Node/vector free distort or transform transform

[Gwlister]

I'm currently test driving all of the Affinity products in hopes of leaving Adobe's Creative Cloud, but am coming up just a little short on some key tool necessities. The biggest hole I can see is the ability to distort or free transform vector nodes, whole objects or outlined text (curves). 

This is a tutorial on creating 'curved' text using 'free transform' tools in Illustrator from 2000:
http://www.balloontales.com/curved-type/

Or selective scaling when nodes are selected. Here's an example of the function; keep in mind this isn't about WHAT is being created, it's the 'how'.
http://www.balloontales.com/tv-shape-balloon/

Just added functionality to node/vector manipulation and I can then say goodbye to Adobe Illustrator. If these functions already exist, can someone point the way to any related tutorials?

Thanks! Good stuff so far; just need a few more tools to be GREAT stuff.

G.

Edited November 24, 2018 by Gwlister
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[Apophis]

I agree!

These features are ESSENTIAL to completely escape from the grip Adobe has on us.

Apophis

[MisterFulanito]

Those are killer features for me. For advanced users, AD is still kind of some steps behind Illustrator but here it comes, little by little.