Looks like Affinity has made it too difficult to launch from CTA5 (Cartooon Animator 5)

[Greg T]

Hi,

I just found out issues surrounding Affinity software and being unable to be launched from other software because it is a Windows App instead of a normal executable app like all other applications.

I do not feel like doing extra work just to make it work, so I guess I'll find other software that will be compatible with CTA5 that doesn't require me having to do so much work-around stuff to make it compatible.

Thank you for the Trial.  I have saved myself a ton of headache!  I will be uninstalling this product and finding something else that won't require a workaround.

Best Regards,

Greg T

 

Resources:

https://forum.reallusion.com/529227/Affinity-Designer-2-and-Cartoon-Animator-5

 

Edited January 1, 2023 by Greg T

[lphilpot]

Serif has posted several topics about exe locations, aliases and workarounds. Also, they're working on a standard (MSI) installer for those who don't want to install as a store app. That was originally hoped to be available be Christmas, but is still being debugged. Last release target I read was after the first of the year. I don't have these posts' links handy but a search will turn them up pretty quickly.

[Greg T]

8 minutes ago, lphilpot said:

Serif has posted several topics about exe locations, aliases and workarounds. Also, they're working on a standard (MSI) installer for those who don't want to install as a store app. That was originally hoped to be available be Christmas, but is still being debugged. Last release target I read was after the first of the year. I don't have these posts' links handy but a search will turn them up pretty quickly.

I see.  Time is money, and time isn't on their side.

The main reason I installed this first was because CTA recommends it despite me wanting the "AI coloring mode" that a different business offers.   If CTA5 was able to launch Affinity, I would have bought this software today!

[v_kyr]

etc.

[lphilpot]

48 minutes ago, Greg T said:

I see.  Time is money, and time isn't on their side.

The main reason I installed this first was because CTA recommends it despite me wanting the "AI coloring mode" that a different business offers.   If CTA5 was able to launch Affinity, I would have bought this software today!

This has been a much-discussed topic on the forum since Photo 2 launched in November(to say the least), and a little searching would've turned it up. Whatever. 😶

[RichardMH]

So how does CTA run external apps? Some apps have sorted it out (eg. Capture One, XnView, FastRawViewer) but it seems beyond others.

[Greg T]

1 hour ago, RichardMH said:

So how does CTA run external apps? Some apps have sorted it out (eg. Capture One, XnView, FastRawViewer) but it seems beyond others.

via executable file

 

Anyhow....

 

been chatting with chatGPT... and I can't seem to figure out a work around that would always work no matter update..

This would be great as a batch file... because it doesn't require you trusting someone builds a EXE file that could contain viruses!

The problem is... the code doesn't work, but it's a great start for someone else to figure out.

 

So far after much trial and error all I got is:

@echo off
set app_id=SerifEuropeLtd.AffinityPhoto2*
set reg_path=HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\PackageRepository\Extensions\ProgIDs
set app_path=
for /f "tokens=2*" %%i in ('reg query "%reg_path%" /s 2^>nul') do (
	echo %%i
    for /f "tokens=2*" %%j in ('reg query "%%i" /f %app_id% /s /ve 2^>nul') do (
	echo %%j
        for /f "tokens=2*" %%k in ('reg query "%%j" /s 2^>nul') do (
            set app_path=%%k
            if exist "%%k" exit
        )
    )
)
echo "%app_path%\Photo.exe"
if not defined app_path (
    echo Error: %app_id% installation folder not found in registry.
) else (
    start "" "%app_path%\Photo.exe"
)

 

I was thinking if it could find the program id from the registry editor, then use that in the path for the windows app... like C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\SerifEuropeLtd.AffinityPhoto2_2.0.3.1688_x64__3cqzy0nppv2rt\App\Photo.exe  ... it could get windows to "start" the program...

still need to figure out how to also let it pass varaibles after the program too.

Anyhow... I spent over 4 hours on this... wasted my time... and now Im like... I should have moved on.

 

 

 

 

****************

I reached my limit for posting ...

 

solution is

 

"%localappdata%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\AffinityPhoto2.exe"

 

Thank you RichardMH!

I THOUGHT IT WAS A SOLUTION... BUT ERROR IN CTA5

 

Edited January 2, 2023 by Greg T

[RichardMH]

Think you're in the wrong place. It runs from this but there are protection problems accessing it from other programs.

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\AffinityPhoto2.exe

Alex at FastRawViewer found a way.

https://www.fastrawviewer.com/blog/FastRawViewer-2-0-6-Beta

 

[Y.Kusumi]

Explaining how to locate the file of an executable software using the task manager:

1. **Activate** either **Designer2** or **Photo2**.
2. **Open the task manager**.
3. **Locate the name of the target application** in the list of applications.
4. **Right-click** on it to **expand the folder** and reveal the true target file name.
5. **Right-click again** to **open the location** of the file.

This process will help users identify the actual file associated with the software they are using. 📂👍

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Y.Kusumi said:

This process will help users identify the actual file associated with the software they are using.

With that approach, though, the user will need to repeat the process after every application update if they use the MSIX installers.

Users who really need that info are probably better using the aflaunch utility that Serif provided, and pointing to it instead. Or just installing the EXE-based versions of the applications instead.

[Y.Kusumi]

Thank you, walt.farrell !   I see that  I  need to repeat this process when they are updated.  I would greatly appreciate  if you could show the location  where the aflaunch utility that Serif provided is.  (Before I found the task manager way,  I was wandering through the vast sea of websites.)

[walt.farrell]

7 minutes ago, Y.Kusumi said:

I would greatly appreciate  if you could show the location  where the aflaunch utility that Serif provided is. 

From the FAQ:

 

[Y.Kusumi]

Thank you again, walt.farrell !   I downloaded the aflaunch.zip from the site, and saw that it is available for the Photo2.  Unfortunately for the Designer,  it seems  I need to remember to update the link from CTA5 to it when updated.

[walt.farrell]

24 minutes ago, Y.Kusumi said:

Thank you again, walt.farrell !   I downloaded the aflaunch.zip from the site, and saw that it is available for the Photo2.  Unfortunately for the Designer,  it seems  I need to remember to update the link from CTA5 to it when updated.

There are command-line argumentts that control which application is opened, so if CTA5 lets you specify them, you can still use aflaunch. If it doesn't, then perhaps you should install the EXE versions instead.