Serif overhauls whole Affinity range, adds new iPad Publisher

Posted:
in General Discussion edited November 2022
Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2, and Affinity Publisher 2 have all been launched by Serif for the Mac and iPad, with reworked interfaces, new features, and new licensing options.




Serif has already been steadily rolling out new features and performance updates to each of its art and image apps. But now the Adobe alternative has simultaneously released new version 2 editions of each of its apps.

"For the very first time we're bringing the very latest, highest performing versions of all our products to the market at the same time, with some simply stunning features," said Ashley Hewson, Managing Director of Serif, in a statement. "We think Affinity users both old and new are going to love it."

A key feature of the Affinity apps is how they work together -- while in an Affinity Publisher document, users can click a button to be editing the same file in Affinity Photo.

It's like users keep the one current document and Serif wraps the different applications around that. It means that it's fast to perform actions like touching up a photo once it's already on a page.

Serif says that the key new features in its new Affinity Designer 2 include the "highly requested" vector warp, which "allows you to apply a non-destructive warp over any vector artwork or text."

It also includes an easier to use shape builder tool, and knife tool. Measure and area tools allow users to "determine the area, perimeter and any segment length of a closed shape."

Affinity Photo 2 now allows users to "develop" RAW files non-destructively. A new compound masks feature lets you combine masks, "using add, intersect, subtract and XOR operations."

Then Affinity Publisher 2 adds an ability to include footnotes and endnotes, plus the Place tool now features auto-flow. "Create a single layout that automatically repeats across your document," says Serif.

Affinity Publisher 2 also now lets users combine "separate Publisher documents as chapters to create one long publication," but only on the Mac.

Affinity Publisher on iPad
Affinity Publisher on iPad

New to iPad: Affinity Publisher

With the release of Affinity Publisher for iPad, all three of Serif's design applications are now on iPad, Mac, and PC.

"Our work to put full desktop-quality creative software onto iPad has led the world and set new industry standards for what users should expect from iPad apps," continued Hewson. "And now we're the first to bring all the features you'd associate with desktop publishing to the iPad as well."

"There's genuinely never been anything like this before," he claimed. "The power and portability of Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad allows you to take page design and layout out of the confines of the office and into whatever space brings you most inspiration."

Pricing and launch offers

Hewson notes that there has been speculation that the company would move to subscriptions, but "I'm pleased to confirm that isn't the case." He argues that Serif's one-off purchase means the Affinity apps are "the only viable option for many."

At launch, the Affinity apps have a 40% discount - and so does the Affinity V2 Universal License, which is a bundle of all the apps on every platform.

That universal license costs $99.99, and will rise to $169.99 after an unspecified date. Each of the three apps for Mac -- Affinity Designer 2, Affinity Photo 2, and Affinity Publisher 2 -- are on sale separately for $40.99, rising to $69.99 later.

For the iPad, each app is on sale for $11.99, and the price will go up to $19.99 after the launch.

The iPad versions can be bought in the iOS App Store, and the Mac App Store. The Mac editions can also be bought directly from Serif, which is also how to buy the Affinity V2 Universal License bundle.

Each of the new Affinity apps for Mac requires macOS 10.15. For the iPad, the each require a minimum of iPadOS 15.0.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 13
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 3,015member
    The best news is that they are not subscription software. I would have had to dump Designer if they had. I don’t do rental software. But I have no problem dropping a few bucks for the V2 version of Designer. I’m going to check out Publisher too. 
    sergiobevigregoriusmrezwitsdewme
  • Reply 2 of 13
    DAalseth said:
    The best news is that they are not subscription software. I would have had to dump Designer if they had. I don’t do rental software. But I have no problem dropping a few bucks for the V2 version of Designer. I’m going to check out Publisher too. 
    Couldn't agree more! Way to go Affinity! Gonna buy V2.
    gregoriusmrezwitsdewme
  • Reply 3 of 13
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 3,015member
    I would like to see AI do a review of the new packages. What changes did they make to Designer? What is Publisher capable of, how does it compare to other packages?
    gregoriusmdavrezwits
  • Reply 4 of 13
    The universal V2 license looks to be a good deal, but does anyone's crystal ball see any better specials during black friday?  One has to wonder...
    willypimentel
  • Reply 5 of 13
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,300member
    DAalseth said:
    The best news is that they are not subscription software. I would have had to dump Designer if they had. I don’t do rental software. But I have no problem dropping a few bucks for the V2 version of Designer. I’m going to check out Publisher too. 
    I already upgraded to ver 2. The universal license is real easy. Once apps are downloaded, you only have to log into the Serif/Affinity licensing server and all three apps are registered. Add iPad versions for no additional cost and $99/6=$16.50 per app. Try and get this price for anything sold by Adobe.

