Magnus_vb

I also have noticed this issue, but not only with Photo and Designer from the Appstore, but also with Publisher, which I have licensed directly in the Affinity Store. So the issue  seems not to affect only the Appstore-versions.

Since at least a couple of weeks, I've noticed the Affinity apps start really slowly. I've attached a video that shows what happens after I click the Affinity Designer icon in the dock.
Timeline:
Click app at ~3s in, icon starts bouncing Splash screen shows at ~31s Full UI is available at ~33s A loading time of ~28s seems excessive. And I remember how fast it used to start, so this feels really painful. Does anybody know what is going?
–
Some context:
I rebooted just before I recoded this. Only a few basic apps were open, mostly without windows or files. My machine: 16" MBP, 2.3GHz Core i9, 32GB RAM, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4GB, 1TB SSD (of which >70% free). I've randomly chosen Designer for this video. Photo and Publisher react similarly.
startup.mp4

Here are an example what it is called in Iridient Developer -  which also have some more options.
 
// Magnus
 

Yay! That's about time a pro developer steps up and fill that big hole after Aperture. Love you!  :)

Hi
It is not necessary to use inpainting, healing etc on the background layer. I always create a new, empty pixel layer above the background. And - important - select "Current layer and below" in the top toolbar.
 
If I'm not happy with the result, I can just trash that layer  ;)
 
Magnu

As I understand it, as long as you do the stretching/shrinking to the native .afphoto file, the pixel count does not change -- unlike resampling it is a non-destructive process. Only on export is resampling applied, so you always have control over which algorithm is used.

Hi
It is not necessary to use inpainting, healing etc on the background layer. I always create a new, empty pixel layer above the background. And - important - select "Current layer and below" in the top toolbar.
 
If I'm not happy with the result, I can just trash that layer  ;)
 
Magnu

That's entirely up to Apple - the limitation is with Photos. At the moment no app developer can add that function to Photos.

Well, must be an review of version 1.3
 
1. Available in latest version
2. Version 1.4 remember previously document - at least for me. And if I remember(!) right, so did also v1.3
3. Yes, the lasso tool works different - but you can use modifier keys to add and subtract
4. He's right on this one
5. This one I don't understand
6. A different approach then PS. But I think it's a good move, so that you don't by misstake fill something you want to change afterwards
7. The are actually called "Photoshop plugins". Opinion may vary, but I see that functionality as a pure bonus feature (and selling point of course) from Affinity. Is't the plugin makers responsibility/work to have them working in AFP ?
 
 
Best,
Magnus

Well, must be an review of version 1.3
 
1. Available in latest version
2. Version 1.4 remember previously document - at least for me. And if I remember(!) right, so did also v1.3
3. Yes, the lasso tool works different - but you can use modifier keys to add and subtract
4. He's right on this one
5. This one I don't understand
6. A different approach then PS. But I think it's a good move, so that you don't by misstake fill something you want to change afterwards
7. The are actually called "Photoshop plugins". Opinion may vary, but I see that functionality as a pure bonus feature (and selling point of course) from Affinity. Is't the plugin makers responsibility/work to have them working in AFP ?
 
 
Best,
Magnus

:D
 
(By the way, who creates your Photo tutorials on Vimeo? They are fabulous … had I already said this?)

natclass313,
I always do the resizing when exporting the file.
Pro: can anytime go back the the original size
Con: don't get a "real" feeling of the sharpness - I use Clarity filter (live) for sharpness. But I can live with that.

Purpose: Fixes
Status: Release Candidate - Gold Master (really this time - we promise!!)
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Photo
Mac App Store: Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it.
 
This is a Release Candidate (and desperate last minute update to the last GM!) build. It is our intention to submit this for review to This build has been submitted to Apple. We will obviously start adding more features again as soon as this update goes live.
 
Fixes
 
- Enable RAW for stacks - Fix for Panorama studio in separated mode - Fix hard-to-hit handles in Panorama’s crop tool - Fix for overprint in PDF export

Purpose: Improvements / Fixes
Status: Release Candidate
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Photo
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it.
 
This is a Release Candidate build. It is our intention to submit this for review to Apple in the first week of December. Any help you could offer to stabilise and refine the product at this stage will be very gratefully received     :)  We won't be implementing any new features now for this version and we will be focusing on stabilising the product for the immediate future. We will obviously start adding more features again as soon as this update goes live.
 
Improvements / Fixes
 
- Chinese (Simplified) localisation.
- Help improvements (including localisations).
- New sample.
  - ICC profile support for panoramas. - Rotation centre support for panorama Move tool. - Other small panorama improvements.   - Fixed grey artefacts when zooming.
- Fixed terrible problems when multiple documents with different RGB profiles are open. - Added missing Cmd-A/D/I shortcuts to Liquify Persona. - Fixed font fallback for certain scripts (Korean, for example). - Improved export progress reporting. - Fixed tab bar issues when many documents are open. - Printers marks improvements.

Purpose: Improvements / Fixes 
Status: Release Candidate
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Designer
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it. Please note that if you use features which are only present in the Beta version then save your document, it will no longer open in the Mac App Store version.
 
This is a Release Candidate build. It is our intention to submit this for review to Apple in the first week of December. Any help you could offer to stabilise and refine the product at this stage will be very gratefully received    :)  We won't be implementing any new features now for this version and we will be focusing on stabilising the product for the immediate future. We will obviously start adding more features again as soon as this update goes live.
 
