Resizing algorithm in Affinity...

[r10k]

So I've been working on a 200x80 logo for a website (in Affinity Photo primarily, but I have tried in Designer too), and I noticed when I created the logo at that size and exported it out as a transparent 24bit png, the anti aliasing of the text looked quite poor. So, I created the file to be much larger, and tried again. Same thing. So, I converted everything to curves and tried again. It still looked quite chunky around the edges. Then I went systematically through every resizing algorithm. Things still looked poor.

Finally I went to Photoshop. Aside from the near instant previews in Photoshop (that I miss in Affinity) I could immediately see that Photoshop (CC) produced a much cleaner logo at a small size. The edges weren't always as sharp in places (things were quite rounded off with anti aliasing) but the effect was much nicer and more consistent.

The Affinity apps have some nice algorithms, but in terms of clean AA at smaller sizes, Photoshop has Affinity beaten by a country mile. I wonder... is this something Serif plan on improving in the future?

[Pšenda]

What to provide a example, possibly information about setting the algorithm, etc.

[r10k]

Not really, no.. I don't have time for image examples of every setting. However, I think I've found where the problem lies. You can test this for yourself.

I used the Cabin font and created a line of text that was eventually resized to be 25 pixels high. The text was white on a coloured background.

The problem seems to be with resizing line artwork in Affinity Photo. So for example, non converted text, or curves. The anti aliasing looks quite poor at smaller sizes, even upon export to png. However, if you rasterize the text, it is easily comparable to Photoshop. This rasterization is very effective, even if you do it at the smaller size.

I would love someone from Serif to comment on why this might be happening.

[Callum]

Hi R10K,

Unfortunately without the file in question or examples its very difficult to say why this might be happening.

Thanks

Callum

[r10k]

That's why I suggested doing it.

• Resize this to 200x80.
• Look at the chunkiness of the AA on the left side of the e.
• Rasterize the text.
• The AA of the text is greatly improved. (or I should say, it's different)

test.afphoto

[Callum]

Hi r10k,

I have tested the example you have given me and while there was a change it was extremely slight and I wouldn't say that his behaviour is un expected.

[r10k]

If you compare the results at actual size, the text that doesn't get rasterized looks very poor, especially for logos. The text looks comparatively chunky. I would not say the difference is extremely slight. It was enough that I looked at the logo text and wondered why it looked like it was made by someone who didn't know how to resize something. Perhaps algorithmically it's doing what it's supposed to, but from a human perspective, on the surface Photoshop produces far more desirable results, unless you know to rasterize your text before output in AP.