Tom Lachecki

I would disagree.
That thread is specifically for discussing the Variable Font support coming in the 2.5.0 beta, not for general font-related discussions. It should be restricted to its stated purpose, to help the beta run smoothly.

That makes me wondering if Amazon it doing targeted ads in their Prime Video service. Perhaps you hadn't previously seen Canva ads because you never searched for Canva prior to the acquisition and those new searches were somehow cross referenced to your Amazon account or IP number or whatever.

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'simplify'?
If you mean, to remove or 'dumb down' features? Possibly, but that defeats the purpose of acquiring a 'professional' set of apps in the first place.
If however, you mean to simplify in terms of improving the overall UX of the apps, then I'm all for it, as it would not only benefit Canva users coming to the Affinity apps, but all of the current Affinity users as well.
I can't see how they would benefit from creating yet another tier of tools to sit in-between Canva and Affinity, as it would only serve to confuse customers.

I can't see why. Canva is replacing Serif, not Affinity. Affinity is not the company name, but the suite's.
Paolo
 

Why would Canva abandon the Affinity brand name?

Explained here:
 

Off topic but I couldn't help but giggle at the translation of my boss's first name to "Freixo"

Off topic but I couldn't help but giggle at the translation of my boss's first name to "Freixo"

Off topic but I couldn't help but giggle at the translation of my boss's first name to "Freixo"

Off topic but I couldn't help but giggle at the translation of my boss's first name to "Freixo"

