Mithferion

Those of us who use Affinity for something serious in a production environment certainly appreciate Serif prioritising a stability improvement first, so that we work in the best possible product until we can install 2.4.x, and no, it won't be 2.4.0 for good reasons. It may end up being a long while, so yes to the thoroughness and patience of adulthood.

We are planning to release a 2.3.1 patch to address a handful of important things and then start 2.4.0 beta.
We think it's important to address a few high customer impact bugs quickly in a 2.3.1 release, in a fast/stable manner.
The release of 2.4.0 with improvements and features and many fixes will likely take a while to be "release ready" (need a longer beta testing cycle due to having more significant code changes).
We have builds for both 2.3.1 and 2.4.0 in internal testing at the moment. I would expect these to both be with you in the first half of this month

IMO, it is not only you.

Hi everyone, 
I make a calendar every year for my large extended family with all the birthdays and anniversaries printed on their respective dates. I started this custom several years ago, and at that time used Microsoft Publisher 2007 to whip up a calendar template for the year, and then added text boxes with all the holidays and special dates. Needless to say, that was not a very efficient way of doing things... Every year I had to manually move every single text box to the new calendar and make sure they all were more or less lined up and evenly spaced. This year I suddenly realized that I had Affinity Publisher at my disposal! So I went searching about these forums to find out a better, more automated way to publish calendars. A few posts, such as this one on calendar automation, and this one on data merges gave me some guidance in the right direction, and eventually I figured out a way to make a calendar in AfPub using the power of data merge to do the heavy lifting of inputting the dates and the power of text styles to make it all look right. Needless to say, this will save me a lot of time in the future! 
I'm attaching an AfPub template and a sample .csv file. Anyone is welcome to use/customize these if they would like. I'm sure there are more efficient ways of doing things that I might have missed, so I'd appreciate any constructive feedback you might have to offer! Enjoy! 
If you have questions about how (or why) I did something the way I did, feel free to ask! Downloading the samples and running the data merge correctly should give you results that look like this: 

Other resources that were useful:
Ubuntu Font: https://design.ubuntu.com/font/ Affinity Publisher Data Merge Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU98GmaQsFQ Deep Dive Data Merge in Affinity Publisher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wav8wuucZUY 2022-afpub-calendar.csv 2022-afpub-calendar-template.afpub

I believe R C-R is referring to the following:
https://realsound.jp/tech/2023/09/post-1446012_2.html
Translated:

Hi all,
The team has been making good progress. I don't have any updates on a release date but please be assured we are not sitting on our haunches - we want to get this feature out as much as you want it out!
Naturally we've been exposing more of the apps' functionality to scripts, but we've been working on plugin-specific technology too. For example, there's a new asynchronous file i/o and networking API, initially driven by the Javascript layer but then we thought it would be good for the lower level C/C++ plugins to have access too. Obviously with local and remote i/o, we've had to be careful that a script isn't covertly sending user data somewhere, so we've introduced a permissions system for Javascript plugins - unless you allow a particular script network access, it won't be able to use the networking API. It may not be a big shiny WOW! feature, but it's important to get these things right.
Anecdotally, I can tell you we've actually used some scripts internally to do some genuinely useful stuff that would have taken literally days to do manually. One script I wrote optimised a document and removed about 60000 layers. There have also been relatively simple layout and alignment tasks that scripts can munch through in the blink of an eye. Last week I wrote a script that split a pixel layer into new pixel layers containing the blocks of grouped pixels. Even the pixel processing was done in the script - I didn't have to rely on the app to do the heavy lifting for me because our performance is good enough to implement DBSCAN in Javascript.
Please be patient. We know you all want scripting available yesterday, but we're getting there!

I'm happy to report that SDK development is progressing well. We are steadily working towards exposing enough app functionality to make useful plugins, but there's still quite a lot to do before we can consider even a "technology preview" release. 

