Good news everyone.
Serif has just released the Windows Beta version of Affinity Photo. You can sign up and get it free for the beta period HERE (https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/windows/)
The Affinity release for Mac was awarded Apple's 'App of the Year' in 2015.
I've got mine, and I will edit this week's entry with it. ;)
I tend to like the Serif software I currently use, so will give it a go - Cheers Howard
I've just started mucking around with it. Loading plugins is a bit of a pain - I had to do the Topaz suite one at a time, and it doesn't understand Viveza from Nik, which is a bit of shame. It also doesn't recognise On1 or Franzis plugins.
And, horror of horrors, luminosity masking returned no results in the help search!
Downloaded but cannot get it to run yet for some reason - Ho hum
Downloaded and running. But can't work out how it works. Managed to change a picture that looked ok, to one that was awful, but no idea how or how to get it back.
I'll try once more then if I can't make it work it will be taken off again.
I know it's beta, but it should be at a place that is at least user friendly - it's effectively a port from mac, so should only be ironing out quirks and minor bugs.
Erm, it works pretty much the same way as Photoshop. Just did a quick HDR from three dull shots using the 'dramatic' tone map preset, lightened up the foreground shadows a bit with a 10% white brush on a neutral grey overlay layer, just as I would in PS, and added a vignette by adding a fuzzy selection of the outside of the image on a new layer, blending mode to multiply, just as I would do in PS.
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10146/normal_Mandacou_field_quick_HDR.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=19911&fullsize=1)
There are a few weird bits where I need to read the manual - I still haven't located the gradient map dialogue for example. I've got all of the Topaz plugins working, and most of the Nik ones. To me the app looks a lot like Photoplus X8 with a more up to date skin and a number of additional bells and whistles.
In addition the video guides look pretty impressive HERE (https://affinity.serif.com/forum/index.php?/topic/10119-in-house-affinity-photo-video-tutorials/)
Quote from: Beaux Reflets on November 11, 2016, 10:33:14 AM
Downloaded but cannot get it to run yet for some reason - Ho hum
On the beta forum one other user has reported failure to start - it seems, so far, to be related to a .net framework glitch. I'll keep you posted and let you know if I see anything new on that.
Had another quick play and not sure I'm a fan - perhaps just too used to photoshop - or at least LR!
Quote from: Hinfrance on November 12, 2016, 01:57:05 PM
Quote from: Beaux Reflets on November 11, 2016, 10:33:14 AM
Downloaded but cannot get it to run yet for some reason - Ho hum
On the beta forum one other user has reported failure to start - it seems, so far, to be related to a .net framework glitch. I'll keep you posted and let you know if I see anything new on that.
Cheers Howard, I expected it was a glitch of some sort , as every which way I have tried to get it to run has failed so far, while other reinstalled software functions OK.
Tried again. Now uninstalled as I just can't get on with it.
Can't seem to load preloaded images into a stack, or HDR them. Just too many things that are bugging me -that and I simply don't have the time to play!
Horses for courses Mark! I've never really got on with LR - I find it infuriating a lot of the time. PS I do like though, even if Adobe do keep mucking about with it. I shall miss that when my sub expires.
I "upgraded" to CC not long ago (The trial is now either 7 or 14 days on PS CC) and I had a quick play this afternoon after I found liquify is face aware - and does work very well - if you are into that sort of thing!
But I agree, horses for courses - I didn't like LR until release 4 came out - and then it all clicked!
Andy, there is a new version of the beta out now V1.0.5.37 (https://affinity.serif.com/forum/index.php?/forum/34-affinity-photo-on-windows-beta/), maybe you can get that to install?
Quote from: Hinfrance on November 18, 2016, 01:46:20 PM
Andy, there is a new version of the beta out now V1.0.a5.37 (https://affinity.serif.com/forum/index.php?/forum/34-affinity-photo-on-windows-beta/), maybe you can get that to install?
Still not able to get the prog to run, but thanks for the info Howard.
Affinity has now been released for Windows - £29.99 or €39.99 until 22nd December. I've just bought my licence.
Quote from: Hinfrance on December 09, 2016, 08:06:18 AM
Affinity has now been released for Windows - £29.99 or €39.99 until 22nd December. I've just bought my licence.
A superb piece of software - I am impressed and enjoying exploring its full potential - Thanks for the heads up Howard.
The new release discount has been extended until 5th January 2017 for those who are interested
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/new-features/?mc=PWLaunchFB1
Do you use it to edit raw Fuji files Andy? I`ve just agreed a trade in on a very good deal for a twin lens XT10 but haven`t software tha will edit raws and this looks a cheap way. If I end up getting it.
Quote from: jinky on December 23, 2016, 02:40:46 PM
Do you use it to edit raw Fuji files Andy? I`ve just agreed a trade in on a very good deal for a twin lens XT10 but haven`t software tha will edit raws and this looks a cheap way. If I end up getting it.
I still have a passion for doing my RAW conversions with the Silkypix RAW converter 2 Paul; which is available for Free downloaded from Fujifilm.com, as the results are always very pleasing. And in truth, I have not yet tried the RAW conversion aspect in Affinity.
Pretty sure the SilkyPix 1 or 2 will work for the XT10 as I believe the Fuji in camera software is based on that software to provide the in camera jpegs :tup:
Has it improved since the beta? Didn't like it when I tried it - to be fair, I didn't like lightroom until about version 5.
Quote from: anglefire on December 23, 2016, 07:46:49 PM
Has it improved since the beta? Didn't like it when I tried it - to be fair, I didn't like lightroom until about version 5.
I think the Beta ironed out a few things although I did not get much opportunity to play before the final launch came. That said, I have not used Lightroom to be able to compare and I am still finding my way around Affinity.
The Affinity video tutorials are certainly useful regarding methods and shortcuts, and like most things it takes a while to discover all the wheres and what ifs. It certainly looks good value for your money :tup:
The XT10 is listed as a supported RAW format on the Affinity site. I have used the RAW editor and it is up to the job, but I usually use ACDSee and then edit in Affinity afterwards if I need any tweaks that ACDSee doesn't offer (which is not much to be honest). ACDSee also supports XT-10 RAW files.
Merry Christmas everyone !
If I get my XT10 I`ll try the Fuji download - tanks Andy. I`m posting off my backup D7000 which they`ve given me a good bonus extra trade in against it and as a twin lens pack i`m getting a good price. My only fear is that they will suss the D7000 is a grey import - good nick as it is in. They`re only giving me £100 less than it was bought for if the agree with my condition assessment. never liked it so i`ll keep my D700 for the serious stuff and use the fuji for restricted luggage travelling if it comes off.