affinityfan

Hi All,
Well, it’s been a pretty crazy week since the launch of V2!
This has been a real labour of love for us over the last year or so, and I can’t even begin to describe how hard the development team have worked on it. Not only getting the V2 apps launched, but also of course finally bringing Publisher to iPad. 
With this being our first paid-for upgrade there has understandably been a lot of feedback / questions around future updates and our pricing policies. I thought it was worth addressing / clarifying our position on some of these personally...
Updates to V2 moving forward
Buying V2 not only gets you all the new features you have seen, but we have various updates planned – including many more new features and improvements – which you will get for free. This will continue until such a time that V3 is released. We’re not sure exactly when V3 will be, but I can confirm we are not going to move to anything as regular as an annual upgrade cycle as has been speculated.
It’s worth saying too that V2 does include many under-the-hood changes to our underlying technology, and we have also been investing in several new areas of research recently. Some of these haven’t manifested themselves into new features yet, but overall V2 does give us a better platform to develop on moving forward and I’m sure you will be pleased with the updates V2 will receive.
Updates to V1 moving forward
While we did say on the FAQ that V1 would no longer receive any updates, I want to clarify that was about new feature updates. We will be updating V1 to fix any critical problems caused by operating system updates in the future. So if the next version of macOS breaks V1 we will endeavour to fix it. There will be a point in time when continuing to maintain V1 in this way will not be tenable, but certainly for the foreseeable future we will continue to patch. In fact, we have an update to V1 queued up for release very shortly with some fixes for Ventura and issues caused by a recent Windows security / quality update. 
We will update our FAQ shortly to make that clearer for everyone.
Offer period
In case you didn’t see, I’m pleased to confirm we have decided to run this initial launch offer until 14th December to give everyone the best chance possible to get it if they wish / have a decent amount of time to trial it. 
Upgrade pricing
It’s been really hard to see some of the comments about us not looking after our existing customers – we’re pretty devasted that anyone feels like that to be honest. But the fact is we felt our hands were tied somewhat with being able to offer upgrade pricing in a fair way. The main reason for this was App Store customers (which make up around 35% of our userbase). The problems with that are two-fold: firstly, we didn’t have a way from within V1 to validate an App Store purchase receipt to reliably ensure customers who were entitled to an upgrade could get one; and secondly, we could not find a good way for people to get that discount via the App Store. Us pushing upgrade customers to go exclusively via our own site (including customers who were previously acquired via the app stores) may also have put us in violation of App Store Ts & Cs which we were obviously concerned about.
I’m not saying that these issues were completely insurmountable, but any solutions we came up with would be messy, and most importantly could have resulted in some bona fide V1 customers struggling to get validated and claim their discount. We certainly don’t have the support resource here if we ended up needing to manually validate tens of thousands of receipts for example.
The only option we felt was safe to move forward with was a general launch offer, which would guarantee that every V1 customer could get the discount, whether they purchased directly through us or the App Stores. We knew a side effect of that would mean some new customers would end up receiving that same discount – but we felt that was a better option than V1 customers missing out. It’s also worth saying that while there has been some good press about V2, all our main marketing has been via email and through social media to our followers. In other words, we felt ok about it because we knew the vast majority of people who would find out about it or take advantage of the offer would be existing customers. I would be surprised if over the offer period customers upgrading from V1 didn’t make up more than 90% of our sales.
Overall I do believe us giving a 40% discount, along with the addition of the new Universal Licence of course, is offering fantastic value for money for those who want to upgrade. 
However, taking on board some of the feedback there is something extra we can do – we will offer a new free bundle of content exclusively for V1 customers upgrading to V2 as an extra thank you for your support. I’ve seen this suggested by a number of customers and it’s a great idea as it does remove the App Store conflict entirely. 
We’ll need a little time to put something together, but all customers who previously registered or purchased V1 and have since upgraded to V2 will receive a voucher code for this via email as soon as we can.
A comment on no subscription
I do want to say that some of the points above are exactly the reason why software companies move to subscription. Whatever you do with upgrade pricing, you still have the issue of customers who bought the previous version 3 months ago vs. those who have had it 2+ years. Offering perpetual licences also gives the additional overhead of needing to maintain the previous version longer than you would if everyone was on subscription / generally always on the latest version.
We are a small team so some of these complications are not ideal — all we really want to do is focus on developing our latest codebase, push out regular updates and continue with our mission to make great creative software accessible to everyone. 
But it does need to be funded somehow. We know you love our no-subscription model, but there also needs to be a level of appreciation that the alternative is having paid-for upgrades from time to time. That unfortunately comes with its own problems.
All of that said, I have to say we have been blown away with the response to V2 - around 3 times as many people have upgraded in the last week than we expected - and we really can't thank you enough for the support you have shown. More than anything the success of this upgrade puts us in a great place to continue investing heavily in development which is ultimately what it's all about, and we’re super excited to crack on with some great updates coming next year!
All the best,
Ash
This is a duplicate post of a thread that is now locked and moved to the questions forum