This announcement was a shock. While Version 2 was oversold, and the recent slow pace of bug fixes and limited feature updates is concerning, I understand there was a lot of V2 under-the-hood work. Regardless, we were more than happy to pay for the Version 2 ‘all options’ package, even though we don’t (at the moment) run Windows machines and the iPad apps remain something to be explored. The value from V1 was so great that buying version two was both a V1 'thank you’ and a V2 encouragement.
The new ownership compels us to examine of our continued use of Affinity software.
Background
We are a small publishing operation creating image-rich print and multi-media ebooks, based in regional Victoria.
We used PageMaker and then the Adobe Creative Suite from its inception until it went subscription. It was not cheap software – $AU600 to $AU800 a seat with half-price updates that, particularly toward the end, were of diminishing worth. We always had the option to skip an update, over the nine years we probably skipped half – skipping more often towards the end. The Australian pricing was at times up to twice that Adobe charged in the US after allowing for the $AUD/$USD exchange rate. It was very expensive software, but as we purchased outright we could partially control the cost. When the subscription ‘model’ was introduced it effectively doubled our already high costs (again charged at much higher prices than to US users), and the moment we stopped paying we would have lost access to our files.
We limped on with CS6 for publishing and drawing while we pivoted photo processing to Apple’s Aperture – based on this being flagship software from a major corporation. This prove to be a major mistake. We also started producing multi-media ePub projects in Apple’s iBooks Author. Another mistake.
Affinity journey
As CS6 faltered, we waited impatiently for Affinity Publisher for our print-based work, taking part in the beta testing. The moment it launched we moved some projects across, even though key features were missing (compared to In-Design) and there were strange bugs. The killer aspect for us was/is the seamless integration of the three apps. This more than compensated for missing functions and ‘managing’ bugs.
When Apple abandoned Aperture we moved to Photo. The first in our string of abandoned software experiences.
For ePub we are still, just, managing to use iBooks Author but expect that ability to ‘break’ any day. We were hoping Publisher would have a robust ePub capability before that final break.
Continue or abandon
The sale is forcing us to review the place for Affinity in our workflows.
We need software longevity. It is not uncommon for us to revisit projects across a decade. We have just spent weeks updating a project from 2014 where the hundreds of photos processed in Apple’s Aperture have to be redone. So my overriding concern is: what are the odds that the Affinity apps will still be viable in 2034?
Our other requirement is perpetual licence software we can to continue to use.
Unfortunately, ‘wait and see’ isn’t a option as we are due to begin several major projects. Do we continue to pour time, effort and capital into projects based on Affinity software or do we look for alternatives now?
This is a summary of our thinking.
Adobe takeover
One of the concerns raised in this thread is the potential for Adobe to buy Canva – given the mood and direction of Australian competition regulators I think this is so unlikely that it does not figure in my calculations.
VC cash grab leading to enshitification
Two of the three Canva founders are on record as holding 18 per cent of the company each, I guess the third also holds 18 per cent – that would give the three a controlling holding. For short-term VCs an IPO allows them to cash out, so there is a path for control to remain with the founders – parties to the assurances we are receiving today – while VCs can grab their cash.
Institutional shareholders
Two of Canva’s institutional shareholders are Australian ‘industry’ superannuation funds that together manage $250 billion of investments. We have two types of super funds – the commercial ‘for profits’ run by financial institutions etc. who make profits for their owners (and generally lower returns for their member) and ‘non-profit’ – the much larger group – of ‘Industry’ funds run only to benefit their members, often union-controlled, and generally long-term ‘ethical’ investors. That Canva’s institutional shareholders are in the second group provides some comfort.
Entrepreneurs with social conscious
Australia has a small group of billionaire entrepreneurial software developers with strong public conscious. Reports suggesting the Canva founders fall into this group – the pack leader is Atlassian co-founder Mike  Cannon-Brooks, a major driver of large renewable energy projects.
Serif’s fate
A few posts have pointed out that Canva acquired Pixabay and Pexels five years ago to support their offering. Both continue to operate as they had pre-acquisition – as stand-alone organisations with previous management – while providing that support to the main Canva product. It is not a leap to see Serif treated this way as the professional offerings would not make sense being folded into the current Canva 'anyone can design' offering.
The driver for Canva is adding ‘professional’ capabilities. In buying Serif, Canva has paid a lot for that capability. Canva senior management are very astute – they have built a $26 billion business from scratch. Dismantling or compromising Affinity software is not an ‘astute’ path, while strengthening it is. And knowing that a very large part of the attraction to Affinity users is perpetual licences, why would you change this major selling point over Adobe?
However, offering AI or cloud-based services requires a subscription to cover the ongoing costs – the template for that is Luminar Neo – you can by perpetual licences with optional AI-based ‘add ons’ with a subscription.
Much of the angst in this thread is around assurances being given by people who are/will not be in a position to deliver/honour those assurances. On reflection, I think there is a reasonable chance those people will remain in positions where they can honour those assurances for several years beyond an IPO.
Our decision
Making the wrong choice – stay or go – will have a substantial financial and resource impact on our business/operation. It is not a decision to make lightly.
For the moment that decision is to delay the major projects until 2.5 is released, see if there is an improvement in bug fixes and ePub features. If so, we will tentatively begin one of our major projects on Affinity software and remain watchful until Version 3.
If not, the search for alternatives will begin.
There are paths for this to be a net positive for Affinity, and we who use the software. I really hope this is the outcome.

Well said, I share your sentiments, especially at how this thread has been derailed with personal attacks on both the Serif employees and those with differing opinions from the vocal dissenters. I particularly appreciate Ash's contributions, and the patience shown in letting this thread rumble on as a shock/anger venting mechanism for many, when so many other companies would have shut it down.
Quite frankly, some growing up is required. Worth bearing this in mind:

For the past few years, the Affinity products have been great for me, for what I do, and have been incredible value. I've trusted the Serif team in that time and they haven't let me down; I'm willing to trust them going forwards too.

