000’s and Affinity since V 1

    I love the suite, and use it to do pro stuff, mostly typesetting supported by photo and designer.

    Tracing is one of the features I really missed. Now I have it.

    I have the universal license for V2, and it’s so good that it’s going to be relevant for a while.

    The fact that Canva is, for the time being making it free, and not forcing AI, and allowing it to be optional, is OK by me. If I need AI for a job, I can pay for a month, pretty cheap for what I’m going to be paid.

    I like the situation.

    Canva is essentially making migration from Adobe easy and free, to poach users.

    Win Win in my opinion