Affinity Photo 2 Released: Superb New Features

[@jeffolson4731]

Thanks for the overview. The features you pointed out will help my work flow.

[@RobinWhalley]

You're very welcome. I've found them very helpful already and they do make a difference.

[@EdwardKilner]

Have upgraded. This was useful. I mostly use DXO PL6 now and wonder whether the Embedded choice will affect subsequent use of PL6. Yes, I know, try it and see! but, do you know?

[@RobinWhalley]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to this one. I don't know what Affinity will do with the embedded RAW data if you export the image to a DNG or PSD file.

[@alyahyai]

This was great, thanks

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Rashid. I've been using the software a lot since I published the video and I like it a lot. The new features are very useful.

[@alyahyai]

@@RobinWhalley Right after watching your video, I went ahead & purchased a license, it is on sale now, so I thought it was a good deal. I appreciate your reply @Robin

[@RobinWhalley]

@@alyahyai You're welcome

[@RachelSmets]

Fantastic!

[@RobinWhalley]

Glad you like it. Thank you.

[@Patricksstrategy]

Top rate a usual - Thanks so much Robin

[@RobinWhalley]

My pleasure. Thank you.

[@davidellinsworth22]

Affinity really needed the luminosity range mask, as an extension to blend ranges which is more reminiscent to Lumenzia etc, so that is a welcome addition. I also really like the look of the mask based on high and low pass information.... effectively a frequency separation mask.... I can see that being very useful. I'll definitely upgrade when I can afford it

[@RobinWhalley]

So far I've been very impressed by the new features. They open up a lot of photo editing possibilitiies.

[@helstor]

Thanks for the video. Are the RAW development tools improved (especially the highlight/shadow function)?

[@RobinWhalley]

The tools seem to be very similar. That said, I was suprised yesterday by how much I could recover in the highlights and shadows of my M43 RAW files. I also tried processing the RAW file in the HDR 32 bit mode which you can access in the Assistant Preferrences and there was a surprising amount of information in the image. I can't hoestly say if this is an improvement on the earlier version or not though. From an email I just recevied it looks like there is a trial version available so it would be an idea to try that with your RAW files. I've often found different RAW files act differently in the same software.

[@helstor]

@@RobinWhalley Thanks for your reply. I guess I should try it for myself. I realized just after you posted that you use a Mac and I believe that Affinity's raw processing uses tools that are built in to MacOS. The windows version seems to use a freeware tool and I have never been happy with the RAW conversions and adjustments in Affinity Photo for Windows.

[@RobinWhalley]

@@helstor You can switch between RAW processing engines in the Assistant Preferences of teh Develop Module. On the Mac I can use either the APple engine or the Serif Labs (I use the later). I don't know about Windows but it's worth checking. Remember, its the Assistant Preferences in the Develop Persona and not the general preferences. If you're unsure drop me an email via my Lenscraft website.

[@davidellinsworth22]

@@RobinWhalley a few reviewers have also reported better highlight and shadow recovery

[@patrickbell9117]

don't see Type on my develop screen. Are you using an earlier release?

[@RobinWhalley]

It's there in the current version of Affinity Photo 2. You may have one of the tools selected in the Develop Persona which hides it. Try selecting either the Zoom Tool with the magnifier icon or the Move Tool with the hand icon. You will then be able to see it.

[@patrickbell9117]

@@RobinWhalley It was because editing it via lightroom uses a tif file. When I opened a raw all was as expected. I think I'm going to have to rethink my workflow if I want to use this. I am working my way through your Udemy course Affinity Photo: Beginner to Pro via Reference and Workflow will you be updating it at all?

[@xoticboomofficial]

can I update my previous version or would I have to re buy it?

[@RobinWhalley]

I believe V2 is a new license and there isn't an update version available for version 1. There is a 40% launch discount at the moment but I don't know how long that will go on for.

[@martinhorton2915]

Helpful video, thanks Robin👍🏻. Just about to hit the upgrade button 😊.. Would you know if affinity workbook would still be relevant with V2 or are they making a new version?

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, you can still use the workbook with version 2. Remember, these are new features in version 2. They don't prevent you from continuing to use what was already there. The only think that I would say is that my books are better value 😇. I'm currently working on a rewrite of my Essnetial Affinity Photo book to include some of the version 2 features. It should be available in December.

