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AndyQ

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  1. Like
    AndyQ reacted to InigoRotaetxe in Dock tools to either side   
    Hi, I totally agree.
    Iit would be nice to be able to dock the tools on the right side of the screen, my arm gets a bit tired of having to move over to the left side on my cintQ (thankfully it is just a 22 inches).
  2. Like
    AndyQ reacted to tothika in Dock tools to either side   
    Hi,
    Right now the tool box can only be docked to the left side margin by default. I was hoping the V2 upgrade would've included this, but I'll request it nonetheless: it would be nice to be able to dock the tool box to either side of the screen, specially for those who carry out most their workflow on the right side. Having to look for tools on the opposite end of a large screen is awfully ineffective.
    PS. I am aware the tools can be detached and placed freely around the screen, however I rezise my windows constantly and the tool box unfortunately stays at the same spot and always has to be dragged along.
  3. Like
    AndyQ reacted to TonyO in Feature Request: MORE Customization of Interface   
    Honestly, i don't know if i would even be using Affinity today if Corel had their crap together 15 years ago when i made the switch over to Mac. For a while i was using Corel in a windows virtual machine since Illustrator's drawing tools are just so bad, i could never make that switch. When the original Beta of Designer came out, and i used Serif's implementation of the Node tool for the first time, I was hooked from day one and haven't touched Corel since. A couple years ago Corel came out with a Mac version, and still had their old-school super high pricing structure and all of the UI customization was left out, and the code base felt "converted" from windows (kinda clunky and laggy, if you know how those types of apps run), even a Corel die-hard like myself had to say "sorry Corel, too little too late." 
  4. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Oli Putland in Affinity Photo Dockable Toolbar (actually applies to all products)   
    I agree.
    I have to have a floating toolbar so that I can get it over to where my hand naturally hangs around.
    It would be much better if I could dock it to the right, permanently.
  5. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from michacassola in How do I convert ‘vector’ brushes to outlines??   
    They should definitely rename them and make it obvious to the user that they're not vector, it's very misleading. I don't see the use for them at all; I think they should be removed from the application entirely or perhaps only be employed in Photo where you might expect raster painting on an editable path.  The least they should do is develop some simple calligraphic-style vector brushes; those things have been in vector apps for decades. Obviously it would be nice to have Illustrator-style brushes too, although this isn't a big deal for me..
  6. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from jimh12345 in Gradient - use color picker tool   
    The gradient tool would benefit from being thrown in a fire, doused in acid, stomped on with army boots, hung-drawn-and-quartered then buried in a lye pit and cursed to hell. Maybe it can do what I want but maybe it can't - I don't have a month to figure it out. This might be the single most frustrating challenge I've faced in 30 years of computers graphics and every vector drawing, raster painting, 3D modelling, video editing and FX package I've come across. Well, maybe the unfathomable hierarchical style sheets system in Microsoft Word could rival it.....
  7. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Patrick Connor in Affinity Version 2 Sets New Standards in Creative Software   
    This post is also available as a press release in: English Français Deutsch Italiano Español 中文 Português 日本語 Brand new products launched today, Affinity V2 Universal Licence ownership tier announced, and Affinity Publisher comes to iPad
     

    Serif has today unveiled the long-awaited Version 2 of its award-winning Affinity creative suite. Available to buy now with generous launch discounts, Affinity V2 comprises reimagined versions of the three products which have taken the creative software world by storm, loaded with spectacular new features and a stunning new look.
                   Affinity Photo 2 – ultra-powerful photo editing and raster painting Affinity Designer 2 – intuitive, imaginative vector graphic design and illustration Affinity Publisher 2 – nimble, no-nonsense page layout software boasting StudioLink, a unique way of using the editing tools from the two other Affinity products Designed and built to empower creatives and bring out the very best in their work, Affinity V2 integrates photo editing, graphic design, illustration and layout into a super-sleek workflow – delivering a holistic experience unlike that of any other creative suite.