Hi all,
Almost every body complains here about subscription and to some extend, they are correct when paying expensive fees each month like Adobe and co.
However, when paying an affordable monthly fee for a usefull program like Affinity, it is a better guarantee for the future of your favorite application. Is that not what we all want, a secure future for our preferred Affinity range?
What is an affordable monthy subscription fee? Everything below 10 euros a month.
We can be passionate, motivated and creative but in the end, there must come food on the table not?
Because I have to depend on Affinity very much, I prefer to pay a montly subscription fee. It should be a disaster for me if Affinity range should be deprecated for any reason.
Maybe Serif van serve both kinds. Users who make a one time payment for a major release which only receive bug fixes. The other users paying a monthly subscription which receive in return new features. I think this is a fair model not? For me it became a little frustrating that I am using excellent software so long for only the initial purchase. I know what is necessary to keep a company ticking and the present payment scheme worries me.
But it is not up to me, to tell Serif what to do. I like to work with Designer and Publisher, and wish to do that for a very long time from now.
Despite the Affinity applications have their shortcomings, I always accomplish my projects within the deadline and to the satisfaction of my customers.
The Affinity team produces excellent software with a very limited team count. Lets support them and be patient.
Chris
 

still no news on any updates or betas?

Excited for 2.0. I like new stuff.

I feel as though the horse left the barn when they didn't deny the Adobe-killer aspirations, so I have always considered it a humble admission by omission. They are also not shy about targeting a wider audience of creators, although are very crafty about not being too explicit in their goals. Time will tell if that was a smart move. I know of at least a few big names that have eyed these programs for potential to switch in the future if certain boxes are checked, so I would say the impression is already there...
2.0 will give us a better idea of where they are actually going, though. So soon we will have an answer...

Any software is not a fully developed software. This is the reason why every software has updates !
I will be happy to pay for AD 2.0 with essential features : vector patterns, blending shapes, converting pixel image in vectors, grids with vanishing point, deformation (with box, lattice, etc), duplicating and editing objects along curves.
Just one of these features will make me happy !

Strange how some people do nothing but complain about the Affinity apps and praise rival software for being so much better. I really don't understand why they don't just use their preferred software and stop endlessly complaining here! (Especially when their complaints are often only matters of personal opinion.) It's also sad how childish some people can be if you dare to disagree with them! However, I've had enough of this, the ignore option is very useful!

God listen to yourself!!! DONT BUY IT!!! Go back to Adobe but stop threatening Serif with your nonsense. As far as I am concerned Serif does not need "customers" like you!!! Like Children Are we there yet????/ STOP!!!! You are not helping the process. This is how Serif operates and if you don't like it Lump it!!!! No one ever praises them for some damn good software but crying because they have not had a BETA for a while.... 

Significant improvements and new practical functions must be released with version 2.0 for it to be worth buying the new version. It is important that the export quality of PNG and JPG is improved! However, everyone should decide for themselves whether to buy new software version or not.

My guessing: Serif/Affinity will merge with another Company. Perhaps Adobe? perhaps Corel?

Why I guess this:
No Updates, no Betas, no new Videos on YouTube, hardly any new videos by James Ritson, no teasers for new features of upcoming releases..

again: just my private assumption.

I really don't understand the comment above.  What is wrong with 'fixes'?  I personally appreciate the fact that the developers are striving to provide a product with the fewest amount of bugs possible before moving on to another 'update/upgrade' that will inevitably introduce new issues. 

Many have pointed out that Apple is showing Affinity Publisher in it's ads for iPad Air 5. My guess is that this is where their attention is going at the moment. There is still one application in the lineup that hasn't been released even as a beta yet so it makes sense that this is their main focus.

That is very interesting! I am very much looking forward to puclisher on iPad to see how it would work for me.

Today I updated my MacMini M1 to Monterey 12.3 and I have to say that the programs Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo start much faster.
I now work with Affinity Designer almost every day and am very happy with it for my stuff.
I'm looking forward to the new version of Affinity Designer and Photo and I hope I don't have to wait too long.

The last real update has been a long time and the only updates made are fixes. When will we get a real update on Affinity Designer, Photo and Publish?

Honestly there isn't any argument or issues, just wanted to clarify what I meant. It's possible I had edited "Adobe can only claim to be...." to "Adobe can only be..." as I realised that Serif have never claimed to be an Adobe replacement and they needn't as it's an excellent app on its own. However, the label has been imposed on Affinity products, that's all.
As much as I love Affinity-I own all three apps, doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement or those who offer criticism should get verbally attacked with patronising or sarcastic comments. That user's frustration is genuine to them and for someone to just come along and dismissively ask them to create their own app is frankly rude and unhelpful. 
I think if users' issues were at least acknowledged that would be better - letting people know if its a consideration or not, where in the road map etc rather than just ignoring them. People are just frustrated by the absence of features they consider to be basic necessities which make their workflow more tedious and have been requesting for years. No arguments here just people voicing their opinions. Nice to see a moderator btw 🤓
 

Does she claim it Affinity/Serif somewhere? Can you give any evidence for your claim?