[@timculler1454]

Robin,thanks for this excellent introduction to AP2. While impressive, I note that AP still has no DAM. I have been using Capture One Express to convert raws and to catalogue them, only sending file needing further advanced edits to AP. I have read that AP2 doesn’t easily shuttle files back and forth, I.e., requires a workaround; therefore, while the new features are nice, moving to AP2 would make it difficult or impossible to retain C1 Express as raw converter and DAM. Does really make sense, even though 8 would like to support Serif since AP is great product and great value. Or do I misunderstand the AP 2’s ability to work with c1 Express? Thanks,Tim

[@RobinWhalley]

I honestly don't think that Affinity Photo will ever have a DAM tool. It#s not designed to manage photos, it's all about image editing. There are also a lot of packages on the market that do DAM very well and many are free. As for the problem you mention when using C1, that's a limitation of C1 and not Affinity Photo. You would have exactly the same problem if you were using Photoshop with C1. It's caused by the fact that C1 like Lightroom imports images to a catalog file. You need to keep synching the catalog file to pick up new images. The alternative approach which is used by the likes of Adobe Bridge and DxO PhotoLab is to display whatever is in a folder without the need to add the files. It's one reason that I recommend using Bridge as a free DAM for Affinity Photo, but then you will need to do RAW processing in Affinity.

[@lynnefossey7752]

I loved your Affinity photo tutorials in Udemy. Will you have step by step tutorials on use of the new version Affinity Photo 2.0 features? I especially liked practicing on photos you demonstrated, using photo files we could upload.

[@russellwebb3672]

Still as far as I can see no option to create your own camera profiles with the likes of the ColourChecker yet this has been requested for years now. I held off purchasing the On1 but think it still offers more than Affinity I'm afraid.

[@art_by_adrian2913]

I really really want subject selection my wife uses Adobe but I refuse to quit affinity but Watching how great Adobe does sky replacement and different automasking is tough

[@RobinWhalley]

That would be another useful enhancement. Have you added it to the feature request on the Affinity Photo Forum?

[@haies09]

Are you able to create actions or run scripts?

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, you can record and play back Macros.

[@davidellinsworth22]

this was available in version 1.... as Robin alluded to, Serif calls them Macros

[@gonzaloleviatanh]

Hi Robin, can you do a video about using Photolab and affinity photo please?

[@RobinWhalley]

You need to give me a bit more about what aspect you are interested in. If I can then work out an interesting angle that will help otehrs I will add it to my list.

[@gonzaloleviatanh]

@@RobinWhalley can I use Photolab as plug-ins on Affinity photo? If it is not posible, what is the best way for the two applications to interact. Hope I make sense

[@RobinWhalley]

@@gonzaloleviatanh They are both stand alone applications. You can't use Photoshop as a plugin for Affinity. The two applications also do the same thing so there is no need to do that.

[@alangauld6079]

Nice video and you've highlighted the best features for photographers. Most of the others seem to be aimed at graphics artists. I'm very disappointed we didn't get a DAM or some kind of import personna though. They've been promising that for ages! And given their "partnership" with Calibrate there's still no camera calibrator to work with ColorPassport etc. BTW Do the Nik plugins still work in v2?

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm glad you liked the video and yes, I used the software and shared what I liked most as a photographer. I agree that it would be great to see an asset manager integrated or available separately. Yes, the Nik plugins still work with V2 and I've also been using On1.

[@ianyorke2617]

Tried to export to Affinity Photo V2 from DXO Photolab V6 and can't access the AP V2 .exe file on Win 10 Pro 21H1. Are you aware of this? Any suggestions.

[@RobinWhalley]

Sorry, this isn't something I have seen although I am using a Mac. When I use the Export to Application option in PhotoLab 6, I have a few applications listed in the history dropdown. If Affinity Photo 2 isn't there (because I'm doing this for the first time) I can use the "Select an Application" option and then pick the application executable. I just tried it and it's working fine.

[@ianyorke2617]

@@RobinWhalley Thanks for the reply it's a Windows issue.

[@stephencoyle8842]

NZ$70 not bad as I like the new masks. Still no DAM - cannot for the life of me find the new link to be able to open photos in V2 from Adobe Bridge. Any idea where that might be? I run Windows 10...

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm sorry, I don't. I'm using a Mac which I think is different. On a Mac, I right click on an image in the browser and then select the "Open With" option in the popup menu. If the app I want isn't listed there is a Browse option at the bottom of the list. I can use this to find and select the application. I can also change the Preferences which is another way. In the "File Type Associations" there I can set the RAW files etc to open using Affinity Photo 2. Again this has a list of detected application with a Browse option at the bottom. I hope this helps.

[@CharlesGaluski]

Do you have to purchase this separately if you already own the original? I loaded up my copy, told it to check for updates and it said there were no updates.

[@RobinWhalley]

I believe version 2 is a new product and license you will need to purchase.

