j3rry

Hi All,
Below is the list of all new feature and improvements which are included in the 2.5 beta (bug fix list is available here).
To learn more about these features please click on the link to go to each feature's dedicated post. To give feedback or report bugs against any of these features please reply to that same post (also check out bug reporting and feedback tips).
Variable Fonts  Line Width Tool Pencil Tool Improvements QR Code Object "Default preset" for grid Typography Dialog turned into a Panel Other Improvements Getting the 2.5 beta
If you have not enrolled into the beta program yet and would like to take part, you can do so here. This will immediately give you access to the latest 2.5 beta builds to try for yourself.
If you are already enrolled in the beta program you have two options:
1. If you still have the 2.4 beta installed, you can now run up those beta versions and you will be prompted to update them to the 2.4 beta.
2. If you have uninstalled the 2.4 beta, you will need to go back to Your Account -> Downloads and product keys and find your previous order for the Affinity Beta Software Program, and you can download the 2.5 beta from there.
Thanks,
Ash

Generally the resize step will do something, but will do it in a way you won't like. It would distort any image you apply it to that does not have the same aspect ratio as the image you used when recording the macro. And that probably is not what you want.
The usual recommendation for resizing images using macros is to use Filters > Distort > Equations which will not have that problem.
You can find more on doing that in the Resources section of the forums: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/search/&q=macro resize&type=forums_topic&quick=1&nodes=11&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy
If your macro is truly doing nothing, I'm not sure what might be going on.
 

Make sure that Resample is ticked in the resize document dialog

Aha, cannot change dimensions if resample is off so Plan B
Use the transform panel with the Lock aspect ratio chain clicked on
Type *2<enter> in the width box then Document/Unclip Canvas
Both approaches work here

Thanks @walt.farrell, I will study the link you have replied. All the other steps are working in my makro, except resizing. 

Hello everyone!
This is a simple gradient set '.afpalette' I created to share with the community. Let me know if it was of any help to you in your projects!
Great places to use will be Website and App UI development (loading bars, background etc) and logos if you'd like.
Have a great day

Sivadharshan Affinty Pallette - Gradient Set 1.afpalette

And a watercolour illustration done as a black and white sketch.
Books illustration.mp4

Another mosaic-style painting which I have created using DAP and Affinity Photo.
Based on a photo on Pixabay. The video was rendered in DAP using time-lapse and edited in VideoProc AI.
Title "If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words Then Many Letters Speak Volumes."

Man of Letters.mp4

Although Affinity has merged with Canva and might plans to incorporate AI to gether with Canva, they still have a long way to go to match Adobe's progress.
Adobe has eg FireFly AI, (https://www.adobe.com/nl/products/firefly.html) which allows users to alter parts of images and integrate with Photoshop.
Most impressively, Firefly is continually improving through generated images and text input. Currently, for me it performs better than both Midjourney and Dall-E, making Adobe the dominant frontrunner again in the image creation market. Personally, I am now using Photoshop again since a year and started with Capture One a couple of years ago after Affinty keeps ignoring good color correction options and good raw import. I started to use Photoshop again more intensive while using Affinity less due to its lack of professional progress and strong features like quality raw conversion, precise color correction, options to calibrate with colour corrections cards, good visual masking and AI.
Although I really appreciate Affinity's speed and inutitive setup, it fails to compensate for necessary essential features. 
For me it's not about free from licenses, but speed and essential pro features to enable pro workflows.
 

I created this sacred geometry figure in Affinity Designer, called the Dodeca Fractals. I hope you guys like it.
 

Luminosity Masks are a way to dynamically create masks based on levels of dark and light. In this video, we’ll look at this feature from the ground up and see how it can be applied to your photographs. 
 

We are pleased to announce Affinity Designer 2, Affinity Photo 2 and Affinity Publisher 2 are now all updated to version 2.4.2 (for all existing customers on all platforms).
Here is the changelog for the whole suite
And here are the release notes for each application including how to access the update
Affinity Designer 2.4.2 for Windows               ( Microsoft Store and Affinity Store [as sandboxed MSIX and unsandboxed MSI/EXE] ) Affinity Designer 2.4.2 for macOS                  ( Mac App Store and Affinity Store ) Affinity Designer 2.4.2 for iOS                        ( Apple iPad Store )
  Affinity Photo 2.4.2 for Windows                    ( Microsoft Store and Affinity Store [as sandboxed MSIX and unsandboxed MSI/EXE] ) Affinity Photo 2.4.2 for macOS                       ( Mac App Store and Affinity Store )  Affinity Photo 2.4.2 for iOS                             ( Apple iPad Store ) 
  Affinity Publisher 2.4.2 for Windows              ( Microsoft Store and Affinity Store [as sandboxed MSIX and unsandboxed MSI/EXE] ) Affinity Publisher 2.4.2 for macOS                 ( Mac App Store and Affinity Store ) Affinity Publisher 2.4.2 for iOS                       ( Apple iPad Store )  Please follow this thread here to get notified when any new releases are made.