    gregoriusmforegoneconclusiondavedge57tmayrezwitsdewmeFileMakerFellermac_dog
  • Reply 6 of 13
    DAalseth said:
    I would like to see AI do a review of the new packages. What changes did they make to Designer? What is Publisher capable of, how does it compare to other packages?
    Serif has an overview on their web site. Per Designer, the highlighted changes are a non-destructive vector warp, shape builder tool (which looks really interesting...easier way to create complex shapes), knife tool, measure and area tool, DWG/DXF file import (like AutoCad), X-Ray view.

    https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-v2-sets-new-standards-in-creative-software/
    rezwits
  • Reply 7 of 13
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 3,015member
    DAalseth said:
    I would like to see AI do a review of the new packages. What changes did they make to Designer? What is Publisher capable of, how does it compare to other packages?
    Serif has an overview on their web site. Per Designer, the highlighted changes are a non-destructive vector warp, shape builder tool (which looks really interesting...easier way to create complex shapes), knife tool, measure and area tool, DWG/DXF file import (like AutoCad), X-Ray view.

    https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-v2-sets-new-standards-in-creative-software/
    For me updating Designer is almost automatic, a no brainer at this price. I’ve been using it for several years now and it’s nice to verify that they added some new tools and didn’t change much else. I’m more interested though in seeing an independent review of Publisher. That looks very interesting, and unlike Designer, I haven’t been using that package. 
    edited November 2022
  • Reply 8 of 13
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,360member
    I’m in thank you Serif…..

    There are some great programs available between Omni, Apple, Serif, Ginger Labs, Shift, The Elements, PalaSoftware (Math Board). And there are many others. Those under 18 school age don’t know how lucky they are. Yes I’m giving a shout out.
    edited November 2022
  • Reply 9 of 13
    Hats off to Serif! These are fantastic apps at a more than fair price! Adobe is raising their monthly subscription and you will end up paying $55 monthly to use Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign unless you have a student or promotional discount. You can have all 3 Affinity apps on both Mac and iPad for $99.99 flat (promo) or just iPad apps for $12 each (promo). After the launch promo the price will increase, but it will still be a great deal comparatively. These apps are also very similar across devices unlike Adobe’s offerings.
    foregoneconclusionrezwitsdewme
  • Reply 10 of 13
    mknelsonmknelson Posts: 1,145member
    The Affinity V2 Universal bundle is also available in the Mac App store version as an in-App purchase.
    rezwitsdewme
  • Reply 11 of 13
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,711member
    I have nothing but genuine praise for Serif and their Affinity products coupled with their commitment to delivering continuing value without having to resort to the subscription model. I really don’t know how they can do it when so many others cannot. 

    The best way I can think of to express my appreciation for Serif and their Affinity products is to upgrade to the latest bundle. Very easy decision, even though I still haven’t run out of discovering the full power of their current versions. 
    FileMakerFeller
  • Reply 12 of 13
    ITGUYINSD said:
    The universal V2 license looks to be a good deal, but does anyone's crystal ball see any better specials during black friday?  One has to wonder...
    I am waiting around for the same thing!! 
    I could use a better black Friday price at the moment!!
  • Reply 13 of 13
    mac_dogmac_dog Posts: 1,083member
    ITGUYINSD said:
    The universal V2 license looks to be a good deal, but does anyone's crystal ball see any better specials during black friday?  One has to wonder...
    Seriously? One universal license for all their apps, including publisher for iPad for all your devices for $99? I would be surprised if you could find one. It’s a limited offer for their entire suite. 

    I’ve been using the suite for years and don’t ever seeing Adobe again. 
    dewme
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