As is your display name 😂

If they say nothing people say "silence is very telling..!".
If they say something people say "dont believe them!"
Plus the amount of simply ludicrous ideas like that one about making our own software in India...
Plus outright insults towards devs, telling them to "f off".
Plus childish "change icon to cat to show devs how you feel".
I have never seen such overreaction, such hate towards devs of software you supposedly like. Even when ZBrush was acquired by Maxon and there was panic it didnt reached that levels.
Very few posts with even remotely positive attitude like that of @Rodi . Instead we have screaming mob that no matter what you say (or dont say), whatever you do (or dont do) - it will not be satisfied and will keep on chanting the same thing. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if in protest somebody sprayed some painting in museum with soup... Same energy.
Over the years this devs were always there to listen. I dont have a single post with problem here that wasnt answered by somebody from the team. At the very beginning of Affinity and recently alike. I dont know what future brings and none of those who claim that "THEY KNOW!!!" knows what will happen. However, if anybody of those screamers had some actual brain cells to use they might come to realization that Canva most probably didnt paid that much for Affinity to just kill it. Its not their direct competition. Neither they want to change Affinity into Canva - it makes zero sense. Their reasoning on the other hand makes perfect sense. Canva wants to expand into more professional area. People want that dreaded "AI" in Affinity. These companies complement each other. But noo, screamers will keep on screaming.
Silence is telling and when they tell you something - dont believe them.
Honestly its surprising how many outright stupid people exists on this planet and how so many of them purchased Affinity. Many here is quick to offend devs based on their imagination of whats going to happen, even if nothing of it happened yet. So dont be feely-touchy about being called stupid. Or be, doesn't matter really.
BTW - Canva bought two free photo stocks in 2019. Pexels and Pixabay. 5 years later - both are still there, both under same names, both still free - just button to canva tools was added...

I agree with the sentiments re Xara - I'm an ex-user.
All we can do folks is take Ash on what he has stated. It's not for us to request/demand to view what was in the Sales Contract - it's priviliged for goodness sake.
Please can we chill out about this. It's a done deal and if you're uncomfortable about the future of Affinity, for whatever reason, then maybe it's time to move on. Okay, moving on is going to be more than an inconvenience but so be it.
I'll stay with Affinity and should I start smelling a rat then I'll move on. I have no wish for subscription or cloud based software. But for now I'll give Ash and the Affinity Team the benefit of some of our doubts albeit we all know that things can change.

To address some of what is being said on this thread...
Firstly to be clear I'm not a founder, but have been with the company for 25 years. I'm officially appointed as Managing Director of the company, but also use CEO as my title as that is my role in terms of how other countries would view it.
Both Canva and us have made 100% clear we are committing to perpetual licences always being available. That will include V3 or any other future major upgrade of our apps which are released. What's more I will say with Canva's backing we are not under the same financial pressure we would have been to release a V3 anytime soon, meaning those of you using V2 will actually benefit from more features as free updates which may previously have been held back for a V3 if that makes sense. This is of great benefit from an engineering standpoint too as we are far better testing and releasing features in smaller chunks than saving them up to package up as a sellable upgrade. 
https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity-canva-pledge/
https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/27/24113423/affinity-canva-acquisition-pledge-license-price-subscription
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-and-canva-pledge/
As we have made clear there will at some point be a subscription option also which people can take if they choose to. I'm sure there will be additional benefits to that subscription in the future such as asset and document sync, sharing and collaboration and other things which naturally require a subscription as they are features which incur ongoing cost. It may also include other things which can be leveraged with a Canva subscription such as greater stock libraries of images, graphics and fonts. Hopefully that would just be considered reasonable and understandable. There will certainly not be any cynical cutting down of features or limitation of ongoing support in our existing apps just to force a subscription play.
I understand examples of previous acquisitions can make some of you fearful, but they are just historic examples - it has no bearing on what will happen in this case and we are genuinely doing something here which is very different and special. Everything I said on Tuesday, and what both Canva and us pledged yesterday, is 100% true and we are going to stand by it. That includes keeping our entire team here with no layoffs, and continuing to be based in Nottingham. 
If you want to believe this or not is up to you, I'm not sure what more we can say at this point to convince those who doubt it. We'll deliver on this over the coming months and years so whatever is being said right now I know it's going to be all good and assuming you are still using Affinity apps you will be happy with how they have developed and that we have continued to be fair and inclusive with our pricing.
Also to follow on from Patricks point - I can take some of the personal attacks on me, but I have to say some of the conduct on this thread with some of you being very quick to attack other community members just because they hold different opinions is really disheartening to see. You can absolutely give your opinion on this deal for sure, and we are happy to leave this as an open forum within reason, but that does mean being courteous to other forum members and not just repeating the same points over and over.
Thanks,
Ash
 