    Version 2 of all Affinity apps launches today
    Ashley Hewson, Managing Director of Serif, says: 
    “Setting new standards for creative software, Affinity V2 is by far the biggest, most exciting launch in the history of Serif. For the very first time we’re bringing the very latest, highest performing versions of all our products to the market at the same time, with some simply stunning features.
    “At Serif, we know that we don’t work for ourselves – we work for the photo editors, the artists, the illustrators, the designers, all those people who rely on Affinity software as the engine to power their day.
    “We have worked tirelessly to not only include many of the new features our customers have been asking for, but a whole host of usability and workflow improvements to make the apps more productive than ever. We think Affinity users both old and new are going to love it.”
    Alongside the launch of Affinity V2 comes the eagerly awaited release of Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad, completing the core suite of apps available on macOS, Windows and iPadOS. Feature packed, intuitive and touch-friendly, it is the first time a truly professional, desktop-grade layout and page design app has made its way to the platform.

    Affinity Publisher comes to iPad for the first time
    “Our work to put full desktop-quality creative software onto iPad has led the world and set new industry standards for what users should expect from iPad apps. And now we’re the first to bring all the features you’d associate with desktop publishing to the iPad as well.
    “There’s genuinely never been anything like this before. The power and portability of Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad allows you to take page design and layout out of the confines of the office and into whatever space brings you most inspiration.”
    Affinity V2 Universal Licence has also been announced today giving customers an option to buy a package containing Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2 and Affinity Publisher 2 for use on Mac, PC and iPad – all for a single all-inclusive amount.

