Affinity Designer 1.3.2 Issues

[Semper Creatrix]

I just bought Affinity Designer and created my first project for a client. I have chosen this project because it is very simple and allows me to try the software in a professional matter.

 

Because I refuse to have my work held hostage by Adobe, I writing these comments with the best intentions to make Affinity Designer the number one software.

 

I know Serif is working on adding Pantone Colors and other things, So I hope I just adding a new list of things that has not being mention before.

 

Here are some problems I encountered with Affinity Designer:

 

Guide Lines:

Pulling a guideline from top sometimes works and sometimes does not.

 

Ruler in inches very difficult to read specially when zoom very close. Need better hierarchy display.

 

Opening a New Document:

When setting a new artwork, “Include Margins” does not allow “0.125” (1/8”). It changes to “0.13” which is unacceptable for pre-press production.

 

Default “Colour Format” is “RGB/8” when should be CMYK, specially for printing production. Should be a preference to set this very important key factor for professional artwork.

 

Character Format:

This floating window takes a lot of space, when it can be a lot smaller.

 

“Typography” window is not available on Toolbar which is extremely important for Graphic Design. Should be shown inside Character Format window or at least available on Toolbar.

 

Changing to different tool with “Hot Key” or “Keyboard Shortcut” after using Text Tool is not available.

 

Swatches should be avail to show Gray Scale, Gradient and Colors on the same window. I personally feel that does not makes sense to have 3 different sections when we, the artist, use from gray scale, gradient, colors and everything in between in one artwork.

 

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Suggestion:

Should be an option to save my “Studio” windows settings (more than one setting depending on the type of project at hand).

 

You may want to have an option to set different preferences when opening a new document:

 

For Web Design: RGB Colors, Pixels Units for ruler, 72 PPI, Hex Color Swatches, etc.

 

For Graphic Design: CMYK Colors, Inches Units for ruler, Pantone Color Swatches (Solid, Pastels, Metallic, etc.), 300 DPI etc.

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Objects do not show if they are outside Document Dimensions. This could represent a problem and limits the design aspect. Sometimes we have different objects outside the document dimensions to be use inside the document dimensions. If we cannot see other objects to be use inside the document limits the creativity.

Not to mention that some objects may remind hidden and can cause pre-press production problems. For Example a CMYK Object on a Spot color project (or vise-versa)

 

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Suggestion:

Should be an easier way to duplicate and move the text or objects in one action without using copy and paste and then moving the text or objects.

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Text Tool sometimes does not select text, it tries to create a new text. Which makes you to first go to the Tool Box, select “Move Tool” (V), select text, change to Text Tool and then you can edit text.

 

But I can always mentions the thing that are amazing about Affinity Designer, like realtime adjustment of Text Point size, or Font. I think that not only it cuts a lot of design process time, but it also increase the creativity and expand options or concepts in a very spectacular way.

 

Ok, this is for now, because I have work to do and I have not get the chance to play with each tool. I hope Serif finds these comments useful.

[safoster71]

might want to add to this the ability to select multiple nodes inside an object and scale/transform them :-)  

[My Strawberry Monkey]

Because I refuse to have my work held hostage by Adobe.

 

 

Love that  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

 

Nice, points though.

[rui_mac]

As for the guides not being able to be pulled, sometimes, it has to do with the fact that it is only possible to pull guides out of the rulers when the Move Tool is selected.

That is VERY limiting. We should be able to pull guides with ANY tool selected.

[A_B_C]

Hi Semper Creatrix,

 

good points … here are some more answers …  :)

 

When setting a new artwork, “Include Margins” does not allow “0.125” (1/8”). It changes to “0.13” which is unacceptable for pre-press production.

 

The margin values are rounded in the numeric readout fields, but are processed as entered internally. Create a new document, set your margins to 0.125 margins and observe the rulers. I know it is confusing to have the rounded values in the readouts and I would also suggest to change that. 

 

Changing to different tool with “Hot Key” or “Keyboard Shortcut” after using Text Tool is not available.

 

Hit ESC to get the blinking cursor out of your text frame, then use the hot key.

 

Character Format: This floating window takes a lot of space, when it can be a lot smaller.

Objects do not show if they are outside Document Dimensions.

 

Fortunately these ones are going to be addressed in future versions: 

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/5890-merge-characterparagraph-panels/?p=24530

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/842-affinity-designer-feature-roadmap/

 

Cheers, Alex  :)

[Semper Creatrix]

Thank you so much everyone for your input. I have a few ideas or suggestions that I will posting in the right section. Once again Thank you!

[Quarian]

Good calls, everyone. LOVED the "held hostage by Adobe" comment. I usually tell people that we shouldn't have to design with a gun to our collective heads.