New Beta User Experience

[Gnits]

I can see that a lot of work has been completed on this product.  However....2 vital features are missing for me. These are showstoppers.

Placing Images.

I need to place images regularly on a page. In 99% of cases I will want to fit the image into a square picture frame and have the image fit minimum image size (ie I need to see the entire image). I use a square format because it facilitates landscape and portrait. Also, I never know the exact width /height ratio in advance and these can be an infinite range of ratios.

I then need to place a stroke around the image.   Your app allows me put a stroke around the picture frame but not a stroke around the image.

Is there a way to achieve a stroke around the image in this scenario. (Ps.  It is not practical for me to put the stroke around the image in a different image editor).

Data Merge.

I see there is a Data Merge request topic already.  I will read it in due course.  However, if there is no Data merge feature then my use of Affinity Publisher comes to a shuddering halt.  Both Photoshop and InDesign have this feature (and it is horribly clunky and hard to use). In some scenarios I use the Microsoft Word Mail Merge.  I have JavaScript scripts to automate this requirement for my needs in Photoshop and InDesign and Microsoft Word to maximise the efficiency of my workflow when adding 50, 150, 300 plus images into a document with the relevant Title and Captions placed professionally relative to the placement of the image.   I cannot go backwards.  If this feature is not present I cannot use your App.

Regards.

[Gnits]

I have been looking forward to the arrival of this product for a long long time and sincerely hope these features are achievable now or on your roadmap.