    The Universal Licence will normally be available for £144.99 – a £155.92 saving on buying all the apps on all operating systems individually. However, Serif is currently offering a huge 40% launch discount making the whole V2 suite available for a remarkable £89.99 one-off cost with no subscription.
    Ashley Hewson concludes: 
    “The ability to buy for a one-off payment is something that makes Affinity the only viable option for many of the brilliant and inspiring creative people around the world, who would otherwise not have access to the highest-quality tools. There has been a lot of speculation about us moving to subscription recently, so I’m pleased to confirm that isn’t the case!
    “For our existing customers we have also been very conscious that, considering many of our sales are generated via app stores, it’s not possible to provide upgrade pricing. That’s the main reason we have decided to offer such a large launch discount – to give users a chance to upgrade at an incredible price.”
    Users who don’t require the full package will still be able to buy Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2 or Affinity Publisher 2 individually for Mac, PC or iPad with the same 40% launch discount. All apps, including the V2 Universal Licence, are also available as a 30-day free trial.
  8. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from Krustysimplex in All layers should have a lock icon.   
    Adobe Illustrator provides the ideal sample for switching visibility and locking, with two columns where you can switch these parameters for each layer. Even more useful and important is that you can swipe down through this column and rapidly invert the settings (e.g. lock a bunch of layers). This is stuff I use all the time... time is money. Having shortcuts shouldn't be an excuse for not optimising the visual UI. I've said this many times, but you can't assume a user is solely dedicated to your app and is going to learn all the shortcuts and nitty gritty details - the UI has to make access to features visible and efficient; my use of Designer would be less than 1% of my app time, and I would use over a dozen different graphics programs and utilities (many of which use the same shortcut keys to do wildly different things). The Affinity layers palette involved a lot of "pointer moving" (won't say "mouse moves" since I use a Wacom) - selecting a layer then going all the way up to lock it, or all the way down to make a new layer. I know there are shortcuts for these things, but if I've not used the app for a few months I have to look them up again. Why not have a clickable row for "locking" since the space is already reserved for showing the lock icon anyway? why not have all the layer-related controls at the top of the palette in two rows, rather than putting the a bunch down the bottom (although I do see a reason to keep the "trash can"  deletion button a little further away from anything else). Cheers.
  9. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from mdriftmeyer in All layers should have a lock icon.   
    Adobe Illustrator provides the ideal sample for switching visibility and locking, with two columns where you can switch these parameters for each layer. Even more useful and important is that you can swipe down through this column and rapidly invert the settings (e.g. lock a bunch of layers). This is stuff I use all the time... time is money. Having shortcuts shouldn't be an excuse for not optimising the visual UI. I've said this many times, but you can't assume a user is solely dedicated to your app and is going to learn all the shortcuts and nitty gritty details - the UI has to make access to features visible and efficient; my use of Designer would be less than 1% of my app time, and I would use over a dozen different graphics programs and utilities (many of which use the same shortcut keys to do wildly different things). The Affinity layers palette involved a lot of "pointer moving" (won't say "mouse moves" since I use a Wacom) - selecting a layer then going all the way up to lock it, or all the way down to make a new layer. I know there are shortcuts for these things, but if I've not used the app for a few months I have to look them up again. Why not have a clickable row for "locking" since the space is already reserved for showing the lock icon anyway? why not have all the layer-related controls at the top of the palette in two rows, rather than putting the a bunch down the bottom (although I do see a reason to keep the "trash can"  deletion button a little further away from anything else). Cheers.
  10. Like
    AndyQ reacted to MoonaticDestiny in All layers should have a lock icon.   
    I made a post about this a while back, but I need to talk about it again because it really is frustrating. 
    I need the lock icon to be on all layers/artboards created. I need it. I just can not be going to the top right corner of the layers panel and hitting the lock icon to lock something. I CAN NOT. It is so annoying. It is so annoying to want to lock something, go to THAT layer in the layers panel and realize I cant because the lock icon isnt there. Instead, I have to go to the top right corner of the layers panel and hit the lock icon there because thats where the lock icon is. Like, what is going on?
    If I want to hide my layer, I would just go to THAT layer and hit the checkmark icon to hide it. Simple. Very easy to do. If I want to lock my layer, I would go THAT layer and then hit the lock ico----oh.......thats right. There is no lock icon because I have to go to the top right corner and hit the lock icon there to lock it. Like? Ugh! What is this design!?  It is bad design, and I'm so tired of it because my work flow is being interrupted. My workflow is forcing me to go to the top right corner of the layers panel.
    I dont want to go to the top right corner of the layers panel!
    This top right corner movement is problematic. Its this top right corner thats interrupting my workflow. If my workflow is being interrupted then there is an issue there and that issue is the placement of the lock icon being at the top right corner. I need my lock icon next to my layer so that I'm not doing this top right corner movement. This movement is interrupting my workflow.
    So heres that solution. I can not be doing this top right corner movement. This top right corner movement to get to the lock icon in the layers panel is the issue. I shouldn't be moving to that top right corner. I should be going to my layer and hitting the lock icon there. So what we need to do is bring that lock icon down and place it on each layer. HOWEVER! Thats another issue. I DONT WANT TO SEE A VISIBLE LOCK ICON ON EACH LAYER. Why? Because thats too many lock icons on each layer and its not pleasant to the eye to be seeing all these lock icons. So what do we do? We do what adobe illustrator cs5 does. They take the lock icon and add it to each layer BUT they dont show the lock icon on each layer. Instead, they provide an empty toggle box on each layer that when toggled on will lock your layer. THATS WHAT WE NEED. We need an empty toggle box on each layer/artboard that is going to represent a layer being lock and when I click on this empty toggle box the lock icon will appear to show that that layer has been locked. This is the solution. This is the solution because the empty toggle box solves the issue of not having my layers flooded with several lock icons but it also allows me to lock my layer ON MY LAYER. Theres no going to the top right corner of the layers panel and locking my layer there. Its all done on my layer. So if I click the empty toggle box on my layer, a lock icon will appear to indicate my layer is locked. And when I want to unlock my layer, simply click that lock icon and my layer will unlock but there will still be an empty toggle box icon on that layer. 
    This is what needs to happen because I cant be going to the top right corner of the layers panel all the time. It is so frustrating.
    And this is also the solution because when you lock a layer/artboard in affinity desiger, a lock icon appears on that layer. And when you unlock that layer, that lock icon disappears. So clicking this empty toggle box will make a lock icon appear to indicate that your layer is locked and clicking that lock icon will unlock your layer BUT there is still a visible empty toggle box on your layer to let you know that this toggle box is for locking or unlocking your layer. 
    Below is an image of the solution. No more going to the top right corner of the layers panel to lock your layer and your layers are clutter free of lock icons because an empty toggle box will help you lock and unlock your layer. 
     
