I can only open .HIF files from folder and not from Affinity Photo 2 using Windows 11

[Satine]

When I want to open a .HIF file (it's a specific raw format used by Canon cameras) with my Windows 11 desktop, the only way it works is when I go to the image folder and double click or choose open with Affinity Photo 2 for the editor to accept it. When I try to open a file from the editor then the .HIF file doesn't show at all, the folder will be empty. Is that a bug or what can I do to make it visible for the editor?

[walt.farrell]

Welcome to the Affinity forums, @Satine.

When you use File > Open (or Open from the initial application dialog) on Windows you get a File Explorer window. Near the bottom right of that window you should have a selection box with a dropdown allowing you to select the kind of files that are displayed. I'm away from my Windows PC at the moment, so I can't tell you what it defaults to, but you can change it. If you change it to All Files it should show everything.

Or, in the filename field you could type *.hif and press Enter.

Edit: I'm at my Windows PC now, and I can see that All Files is the default for the File Explorer dialog when Opening files in Photo 2. However, .hif files do not show up. However, typing *.hif in the filename field and pressing Enter does work.

 

[stuck]

On 8/14/2024 at 10:25 AM, Satine said:

what can I do to make it visible for the editor?

Searching suggests this is a 'known issue' and as such there's nothing you can do.  See for example this thread:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/canon-eos-r6-hif-images-not-usable-in-windows/339b5733-23cc-4212-abab-e03ae1e97c84

[stokerg]

Hi @Satine,

We do have this logged with our Developers to see if they can address this issue and get them to show in the Open dialog.

I've updated that report with a link back to this thread so the Affinity Info Bot can update here when this has been resolved  

[Patrick Noone]

I'm having the same issue it won't open Fuji HIF files as it can't see them in the folder and I can't get the open with affinity 2 in the drop down and finding the exec file is a nightmare, I can open the AP2 exec folder in task manager but can't get into it to point the viewer to it, it's a pain, ON1 has no problems with it but AP2 is chase around the houses.

[walt.farrell]

48 minutes ago, Patrick Noone said:

I'm having the same issue it won't open Fuji HIF files as it can't see them in the folder and I can't get the open with affinity 2 in the drop down and finding the exec file is a nightmare, I can open the AP2 exec folder in task manager but can't get into it to point the viewer to it, it's a pain, ON1 has no problems with it but AP2 is chase around the houses.

Please see my answer to your near-duplicate post: