2.1 new features and improvements list

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Below is the list of all new features and improvements included in the 2.1 beta. This new functionality is in addition to the many bug fixes and stability improvements in this version (currently 2.1.0.1790).

Depending on how the beta goes / how many issues there are to fix it's possible some more items will be added to this list before 2.1 is officially released - follow this topic if you want to be notified if that happens.

To learn more about these features please click on the link to go to each feature's dedicated post. To give feedback or report bugs against any of these features please reply to that same post (also check out bug reporting and feedback tips).

Features and improvements affecting all platforms

• Balanced dashed lines and other stroke improvements (new in build 1730)
• Running headers in Affinity Publisher (new in build 1730)
• Show special characters added to Designer and Photo (added to iPad too in 1730)
• Adjusted Mask Behaviour (new in build 1730)
• Auto-select options in move tool (new in build 1713/1714)
• Square bracket stroke width adjustment expanded functionality
• Blend mode keyboard shortcuts
• Alt / Option - drag to duplicate in Layers panel
• Alt / Option click to expand / collapse all in Layers panel
• Crop tool improvements
• Auto clean added to paint mixer brush
• Paste inside picture frame
• Vector Flood Fill
• Guides improvements
• Vector warp nodes now obey snapping
• Brush panel improvements
• Raster perspective and mesh warp live filters added to Designer
• Search bar added to your add-ons (new in build 1713/1714)
• Analytics

Windows and macOS features and improvements

• WebP and JPEG XL now available in batch export (new in build 1736)
• Migrate retail version content and settings to beta version (new in build 1730)
• Cross references available in Affinity Publisher (this has now been pushed back to 2.2 as announced here)
• "Close All" added to File menu
• Asset panel reordering improvements
• Rename... added to Layer menu & tab behaviour
• Mask to below... added to Layer menu
• Measure tool now available in Photo and Publisher
• Place tool now available in Affinity Photo
• Drag / Drop bitmap fill to colour and swatch panel
• Zoom tool context options in Develop persona

iPad features and improvements

• New left swipe options on iPad layers panel (new in build 1736)
• Redesigned edit menu (new in build 1730)
• Some file management changes to iPad (new in build 1730)
• Style picker added to iPad apps (new in build 1713/1714)
• Drop down menus with checkable options no longer auto close
• New keyboard shortcut options added
• Reset rotation in navigator with double tap
• Pencil double tap option to open quick menu
• Long press geometry operation to create compound
• Tapping warp group thumbnail now selects node tool
• PDF options now exposed when opening
• Modifiers now available for Select Object
• Hide Layer type icon now available
• Main view rulers added

 

If you have not enrolled into the beta program yet and would like to take part, you can do so here. This will immediately give you access to the latest 2.1 beta builds to try for yourself.

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An update to the beta has just been made live (Build: 1709). Some of the main changes included in this update are listed in this post.

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Another update has just been made live (Build: 1713 / 1714). More info in this post.

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Latest update (Build: 1730) available now! Release notes here

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Latest update (Build: 1732) available now! Release notes here

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Latest update (Build:1736) available now! Release notes here

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Latest update (Build: 1742/1743) available now! Release notes here

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Latest update (Build: 1769) available now! Release notes here