DigitalVisuals

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.

that is exactly how adobe does it. You send off your photos to their servers to do it.

This wrapping stuff around with the help of AI looks interesting.

EDIT; not 100% useful when it needs to be accurate and or truthful to reality but for quickly modifying placeholder images it looks interesting.
 
 

It's a tool, like any other.  Use it or don't as appropriate for the work at hand.
I think the biggest "bang for the buck" when it comes to current AI tech is going to be in selections rather than in generation of content - using AI techniques to identify things in the picture in order to more quickly zero in on what should be selected to help the user target things they want to manipulate.

Ethics and philosophy aside, most major game studios are currently updating their contracts to prohibit the use of generative AI. The film industry is sure to follow, if it hasn't already. I know this eludes techbros' hype bubble, but generated imagery is in copyright limbo. The law always lags a few years behind disruptive technology, and it is not at all clear yet where it's going to land (and there are already legal precedents of individuals being denied copyright of AI images).
All these images may end up in public domain, or even as property of the algorithm's creator, which would be even funnier. No sane company would risk its IP for a workflow speed-up that it doesn't really need in the first place (and believe me, they don't).
Generative fill seems like a more innocuous kind of AI, but it still constitutes whole portions of your image not being yours. You'd need to prove that your use of it is "transformative", as defined by law. That definition is vague, though, and too dated to cover AI use cases, so the extent of changes needed is unclear. Are a few adjustment layers on top considered "transformative"? A liquify? Good luck with that.
The point is, concentrating on AI would move Affinity away from pro concerns and more towards hobbyist territory.     

+1 for my to, for some images yes, but mostlye not needed.

KI die schleichende Macht, macht den Menschen bald überflüssig?
Ich bin froh das afPhoto ohne KI auskommt, da fühle ich mich noch gebraucht und gefordert.
Es macht auch Spaß mal den Kopf anzustrengen.
Und wenn das Bild am Ende so ist, wie ich mir das vorgestellt habe, kann ich mit Stolz sagen, dass ICH wieder etwas dazu gelernt habe, ohne KI.

So you're saying that Serif should include unnecessary things that some other software has, just because it's the latest fad, even if nobody actually needs it!!!

Thanks, very usefull!

Essentially, if people start believing that computers can accomplish everything by simply typing in commands, our livelihood will become much more challenging. Although this perception doesn't reflect reality, it's the only thing that matters to clients in our industry. As a friend of mine noted, we'll need to work harder, not less, due to the emergence of artificial intelligence. Essentially, we'll need to spend more time and effort to surpass what others can achieve with a single click. This will make it difficult to earn a living since we'll be faced with two challenges: first, clients may demand lower prices since they assume we're using AI, and second, we won't be able to charge more for using it.
Prove me wrong.

Its not done local, there is need a very big database with several models. For Generation you need strong and fast servers.
Midjourney works with Discord where the Bot is working. 
But we will see what the future will bring.
 

Its not done local, there is need a very big database with several models. For Generation you need strong and fast servers.
Midjourney works with Discord where the Bot is working. 
But we will see what the future will bring.
 

The two most significant quotes from the article that reinforce what I mentioned before. AI art is not copyrightable. However, with enough changes a human may claim authorship, but that is not yet clear. In the case of the book mentioned in that article, it means that every single image on it and inside it can be used by anyone without infringing on any copyright. The latter quote is still up in the air in regards to how transformative the work is to be claimed authorship over. As the article mentioned, it's going to be judged on a "case-by-case basis".

For sure it is not, as in my previous reaction, thinking like this shows the diffence against the new-pro.
You cannot reach the level of photo-image creation if you have no clue about foto-imaging, the basics of light, mood, UX and what the image should communicate. 
Professional photography is more than creating aesthetically pleasing images.

