Any diffrence between .afdesigner/.afphoto/.afpub?

[Ezbaze]

Are there any other differences between the ".afdesigner/.afphoto/.afpub" extensions apart from the way they are displayed in each app/it opening the app assigned to the extension?

Considering that you can change the file extension of each one into a different one and it still opens fine in the other software?

 

Considering the points above, is there a reason why a more modular approach wasn't implemented for the layout of the Affinity Suite UI, like enabling to use of more features in one app that are available in the other apps (Using Blender as an example)

Having every single panel categorized per use case and having the option to place them in different places around the window

 

Is it because it sways too much from the "usual" UI layouts of other similar software?

Or possibly to have the option to sell them separately (This would be very bad)?

 

[walt.farrell]

There is no difference in the file format between the three applications, and any of the applications can open files from the other applications.

Serif have in the past described the partitioning of functions as an attempt to make a simpler interface for each application, tailored to the functions users of that application would normally find most useful. Also recognizing that a user who owns multiple applications could, if they need some function that isn't present, simply transfer the file to the other application (File > Edit in ...). And that was later extended into StudioLink in Publisher, though Serif have said that was the plan all along, and the reason for the name Affinity.

Some users have speculated that it might be to increase sales of the other applications, but I haven't seen comments from Serif about that.

[Ezbaze]

30 minutes ago, walt.farrell said:

simply transfer the file to the other application (File > Edit in ...). And that was later extended into StudioLink in Publisher

Yes this technically does work, although the benefit of having a centralized app with the ability to select which pannel goes where on the screen based on its function would allow for personalized / fine-tuned workflows, it would add some complexity but it would also remove some of it.

 

32 minutes ago, walt.farrell said:

Some users have speculated that it might be to increase sales of the other applications, but I haven't seen comments from Serif about that.

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of the reasons for having them separately, as it allows users to compare the apps individually between other similar apps

[R C-R]

3 hours ago, Ezbaze said:

Yes this technically does work, although the benefit of having a centralized app with the ability to select which pannel goes where on the screen based on its function would allow for personalized / fine-tuned workflows, it would add some complexity but it would also remove some of it.

What complexity would that remove? There are dozens of Studio panels in the 3 apps, limited screen space to place them all in, & hundreds of possible different workflows.