Updated Version Available (December 2023)
Recently, @christerdk posted in the "Desktop Questions" forum about trying to achieve the engraved look of U.S. currency. He was given a variety of suggestions (including one or two commercial products). Because of this, I am attaching a macro that I created several years ago and have refined a bit more recently. It is meant to approximate the look of engraved currency.
The macro uses a number of adjustments and filters, all enclosed within a Group. Because of this, the effect can be turned on and off by simply using the Hide/Show checkbox on the group itself.
The attached .afmacros file is a Macro Category and therefore should be imported from the Library panel. It contains a single macro (called "Currency Effect"). Once imported, the macro can be moved to a different category, if desired. The macro was created in Affinity Photo version 2.2 which probably means that it will not be compatible with AP version 1. However, since it is provided as a category, it can be imported into Affinity Photo 2 for iPad.
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Clicking on the macro will bring up a user dialog in which you can set certain parameters:
1) Set Line Size (default = 20)
The macro uses a live Halftone filter, and this will vary the width of the lines used. In general, use larger lines for larger images.
2) Set Line Angle (default = 30 degrees)
This affects the angle at which the lines are drawn. Try various settings to achieve subtle but important differences in output.
3) Set Contrast (default = 85)
This setting also affects the embedded Halftone filter, and can change the contrast between the dark lines and the background.
4) Adjust Overall Brightness (default = -20)
This affects a Brightness and Contrast adjustment, and will lighten or darken the final image, to your taste.
When you hit the Apply button, the effect is added to your image at the top of the layer stack. Note that the effect contains only adjustments and filters; because of that, it is completely non-destructive. You can make changes to the underlying image and this will not adversely affect the result. Also, you can open the individual adjustment and filter layers to make changes even after you have hit the Apply button.
Here is an example of a Before and After image, with the User Dialog showing the settings used to create this particular variant.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
As always, I am one person using one computer and a single iPad. I have tested this macro on both of my devices, but cannot claim that this testing has examined every possible scenario. Nevertheless, I believe that it will work as suggested. Try it and, if you like it, keep it and enjoy it. It is free for you to use in any project you would like – personal or commercial.
I ask only 2 things. If you've used the macro, please let me know by posting your impressions. Perhaps, even provide a before and after screenshot. Second, please remember that this forum is a wonderful way to learn, and an even better way to share that learning. Pay it forward.
December 2023 Update
The .afmacros file attached below is now an updated category. It can still be imported into the Affinity Photo Library panel (or into the iPad version) but it now contains 3 macros. (1) The original version of the Currency Effect is included. (2) An updated version 2 of the macro is also provided. This update adds a live Ripple filter which makes the engraved lines a bit wavy, better simulating true engraving. (3) There is an Instructions macro, which will place on-screen instructions into your Layers panel.
Please feel free to download the new file, and to replace the previous Currency Effect category with the new one. Have fun!
 
Currency Effects (v2).afmacros

Based on a feature request for a "concentric circles" tool, I've experimented a bit with the Spiral tool which is capable of creating concetric circles in the linear and decaying mode with Arc Angle = 360°, albeit all aligned to one side.
To center the circles subsequently:
convert to curves Layer → Geometry → Divide Layer → Alignment → Align Center Optionally, if you need rectangles rather than circles, select all nodes of the converted circles and convert them to sharp nodes.

So happy that my 12" record now has a real spiralling groove rather than a set of concentric circles. 😃

We are pleased to announce an update for the Windows release of Affinity Publisher 2, version 2.3.0
This build is available as a (sandboxed) MSIX application installer and as an (unsandboxed) MSI/EXE traditional installer.
Please see this FAQ thread for instructions on how to access the unsandboxed MSI/EXE version.
The changes in Affinity Publisher 2 for Windows 2.3.0 (made since the last release Affinity Publisher 2 for Windows 2.2.1) are listed in this FAQ forum post:
To get notified when any new releases are made please follow the latest releases thread by clicking here
UPDATING TO THIS VERSION (free for existing customers)
The software version can be seen on the splash screen and the About dialog (in Help > About Affinity Publisher ). 
If you’ve purchased from the Affinity Store — each time you start the Affinity Store software it will check for updates and offer any available update. The Windows builds only automatically checks once per day. In the Help menu there is a manual "Check for Updates". The latest update will install over the top of any earlier version, with no need to uninstall. You can download the latest installer by logging into the affinity store here and find the order in your account and use the "Download" button in there. Alternatively, this new release (and previous versions of Affinity Publisher for Windows) can be downloaded from this link (those installers are NOT for customers who made Microsoft Store purchases).
If you've purchased from the Microsoft Store — Microsoft Store updates are done automatically by the operating system (each time you start the application). If this does not happen for you, open the Windows Store app and click the three dots in the top right corner of the app and then go to Downloads and Updates. Click Get Updates. This should hopefully force the update to show. 

We are pleased to announce an update for the Windows release of Affinity Photo 2, version 2.3.0
This build is available as a (sandboxed) MSIX application installer and as an (unsandboxed) MSI/EXE traditional installer.
Please see this FAQ thread for instructions on how to access the unsandboxed MSI/EXE version.
The changes in Affinity Photo 2 for Windows 2.3.0 (those made since the last release Affinity Photo 2 for Windows 2.2.1) are listed in this FAQ forum post:
To get notified when any new releases are made please follow the latest releases thread by clicking here
UPDATING TO THIS VERSION (which is free for all V2 users)
The software version can be seen on the splash screen and the About dialog (in Help > About Affinity Photo).
If you’ve purchased from the Affinity Store — each time you start the Affinity Store software it will check for updates and offer any available update .The Windows builds only automatically checks once per day. In the Help menu there is a manual "Check for updates". The latest update will install over the top of any earlier version, with no need to uninstall. You can download the latest installer by logging into the affinity store here and find the order in your account and use the "Download" button in there. Alternatively, this new release (and previous versions of Affinity Photo for Windows) can be downloaded from this link (those installers are NOT for customers who made Microsoft Store purchases).
If you've purchased from the Microsoft Store — Microsoft Store updates are done automatically by the operating system (each time you start the application). If this does not happen for you, open the Windows Store app and click the three dots in the top right corner of the app and then go to Downloads and Updates. Click Get Updates. This should hopefully force the update to show. 

