Affinity’s All-in-One Design Platform Launches
▼ Summary
– Canva has relaunched the Affinity creative suite as a new all-in-one app for photo editing, vector illustration, and page layouts, positioning it as a rival to Adobe.
– The new Affinity app is free forever and does not require a subscription, unlike the previous one-time $70 purchase for individual apps.
– It is currently available on Windows and Mac, with a future release planned for iPad, and features a universal file type and Canva export integrations.
– Canva Premium subscribers can access AI-powered tools like image generation and photo cleanup directly within the Affinity app.
– Existing users of older Affinity versions can continue using them without forced migration, but support updates for V2 editions are uncertain after their removal from the website.
Canva has officially launched its newly unified Affinity creative platform, positioning it as a comprehensive alternative to Adobe’s suite. This all-in-one application integrates photo editing, vector illustration, and page layout tools into a single environment. Following Canva’s acquisition of Serif last year, the company is now rolling out this consolidated version of Affinity, which it emphasizes will remain free forever without requiring any subscription fees, a significant departure from the previous model where users paid a one-time $70 for each standalone app.
The new Affinity software is currently accessible on Windows and Mac operating systems, with an iPad version planned for future release. A notable change involves the adoption of a universal file type across the platform, simplifying workflow and file management. Additionally, built-in integrations enable users to seamlessly export their projects directly into their Canva accounts. For those subscribed to Canva Premium, select AI-powered tools from Canva, such as image generation, photo cleanup, and instant copy creation, will be available to use within the Affinity app itself.
Existing customers who purchased the earlier standalone Affinity applications, Designer, Photo, and Publisher, can continue using them without being automatically transitioned to the new platform. That said, the V2 editions of these programs were removed from the Affinity website several weeks ago. Canva has not clarified whether legacy software will continue receiving technical support or future updates.
The original Affinity suite gained a loyal following largely due to its one-time purchase model, which stood in clear opposition to Adobe’s subscription-based pricing. Many users expressed concern that Canva, which operates a freemium model where advanced features require a paid subscription, might impose a similar structure on Affinity after the acquisition. By repeatedly highlighting that the new app is free, Canva appears intent on alleviating those worries. Still, the incorporation of AI editing tools may not sit well with all designers, particularly those skeptical of automation in creative processes.
(Source: The Verge)