Improvements / Fixes
 
- Chinese (Simplified) localisation.
- Help improvements (including localisations).   - Bleed support for artboards. - More small artboard issues fixed.   - Fixed grey artefacts when zooming. - Fixed terrible problems when multiple documents with different RGB profiles are open. - Fixed font fallback for certain scripts (Korean, for example). - Improved export progress reporting. - Fixed tab bar issues when many documents are open. - Node Tool performance fix. - Printers marks improvements.  

I'm afraid I'm with the "more contrast/colour/a little bigger please" camps too.
And I hope they get around to it soon.
Till then I take some comfort in the fact that the bright young developers of today will themselves have older eyes one day and will be posting the same complaints and requests as ours for action to be taken about the UI in some other app. And if there memory still serves them they will think back to now and say " Oh, they were right, this dose matter"

—WOW! I have to say Affinity is definitely Adobe's grim reaper.
—We want to thank you guys for working so hard on AD & AP. 
—Affinity, please continue on this path. You really have a good thing going.
—So proud to be a part of this history in the making.
 
Real talk—

Purpose: Features / Improvements / Fixes 
Status: Beta
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Designer
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it. Please note that if you use features which are only present in the Beta version then save your document, it will no longer open in the Mac App Store version.
 
Features / Improvements / Fixes
 
- Pixel selections now honour the current artboard when selecting all / inverting the selection - Deleting the last artboard will not cause you to have a document of zero dimensions - Fix for marching ants disappearing when the canvas is rotated - Fix for text blurring on some buttons in the UI for retina screens - Export persona’s Slice panel now sets the exportable state for all items in the selection, not just the current item - Fix for objects placed on the spread in an artboard document disappearing when moved again - Move Tool’s marquee drag is no longer hidden when the ‘Hide selection while dragging’ option is set - Fix for marquee selection within artboards not working - Artboard documents without transparency should draw empty artboards with an opaque background - Canvas rotation now makes the grid rotate properly - Many PDF export and import improvements - Fix for many crashes seen after loading documents with saved history where an artboard has been used - Fix for document view having visible borders at different zoom levels and pan locations - Fix snapping marker rendering in the Node Tool - The performance cat has lost his ‘Miaow’ in the Preferences dialog (and Matt mourns its loss) - Artboard labels can now be clicked to select the artboard easily. We’ll make this draggable for next time so you can drag the artboard from here too.

Purpose: Features / Improvements / Fixes
Status: Beta
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Photo
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it.
 
Features / Improvements / Fixes
 
- Panorama UI improvements (including crop tool).
- Fix for document view having visible borders at different zoom levels and pan locations
- Fix for marching ants disappearing when the canvas is rotated
- Fix for text blurring on some buttons in the UI for retina screens - Export persona’s Slice panel now sets the exportable state for all items in the selection, not just the current item - Move Tool’s marquee drag is no longer hidden when the ‘Hide selection while dragging’ option is set - Canvas rotation now makes the grid rotate properly - Many PDF export and import improvements - Fix snapping marker rendering in the Node Tool - The performance cat has lost his ‘Miaow’ in the Preferences dialog (and we all mourn its loss)

For me, personally, if I have to choose between a great DAM in 2016 or a not-so-great DAM - but which can transfer adjustments, ratings… from Aperture/Lightroom/Capture One. I rather take the great one without the transfer.  ^_^

Purpose: Fixes 
Status: Beta
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Photo
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it.
 
This beta is basically the same as yesterday's 1.3.5.8 release, but addresses the following issues:
 
- Fix for issues found with OS X Mavericks and earlier
- Fix for margins/guides not being correctly loaded/saved
- Miscellaneous PDF export improvements
- Fix for Place Image panel crashing

Yay! That's about time a pro developer steps up and fill that big hole after Aperture. Love you!  :)

Purpose: Improvements / Fixes 
Status: Beta
Requirements: Purchased Affinity Photo
Mac App Store: Not Submitted
Download: Here
 
To use this beta, simply download the file from the link given above and double-click on the file to open the installer. Follow the instructions to install the beta version. The beta sits alongside the Mac App Store version and will not interfere with it.
 
Improvements / Fixes 
 
- Panorama improvements
- Denoise in Develop extension - Improved reliability of Live Filter tools when switching between layers   - PDF import/export improvements, particularly in the area of bleed and trimboxes - Pantone/Global colour improvements. Application and Document palettes are now searchable - Added double-click to edit palette colours - Visual indication that documents are loading (in the application title bar) - Fix for non-retina drawing of UI in Layers panel - the disclosure triangle was drawn incorrectly - Added ‘Hide Selection’ option to context toolbar of some tools - use it to hide the tool drawing while dragging - Context toolbars changed to use icon instead of text ‘reset bounding box’ so that it occupies less space - Improved performance when complicated grids are visible - more to come though… - Improved printers marks - Changing paragraph indent now also changes the first line indent too - Fix for view appearing blurry at times when translated by a sub-pixel amount - Canvas rotation with the trackpad can now be disabled from Preferences - Increase font size for Japanese version - Paragraph panel fixes   Edit: This build currently only works on Yosemite and El Capitan.

Candace, Markus
I'm on a Swedish keyboard and the keys [ ] is hard to use. I always (in both AFD and AFP) use alt+ctrl and then drag with the mouse (mouse button down) to adjust the brush size. Very handy!
 
AFD: drag horizontally for size.
AFP: drag horizontally for size - drag vertically for hardness
 
// Magnus

HI, Bykepsycho!
 
When you have your picture open, 1.) click on the new layer icon.
 
Paint over the saber with red with a basic soft brush.
Change the blendmode to 2.) reflect
3.) Add a gaussian blur filter. Set the amount to your liking.
 
Then you go to File, export and save it where you can find it again. ;)
 
I borrowed the picture from google.