This is what I want to convey:

Although AI is often overhyped, we can clearly see its practical application in enhancing existing images.
Utilizing AI technology can greatly accelerate our work as professional photographers. It's not just about saving money by spending fewer hours on a project, but also about deepening our understanding of photography.
Now, we can distinguish true professionals from amateurs.
How? Well, if you lack a clear vision from the beginning, you won't achieve the desired outcome.
It is crucial to have a flawless base image, including proper lighting, which serves as a foundation for further enhancements.
Planning the lighting, creating mood boards etc (can be done with AI already), and thoroughly preparing with clients make a significant difference in understanding and effectively communicating the intended message through the image.
With the aid of AI, we can surpass the competition that offers cheap services, as we can deliver professional work in the same timeframe, while also possessing the knowledge of how to achieve the desired results.
In professional photography, it's not solely about creating aesthetically pleasing images; it's about comprehending the image and its intended communication.
AI serves as an excellent tool to reach this level of understanding, once all the necessary groundwork is completed.
Currently, my job involves defining the desired outcome by writing requirement specifications, determining the wishes of the customer and the desired mood, and deciding on the intended message. Photography and editing will follow once this process is done, but it is the final stage of the overall process of image creation.
I will graduate next month as photo-image creator after two years of study which includes te use of AI in photography my case. 
This was former called school of photography, but the playground has been changed now.

 

I think that misses on a couple of points.
AI is not limited to only generative AI. The potential productivity improvements don't have any limits. New uses will continue to be discovered and applied. Neglecting a potential feature that is in high demand simply because some do not use that feature is of detriment also to those that don't use the feature. Why? because it brings lots of paying users to the application that in turn gives more resources to be applied to all features of the application.

AI tools aren't bad on their own, but it's the people who use them that can make them seem that way.

I just tried a test comparing 2.0.4 vs 2.1.0.1730 on my Win 11 system. After the install raster_brushes.propcol is about 2.4 GB for each.
2.0.4: Import took 39.5 seconds
2.1.0.1730: Import took 3.5 seconds.
Good job improving this function! (It's been a real bother since the beginning of V2.)

You have 100% right.... I should have used erase white paper.... Yoy where slichty 1 second faster!!!

Oke, after updating from 2.1.0.1706  to 2.1.0.1709  Windows 11 and machine became ver slow en crashing (no reports).
After some try's I have removed 2.1.0.1709 and going back to 2.1.0.1706..  Here I have no problems.
I got yesterday a new beta release from windows insider 22624. 1391.
So I will try 2.1.0.1709 again andd see if there is a connection between.

After install, I see there was another one, so now for beta on 2.1.0.1714, I will test this and come back if something is wrong.

Thanks for warning.
 

Oke, after updating from 2.1.0.1706  to 2.1.0.1709  Windows 11 and machine became ver slow en crashing (no reports).
After some try's I have removed 2.1.0.1709 and going back to 2.1.0.1706..  Here I have no problems.
I got yesterday a new beta release from windows insider 22624. 1391.
So I will try 2.1.0.1709 again andd see if there is a connection between.

After install, I see there was another one, so now for beta on 2.1.0.1714, I will test this and come back if something is wrong.

Thanks for warning.
 

Ich denke es darf auf keinen Fall wie Photoshop sein.
Affinity ist ein eigenständiges Programm was niemals so werden darf wie das teuere PS von Adobe!
Wer bereit ist zum lernen der kommt mit Photo und Designer von Affinity sehr gut zurecht.
Was ich mir wünschen würde ist eine eigenständige App für die RAW Entwicklung und Katalogisierung der Bilder!
I don't think it should be like Photoshop in any way.
Affinity is an independent program which should never be like Adobe's expensive PS!
Those who are willing to learn will get along very well with Photo and Designer from Affinity.
What I would wish for is a standalone app for RAW processing and cataloging of the images

Apps: Photo and Publisher
Platforms: Windows and macOS
The measure tool which was added to Affinity Designer in V2 is now available in both Photo and Publisher. This is not included in the default set of tools when you first run up the app, but you will find it in the list if you go to View -> Customise Tools if you wish to add it to your available tools.

Apps: Photo
Platforms: Windows and macOS
As has been requested you can now find the Place tool (previously only available in Designer and Publisher) as a customisation option in Affinity Photo (View -> Customise Tools) if you wish to add it to your main set of tools, making it more easily accessible than going to File -> Place.