     
     
     

  11. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Nic727 in Selecting multiple guides - Designer   
    Hi,
     
    Is it possible to select multiple guides and move them at the same time? It's a very good feature from Illustrator and I have difficulty doing this in Designer.
     
    Thank you
  12. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Ali Chappell Bates Art in Selecting multiple guides - Designer   
    Being able to select multiple guides and also to be able to rotate guides - it's something I use every day in AI so it would be a valuable addition!
  13. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from sbe in Request: Replace "Leading Override" with "Leading"   
    I can see logical reasoning for it to be in "paragraph", but it's definitely impractical for daily use. That would be like filing "toilet paper" in the "stationery cupboard" because it's paper, rather than keeping it in the bathroom. As with many such decisions, Affinity need only look at some other apps for guidance (or even a box of metal type, where you will also find your leading bars next to your letters...)
  14. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from Mark Oehlschlager in Request: Replace "Leading Override" with "Leading"   
    I can see logical reasoning for it to be in "paragraph", but it's definitely impractical for daily use. That would be like filing "toilet paper" in the "stationery cupboard" because it's paper, rather than keeping it in the bathroom. As with many such decisions, Affinity need only look at some other apps for guidance (or even a box of metal type, where you will also find your leading bars next to your letters...)
  15. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Mark Oehlschlager in Request: Replace "Leading Override" with "Leading"   
    @walt.farrell
    This logic make perfect sense in the abstract, which is probably why an engineer who does not set type set it up this way,  but does not respect the way that type setters think about and work with type.
    It breaks the typesetter's conceptual model, introduces unnecessary confusion with a new "Leading Override" attribute field, and introduces the workflow friction point of extra clicks to record the basic idea: typeface, weight, point size and leading.
  16. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Mark Oehlschlager in Request: Replace "Leading Override" with "Leading"   
    I'm not sure what UX logic drove the decision to place the "leading" attribute in the Paragraph panel rather than the Character panel. Nor do I understand the logic or necessity of converting the "leading" attribute in the Character panel into a "leading override" attribute. However, this UI/UX design runs contrary to the way those who set type think about type setting.
    I'm writing to request a rethinking here of the Character and Paragraph panels to more accurately reflect the way that designers think about type and type setting; that the "Leading" attribute be removed from the Paragraph panel and that it replace the pointless and confusing "Leading Override" attribute in the Character panel.
    When designers go about specifying type in documents, the most basic and essential attributes of a type setting idea are typeface, weight, point size, and leading. In most design applications these attributes are presented together in a single character panel. It matches the way designers think about type settings: "Jim, set that passage in DIN Next Regular, 10 over 12". As that is a whole thought, it just makes sense that these basic attributes would be addressed together in the Character panel, leaving the Paragraph panel to shape the paragraph: indents, lines before and after, rules before and after, drop caps, etc. 
    Why force the extra step of flipping to the Paragraph panel to set "Leading"? It's extra work, a point of friction and a cognitive break from the way the designers think about setting type.
    Moreover, what is the point of the "Leading Override" attribute in the Character panel? It's a very idiosyncratic thing to introduce here in place of the more traditional "Leading" attribute, and serves no apparent purpose. Further, as it is separated from the "Leading" attribute in the Paragraph panel, there's no point of reference for the override value, and it's misleading to designers who are accustomed to specifying point size and leading together. 
    Character styles are where designers would traditionally record a local interruption in the leading of a paragraph. Or, less formally, one would just select a word or phrase in a paragraph and apply a different leading value. The override would be expressed as a "+" symbol appended to the paragraph style name.
    So, for the sake of the logic with which designer think about setting type, eliminating confusion, and eliminating needless mouse clicks to switch between panels to specify the essential idea of a typeface, weight, point size and leading, please consider replacing the "Leading Override" attribute in the Character panel with the "Leading" attribute, and removing the "Leading" attribute from the Paragraph panel.
    Thank you for your consideration.

