Waltarus

This is happening with a lot of software. The tools have matured and there is little they can add that existing customers will pay to upgrade. It gets more difficult for them to come up something new so lets just switch to subs to try and continue to justify their existence. Imagine if you bought a Dewalt drill and if you had to activate it annually for it to work. No one would accept that, but for software we do, or have little choice other than to try an go elsewhere. Not always an option when that software has a near monopoly on the market.

As a nature/landscape photographer who has no interest in design or publishing software I see absolutely no up-side to this takeover.  I enjoy editing my photos in Affinity but now I'm concerned that a company like Canva is going to royally mess up that experience for me.
 

Disclaimer - I know this is the app feedback area, but where do we post feedback on the Affinity forums themselves (I've looked)? So here it is...
I realize I may be the only person in the known universe who would would like this and I certainly understand it could be a significant effort / change, but I'll request it anyway. 🙂
IMO it sure would be nice to have the forums broken out into products. I.e., one forum for Designer, another for Photo and another for Publisher. For those of us who predominantly (or exclusively, as in my case) use only one product from the suite it would simplify the process of reading as well as finding info / answers, etc. Even for users of multiple apps it could still streamline the answer-finding process.
There, now I've said it.  🙂

You are contesting my fear of created fake reality by showing me a video showing how easy it is to build fake reality that is hard to separate from reality. What was once a complicate process that only a few specialists could do is going to become the core of the future communication and information.
Anyway, am I really here discussing with someone who considers the Stalin-Trotsky fragment of history as a "political discussion"?
Paolo
 

I agree with @fde101 wholeheartedly. There is an inherent difference between a product and a service. A product is something for which a one-time purchase is appropriate; a service could very easily warrant an ongoing contractual payment. The very phrase SaaS (Software "as" a Service) belies the fact that companies like Adobe recognize this; they are desperately trying to re-invent themselves as a "service" rather than a "product" to increase their cash flow and bump up their stock prices. Granted, they have accomplished both, but they have done so on the backs of those who are trapped in their ecosystems. I, too, have an ideological phobia about subscription software, and feel strongly about not compromising that stance. If it comes at the expense of slower development, that's a hardship I'm willing to endure.

Wow!  Another very useful macro.  Many thanks.  I was using a different method for creating a moveable vignette and honestly it was a pain.
Maybe something else to mention is that, when adjusting the gaussian blur layer to get the feathering right, some people might not realize that we can go beyond just cranking the slider to the end by just typing in a higher px. value for the radius.  I like a very subtle vignette so this is useful to me.
 
Thanks again, smadell!

Open image in V1 and apply your gradient map preset (let's assume it was called Brian)
Save document
Open image in V2 access the gradient map adjustment layer hit the Add Preset button and name it Brian 
Would that have worked for you?

SOMETHING BIG HAPPENNED WITH RAW FILES
The big discovery with (non-destructive) RAW file Layers was that double-clicking on one in the Pixel Persona allowed a Macro being recorded to continue recording in the Develop Persona which has always been impossible. This could now open up a whole host of possibilities for using Macros with RAW files.
Detailed below is just one of them we tried - to batch process RAW files. I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WORKS!!!
Note I don’t use RAW files (just a few test ones) so you will need to test this yourself to see if it is actually processing your RAW files correctly. It appears to work, for us, but I can’t tell for sure  
 
BATCH PROCESSING OF RAW FILES IN AFFINITY PHOTO
STEP 1: Capture RAW settings in a Macro
 
1. Open a RAW file
2. Make your adjustments
3. Select Embedded or Linked in the context Toolbar (NOT Pixel)
4. Develop image
5. Start Macro recording
6. Double click thumbnail of Layer (in Layers panel) to re-enter Develop persona
7. Make no changes, just Develop the image (again)
8. Macro panel should show just one entry called Develop
9. Stop Macro recording and save macro to Library studio (call it what you like)
10.  Note that there is no need to save this Affinity document if you don’t want to. It is no longer needed.
 
STEP 2:  Batch process additional RAW files with same settings
Start new batch job (File > New Batch Job) Select the RAW files to process & the output folder to save them in (Suggest you test this first with just, say, 5 to 10 RAW files) Select the file format to output results to. E.g. JPGs, TIFFs etc  - (See note 1 below) IMPORTANT: Select the macro you saved earlier and click the Apply button (Not the OK button) Tick or untick parallel processing (See Note: 2 below) Click OK to start the batch process  
The Batch Job Studio Panel should pop up on your screen showing you the progress of each file so you can gauge how long it takes. If the tab is hidden you can move it to the front or enable the Batch studio if disabled. Doing this does not stop the batch processing.
Once completed you can evaluate the results.
 
