Opening RAW files in Affinity Photo for iPad

[Dave Ellis]

I have a new Gen  7 iPad and have installed Affinity Photo on it. I import my Sony raw files to the iPad using a card reader and the Files app, saving the files in a specific folder I've created. If I open Affinity Photo (AP), I can't see any way of opening a file from a Files folder however I can get around this by opening Files, selecting a file and Sharing it with AP. This way it opens up in AP in the Develop persona. I make some edits and then hit Develop which takes me to the Edit persona. I back out of here and I believe AP automatically saves the file in an unknown format somewhere in the AP app. Now if I decide I want to have another go at developing the raw file, I go back to FIles and share it with AP again. This time however it opens up the previously developed file rather than the original raw file.

So is this normal? Is there any better way of dealing with raw files so that I do get the option of starting a fresh raw development?

I'd be interested to hear what process others use with raw files

Thanks

Dave

[DM1]

11 hours ago, Dave Ellis said:

If I open Affinity Photo (AP), I can't see any way of opening a file from a Files folder

Use Open (or Import) from Cloud. This opens Files app and lets you browse to your chosen directory both local or cloud based.

 

11 hours ago, Dave Ellis said:

I make some edits and then hit Develop which takes me to the Edit persona. I back out of here and I believe AP automatically saves the file in an unknown format

Once you hit develop, your file is no longer raw. 🙂

AP auto saves to its 'sandboxed' memory location.  You need to choose Save a Copy from Document Menu in Edit screen, or choose Save from the hamburger menu on Project screen. The first let’s you save anywhere. The second saves to the ‘default' setting (Affinity folder on iPad or iCloud). In both cases a .afphoto file is created. This file can be copied/moved/opened easily (unlike 'sandbox').

11 hours ago, Dave Ellis said:

Is there any better way of dealing with raw files so that I do get the option of starting a fresh raw development?

Use 'Open/Import from Cloud' to access the original raw file again.

[Dave Ellis]

1 hour ago, DM1 said:

Use Open (or Import) from Cloud. This opens Files app and lets you browse to your chosen directory both local or cloud based.

Many thanks for that, not exactly intuitive but it works!

1 hour ago, DM1 said:

Once you hit develop, your file is no longer raw. 🙂

AP auto saves to its 'sandboxed' memory location.  You need to choose Save a Copy from Document Menu in Edit screen, or choose Save from the hamburger menu on Project screen. The first let’s you save anywhere. The second saves to the ‘default' setting (Affinity folder on iPad or iCloud). In both cases a .afphoto file is created. This file can be copied/moved/opened easily (unlike 'sandbox').

Yes I understand all that.

1 hour ago, DM1 said:

Use 'Open/Import from Cloud' to access the original raw file again.

This is where I still have a problem. When I do this, it seems to open up the developed file rather than the original raw file.

Much appreciate your help so far.

Dave

 

 

 

[DM1]

34 minutes ago, Dave Ellis said:

Use 'Open/Import from Cloud' to access the original raw file again.

This is where I still have a problem. When I do this, it seems to open up the developed file rather than the original raw file.

The issue is that the file in sandbox is linked to the original raw file. When you try to open the raw file again, AP simply opens the sandboxed version (which has been developed already), in edit mode. You can demonstrate is by deleting the file icon in project screen and then reopen the raw. (now back in Develop mode).

My preferred workflow is to create a new file (or use open from cloud), then use Save a Copy in Work screen to create an .afphoto version, then back out and close the file icon in project screen. This removes the sandboxed copy. Now use Open from cloud again and navigate to your previously saved .afphoto file and open it. The sandbox copy on project screen is now linked to the .afphoto file. (If you started this process by opening a raw file you can now repeat the process and open the raw again).

hope this makes sense 🙂
 

[Dave Ellis]

11 minutes ago, DM1 said:

The issue is that the file in sandbox is linked to the original raw file. When you try to open the raw file again, AP simply opens the sandboxed version (which has been developed already), in edit mode. You can demonstrate is by deleting the file icon in project screen and then reopen the raw. (now back in Develop mode).

My preferred workflow is to create a new file (or use open from cloud), then use Save a Copy in Work screen to create an .afphoto version, then back out and close the file icon in project screen. This removes the sandboxed copy. Now use Open from cloud again and navigate to your previously saved .afphoto file and open it. The sandbox copy on project screen is now linked to the .afphoto file. (If you started this process by opening a raw file you can now repeat the process and open the raw again).

hope this makes sense 🙂
 

It does make sense and I've tried it and it all seems to work. Many thanks, brilliant advice!

Dave