Bug? iPad apps don’t see HDDs/USBs or connected servers/network shares in file browser

[8BitCerberus]

I have been using the Affinity suite on PC for a few years now, but I just got an iPad Pro and wanted to jump in to on-the-go editing, however when I try to open any one of my files using “Open From Cloud”, or even “Import From Cloud”, the Files interface (seems to be built into the Affinity apps, and not accessing the native Files app) sees all my cloud storage services and download folders, but it does not see my connected network share that I have already attached in the native Files app, and it also doesn’t see any HDDs or USB sticks I connect, either. This is happening in both Photo and Designer. If it’s a bug, I’d like to know where to properly report it. If it’s a limitation of the API that prevents them from being able to fully access the native Files app features... well, damn. Why, Apple? However, if it’s intentionally limited... why, Serif?

Ultimately I’d like to use a HDD to pass work back and forth since I won’t always be on the same network, but I was hoping to also be able to use network shares periodically as well. The native Files app can browse the network share and HDDs/USBs, and I can copy Affinity documents from them to let’s say OneDrive, for example, and I can then open it in Affinity from OneDrive, but that’s impractical for daily work. My current, less than ideal, option is to relocate my entire work folder into OneDrive since I have 1TB space from Office365, but I do not relish the thought of uploading several hundred gigabytes of data.

Edit: I’m attaching a couple screenshots to illustrate the issue. The dark mode one is the native Files app, and the one not using dark mode (which my iPad is set to), is from Affinity Designer (and it’s the same with Photo).

[DM1]

This is a known issue which will hopefully be addressed in a future (next?) release.
We wait with bated breath. 

[8BitCerberus]

That is unfortunate, and yes, hopefully they fix it in the next release. That seems like a rather significant oversight in their iPadOS compatibility update  Thanks for the clarification.

[DM1]

20 hours ago, 8BitCerberus said:

That seems like a rather significant oversight in their iPadOS compatibility

In addition Affinity apps are not recognised by Files app when trying to open the files. Major oversight indeed. I can navigate to an affinity file with Files app but not open it! That really need s fixing!

[8BitCerberus]

Indeed! I was really looking forward to integrating the iPad apps into my daily workflow, but until these things are resolved it’s looking like I’m only going to be able to use them in a much more limited capacity. I guess one somewhat positive thing from this is it gives me time to start embedding images in my most recent documents, instead of linking them like I have been. I’m not thrilled with the increase in file size that’s going to come of this, but I’d really hate having to re-link images every time I change from iPad to computer and vice versa. I did a few years going back and forth between a PC desktop and Mac laptop with the Adobe suite, and that first week or so constantly re-linking was a nightmare. Now that I’ve been all PC desktop and laptop the last several years I’ve gone back to linking images. Oof!

[DM1]

On 1/19/2020 at 12:35 PM, 8BitCerberus said:

Ultimately I’d like to use a HDD to pass work back and forth since I won’t always be on the same network

Fortunately there are work around for previously mentioned issues but it does slow workflow.

Re HDD access, I use a WD Wireless Pro (which sets up its own 5G network. iPad connects to WDWP and The WD MyCloud app browses locations AND opens files directly into affinity apps. Transfers are very fast too (my iPad Pro doesn’t have USB but the USB3 camera accessory works with standard HDD - albeit with Files apps current limitations.) The current range of WDWP offers SSD drives for extra travel reliability. Pricey, but they work well.