[@tonyb2760]

I have purchased the upgrade but I will be honest and say I am a bit disappointed in the features of the develop persona. I was hoping for more features in masking ability. Oh well.

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm guessing the view is that you can create very precise masks with a great deal of quality in the Photo Persona. That said it would be nice to have more options in the Develop Persona especially now that it's non-destructive. Add it to the Affinity Forum feature requests if you haven't already.

[@radimhorakfoto]

Finally hw acceleration works via newer ATI graphics cards 👍

[@RobinWhalley]

That's good news.

[@offpawel]

Hmmm...now time to find a way to add nik collections plugins into AP 2.0, unfortunatly they are not automatically imported from ver. 1

[@RobinWhalley]

Theye aren't copied but you can set up a path to the folder in the Preferences. That way you don't need to move or reinstall them. This video explains the process kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWa7XpJtnMR5fKs

[@offpawel]

@@RobinWhalley Robin, you are my Hero! Thank you!

[@RobinWhalley]

@@offpawel You're very welcome. It certainly saved messing about trying to reinstall plugins.

[@StanleyKubick1]

yeah but is it worth $50 all over again? there should be an upgrade path available to preexisting customers

[@RobinWhalley]

If you compare the price of this software with the upgrade costs for other packages then this is still less than most.

[@petarkosovic6455]

@@RobinWhalley It's not. If you purchase new version every year or so (and you'll most likely have to because of tutorials, integrations and projects) it wii end up more expensive than Adobe photography bundle. I'm done with Affinity

[@RobinWhalley]

@@petarkosovic6455 I honestly don't know how you work that out. You need to check your figures.

[@RobinWhalley]

@UCXua_GBqZtQxBGxNTp3NCHA You made some huge assumptions about how Affintiy might be priced in the future based on what? Verion 1 was around for 7 years before the first paid update to version 2. But anyway, Adobe cost per month using your figure of $20 is $240 per year V's your figure of $85 for Affinity. When I did my maths class (admittedly a long time ago) $85 was less than $240.

[@petarkosovic6455]

@@RobinWhalley Adobe started the same. Growing community demands new versions every year. That's the fact. If they acted like assholes now with V1 users, they will probably even worse with future ones. Capture One, PS, Luminar get new releases every year. But you are right, Affinity will probably create subscription model.

[@gabriel1chan]

Although not really much , I still bot the v2 because for one price I also get publisher and designer which I want but never bought. Plus the iPad. Spread it out the software is cheap.

[@RobinWhalley]

The Universal License is great value in my opinion for people who want all of the applications. I don't use Designer that much but the Publisher software is what I now use for all my book layouts.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

I really wish they could've integrated. 3rd party fun photo filters ....like the Alien Skin candy / exposure software..or luminar colour grade......so along with the fundamentals of graphic design there's room to have fun......that's why i love Canva...... But the only saving grace is that it's NOT subscription based and it's a very nominal price when compared to other premium software

[@RobinWhalley]

There is nothing to stop you from using third party Photoshop plugins inside of Affinity Photo. I've just tested version 2 with Exposure X7 and On1 and they both work fine. All you need to do is set up the path to the filters in the Affinity Photo Preferences under the "Photoshop Plugins" section. Whilst it looks a little different now, this video shows how.

[@claudiosimonini5101]

I was surprised to know that it is not possible to configure Affinity Photo as an external editor like Adobe Bridge or any other dam. A pity, I believe I will continue with the current version.

[@RobinWhalley]

That's because Affinity Photo isn't DAM software, it's a photo editor. You can use it as an external editor for the likes of Adobe Bridge, DxO PhotoLab, and Capture One to name a few.

[@claudiosimonini5101]

@@RobinWhalley I tried to configure AP version 2 as an external editor of Adobe Bridge as shown in your previous video on this topic but it was not possible as there is no executable file to which to point. With AP version 1, there are no problems.

[@RobinWhalley]

@@claudiosimonini5101 I have it working with Adobe Bridge on my Mac without problem. As Affinity Photo 2 is an application, it must have an executable file installed somewhere on your computer.

[@claudiosimonini5101]

@@RobinWhalley Thanks, seems to be a small bug, Serif would be working on fixing it. Anyway, it's not such a big problem as I can just drag the thumbnail from Bridge to the Affinity Photo workspace.👍

[@Shajirr_]

They have added all these advanced features yet they can't add a fixed ratio mode for rectangle selection tool for 3 years...

[@Adventwore]

Still no DAM from them so won't be getting this new version I was hoping they would implement it as so many user asking for it.

[@alangauld6079]

Totally agree a DAM was my number one request. They've been promising one since 2016 at least!