One final image inspired by the Knight vs Dragon vector art, included with DrawPlus X8, this time in acrylics. Further developed in Affinity Photo.
Video included and final image.
An SVG of the vector art transferred from DrawPlus to Affinity Designer, then recoded as an SVG for export also included. You might want to play with the vector yourself.
Knight and Dragon Acrylic.mp4
KnightvsDragon.svg

Hi All,
We have just made a build available of a 2.4.2 beta live - version 2.4.2.2356 - This was created to address issues found after the release of 2.4.0 & 2.4.1  This is now available to you on auto update (except for 2.4.2 betas on iPad which are in review with Apple and should be available in the next 24 hours).
The fix list for this build is here 
There is one significant change to the Help on macOS that is described here
 
 
We are planning to start a larger beta of 2.5.0 that will include new features and improvements, but this new 2.4.2 build is just for these bugfixes.
Ash

Here is a pastel rendition based on the vector artwork created by Ken Cope and featured in the DrawPlus X8 distribution.
Never Forget
Painted in DAP and tweaked and developed in Affinity Photo version 2.
 
Never forget.mp4

Wormwood in chalk based upon a Drawplus vector image.
 
Finished off in Affinity Photo.

 
Chalk it up to Prophecy_2.mp4

Now...THAT's a tree! I just love Nature.

Yes, I know how it has always been said that people with a very specific profile (Serif counted on a bunch of very high profile from previous developments to Affinity) are hard to find. And I believe it to be true. But! Loads of cash go a very long way to find them even under a rock.    That and contacts, professional networks that the new almost-giant has.
About the time... we have had recent events (avoiding specifics to not open that can of worms) in the world which demonstrated that while it was believed that "certain thing" could be only be developed in 10 to 20 years, with enough money and common effort thrown at it, not only one, but a bunch of several "brands" solutions were "up and running" in just one year (not talking about AI... this time ) . 
I believe in the power of money  . Realistic enough?      (doesn't mean that I like materialism, quite the opposite. But it is what it is)

Thanks @Patrick Connor and @Ash for your professional responses. Really appreciate your contributions and clear explanations here on the forum. Although I, like obviously several others here and on other channels, have a difficult time in believing corporate ways after take overs (by multiple experiences) and only believe it when it's a few years later, it's of no use to stay negative (for nobody. That's just a waste of energy) and it's best to give it the benefit of the doubt and just go with the flow.
 
Thanks a lot for taking the time to respond thoroughly. It shows that you are involved and that's really something. It's also well appreciated that you didn't sensure this thread and kept it open. At least as far as possible for what I can see. As that sometimes must be hard for you I can imagine.
Let's hope everything works out well for everybody here and this turned out to be just a bump in the grand scheme of things   (Which it probably is anyway, as are most things in life! haha 😀) and turned out to be groth in the end everybody is happy with!

Checked and it seems to be behaving as desired.
 

One final image was created in DAP 8 and edited in Affinity Photo.
Northern Lights in the style of Benson.
Does anyone remember Vision On and Take Hart? I hope the video brings back memories. Not to mention Serif's Learn to Draw CD-ROM.
Artwork.mp4

Lovely @j3rry ! Makes people smile and melt!
Happy eastern to you all too!

With all the hype surrounding Canva's acquisition, let's not forget it's Easter.
Have a great Easter.
 
Made with Affinity Photo, assets from @v_kyr.

A fundamental theme in life is that events can change circumstances we otherwise take for granted from one day to the next. The best thing one can do is to be prepared and not to be unnecessarily dependent. Therefore, any dependence we must live with should be based on trust or written agreements. One must be more than naive to believe in mercy and eternal stability within (and outside of) market forces, but here are some fundamental points you can monitor Affinity's development and much else in life by.
Trust between two parties, A and B, where A is dependent on B, rests on several critical foundations. Theoretically, the most essential are:
Reliability: A must be able to trust that B will fulfill their obligations and act as agreed. This includes consistency in actions over time. Honesty: B must be truthful in their communications and actions. This means that B must be transparent about intentions, capabilities, and limitations. Competence: A must believe that B has the necessary skills and abilities to meet A's needs or expectations. Goodwill: A must feel that B has A's interests at heart and will act in A's favor, even in situations where it is not specifically agreed upon or expected. Ethics: B must demonstrate behavior that is in line with moral and ethical standards, implying fairness and respect for A's rights and dignity. These foundations are interrelated and reinforce each other. A lack of one can undermine the overall trust between A and B.
As you can see, I think Serif excels in several of the points mentioned above, but there are also a couple where it falls short. Let's see if Canva can assist there on the more mechanical points. And will also tomorrow and in 5 years.
But... it's your responsibility to assess that, and choose products based on what you judge in relation to your own production, income in terms of risks. Personally, I don't think price will be the biggest issue; I'm more concerned about form or, in the worst case, continued existence for the products. And there, I can't trust pledges and words more than 25 - 50%. I'm starting to look more broadly at vector tools as of 2024.

This is the most balanced take I've seen in this thread - thanks 👍