We are pleased to announce an update for the Windows release of Affinity Designer 2, version 2.3.0
This build is available as a (sandboxed) MSIX application installer and as an (unsandboxed) MSI/EXE traditional installer.
Please see this FAQ thread for instructions on how to access the unsandboxed MSI/EXE version.
The changes in Affinity Designer 2 for Windows 2.3.0 (those made since the last release Affinity Designer 2 for Windows 2.2.1) are listed in this FAQ forum post:
To get notified when any new releases are made please follow the latest releases thread by clicking here
UPDATING TO THIS VERSION (which is free for all V2 users)
The software version can be seen on the splash screen and the About dialog (in Help > About Affinity Designer ).
If you’ve purchased from the Affinity Store — each time you start the Affinity Store software it will check for updates and offer any available update. The Windows builds only automatically checks once per day. In the Help menu there is a manual "Check for Updates". The latest update will install over the top of any earlier version, with no need to uninstall. You can download the latest installer by logging into the affinity store here and find the order in your account and use the "Download" button in there. Alternatively, this new release (and previous versions of Affinity Publisher for Windows) can be downloaded from this link (those installers are NOT for customers who made Microsoft Store purchases).
If you've purchased from the Microsoft Store — Microsoft Store updates are done automatically by the operating system (each time you start the application). If this does not happen for you, open the Windows Store app and click the three dots in the top right corner of the app and then go to Downloads and Updates. Click Get Updates. This should hopefully force the update to show. 

Hi All,
I’m pleased to say that we will be pushing 2.3 live to retail this morning. The beta versions were updated yesterday to the same build (2.3.0.2165) as detailed in Patrick’s post here. This means the beta versions are in effect exactly the same as the retail versions we will push so you can keep them installed if you wish. 
As always it’s been a pleasure working with you all on this release and cannot thank you enough for all the bug reports and other feedback you have given. I mentioned at the start of this beta we are working towards a shorter cadence between updates to help us release improvements and bug fixes sooner - and I hope you agree this has worked very well.
With that in mind we will be starting 2.4 beta very shortly (hopefully in just a couple of weeks). Looking forward to seeing you all on here for that!
Thanks again,
Ash

Here's a list of the bugs which have been fixed in the beta build 2.3.0.2165 (GM)
(fixes since the post above for 2.3.0.2157)
Please only reply in this forum to comment on any fixes which are in this list (in particular to let us know if you notice that something we say is fixed isn't!) To report any new bugs please do that against the relevant new feature post, or if unrelated to new functionality in the Other bugs & issues forum.
Changes/Bugs affecting all platforms
Cross references - allow anchors and index marks to be filtered by name [AF-2] Placed PDF with a Custom Tag fails to Preview or Export  [AF-1273]   Updated help and localisation Bugs affecting Desktop (Windows and macOS)
Ctrl/Cmd+Click window for shapes remains mostly untranslated  Bugs affecting Windows
Batch Job dialog is too small  Cancel button missing on the export progress pop-up  Bugs affecting macOS
Closing the app window in Full-screen mode hides the app window and causes the UI to lock out  [AF-433] Retina Rendering Causes Excessive Screen Flicker When Set to Automatic (Best) [AF-1156] Bugs affecting iPad
none since 2157

Hi All,
We have just pushed another update to the 2.3 beta (2.3.0.2165) which is considered a potential release candidate and should be available to you on auto update shortly. The list of fixes included in this build are listed in Patrick's post here.
Thanks,
Ash

Embedding and linked are two different ways to place resources in your Affinity projects. Today we’ll look at how each of these methods work and the pros an cons of each.
 
 

Couldn't decide what to do next so did this. People on FB said about the Christine movie that featured a '58 Fury, not watched it but it's now on my list.

Affinity "infinity"

I love that idea: taking a child's work and do something from that, either in 3D or 2D.
Best regards!

I like it! The 3D designs based on these are impressive...but also have a look at this project

Hi there!
I came across with the work of Drawkman Drawkman, and I wanted to try and replicate one of his Cartoon Monsters.
Most of this is flat vectors with slight usage of gradients in some areas and transparency.
What do you think?



Best regards!
 

We're running a Towers/Turrets challenge on the Affinity Designer - hands on group (winners entry gets pride of place on the group banner)... this is my example of a 100% vector turret. Grabbed some grunge textures from Vecteezy, and used the warp tool in version 2. Come and join in!!!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/323847269739786 www.gsdesignstudio.co.uk      

Here are my two attempts at "The Whittler" illustration project from the Affinity Designer Workbook. I forgot to mention in my "Reflected Skyline" post is that every upload that contains two images from the workbooks are years apart. The V1s were done on a low-budget laptop I had since college which still works to this day! The V2s were completed on a much better system. I must admit that I could've put a bit more effort into V2, especially with the robot's neck but hopefully that'll be done if I ever decide to tackle it again
 
V1:
 
V2:

These are some projects done in Affinity Publisher, but took it just a step further to see what they'd look like placed into mockups. The three projects are "Aurelie", "Jovan" and "Komodo". Affinity's built-in stock images feature really helped, especially with the amount of iterations I had to make.
 
"Aurelie"
 
 
"Jovan"
 
 
"Komodo"
 
 
"Komodo" View 2
 
 
All the books together