KTDN

Hi NathanC, I am pretty sure that in the past I have done this without the changes being reflected in both instances. I often copy Text frames and delete the duplicated content without the original content being delete and I’m certain I have done the same with Picture frames too. Why would changes in a pasted frame need to be reflected in the copied instance? Unless linked in some way like in the case of a layout for multiple canvases where a branding or something of that nature needs to be consistently updated. Is there a way to copy a frame and edit it independently without affecting the original? And without leaving the document, which is far less convenient than us using what one already has in front of them?

Hi @NathanC, Thank you for your response and the suggestion to save documents externally as .afpub files. I’ll make sure to do this moving forward. Regarding the issue: Yesterday, I encountered the “Failed to open document” error twice, but today, I was unable to replicate this error despite following the same steps. And, I was eventually able to recover the affected document by saving it to my iPad storage and importing it into Publisher via Open/Import Document in Live Docs. While the loading error didn’t reoccur, I was able to replicate another issue related to layout alterations: 1. I copied a cover (containing text and a border) and pasted it onto the last page of the document. After removing the text, keeping only the border, and replacing the image, I noticed that the original cover had also been altered. 2. When I re-edited the cover to restore its original state, the back cover was unexpectedly altered as well. I recorded a video to demonstrate this issue, speeding up the layout process to highlight the steps and results. Today, I used the Import from Files method to add images instead of Place from Photos, which might have impacted the outcome. I’ve attached a video demonstrating the layout alteration issue. It includes the steps I followed, with the layout process sped up in parts that were less important. Please let me know if any further details or files are required. My project.mp4

Sorry about the poor cinematic quality of the video 😅 next time I’ll pull it into Final Cut and add some explosions or something 🤣 Unfortunately, I can’t share the file but I hope that what I have shared is of some use

Today I have had two documents fail to load in Publisher. The first was a document I duplicated and tried to turn into a coloring book for my daughter. I then tried to create a document from scratch, and the same issue occurred. There are several things that happened while laying out the book that seemed unusual to me. 1. I was unable to place images into picture frames by selecting the frame and importing via the image icon. I had to drag and drop from Photos. 2. The cover includes some text and a border. I tried to copy this and paste it to the last page, then remove the text and keep only the border, then replace original the image with another. But after I was done, I found that not only the copied and changed-back page had been altered but also the cover. 3. After closing the document and trying to re-open it, I received the error message in both cases. I have never had anything like this happen before in Publisher, and I do these kinds of edits to documents all the time. It is critical that this bug be resolved as being able to reliably access documents in Publisher is paramount. Sincerely, Kent ScreenRecording_01-23-2025 16-12-34_1.mov

Yes, it’s not a solution for PC users. Sorry I’m not a PC user. Don’t even own a computer. But you are wrong on point 2.) You can export to other applications. I even explained how to do it. You are also wrong that using this workaround will cost you money.

Don’t pay for any vector tracing apps. Despite not wanting to use Adobe being the primary reason I began using Affinity in the first place, the solution to all of this for now is very simple: get Adobe Capture. You can export shapes directly to Designer after saving to your Capture library, just hit the ellipsis menu on the image you want to export, chose SVG, and select Designer as the destination app. It’s the quickest, best vector tracing solution period. All you need is a creative cloud account. And if you really want to see Affinity add tracing to Designer get a Creative Cloud subscription and ditch Designer for Illustrator. Haha 😂🤣😂

Having a way to automatically trace/convert bitmap images to vector is crucial. It should not be an extra cost, it should be baked into the software, and it really should have been there from day one. As a loyal user, who has both the desktop and iPad versions of multiple Serif applications, I truly hope to see this critical tool make it's way into Designer as soon as possible.

I am using the iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation)

Not for iPad. The weird thing is — not simply that one can shear — but that (as in the video I shared) it engages using the move tool, and unlike the shear feature in transform studio which only shears on the x plane, it is also possible to shear on the y plane. Basically, being able to shear using the move tool (by accident), is a bug, or this feature was being developed and code that enabled it at some point, hasn’t been fully removed. would be great to see this make it to a future update but for now, I was just hoping to let the people at Serif know about the bug. KTDN

That is useful to know! Thanks! I was also able to do the same up and down (on the Y plane) is that also possible using the shear controls? It seems as though it’s only possible to shear on the X plane. KTDN

Hello DWright, Sorry for taking so long to reply, but I was unable to replicate this until today. Attached is an example of skewing left to right. This must be a bug since there seems no reason for it engaging for any other reason besides pure chance, that said Designer could really use this feature! KTDN 8875D065-4E1A-473B-8715-F88DFFEC3424.MOV

Will we be getting 1.7 update tutorials for new features? Seems quite necessary since discoverability is more difficult on a tablet.

On opening the new Designer 1.7 for iPad, when I grabbed a handle with the move tool I was able to skew the object left to right and also up and down. However, I can’t figure out why or how this happened!? Subsequently, I have tried to replicate skewing and most of the time it just goes to rotate or does regular transforms. Does anyone know how this skew option works and how to engage it reliably as it will very useful to utilize. thanks! KTDN

As great as Affinity Designer is, and as much as I love using it, I can’t stress how necessary and useful it would be to have the ability to “Live Trace” bitmap images for conversion to vector. I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the few major features holding Designer back from becoming a true Adobe Illustrator replacement. It’s no secret that many iPad users love using bitmap only applications like Procreate to create their initial designs and later, are looking for ways to to convert these into vector versions. Including a tool like this would make starting in bitmap and finishing up exclusively in vector so much easier and more possible using only the iPad than ever before. Please, consider a Live Trace like feature for a future update and please like &/or comment if you also believe a feature like this would be useful in your workflow!

Hi Denny, I might have to. Serif replied to my email, they are also unsure as to what is happening.