I thought the AI features were new (and optional) to the new Affinity Studio.
The Object Selection tool uses AI, making it easy to select a subject (and by inverting the selection, a background).
I see where Adam mentions that in his overview article. I downloaded the segmentation machine learning module, selected an object, inverted the selection (selected the background), deleted the background, and save the resulting image. Looking more carefully, it seems this module is free. The others (Depth Estimation, Colorization, Super Resolution) do require an upgrade to the Canva plan.
I see, so that aspect is included. But if I’m not interested in their new AI tools is there any advantage (other than updates) to swapping to the new version?
A saving of ~5GB of disk space.
There are some be features and app customisation options. I can’t speak as to whether you would find them advantageous or worth swapping for.
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I also can’t speak to whether you should swap to the new or keep old versions, except for the fact (I think) they’ve said there won’t be updates on the old versions. One could download and give it a try. My use of Affinity is really only for the Vector Studio, and even that is fairly minimal. I do like the new Quick Export feature. I’ll move to the new version. I see no downside.
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I don’t see a downside either, loaded up my previous Photo and Publisher projects no problem. I welcome the extreme flexibility in setting up workspaces. I have relatively straightforward page layout but more complex photo editing requirements. I can see myself with a hybrid studio combining the two
I’d be more worried about the other direction – will old versions open files created with the new app? Maybe right now, but how long into the future?
Adobe keeps changing the file format of InDesign so older versions won’t open the newer files, effectively locking you into the upgraded version.
They’ve been clear that it won’t. There’s a new .af file extension for all files in addition to it.
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So, it looks like the new version is presenting the combined old versions (which were actually combined behind the scenes anyway).
It appears they’ve extracted some AI thingies from the old versions and made them pay for use. But you know? Are all those old (and some new) AI thingies all that useful? Are you doing production with hundreds of files a month where the AI thingies really save you time?
Capture One has been pestering me with earnest suggestions to upgrade because of their newest features, some driven by AI. And I thought, “Oh, that looks really useful!” And then I thought, “Um . . . er . . . when is the last time you had to do that? Lemme see, now. . . . . . . . . .”
What perplexes me, here, is how are they going to make money with this revenue model? Really, really? You’re going to make millions and millions of dollars in development costs that you’re still paying-for free on the off-chance your AI thingies are going to so excite people they’ll subscribe?
The grim elephant in the closet ( 
) is that page layout, drawing, and imaging apps are a mature market. You can produce excellent products for vastly less than 30 years ago. So, how do you make money producing tools for publishing when the tools are already great? You know? Hammers are much better than 50 years ago, material science, design and all that. But they’re now less expensive because we’re at peak “hammer.” You just don’t hear advertising like, “Subscribe to our new hammer service! The latest developments in hammer science will arrive at your door yearly!”
An awful lot of software advertising is starting to sound like that hammer ad.
Dave
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We’ll se what happens going forward, but the Affinity Studio app is separate to the three Affinity 2 apps and they continue to work as they always have, and have just been updated. I will continue to use those, but use the new Affinity Studio for collaborative work. One consequence of trying to fit all three functions in one app is that it is looks very busy and I think will be quite tiring to use for extended periods.
What about ePub? Does the new Affinity gain this export feature?
I like the fact that ‘Affinity Photo’ can embed itself in Apple’s PHOTOS app (in the EXTENSIONS button). I don’t know if this is still the case with Affinity Studio.
I just downloaded it, it seems ePub is available as an export option.
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Yes, I do like that option from Affinity in Apple´s Photos. Sadly, it seems lost in the new Affinity Studio…
They have acknowledged this by making the whole UI customisable. Almost to build your own UI levels.
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Yes, there were many things you could do in all the apps that overlapped, so I was not surprised they could easily turn them into one app the way they did it.
Although it does not appear in the EXTENSIONS button, you can use the new Affinity to Edit in Photos using the Photos IMAGES→Edit With.. command. Not sure if there is any substantive difference.
To say no more updates for the previous versions is not strictly true, sorry. While their long-established forum site has been set to read-only for customers, they announced a beta version of an upcoming maintenance release just over a week ago. 2.6.5 Release Candidate (3782) is available to beta test
So it currently looks more like they will make intermittent maintenance updates to keep the old versions operational for some time to come.
I’ve been quite happy with it exploring so far. I think to @Dafuki ’s observations that they may see a future for Affinity as a route to gain pro design users into Canva’s user base. Canva has always had a more broad everyman/woman base, rooted in education and business. Professionals use Adobe, whose efforts on the consumer end have been pretty small and minimal of late. This might be a smart expansion.