Affinity Photo putting photos into shapes

[Sydneymei]

Hi all,

I am looking to create a shape that I can drop a photo into. I have tried creating a rectangle, and dropping the photo into it. However I noticed two things. One, is that the photo doesn’t resize to the shape. The photo will remain big, and I will have to adjust the size. And if the photo is wider than the photo, it will stretch the photo to fit, and the image turns out weird. 
 

is there a way to drop the photo and have it be the size of the shape? And if the picture is wider, can I have it stay that way to adjust where I wasn’t the photo. 
 

to give an example. I will include a video from canva. I am trying to have affinity photo do something like that. 

 

 

[David in Яuislip]

Draw a gradient on the shape
Set the type to Bitmap and choose a file
Set the scale with the handles, there is a maintain aspect ratio button on the Context Toolbar
Experiment with the Extend options

I haven't watched the video

[Sydneymei]

@David in Яuislip thank you! I am going to try this when I get home. This is my first time using a program like this and your help is greatly appreciated!  

[Ldina]

3 hours ago, Sydneymei said:

One, is that the photo doesn’t resize to the shape.

When you 'place' an image, Affinity will maintain the integrity and aspect ratio (width to height) of the original image, which avoids distortion. You can select your Rectangle or other shape, choose "Insert inside the selection" from the context toolbar, File > Place, then you have a few options for actual placement.

1. Hold the Control Key and it will show a preview of the size and location of the placed image as you move your cursor around. This will place the image at a size based on your document size and the resolution of the file you are placing.

2. Or, Click and drag your cursor, which allows you to align the upper left position of your photo where you want it, and size the image as you drag. If snapping is turned on, it will help you align the image to edges or snapping points in the rectangle or shape.

If you want your photo to fit exactly within the bounds of your object, you either need to make sure the object has the same aspect ratio, or resize the rectangle or placed object proportionally, assuming you don't want to distort the photo you are placing. If you want all of a rectangular photo to be visible when placed into a perfect square, you'll have to distort your photo to fit, which you can do by selecting the move tool and resizing the photo, using a side, top or bottom of the placed image bounding box. 

The above work the same in Photo and Designer. Publisher has some additional options, since it is specifically designed as a page layout program.

[Sydneymei]

@Ldina thank you so much for the detailed information! I am going to try it out today. I am new and all this is very confusing. Your information is very clear to understand. Thank you again 

[Ldina]

There are a TON of good video tutorials (on this forum and on Youtube) to help you learn Affinity products. Which one are you mainly focused on? If you let us know, we can point you to some good, clear tutorials to get you up to speed faster. 

[Sydneymei]

@Ldina thank you! As of right now I am mostly looking at using it as a template to drop images and print from. And brightening up some of the photos. Nothing crazy at the moment. 

[Ldina]

If you want to learn more about using Affinity Photo...

In this forum...Browse > Forums > Tutorials > Affinity Photo

On YouTube, check out Affinity Revolution and Technically Trent, who both have good, easy to follow tutorials on Affinity Photo. 

 

[Sydneymei]

@Ldinaperfect. Thank you. I am going to check those out. Thanks again