TnIan

I don't think wishing for a single function quite qualifies as "bringing all the layout features to a program that is not designed for layouts." Particularly when it's been a basic tool in both FreeHand and Illustrator, neither of which are 'designed for layouts,' and whose users AD is designed to appeal to. If Affinity wants to focus on Designer being purely an illustration platform with purely illustration functionality, though, I can respect that. It's an admirable approach. Thanks, I'll check that out. I'm on Mac. Bingo. My goal is to move out of the Adobe ecosystem, though, so I'm amenable to looking at all alternatives.

Actually, this particular job works better in Illustrator than in InDesign due to Illustrator's "Select > Same" and "Select > Object" functions. But if you could point me towards a layout program that doesn't require an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, I'd be most grateful.

It sure exists for me. I have a recurring weekly piece that includes a variable amount of text across three fixed columns. I drop the text in and use paragraph styles to tweak it so the columns come out evenly. Doing that manually is a PITA. Fair enough.

Um... I'm honestly not quite sure what you're getting at. Page layout used to be done manually, so therefore Designer shouldn't have linked text boxes? I understand the value of avoiding feature creep & bloat. That's why I don't use Microsoft Word any more. But basic text-handling functions seem well within the scope of a graphic design program.

Your point is well taken, but in my line of work, page layout is "professional graphic design." I certainly don't expect to do a 48-page magazine in Designer, but I did hope it'd be suitable for designing a single-page magazine ad. Linked text boxes are crucial there. If the Designer tagline was "professional illustration software," I'd expect only rudimentary text tools, sure. I don't mean to complain; Designer is amazing and it's hardly Affinity's fault that I need something a little different. Just a little frustrated that I'm forced to stay on Yosemite just to keep CS5.5 running.

Oh dear. That's going to make the one thing I need Designer for rather time-consuming. It didn't occur to me that something targeted at Freehand/Illustrator users wouldn't have linked text boxes. Apart from that, super-amazing program, and it's heartening to see a serious alternative to Adobe. I'll consider my Designer purchase price a contribution towards further development, since I probably won't be using it for the reason I bought it. If you have a beta program for Publisher, please let me know.