  17. Like
    AndyQ reacted to stelu in Affinity Photo Dockable Toolbar (actually applies to all products)   
    this is theorist feature that I miss in converting my workflow from adobe to affinity photo. 
     
    It would be great to have more flexibility in setting up the I individual workspace. 
     
    I was so used to have the wortools on the right side that I really miss this in affinity. 
    If this is possible I might join affinity 100%. 
  18. Thanks
    AndyQ got a reaction from AllWork248 in importing Illustrator files with guides   
    Opening AI files in Designer and the guides/guidelines don't seem to be imported. Is that a system limitation or am I missing some import option? (or is there a workaround?). I ask this because loading PSD files into Photo is fine - guidelines are preserved. Cheers!
  19. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Pšenda in Preferences window UI is frustratingly designed   
    Just to show how a properly created form/dialog for setting preferences with significantly higher complexity, including searching.

     
  20. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from Wosven in Preferences window UI is frustratingly designed   
    It certainly shouldn't be a democracy, but there are quite a few UI failings based on objective parameters.  If you are providing functionality in software you have to decide how to expose that functionality to the user. You have to know how they employ functionality and provide access to meet their needs. In the case of the preferences window it seems inarguable that going back and forth between screens is less efficient than other methods, such as a tabbed interface or a dual-pane approach (with a list of categories to flip through on the left, the parameters on the right). Another consideration is whether some of these preferences might be things users would change frequently, in which case they should be part of the main interface instead of a "preference".  The developers may not always have the experience in production to know what users are doing with the software, so the feedback is necessary. I recall the early days of graphic software where setting the measurement units might be a "preference", until developers realised that people were changing units constantly from job-to-job or whilst working on a single job; thus interfaces were added to allow quick switching of measurements, mixed-measurement systems and field-based entry of values in any desired unit. Not only that, but we've now had many decades of UI design history, and there are examples of efficient solutions readily available - and if the developers aren't aware of those then the users may well be. If you make a tool you'll never know exactly how it might be used. When you get feedback you can improve that tool to better serve those purposes not envisaged. You get happier customers, you get more customers. As far as functionality goes, I'm very happy with what Affinity provides as it stands - I'd rather see development work on making the UI more consistent and efficient than adding fancy tricks.  
  21. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from wtrmlnjuc in Preferences window UI is frustratingly designed   
    It certainly shouldn't be a democracy, but there are quite a few UI failings based on objective parameters.  If you are providing functionality in software you have to decide how to expose that functionality to the user. You have to know how they employ functionality and provide access to meet their needs. In the case of the preferences window it seems inarguable that going back and forth between screens is less efficient than other methods, such as a tabbed interface or a dual-pane approach (with a list of categories to flip through on the left, the parameters on the right). Another consideration is whether some of these preferences might be things users would change frequently, in which case they should be part of the main interface instead of a "preference".  The developers may not always have the experience in production to know what users are doing with the software, so the feedback is necessary. I recall the early days of graphic software where setting the measurement units might be a "preference", until developers realised that people were changing units constantly from job-to-job or whilst working on a single job; thus interfaces were added to allow quick switching of measurements, mixed-measurement systems and field-based entry of values in any desired unit. Not only that, but we've now had many decades of UI design history, and there are examples of efficient solutions readily available - and if the developers aren't aware of those then the users may well be. If you make a tool you'll never know exactly how it might be used. When you get feedback you can improve that tool to better serve those purposes not envisaged. You get happier customers, you get more customers. As far as functionality goes, I'm very happy with what Affinity provides as it stands - I'd rather see development work on making the UI more consistent and efficient than adding fancy tricks.  
  22. Like
    AndyQ reacted to Nikola Kovac in Preferences window UI is frustratingly designed   
