Amdival Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I've just started experimenting with what file format to use for best Illustrator/Designer compatibility. It looks like Designer can open ai files, but Illustrator cannot open afdesign files, so their native file formats are not the answer. I've tried exporting from Designer to PDF, EPS, SVG with unsatisfying results. - EPS & SVG Come into Illustrator without document size information. (Might be normal standards for these formats maybe) - The layers and groups get destroyed (what file format would retain layers and groups best?) - Images are all embedded when exporting from Designer. How do I retain the links? - Designer keeps EPS files open even after they close. (Cannot save/move/rename EPS files in Windows after closing them in Designer) (Using Windows 10) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pšenda Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 It's usually a PDF, but if it doesn't give you satisfactory results, try this:https://www.google.com/search?q=What+File+Format+for+Best+Illustrator%2FDesigner+Compatibility%3F+site%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fforum.affinity.serif.com Quote Affinity Store (MSI/EXE): Affinity Suite (ADe, APh, APu) 2.4.0.2301 Dell OptiPlex 7060, i5-8500 3.00 GHz, 16 GB, Intel UHD Graphics 630, Dell P2417H 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 23H2, Build 22631.3155. Dell Latitude E5570, i5-6440HQ 2.60 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics 530, 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 23H2, Build 22631.3155. Intel NUC5PGYH, Pentium N3700 2.40 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics, EIZO EV2456 1920 x 1200, Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H1, Build 19043.2130. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amdival Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 10 minutes ago, Pšenda said: It's usually a PDF, but if it doesn't give you satisfactory results, try this:https://www.google.com/search?q=What+File+Format+for+Best+Illustrator%2FDesigner+Compatibility%3F+site%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fforum.affinity.serif.com From what I understand, PDF is not a file format that is meant to be edited. I don't mind using it as a hack if it meets my needs. But, sadly, it does not in this situation. When exporting to PDF from Designer and opening that PDF in Illustrator, the Groups and layers are collapsed. So far, I think that a PSD might be the best cross-compatible file format. I'm still digging though. At first look it still lacks maintaining linked files. I have a feeling that is just a feature Affinity is lacking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt.farrell Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 15 minutes ago, Amdival said: So far, I think that a PSD might be the best cross-compatible file format. I'm still digging though. At first look it still lacks maintaining linked files. I have a feeling that is just a feature Affinity is lacking. PSD files created by Affinity also will not have editable text. The sad truth is that if you must exchange editable files with users that use Illustrator you should be using Illustrator, too. That is the only way to have full fidelity for your files. Quote -- Walt Designer, Photo, and Publisher V1 and V2 at latest retail and beta releases PC: Desktop: Windows 11 Pro, version 23H2, 64GB memory, AMD Ryzen 9 5900 12-Core @ 3.00 GHz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Laptop: Windows 11 Pro, version 23H2, 32GB memory, Intel Core i7-10750H @ 2.60GHz, Intel UHD Graphics Comet Lake GT2 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. iPad: iPad Pro M1, 12.9": iPadOS 17.4.1, Apple Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard Mac: 2023 M2 MacBook Air 15", 16GB memory, macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amdival Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 4 minutes ago, walt.farrell said: PSD files created by Affinity also will not have editable text. The sad truth is that if you must exchange editable files with users that use Illustrator you should be using Illustrator, too. That is the only way to have full fidelity for your files. Yep, I had not tested text yet. You are right. I think I'm realizing that layers and groups are not industry/file-format standard and are only application features. That really is my main concern. Oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illudo Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Hi, I have the same problem with exporting files to Adobe Illustrator from Affinity Designer. PDF is the best option even if you then have to rename and group everything again. But I saw that SVG retains the groups and names in Designer but changes the stroke-points. So I am wondering how to solve this, too. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bruce Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 On 6/23/2021 at 5:57 AM, Amdival said: - Designer keeps EPS files open even after they close. (Cannot save/move/rename EPS files in Windows after closing them in Designer) What? Quote Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac OS 12.7.4 Affinity Designer 2.4.1 | Affinity Photo 2.4.1 | Affinity Publisher 2.4.1 | Beta versions as they appear. I have never mastered color management, period, so I cannot help with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amdival Posted May 24, 2022 Author Share Posted May 24, 2022 On 5/17/2022 at 2:49 PM, Old Bruce said: What? I don't think that was a Affinity Designer issue. I think that was an OS issue. Old Bruce 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.