Affinity Photo V2 HDR tone map is not working

[SpiritBlue]

All my JPG files have failed at the tone map process so far. I searched the forum and this bug was reported over a year ago, and may have been even present in V1. The process simply stops with an empty loading bar. The stated workaround to shift the photos out of Photos into another folder does not work.

I don’t actually have iCloud enabled in the first place. I am using the iPad Air 5th Gen and am on iOS18, on the 2.5.5.2636 version of Affinity Photo. 

To say that this is frustrating would be an understatement, given that I am on my first holiday in years with my iPad as my primary computing device. As a photographer, this has greatly limited my utility as I won’t be able to access my computer for another few weeks.

Is there another potential workaround which I am not aware of? I would greatly appreciate any help. (Unfortunately, I am not very comfortable to share any of my photos for others to test).
 

1. What Application are you using? Photos.
2. Are you using the latest release version? Yes.
3. Can you reproduce it? Yes.
4. Does it happen for a new document? Yes.

•    What is your operating system and version? iOS18.
•    Is hardware acceleration (in Preferences > Performance) ON or OFF ? (and have you tried the other setting?) Can’t find this on iPad.
•    Any unusual hardware (like tablets or external monitors or drives that may affect things) or relevant other applications like font managers or display managers. No.
•    Did this same thing used to work and if so have you changed anything recently? (software or hardware) It works flawlessly on the desktop version but has never worked on the iPad.

 

Edited October 3, 2024 by SpiritBlue
Adhered to given format.

[NathanC]

Hi @SpiritBlue,

Sorry to hear that, We've gone through a few test HDR merges with tone map enabled on an iOS 18 iPad but have not ran in to it getting stuck at the tone map stage so far, and if the problem also occurs when loading in the JPGs from a folder that's local to your iPad it's possible that the problem relates to the files.

While it's understandable that you don't wish to share the images publicly if you could upload them to the private link below we can confirm if this is the case.

https://www.dropbox.com/request/7vuf2mK1UDHQpQdgXaJN

Thanks

[Primer Vuelo]

I'd like to be of help if I can.  Lately when I use New HDR Image, it hangs at the tone map stage also.  I use an iPad Air 13 with the M2 chip.  I shared a video as well as the photos I used in the video in this Google Drive directory.  Note that the Google Drive name is different from my handle here on Affinity.  Let me now if this helps.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IdX9YLnKdL9lufqNTCzsXfRlcNIPD4c9?usp=share_link

Edited October 8, 2024 by Primer Vuelo

[ElevatedFrames]

I have come to this page because of the same problem.  I have an iPad Pro 13 with the M4 chip.  I have tried various things such as restarting my iPad to clear the cache, moving the files from my camera roll to a folder on the iPad etc, and still it hangs up at the tone mapping part every single time. 

Is there a fix for this or am I doing something wrong?

[Primer Vuelo]

I was wondering if this problem is considered unresolvable, considering the lack of response?

On 10/4/2024 at 6:19 AM, NathanC said:

Hi @SpiritBlue,

Sorry to hear that, We've gone through a few test HDR merges with tone map enabled on an iOS 18 iPad but have not ran in to it getting stuck at the tone map stage so far, and if the problem also occurs when loading in the JPGs from a folder that's local to your iPad it's possible that the problem relates to the files.

While it's understandable that you don't wish to share the images publicly if you could upload them to the private link below we can confirm if this is the case.

https://www.dropbox.com/request/7vuf2mK1UDHQpQdgXaJN

Thanks

 

[NotMyFault]

On 10/8/2024 at 2:25 AM, Primer Vuelo said:

I'd like to be of help if I can.  Lately when I use New HDR Image, it hangs at the tone map stage also.  I use an iPad Air 13 with the M2 chip.  I shared a video as well as the photos I used in the video in this Google Drive directory.  Note that the Google Drive name is different from my handle here on Affinity.  Let me now if this helps.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IdX9YLnKdL9lufqNTCzsXfRlcNIPD4c9?usp=share_link

Thanks for the files.

the video shows you are using V1 which doesn’t get any bug fixes.

never the less, I used your files in Both V1 and V2 on my M1 iPad. No issues with HDR stack. Only V1 tone map persona gives different (much brighter, outblown) results without additional exposure tweaking.

i save the zip file in download folder and unzipped them. My download folder is local on iPad (no iCloud).

So it seems the issue visible for 3 users may need another specific trigger, and Affinity was unable to reproduce the issue (like me).

 

[SpiritBlue]

I apologise for the late reply, but I had wanted to try something before updating, and since it was my holiday I just wanted to enjoy myself first. I found that after reducing the dimensions of the photos, the HDR process was completed successfully with no tone mapping issues. I wonder if the two posters who had the same issues as me could try that?

The process could be getting stuck because the photos are too large. Granted, it’s not a very optimal or long term solution…

[Primer Vuelo]

9 hours ago, SpiritBlue said:

I apologise for the late reply, but I had wanted to try something before updating, and since it was my holiday I just wanted to enjoy myself first. I found that after reducing the dimensions of the photos, the HDR process was completed successfully with no tone mapping issues. I wonder if the two posters who had the same issues as me could try that?

The process could be getting stuck because the photos are too large. Granted, it’s not a very optimal or long term solution…

It worked, and I apologize for the tone of my last message, it wasn't very professional.  Your tip for Affinity V1 worked.  However, I didn't know about Affinity V2, so I went ahead and purchased it.  It works fine for the files of the original size.  Thank you for your help and hope you had a nice holiday!

Edited October 12, 2024 by Primer Vuelo

[Dusstin]

Hello. I have the same issue and happens every attempt. I am using V2 on an M2 iPad Pro. Tried photos in Photos app and local storage (not iCloud synced). 

[LeeLeeO]

I am having the same problem, on tiff files.  I am trying to hdr DSC00025.tifmerge them from a folder under the photos 2 folder on the iPad (m2 air).  It hangs up on tone mapping progress bar, which doesn’t move. Version 2.5.7

DSC00024.tif DSC00026.tif

[Komatös]

Hi @LeeLeeO and welcome to the forums.

On my Mac Mini M4, the tone mapping process paused briefly but then quickly resumed.
How much RAM does your iPad have?