    Version 1.10 still no signs of improvement in Preferences window.
    Coming from the software development industry I presume this is a low priority feature to Serif not because it is not important, but because it is not a "shop window" feature, it does not sell units, it just bugs us suckers that already payed for the thing.
    For me personally, because I switch many different apps during one day (or what hurts even more, one month, when you use some apps every xouple o days or weeks), preferences is one of the most important features, that makes strong first impressions. Not being able to quickly tweak the tool to my liking and preference, means huge frustration as I stated in the title. It means that switching to Affinity app in the time of need will hurt my brain trying to adapt to shortcuts that I did not have time or energy changing to my preference because of the useless UI design of shortcuts tab in app preferences. I do not need Affinity apps every day but I do need them, and they are important to me.
    I already switched some of my other bread and butter apps with newer ones that had these basic UI paradigms sorted out. We live in a world that is being filled with more and more options, and features and things. Software developers that make their features and tool more easily available and usable are gonna get more buyers because most users, and most tasks only call for the minority of basic features, and to me being able to make these basic features even more easily available by setting my own shortcuts is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. Serif treating this as low priority is making a mistake I think. Ask Blender devs what a rethink of UI can do for the user acquisition.
    Better general UX and UI is exactly why I switched from Adobe to Affinty apps in the first place too.. not the number of features.
  23. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from Nikola Kovac in Preferences window UI is frustratingly designed   
    It certainly shouldn't be a democracy, but there are quite a few UI failings based on objective parameters.  If you are providing functionality in software you have to decide how to expose that functionality to the user. You have to know how they employ functionality and provide access to meet their needs. In the case of the preferences window it seems inarguable that going back and forth between screens is less efficient than other methods, such as a tabbed interface or a dual-pane approach (with a list of categories to flip through on the left, the parameters on the right). Another consideration is whether some of these preferences might be things users would change frequently, in which case they should be part of the main interface instead of a "preference".  The developers may not always have the experience in production to know what users are doing with the software, so the feedback is necessary. I recall the early days of graphic software where setting the measurement units might be a "preference", until developers realised that people were changing units constantly from job-to-job or whilst working on a single job; thus interfaces were added to allow quick switching of measurements, mixed-measurement systems and field-based entry of values in any desired unit. Not only that, but we've now had many decades of UI design history, and there are examples of efficient solutions readily available - and if the developers aren't aware of those then the users may well be. If you make a tool you'll never know exactly how it might be used. When you get feedback you can improve that tool to better serve those purposes not envisaged. You get happier customers, you get more customers. As far as functionality goes, I'm very happy with what Affinity provides as it stands - I'd rather see development work on making the UI more consistent and efficient than adding fancy tricks.  
  24. Like
    AndyQ got a reaction from Wosven in dots per centimetre resolution   
    I do a lot of whining about UI issues, but this item is a critical one for me - being able to set up documents, especially raster documents, using dots-per-centimetre settings rather than dots-per-inch. These figures can't be translated easily - there's no perfect dpcm value equivalent to 300 dpi (300 / 2.54 = 118.110236220474...).  My need for this is a bit arcane, but in essence it means I can work on metric-based document sizes but define a useful pixel-based grid subdivision. Primarily I use this when doing presentation slides and templates, to set up metric documents that match grids in both my pixel-based backgrounds a PowerPoint grid system (based on divisions per cm), but I have a lot of other uses for it. METRIC is a GOOD THING. It's the way of the future - thank you French Revolution!
    P.S. if even pig-headed Americans like Adobe can manage to provide this, European Affinity surely can match them...
  25. Like
    AndyQ reacted to spinko in People who've switched entirely to affinity, why and how's it going?   
    totally agree. It's getting so terribly frustrating to have to wait so long for features that most professionals use every day.
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