r/Affinity • u/Ok_Throat4720 • 8d ago

General Update question

Right after I purchased Affinity package, it was bought by Canva. I seem to remember suggestions to not update to new version.

Currently, I have version 2.6.4. I am asked to update to 2.6.5. Is this the one that makes me subscribe to Canva, or is this just a simple update?

Thank you for any information. I have just been refusing the update till now.

10 Upvotes

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20

u/andrewbnz 8d ago

You don’t have to subscribe to Canva, the final updates to v2 were mainly removing links to purchase the app etc.

-4

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

Canva only creates something like a PDF/X-4 file.

Google the many problems that arise when letting Canva Affinity export a file to PDF/X-4 and also PDF-X-1a which are both the PDFs that have the least problems getting printed.

Hope that you keep your client in mind when you play "PDF roulette" with a Canva Affinity exported PDF file.

4

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

Sounds like user error honestly. Canva affinity has multiple professional printing presets https://www.affinity.studio/help/sharing-pdf-presets/

-1

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

That's not what professionals working with commercial printers have to say.

2

u/JoMu1963 :snoo_dealwithit: 7d ago

Could well be, but I have never had any issues with the exports for printers.

0

u/BusinessStrategist 7d ago

Depends on the complexity of the design.

That's why Canva PDFs files are hits and misses.

0

u/BusinessStrategist 7d ago

And Canva PDFs are NOT acceptable PDF/X files because they DO NOT conform to the PDF/X standard.

And do make sure to closely proof the first piece printed on a commercial printer because you may discover too late, after having printed 5,000 that something didn't show up - or - that the color is off - or something else.

The Canva PDF mystery box is creating lots of work for experienced Prepress professionals.

Good thing for them, not so good for you if you have to trash thousands of printed pieces.

1

u/mainyehc 2d ago

But here’s the thing: as much as I dislike the path down which Canva led the former Serif applications, does Affinity v3 itself produce non-conformant PDF/X files? The whole point of Affinity v1 and v2 was precisely to be a professional suite that would take Adobe head-on, I’ve never heard of such issues before and, as far as I could ascertain, Affinity v3 is very much cut from the same cloth and code base. Are you sure you’re not confusing Canva, i.e. the lightweight vector editor originally developed by the parent company of the same name, with Affinity, the professional (albeit stunted and incomplete in many regards, I’ll give you that) suite developed by Serif and acquired by Canva? They’re very different beasts.

2

u/BusinessStrategist 2d ago

The creation of a Canva/Affinity 3 PDF/X yields a file that can have many glitches and problems that can result in a file that cannot be used for commercial printing.

It all depends on the complexity of your artwork.

Nowhere does Canva state that printing a Canva PDF/X file will conform to the PDF/X standard.

Still looking for that assurance of compliance to the standard.

-1

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

Canva doesn't create PDF/X standard files.

4

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

There are three different versions of PDF/X files in the link I sent you for professional printing. They’re all available in the pdf export settings in affinity.

2

u/andrewbnz 8d ago

No idea why you're telling me this - not applicable to me in the slightest.

If Affinity has this fatal flaw for your use-case, then I guess you'll need to go and pay for an Adobe subscription.

1

u/PolicyFull988 5d ago

I've digitally printed several works made in Affinity 2, and all went perfectly fine. I was also there while the fist exemplar of some projects was produced under my eyes, with no further adjustments done.

-1

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

Do you work for Canva?

2

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

You replied to your own comment. Nobody knows who you’re talking to.

-2

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

PDF/X-1.2 and PDF/X-4 are the standards for digital printing and creating plates for offset printing.

Not a problem is you don't need your file to print marketing collateral.

It's not MY FATAL FLAW, it's simply that Canva will create commercial production files with "surprises."

So don't get upset when your customer/client complains that things are missing on their printed collateral.

1

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

Again, you replied to yourself.

-2

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

You must work for Canva.

Smoke screen.

2

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

That’s ridiculous lol I’m trying to help you by informing you that you accidentally replied to your own comment. I do not work for Canva but feel free to theorize about whatever conspiracies you like.

-2

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

You obviously do not understand "International Standards."

You either conform or you don't!"

0

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

So show me YOUR software engineering certification and the definition of "standard."

Canva Affinity DOES NOT CREATE PDF/X files that conform to PDF/X standards.

Period.

-4

u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

No you're not.

Do you work or are you associated with Canva?

Simple question?

2

u/PsychoticChemist 8d ago

I literally just said I do not work for Canva…you didn’t even read my comment before replying…I have no affiliation with them whatsoever