Phojoegraphy

Ugh. I sincerely can't believe this design mistake still exists in V2.

You're pretty much spot on. Designer is really missing a lot. I was excited at first, but the more I use V2, the more I'm let down by what should have been. Add to that the headache of transferring everything from V1 to V2 on the iPad app is a huge hassle.

I know Apple's sandboxing is an issue, but it would have been great to have a few bulk export options from the V1 iPad apps to unload: all custom brushes, all installed fonts, all assets etc. to the files app so we can more easily install them in V2. Doing this one at a time is ridiculously time consuming. And there is no option to export a font.

Here's a quick samples of the ridiculous amount of warping tools in VS. They have regular and power node based envelope distortion, brush based warping and distortion as well as path based warping. You can stack any of them together as well. VS_Warptext.mov

(Copied my response in a V1 thread here for visibility in V2.) It's very useful for freehand warping, but anything structured, (like for typography when you need symmetry & verticals/horizontals to stay true,) it is a bit of a chore to use. We need more behaviors and tools: 1. The nodes to be able to snap with modifier key like a regular node. Vertical, horizontal, 45 degrees. 2. Have a toggle or modifier for symmetrical node behavior both in same direction and opposite directions. 3. Better presets that are easier to edit. Employing a special node like the shape tools use would be extremely useful for preset use. This way we can make flag, raised edge, and warps that need symmetry with ease. (See Vector Styler). Vector Styler easily remains the gold standard for best implemented vector warping, especially for type, IMO. There are so many options and they take literal seconds to employ. It is still faster to copy from Designer, warp in VS and paste back in Designer than it is to manually move every node for an envelope distort where you need to ensure vertical/horizontal lines stay true, (ex. for a raised edge or flag type effect). I urge the Affinity devs to give it a close look and see about employing similar usability.

After years of begging, pleading and demanding, we finally have vector warping. I'm very happy to finally have it, but I honestly can't say I like it very much for every use. It's very useful for freehand warping, but anything structured, (like for typography when you need symmetry & verticals/horizontals to stay true,) it is a bit of a chore to use. We need more behaviors and tools: 1. The nodes to be able to snap with modifier key like a regular node. Vertical, horizontal, 45 degrees. 2. Have a toggle or modifier for symmetrical node behavior both in same direction and opposite directions. 3. Better presets that are easier to edit. Employing a special node like the shape tools use would be extremely useful for preset use. This way we can make flag, raised edge, and warps that need symmetry with ease. (See Vector Styler). Vector Styler easily remains the gold standard for best implemented vector warping, especially for type, IMO. There are so many options and they take literal seconds to employ. It is still faster to copy from Designer, warp in VS and paste back in Designer than it is to manually move every node for an envelope distort where you need to ensure vertical/horizontal lines stay true, (ex. for a raised edge or flag type effect). I urge the Affinity devs to give it a close look and see about employing similar usability.

3. More presets with sliders for different classic envelope distortions - typically those used for typography like; flag, rising side warp, etc. 4. Add modification key to allow symmetrical warping (ex. pull nodes on left and right side toward center at same time). 5. Allow option for node snapping (ex. level with another node,) when editing mesh. 6. Allow options for 45 and 90 degree movement lock when moving nodes or handles while holding SHIFT.

+1

Nice work. I did a double take when I saw Fallon. Didn't expect to see her in the Affinity forums.

In regards to the Corel Draw talk: If you're on a Mac, just get Vector Styler from the app store to hold you over until Affinity supports it. You can literally copy and paste the curve/group/layer between the two applications, so no need to save out a file and reopen it.

Sitting silent isn't how one gets changes made. Adobe has everyone over a barrel which is why a lot of people are looking for alternatives. If it bores you, why are you in the thread?

Right. I would imagine it would take much less CPU/GPU processing than pushing pixels around. DrawPlus is the legacy app I was referring to.

The point is that some of these tools exist in-part already in Photo. Also they existed in past legacy Serif apps. No excuse for the missing tools - especially warping.

Back on Page 8

The video wouldn't upload to forum, so I tossed it up on YouTube.

Vector Styler (VS) is in free beta for Mac and Win right now and has an insane amount of warping tools. I still prefer Affinity Designer (AD) for it's overall speed, easy to find assets, tools, UI, etc. But Affinity really need to take a look at how VS is implementing warps and distortions and take some "inspiration" from them. For workflow purposes, you can copy and paste between the two applications. (Note: sometimes font selection doesn't get carried over. Haven't found a rhyme or reason why, so it's best to send curves.) The thing to note is that VS can warp and distort groups as well as text and objects. VS keeps the text editable after it's warped or distorted, however it's converted to curves when copied to AD. I'll see if I can get a video uploaded.

After the 1.9 release I noticed a discrepancy between the Affinity icons on the Mac dock. Designer and Publisher have hard edge squares and photo has rounded edges like the iPad OS icon. Is this intentional? Am I crazy for noticing this? (My Designer and Photo are Mac App Store versions while Publisher is purchased from Affinity website if that matters.)

@MEB is a moderator of this forum. Not sure if on dev team, but is very knowledgeable & helpful. I would guess at least employee as he does actively manage the brand here and I believe on Twitter as well.

I saw the 1.9 update and immediately ran to the forum to see if they added any of this... Lots of really nice features added across all apps, but this has become a ridiculously huge glaring omission. 😐

I really enjoy the Affinity interface. It's become second nature after a few years, especially since I'm using Affinity Photo in place of PS now. I found VectorStyler via this thread and it's already got a tremendous feature set. However, while it's more intuitive than illustrator out of the gate, it's not quite as intuitive as Affinity. That and I have tons of assets and brushes I rely on keep me here. VS has a TON of features that Designer really needs to implement sooner rather than later. Being able to copy & paste between AD and VS is a huge timesaver to leverage those features Designer doesn't have. I don't mind bouncing over to VS for a quick distort - but I'm sure that won't last long. I hope Affinity catches Designer up a bit as I feel it's definitely stagnated in terms of new features as of late. It's got me starting to look over at the neighbor's yard longingly.

Thanks! I know how this works though... everything is great at the start, then the gods demand a sacrifice and guess who gets thrown into the volcano?!

Update: we don’t really know anything more other than they at least hear us! The person/people running their Twitter account have always been pretty responsive and pleasant.

After a pint or two I built up the courage to bluntly ask this question on Affinity’s Twitter post about update and got a response that sounds promising. Fingers crossed.

Side note - I give VectorStyler beta a try based on a few comments on this thread and WOW! Some of the tools in there are incredibly smooth, especially for a beta version. Liquefy brush, eraser, not to mention all of the distortion and warping one could want... all vector! Their general UI pales a bit by comparison to Affinity, but the Affinity dev's should definitely take a look at all of these options.

+1 for each of the following on desktop (& iPad): Free Transform + Envelope Distort + Perspective Distort for objects, editable text (and possibly groups). These are my biggest gripes with Designer and I'm beyond shocked after all these years we still don't have them. They are staples in typography and design and, sadly, keep users from being able to have a smooth Affinity workflow. I count myself among those looking to cut the Adobe chord and I believe this would go a very long way to allow that to happen for countless users. I understand the reason why there's a lack of a road map now, but it would be beneficial to know that these basic tools are on the radar for release, (sooner rather than later). (While we're adding to the wishlist, Elastic Warp, Bend and Mesh Gradient would be great too. But lets get the basics implemented.) As much as I love Affinity Designer, I can't see myself going to 2.0 if these basic tools aren't implemented. I don't think I'm the only one.