Note 1: You can output to multiple file formats at the same time but it will take longer and use more disk space. If you also output to AFPhoto format your AFPhoto file will contain the non-destructive developed RAW file which can be tweaked if required (for that image). Be advised that AFPhoto files are big and will slow down processing so only output to that additional format if you have a specific need to.
Note 2: Parallel processing should be faster but some users (in the past) have reported crashing when using parallel processing. So, unticking this is safer but will take longer.
Note 3: RAW processing is slow. A Batch job is not going to speed up that part of the process; it just automates it for multiple files
Note 4: I only use Widows some things may not work at all on Macs or they may be different.
Note 5: It looks like the Batch job honours the File > Placement Policy setting for Embedded or Linked files if the output is to AFPhoto files. So, set this how you want it (I mostly tested with embedded). Note that this may also be settable within the Macro (not tested) or afterwards in Resource Manager.
Note 6: I have no idea if any Assistant Manager settings affects the results in the batch processing. This was not tested. Other than, Mac users must use Serif Labs raw engine not Apple Raw
Note 7: Not interested in any spelling errors or grammar mistakes in the above. Just if it works or not and if it does work how does the batch processing speeds compare to any other batch RAW processing software you may use (Parallel processing set and not set). But bear in mind there is an acknowledged bug currently with Developing RAW files taking longer in V2 than V1 (this is scheduled to be fixed)
Note 8: We were working on another way to batch process RAW files which was more complex but seemed to work. If the above does not work correctly we may resurrect that idea to see if it does.

Awesome James!  Best tutorials ever.

I saw that too!  I had been trying to figure out a way to do that for quite a long time.

From forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/guidelines: 
Just so you know.

Why would you like to "develop" non RAW images in the first place, they're already "developed"?

Is it just for the seemingly fast and intuitive workflow?

Hello all, we're proud to announce that alongside the V2 launch of the Affinity apps, we've produced a completely new set of video tutorials to compliment the apps. These tutorials are all produced in-house by our Product Experts team.
We've worked incredibly hard on these videos, and feel they represent a huge jump in both technical and presentational quality. Hopefully you all agree! The old V1 videos—now considered legacy—are still available on YouTube, consolidated into one playlist. The link for this playlist is available at the bottom of this post.
Hope you all find the new tutorials useful!
What's New (Overview of V2)
What's New in Affinity Photo 2 What's New in V2 of Affinity Photo for iPad Basics
Interface Overview New Document (New: 22/04/24) Placing Images Transforming Layers RAW Development Resizing and Resampling Undo, Redo and Undo History Cropping Exporting Input Mouse Wheel Scrolling (New: 4/01/24) Aligning, Distributing and Unifying Layers (New: 28/02/24) Advanced
Blend Options: Ranges, Antialiasing and Fill Opacity Non-Destructive RAW RAW Tone Curve Layer States & Queries (Updated: 29/02/24) HDR Merging and Tone Mapping Panorama Stitching Panorama Source Image Mask Tools Liquify Power Duplicate PSD/PSB import, export and smart object functionality Keyboard and Mouse Brush Modifier Tool Cycling Studio Presets Scope Panel Stock Panel Channels LAB Colour Model Stacking: Object Removal Stacking: Long Exposure Emulation Export Persona Focus Merging Batch Processing Macros Luminosity Blend Mode OpenColorIO Setup and Usage HDR PNG Import and Export (New: 28/02/24) Layers
Mask Layers (Updated: 18/01/24) Groups Clipping and Masking Layers Compound Masks Soloing Layers Linked Layers Luminosity Range Masks Hue Range Masks Band Pass Masks Layer Colour Tagging Pattern Layers Pattern Layers for Plans & Diagrams Masking Adjustment & Live Filter Layers Using Fill Layers (New: 11/10/23) Tools
Configuring the Tools Panel Artistic and Frame Text Tools Paint Brush Tool Clone Brush Tool & Sources Panel (New: 12/01/24) Filters and Adjustments
HSL Black and White Invert Adjustment Split Toning Colour Balance Lighting Filter Normals Adjustment Unsharp Mask High Pass Filter Clarity Gaussian Blur Median Blur / Dust & Scratches Procedural Texture: Non Destructive HDR Tone Mapping Displace Filter Haze Removal Recolour Adjustment Vibrance Adjustment Defringe Filter (New: 29/11/23) Astrophotography: Linear Fit Astrophotography: Remove Background (New: 05/12/23) Corrective & Retouching
Inpainting Manual Lens Correction Profiles Transforming Selections Workflows & Techniques
Basic Image Edit Lock Children Layers for Masking (New: 28/02/24) Colouring and Annotating Plan Diagrams Basic Architectural Visualisation Edit Basic Edits with the Develop Persona Elevation Rendering Workflow Archviz Composition Workflow Digital Collage Infrared Emulation Creating Volumetric Light Unassociated Alpha and Alpha Render Passes External Linking for Compositing High Dynamic Range Workflows (best viewed on an HDR supported display or device) Astrophotography: File Groups Moon Processing Workflow (New: 12/10/23) Wildlife Editing Example (New: 15/12/23) iPad Tutorials
RAW Development Adjustment Layers Filters and Live Filters Mask Layers (New: 23/01/24) Exporting Placing Images Command Controller File Management: Loading & Saving  
Legacy V1 Tutorials
Desktop iPad

LOL!  Wow, I can't believe some of the petty complaints here.  I'm very happy with it so far, especially the non-destructive raw editing.

