Eink

Greetings again Affinity folks. Still have my fingers crossed that Publisher will include Span/Split columns in the next release. I strongly encourage Affinity to consider adding that feature to the next release so that Pubisher can become a viable alternative to InDesign as a platform for publication production. Until then, sadly, we just can't take Publisher seriously.

Another update. Still no span columns. What's going on? This is such an important feature for shops like ours that create multi-page publications that without it, Affinity just isn't a practical alternative for consideration. And that's too bad. I suspect that if Affinity can ever accommodate this functionality its market share will double overnight. Just sayin'.

In our business (publication production) we need to make a lot of changes on the fly with story placement, widths and number of columns. Split/Span enables us to set an individual story (with headlines, bylines, subheads, etc. as a single object instead of two or three that can be moved and reformatted as needed. Yes, we could use a separate text box for headlines, of course, but then instead of addressing a story as a single object (as we do today in ID) we have to address each element independently. Just a bunch of extra steps and time on deadline when time is precious. Until/unless Split/Span an option in Affinity's Publisher, it's just not a viable option for us.

Today I noticed a significant new update — 1.9 has arrived. Congratulations Affinity team! Also noticed span/split columns still not offered. So sad. Our publication production house will keep our fingers crossed hoping that the next update will include span/split columns so we'll be able to join the Serif/Affinity family. Until then, alas, it's back to .indd. Good luck. Keep up the great work.

Rats! Another update, still no span/split columns. Hey Affinity! We can't wait to start using Publisher with our shiny new Macs in our production shop, but still can't make the switch without Span/Split.

Looking forward to switching from Adobe to Affinity, but can't justify the change in our heavy production environment until Publisher supports Span/Split columns. Hey Affinity developers! Is span/split on your drawing boards yet? If so, let me know. We'll switch as soon as it's an option. Sadly, until it is, abandoning Adobe is just a dream.

We're a publication production house itching to escape the Adobe ecosystem. Really, really, really looking forward to the day when Affinity Publisher offers "span columns" option as a feature. Until it does, Publisher is just not a viable option for a production shop.