First Impressions

[Steven4662]

First post and first impressions.

 

I originally downloaded the beta over a week ago but had no chance to dig in to it so my first comment below only applies to it.

 

I got my hackles up for a bit when the first notice I got was to make sure all windows updates have been installed.

Those are fighting words to an old time windows user (since 3.1.1). There are certain updates I will not install for windows (Win. 7 Pro) which is why I have had no problems with my machine for the last 3 1/2 years.

Once I settled down I quit the install and went to the requirements and saw the reasons for the note so with that I installed infinity designer with no problems. Easy breezy installation.

 

1.5.0.5

 

I downloaded and installed 1.5.0.5 over the old beta and again fast install. Thank you.

 

Now a days I am more into PP photos more then the designer aspect so I chose to open a .DNG, PEF, TIFF, JPG files all opened OK

 

I chose to use the refine edge and an old Mac tutorial I found. Although the tutorial was outdated I was able to manage the job.

 

Pros: Fast, easy, and almost accurate.

Cons: You changed a button from shrink/grow to Ramp (where did you get that word from?) and to be honest I found it to be unusable. It acts more like a smudge tool.

I had a hard time with 1 or 2 areas and was never able to refine it to my satisfaction and those should have easily been fixed by the program yet it was able to do some really tough areas (go figure).

 

I think you need to take another look at the "Ramp tool" and consider bringing back the grow/shrink.

 

Now, The one thing I really do not like is your help system. Not the files themselves but the fact that I cannot minimize the help window.

Example: Lets take the zoom tool. I wanted to learn the different ways of zooming of which you show about a dozen or more not including the keyboard short cuts and was forced to resize the window blocking part of the photo to learn them. Usually for most programs I would open the help file, minimize the window and alt/tab back and forth then close the help window or leave it open until done. In the end I went looking in the preferences and found my favorite way of using the mouse wheel. Thank you.

 

You have a winner overall and I have one simple question: I wanted to do a business card next, found the tutorial but realized that it is only for a single card.

We use an Avery template 8371 to print 10 cards at a time so how do I make that template for 10 cards at a time. Is there some way to make templates?

 

Thank you and keep up the good work. If Affinity Photo is as good as Designer I will be rethinking about some of the programs I currently use.

 

Steven

[Dhohoch7]

Hello.  This (Affinity Designer) is pretty good so far.  Some bugs to fix but I can't believe how easy and fun it is to use.  I never cared for Adobe Illustrator. I'm looking forward to Affinity Photo for Windows.  Adobe should be worried especially with their subscription (it's our way or the highway mentality.).

[Alfred]

Now, The one thing I really do not like is your help system. Not the files themselves but the fact that I cannot minimize the help window.

Example: Lets take the zoom tool. I wanted to learn the different ways of zooming of which you show about a dozen or more not including the keyboard short cuts and was forced to resize the window blocking part of the photo to learn them. Usually for most programs I would open the help file, minimize the window and alt/tab back and forth then close the help window or leave it open until done. In the end I went looking in the preferences and found my favorite way of using the mouse wheel. Thank you.

 

You have a winner overall and I have one simple question: I wanted to do a business card next, found the tutorial but realized that it is only for a single card.

We use an Avery template 8371 to print 10 cards at a time so how do I make that template for 10 cards at a time. Is there some way to make templates?

 

I can't see a way to 'n-up' a small document such as a business card onto a larger sheet. I think we just have to choose the sheet size as the publication size, create the BC design in the top left-hand corner and then replicate it to produce the other nine copies. The 'power duplicate' feature makes the last step pretty painless.

 

I agree about minimizing the Help window.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/21368-help-windows-needs-to-be-better/

[Steven4662]

Alfred wrote:

 

 

I can't see a way to 'n-up' a small document such as a business card onto a larger sheet. I think we just have to choose the sheet size as the publication size, create the BC design in the top left-hand corner and then replicate it to produce the other nine copies. The 'power duplicate' feature makes the last step pretty painless.

 

I knew I would have to copy an additional 9 so I am glad you gave me the heads up on power copy. I will have to look that up.

I will take the Avery sheet and measure out their layout and try to duplicate it onto a full sheet in Affinity. Thanks

 

Steven