My sentiments exactly, I don't see the point in selling it cheap and leaving out so many basic features people desperately need and have been requesting for years. Most of us are tired of using "work-around" to complete certain tasks. I still think Affinity is a great product and appreciate the absence of the subscription pricing model. However, I'd rather have all the requested features for a higher price (as long as it remains subscription free). I'd happily pay a higher price- one off of course!😄
Affinity can only become an Adobe replacement when it includes basic tools like: live trace (even Inkscape has this), warp effect, eraser, knife tool, pattern maker tool, vectorization tool (like in Inkscape, Gravit Designer) etc. I really hope Affinity 2.0 delivers. 
I say an Adobe replacement because whether we like it or not, Adobe is still established as the "industry standard" in the creative industry hence, in order for Affinity to compete to the point of being recognised as an "industry standard" alternative, it needs to match the missing highly requested and essential features found in Adobe. There are professionals who complain about having to still return to Adobe to complete certain tasks! Nobody is asking them to change their pricing model or ethics. I can still be an Affinity fan and offer constructive criticism- nothing wrong with that. 

Please stop giving advice to others, because it's a waste of energy, and you probably won't even appreciate it. Instead, start your own business, develop applications such as APh, ADe and APub (or others, your ambitions are certainly much higher), quickly implement all the necessary and cool functions into them, and sell them for 1000 or more €, which users will certainly be happy to pay. OK?

Ahoi Team!
Over the last years dozens of people have purchased your products, AD and AP by name, due to my recommendation: "The same or even better than PS or AI. The little what´s missing will come fast, trust me."
But i´m stuck with you. Quite embarrassing right, well, now?
Announcements and promises over YEARS and YEARS, i don´t know where to start. So many missing and often asked features (snoop around your own and other forums [fora, to be correct]): What is the value of an alternative to PS and AI, when i am regularly forced to go back for common simple tasks?
Guys, take € $ 50.- or 100.- or 150.- again from me and 10.000s others and get this thing working. OK? And do it fast.
Thx, KW
p.s.: I´m sure, that all owners will be OK with an extra payment from time to time. Declare and just be honest: "We need more money to beat the evil forces. Things develop, so must we, what is costly". Everyone will understand. 
I had the same task with my product: Too cheap. I doubled the price and i´m selling more than before. Placement.
25.- by discount? 3kg of somewhat good bread cost more. Don´t fool yourself: A real PS and AI alternative has to be more costly. No problem. Try my advice and get funds by owners (please no novel, just the truth in simple words - two lines) and raise the price.
But you have to deliver: Make huuugggee anouncements and implement the stuff real quickly. OK?

You seem to be saying “As we create a marquee <<we should be able to do something>>” but then you seem to be saying “<<we should be able to do something>> as the marquee is being created”.
I can’t tell if this is one request stated in two different ways or two different requests.
Can you clarify please?
Also, when you say “click the spacebar” do you mean ‘press and release’ (to maybe toggle something) or ‘hold while dragging’, or something else?
Also, it might help if you give us an example of where this (or these) thing(s) might be useful.

But the point is there are a lot of requests, and very often people seem to assume that if they make a request Serif are somehow obliged to comply with it. What I am saying is that, however important you may think your request is, it is just one of many! I get pretty fed up myself, as the years go by, waiting for many, long requested, new features and improvements to be delivered, but (again, as has been mentioned before) you should buy software for the features it has, not for what you want/expect it to add in the future!

Six years and no answer to this... I think it is time to accept that Serif doesn't really care what users want.

sorry, but my english is very bad, i prefer writing in french...
Affinity designer est un super logiciel de dessin vectoriel, j'aime beaucoup l'utiliser à mon niveau débutant. Je regrette tout de même l'absence de shape builder tool, un outil équivalent et aussi simple à utiliser que sur AI ou Inkscape 1.2 rendrait Affinity encore plus intéressant pour beaucoup. Vivement que cette fonctionnalité soit implantée à affinity designer.
 
Google translate : "
Affinity designer is a great vector drawing software, I really like using it at my beginner level. I regret all the same the absence of shape builder tool, an equivalent tool and as simple to use as on AI or Inkscape 1.2 would make Affinity even more interesting for many. We can't wait for this feature to be implemented at affinity designer. "

So far there has not been much benefit in many years to doing single threads either unfortunately. 
People are trying to get away from Adobe for example, and if possible, would prefer a one stop option to do all of these things. I cannot understand why it has been a low priority and taken many years for Affinity to implement what it took other apps, like Vectorstyler for example, less than a year to do. Putting off your customer base for many years and not responding to their requests with any sort of roadmap is not going to help keep the loyalty. I want Affinity to succeed, but they're going to need to address these things sooner than later if they want people to stick around to purchase version 2.0