Affinity Photo 2 suddenly cannot support my afphoto file

[Javier Luna]

Hello there. So from what I've seen recently this has been a somewhat odd issue that has occurred to many users and now, for some reason I cannot explain, it reached me.

I created a photo edit as I normally do, then saved the work on my Google Drive with no issues. I am using version 2.4.0 of Affinity Photo V2. I then attempt to reopen the file and I get the failed to open file message mentioning that the file type is not supported. From what I am seeing in the file properties, everything seems to be fine with the file extensions, its association to the app etc. Yet there is no way of accessing it. I've seen that the support team can attempt to recover the file, so I'd appreciate if I could please be assisted with it by sending it through a DropBox link.

OS: Windows 11

Thank You

Edited March 15, 2024 by Javier Luna

[Paul Mudditt]

1 hour ago, Javier Luna said:

Hello there. So from what I've seen recently this has been a somewhat odd issue that has occurred to many users and now, for some reason I cannot explain, it reached me.

I created a photo edit as I normally do, then saved the work on my Google Drive with no issues. I am using version 2.4.0 of Affinity Photo V2. I then attempt to reopen the file and I get the failed to open file message mentioning that the file type is not supported. From what I am seeing in the file properties, everything seems to be fine with the file extensions, its association to the app etc. Yet there is no way of accessing it. I've seen that the support team can attempt to recover the file, so I'd appreciate if I could please be assisted with it by sending it through a DropBox link.

OS: Windows 11

Thank You

Google Drive does not support Affinity .afphoto files which means it can’t give you a thumbnail etc. However have you tried simply starting Affinity file-open and browsing to the file to see if it opens? 

[Javier Luna]

Hello Paul! I have indeed tried to manually look the file up but to no avail. I copied the file back to my computer and it still won't open. I have worked with Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer files from Google Drive before without any issues.

[Paul Mudditt]

2 hours ago, Javier Luna said:

Hello Paul! I have indeed tried to manually look the file up but to no avail. I copied the file back to my computer and it still won't open. I have worked with Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer files from Google Drive before without any issues.

You could always upload your .afdesign to these forums for others to try.

Alternatively if you need to keep it confidential then I am sure a Dev/QA engineer will be along shortly to give you an upload link.

[NathanC]

Hi @Javier Luna,

Unfortunately the 'File type not supported' error when opening .afphoto files is typically an indication that the file is corrupt to the point where the app no longer recognises the document as a valid file type. If you could upload the file to the link below (if you don't wish to share it publicly) we can determine whether or not the file can be recovered by any standard methods.

https://www.dropbox.com/request/hXYpEiAoPOSAw4VQJkBt

Many thanks

[Javier Luna]

I uploaded the file. 

Thank You!!!

[NathanC]

Hi @Javier Luna,

Thanks for sending the file over, I've inspected your file and it doesn't appear to be recoverable in this case unfortunately, when inspected in a hex editor the data in the file is missing throughout the entire file (Indicated by the '00' on each line). We do usually log these files with the developers however in this case there isn't any data left in the file to recover or investigate sadly. I can only suggest reverting to a backup if any are available.

[Paul Mudditt]

On 3/15/2024 at 11:21 PM, Javier Luna said:

I uploaded the file. 

Thank You!!!

From what @NathanC reports, sounds like you may have more luck changing to use another cloud service, I have seen many issues with Google Drive on iOS/iPadOS, it seems the worst performing cloud storage compared to iCloud, Dropbox and Onedrive on Apple devices.

[orangefizz]

Can confirm. And this is the second time this has happened.

• Most recently, I allowed AP2 to update/install when I had a few documents open. Is it possible the updated version then restarted with those documents pre-opened? (I think it would have first prompted me with the version warning.) After closing the doc and trying to re-open right after, it threw the error.
• Another theory: I returned to the document and went to the top-most history entry, then closed it without saving. Tried re-opening (there's no "Revert to saved" AFAIK) and it threw the error.

Either way this is an app killer. It simply cannot be allowed to happen in 2024. Version control or some other means of recovering a file should be highest priority.

[orangefizz]

Another day, two more file errors. This is getting old.

Save failed because control of the lock file was lost.

Save failed because access was lost to files holding data required by this document.

[orangefizz]

I never got this with PS. It makes it very hard to recommend Affinity products.

[orangefizz]

Save failed because the file could not be created