Good luck everyone! I'm presuming that, despite shock all round, this is good news for the business, customers, and importantly, employees. And please don't forget the volunteers, like many of the people on this forum. Personally, I've created over 900 videos on YouTube in my InAffinity channel and learned a huge amount about photo editing in the process. Affinity Photo (and I presume the other apps) is a brilliant product and I am in awe of how you have created this.
Well done also on the four commitments. Wisely thought out and should help calm nerves all round.
I can empathise significantly. I was a sofware engineer in small and large companies, UK and global. I moved to marketing and general business and eventually managing mergers and acquisitions in Agilent Technologies (the $10B spin-off from HP of its original businesses), where I was the Workplace Services (facilities, security, H&S, etc) global M&A manager. The most critical element of this, amidst all the IT, HR, Finance, WPS, etc, was cultural integration. One thing we found was that when acquired, people in a company will go along with many changes for the first 100 day, but will want to settle down soon after that.
Canva sounds like a good fit with Serif but there will be differences and how these are handled is so important. Australian and UK cultures have a lot of overlap, but they are not the same. Key will be leadership, which is often misunderstood. The first layer of understanding for this is followership. Without followers, you may be a manager but you are not a leader. Leaders also need to understand psychology, a subject I studied while writing the many pages on the changingminds.org website.
I could ramble further, but you've probably had enough by now and I have a photo competition to judge and potatoes to plant.
Best wishes to all the wonderful Serif, Affinity and Canva people
.. Dave ..
 

I cannot allow this to stand. Gary Bates and Jim Bryce were both very long term employees in Sales and Development for well over 20 years long before they took on Director roles. They dedicated their careers to both the Serif Legacy range and the Affinity range. Please stop this

Over the past year or so I've moved from Affinity Photo being my main photo editor to something I use occasionally for specialised tasks. The RAW editors are just so good these days. With the talent at Affinity and better funding from Canva  I hope Photo can catch up. AI masks and scripting asap would help. Did I mention Capture One Live?  Modern noise reduction and sharpening? Keystoning? 

And isn't that why Canva showed interest in an Affinity product? Just look at their statement.
So why would she liquidate this investment of hers?

And that's exactly why Canva made a deal with Serif. With Serif's expertise, Canva also wants to win over professional designers.
If you have little experience in an area, it's easiest to buy this experience rather than spend a lot of time developing it yourself.

It was already removed from the Stores, as far as new purchases are concerned. But it's still available for you in your list of purchased apps.
(Except for some users who are in regions where Apple has apparently removed the V1 apps completely.)

I looked in yesterday lunchtime and was saddened by the tone of the comments. I understand the concern over the potential for a move to a subscription model, but not at all the aggressive and confrontational way in which it has been articulated. Today's clarification is much more reassuring.
Remember: change is the only constant!
 
 

lets not make this a dirty witch hunt, okay? we put our concerns here, this came as a shock to everyone, and anyone in this needs to evaluate the new situation for themselves with possible options in either way. this certainly is an emotionally loaded topic, especially for those who depend on the affinity suite for their Job (like me) and feel like they got screwed over out of the blue. 
but its not helpful to attack freshly registered users or staff members. keep it civilised. i respect that affinity didnt moderate this thread. usually you would see threads like get wiped from negative comments or completely locked/deleted. 
I think the general sentiment and concerns got voiced and now its up to canva where this goes. lets not spiral that into a hatefueled poopstorm - this makes that difficult situation just more toxic for everyone. 
I will share my honest constructive feedback as years long pro affinity user in the survey they put out, just for the case i was wrong with my pessimistic view on this ordeal, but im sitting on packed bags because of all the red flags. 

Thank you to the Affinity team for the clarification! I am a committed user and Affinity "evangelist" so the new 4-point announcement makes me very happy. I am also excited by the possibility of the Affinity Suite getting online collaboration features. I work with a team that uses a mix of Canva and Affinity apps so the merger would make our lives easier.