Changes at Affinity

[Michael456]

Affinity has temporarily disabled their online shop, purchasing Affinity Photo/Designer/Publisher is currently not possible.
Instead they have the following announcement on their web site:

Creative Freedom Is Coming​

Sign up to be the first to know.

True creative freedom is just around the corner.

October 30.

PetaPixel has an article on this:

Affinity Stops Selling its Photo Editing Software in Preparation for 'Big Changes'

Affinity Photo has announced that it is making "big changes" on October 30 and has stopped selling its software altogether.

petapixel.com

Maybe I'm overly pessimistic but somehow that sounds like another good product jumping on the subscription train. I sincerely hope that won't be the case.

 

[paddler4]

It wouldn't be surprising. The business world in general is moving slowly toward subscriptions. At least in the case of photo software, it has a logic: we keep working on developing the software and give you updates, and you keep paying us. In some cases, there is no logic at all, as in the case of several car manufacturer that have tried to make use of features already present in the car you purchased available only with a subscription.

 

[Michael456]

No logic for me, TBH. Especially with companies like Topaz or Affinity/Serif, who promised their customers that they'd never switch to subscription model.
Bet let's be fair and wait what Affinity will announce on October 30th.

 

[paddler4]

I'm not saying it's desirable. I'm just saying that it make sense in that you get some ongoing development in return for the subscription. That's very different than a car manufacturer telling owners that they have to pay a subscription in order to turn on their heated seats (a real example).

I disliked the Adobe subscription model when it started, but I've come to like it. I get new features frequently, some of which I have found really helpful, and it's trivially easy to update.

 

[tony-s]

I have Affinity Photo but rarely use it. DxO Photolab does everything I need. It will be no loss if AP goes subscription. I won’t buy it.

 

[GammyKnee]

Well the new Affinity is available. I'm in no rush to get it but others are telling me that everything we had in v2 is present and free in the new version, with subscription or some kind of payment plan for new AI-powered functions.

 

[DavidWatts]

Well the new Affinity is available. I'm in no rush to get it but others are telling me that everything we had in v2 is present and free in the new version, with subscription or some kind of payment plan for new AI-powered functions.

Few might follow that model.

 

[LCPete]

I also do most of my work on DXO photolab but Affinity 2 does everything I need for final editing and is excellent for macro image stacking
I haven’t tried any AI editing yet to be honest for what I do haven’t felt it nessersary or desirable

 

[GammyKnee]

I have used the AI subject selection in v2 - it got quite good and it's been a huge time saver for me when doing pure white-backed promo shots. Apparently that's still there in the free incarnation of Affinity. Similarly I've used AI masking in ON1 PR (my main photo editor) and it really takes the repetitive drudge out of the editing process, but I've got no interest in letting AI into the creative part of things.

Judging by the reaction on DPR, the model Canva's chosen for Affinity could be a hit. Time will tell, but I've seen lots of examples where a corporate takeover means that quality takes the back seat.

 

[Michael456]

Judging by the reaction on DPR, the model Canva's chosen for Affinity could be a hit. Time will tell, but I've seen lots of examples where a corporate takeover means that quality takes the back seat.

I'm a bit skeptical, I have to admit. I'm not sure they can make enough money by giving the software away for free and only charging for optional AI tool usage. I hope I'm wrong, though.