Designer 2.3.0 not opening file (solved but just so you know)

[LeonLQ]

Using 2.3.0 on my M1 MacBook Pro 14" running macOS 14.1.2 (23B92). In the past couple of weeks it started to fail opening files that's larger than 200MB in file size.

Sometimes it took 10min or so to open the file eventually, but most of the time it just says opening file in the title bar without anything actually happening for even hours. Trying to quit the APP shows a popup saying there's a file being opened so the APP won't quit. Force quitting the APP works but the problem persists when opening files larger than 200MB again.

I solved this by removing Affinity Designer 2's permissions to open any file or folder in macOS System Preference > Privacy and Security > Files and Folders (disabling all sliders in this setting). I can then open any .afdesign file without any problem. Whenever I enable the sliders, the problem reappears.

I can now use the APP without any problem with those permission sliders disabled. But I think this is a weird bug so I would like to share with you guys. Just so you know.

[loukash]

It could be related to the general preference setting "Automatically update linked resources when modified externally".
Possibly your document is attempting to update a linked resource that's not available. I've read a couple of such reports here earlier this week.
That might also explain why revoking the security permission seemingly fixes it.

[LeonLQ]

This could be one of the reasons. But the problem also happens for files with no linked resources. I rarely link resources for my files because my resources are located in a cloud drive which could cause problems when I share the designer file to my coworkers. 

[thermidor]

Thanks for posting here. I just hit the same issue with Publisher 2.3.0 on Mac. Opening large files (all my Publisher files are large files) got stuck and would never actually open the file. This was true for files in iCloud Drive and elsewhere.

Disabling the access in System Preferences solved my problem too and now the files open instantly. (Which is weird as now Publisher shouldn't even be able to open files from iCloud.)

Annoying bug, hopefully fixed soon, thanks for sharing workaround I'd never have guessed!

[marcomourao]

On 12/3/2023 at 5:06 AM, LeonLQ said:

Using 2.3.0 on my M1 MacBook Pro 14" running macOS 14.1.2 (23B92). In the past couple of weeks it started to fail opening files that's larger than 200MB in file size.

Sometimes it took 10min or so to open the file eventually, but most of the time it just says opening file in the title bar without anything actually happening for even hours. Trying to quit the APP shows a popup saying there's a file being opened so the APP won't quit. Force quitting the APP works but the problem persists when opening files larger than 200MB again.

I solved this by removing Affinity Designer 2's permissions to open any file or folder in macOS System Preference > Privacy and Security > Files and Folders (disabling all sliders in this setting). I can then open any .afdesign file without any problem. Whenever I enable the sliders, the problem reappears.

I can now use the APP without any problem with those permission sliders disabled. But I think this is a weird bug so I would like to share with you guys. Just so you know.

Thank you for the tip, worked perfectly!

[thomasrothberghofer]

You are a lifesaver. Thank you. I moved from my iMac to an M2 Mac mini (Sonoma 14.3.1) and had this problem for a whole week. Thankfully I found your solution now. I removed full file access for Affinity Designer (Photo and Publisher did not show up there), and now I am able to work with that great suite of apps again 😃

[Juan Bosch]

Thanks, Leon. I had the same problem and was flabbergasted at why it suddenly wouldn't reopen. You techies can figure out all the logic. I'm just grateful there was a simple solution.

Richard

[PhiSta]

Thank you so much, LeonLQ!!! 

You are a genius!!

[Chris Heath]

You saved the day for me. Affinity Designer popped up a message asking for permission to access files managed by iCloud. I said yes, and it prevented me from opening an important file which was saved in dropbox. I tried to open it multiple times after restarting AD and the computer, but with no success.

I made a copy of the file on my desktop and tried to open that, but still the same problem.

I tried to open the file in Photo and the same message was displayed asking me if I want Photo to access iCloud,. This time I replied No, and the AD file opened in Photo okay.

So I went to the settings @LeanLQ outlined above and turned off Affinity Designer's access to iCloud. Now the file that resides in dropbox opens fine and I can continue on my merry way.

Seeing as I also have Publisher, I thought I'd open the same file, and sure enough, the same message was displayed, so here is a screen capture attached.  

So it looks like letting Affinity Designer (Mac version) have access to files managed by iCloud comes with problems. Click "Don't Allow", and all will be fine.