I've been using Affinity Photo for about four years and I actually would have paid more for the new version.  It's by far the best deal out there.  My wife is going to dump Adobe and buy the whole suite for her work.

I've been using Affinity Photo for about four years and I actually would have paid more for the new version.  It's by far the best deal out there.  My wife is going to dump Adobe and buy the whole suite for her work.

I've been using Affinity Photo for about four years and I actually would have paid more for the new version.  It's by far the best deal out there.  My wife is going to dump Adobe and buy the whole suite for her work.

It's also just a sort of general 'rule of nature'. Most people are only going to feel compelled to make the effort to express their views when they feel aggrieved by something. When they're happy and content they just get on with their lives.
People don't take to the streets chanting and carrying placards to express how happy they are with what the government are doing!

This isn't what has happened. We have sent emails to everyone we could determine had bought in the past few weeks and given them the equivalent V2 for free. Those complaining have normally owned for more than a few months but less than a year

Is there any reliable evidence for this statement? What makes you think Affintity will provide you with free updates for life?
 

It seemed obvious to me that there was a concerted attack, albeit at the margin, especially since one of these new accounts was talking about Affinity subscription before changing its text a little later. Too bad I didn’t have the presence of mind to fix the image.
Another mistake some of these new suspicious accounts make is to support each other in various very negative and unrelated messages. It should also be noted that none of the complainants provided any screenshots of purchases to support their claims.
Let’s remind here the new prices for desktop applications:
Scribus = €0, but who really wants to use Scribus? QuarkXPress = €259 per year. Adobe Illustrator + Adobe Photoshop + Adobe Indesign = €71.97 per month, or €863.31 per year. Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, or Affinity Publisher = €84.99 for life. A combination of two programs = €169.98 for life. All Affinity software = 326,94 € €199.99 for all platforms (Window, MacOs, iPad) for life. There is an introductory discount of 40% for everyone, old and new users alike. New customers are obviously not concerned because they do not yet have the product, but if they were already thinking of buying (a priori by word of mouth?), they can also benefit from the promotional offer.
So, for a limited time: One Affinity Software only €48.99, two software only €97.98 €, all software only €119.99. all platforms, for life. That said, no one is forcing you to upgrade! Version 1 still works. For life. The same goes for the iPad version, starting at €14.99 instead of €24.99.
I therefore do not understand those who explain that they should pay even less.
 

LOL!  Wow, I can't believe some of the petty complaints here.  I'm very happy with it so far, especially the non-destructive raw editing.

I have noticed that the majority of negative and "disappointed will not upgrade" threads since V2 was released are all started by new accounts. There seems to be a recurring pattern: focus on a single missing feature that's been requested for a longer time or on the new Windows installation method. Or undermine the new features.
Quite a few also mention they will not invest in v2 further and insist they are loyal, but disappointed users. Or "I am really interested, but..." then say they cannot purchase the software until that X feature, that the Y commercial option happens to have, is added. Or they mention they will not upgrade. "It's a promising release, but we should wait it out". "Why isn't feature X implemented yet! Outrageous!".
All of them are thread starters. All seem focused on one thing: focusing on generating negative feelings about V2 and the Affinity products. And all of them are created by accounts that were set up by new accounts following the V2 release. Some use older accounts that were inactive for a long time.
And these accounts often respond to other complaints if that thread is not gaining enough traction.
If I were the moderators, I would investigate if a concerted attack is going on to undermine the v2 release. It seems rather suspicious.
I thought about listing examples, but I think that it becomes quite obvious for moderators once spotted.

I love the new interface. At a first glance I wasn’t sure about the tool icons not being not monochrome… but then I realized they’re not distracting at all and I actually prefer them now because I see much quicker what the tool is about.
Personally I think it’s one of the best interfaces I have ever seen. It’s intuitive, looks great, the interaction with the tools is very responsive and smooth, and overall is very nice user experience. I just feel like creating something when I’m looking at it and I don’t get that from other apps.

most points been made are very subjective and personal. I respect that other people may have a different opinion on the interface. I personally have a very different opinion.