[@cattlecreekphotographybyto8954]

My gosh people quit crying! Some people act like they are charging $1000 for this version. Head on over to Adobe and get the subscription, then we'll talk about spending "big bucks"!

[@petarkosovic6455]

You forget you'll end up buying affinity bundle every year or so to keep up with community?

[@JC-ut4oi]

So no reduction for existing users, just the same as new users. That's disappointing considering I've only recently purchased the first one

[@srwx]

Unfortunate indeed. But considering the low asking price compared to similar products I'd say it's still more than fair.

[@PCGEEK2024]

I am with you, still have to pay for upgrade

[@PCGEEK2024]

Check out your email, when you purchased the AP they might give you a free upgrade, they did for me.

[@PCGEEK2024]

Actually AD2 is giving me upgrade for free, because it was recent, I am glad for that.

[@RobinWhalley]

I agree with the other comments here - it would be a good idea to ask if it was a recent purchase. I also agree that this is a low price as well as a 40% launch discount. I think you have been unlucky with your timing as well. I purchased my copy of Affinity Photo soon after it was first launched in 2015 and I've had every release for free. Even if this next release only lasts a year, it's still a fraction of the cost of competing products.

[@garyhunt8455]

already deleted trial version. Was really messing up V.1 and after reviewing V.2 I didn't really see any new features worth spending more money on. And based on the above video I didn't see anything earth shattering for V.2.

[@ElVixe]

I don't like the idea of having to buy the new software, i bought it bc i thought i would never have to pay again, this is just like a suscription now, they will release v3 and i would have to pay again lol

[@Ps3COD4Fan]

They're not asking for much... Affinity came out in 2015. It cost about $30 and went up to $53. that's 7 years for around $50. If you subscribed to photoshop in 2015 till now that would be $1,680. Huge difference if you ask me.

[@mikethomson8438]

Plenty of Open-Source options. Not sure why paying for a new version of software is a problem though. Maybe the same logic could be applied to cars, fridges, washing machines, clothes etc lol.

[@ElVixe]

@@mikethomson8438 Yeah, but this isnt a car, washing machine or clothes, lol

[@ElVixe]

@@Ps3COD4Fan I know there is a huge differente between them. But anyway, they were advertising their product as a one time purchase. Today I searched further and only on their forums I found that they will be charging every big update, like update 1.0.0 to 2.0.0, then to 3.0.0, no thank you, I'm out haha

[@billybobnz1]

@@ElVixe true. However you I assume own version 1 and will own version 1 even if you don’t purchase version 2 or 3 or 4 etc. for a software company to give you continued updates for free for ever then the original purchase price would have to reflect that I.e. it would be many thousands and thousands of dollars. I have updated my compute environment more times than I care to remember to keep up with technology and never expect that to ever be any different. They could have gone down the money drain path of renting month on month and am glad they did not. I used to upgrade Capture one, but no more as it’s just way to expensive for my use case. Affinity how ever is in my price range and is far more stable and useable than a host of other products in this niche area. Happy creating!

[@matrixate]

I use Capture One, so there's no need the new to upgrade. Besides, I'm not paying another 50$ just for what was shown. This was a horrible overview.

[@RobinWhalley]

This isn’t an overview. As I said at the start, these are the three features that I like best. Try watching the Affinity videos. They explain most of the new features.

[@manti1923]

I won't be updating myself I don't see anything major to be laying out more money!!!!

[@alanthompson9520]

I won't be buying any of the new softwares, I have all three of them, and don't believe there is anything that you can't already do in the original versions on one way or another, all seems a gimmick altering the way things are done, I bought the original because i was stated if was free forever basically and ll the updates that come with it, although there are some features added, there isn't many new features that people have been asking for for years, and no auto trace either which is free in inkscape. so disappointed, and like someone else mentioned, its more like a subscription as each time versions appear you will have to pay for them, sorry will be going back to free options software and this is not worth paying for on each version, so you get version 2 with an update 2.1, then 2.2, then oh version 3 and pay again, that's not what I expected from Affinity, no thanks and goodby.

[@ianyorke2617]

Serif never said that AP was free forever. That statement is simply not correct. If you can supply evidence to the contrary? I'll wait.

[@alanthompson9520]

I have to say and hold my hand up when i was wrong about the software being free forever, and yes its cheap compared to other software's, so yes i was wrong and apologies for that statement, however i still stand by you can achieve the same results in the original software as any of the updates in one way or another, and even combine using the old software with other free software to achieve what you want, and found the update was not enough for me to purchase the software. ok people argue about the price, but there is lot of people out there who just cannot pay the asking price, and thought for original uses they could have made it a little cheaper, but again I will not be buying this softwares as some of the updates seem like gimmicks.