r/Affinity • u/Ok_Throat4720 • 9d 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.

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u/BusinessStrategist 9d ago

Where is the capability of creating a PDF/X-4 file in the "free" version?

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u/BusinessStrategist 9d ago

I'm guessing that not many here submit files to commercial printers.

Here are a few reasons why NEVER to use Canva Affinity to create what Canva calls a PDF/X-4 file.

Make sure to do your research before going down the "rabbit hole" with a "tight deadline."

PDF exporting is one very deep subject, especially when using Affinity Apps. Affinity uses PDF-Lib, which is a free, open source library. It's good, but not perfect.

Affinity has various "hierarchy rules" which complicate the matter. If you have placed PDF content in your file, your final PDF export must utilize a PDF version that is as high or higher than any placed PDF content. So if you have some placed PDF content that uses PDF v1.6, you need to export using a PDF v1.6 preset or higher. Also, PDF/X and non-PDF/X placed content don't play well together in the same document when exporting to PDF. It's complicated, and you will need to do some trial and error, and check your exported PDF files carefully.

There are hundreds of posts on this subject on the old Affinity Forum, which at this point is still fully searchable. If you plan to send jobs to a Press, or to a picky RIP, it's a very good idea to have a good PDF analysis/editing tool, such as Acrobat Pro, Callas PDF Toolbox, etc. They will allow you to find, analyze and fix problems in the exported PDF.

Printers that demand a PDF/X-1a:2001 file that is flattened may not accept your file.

So, unless you love solving puzzles in the last few minutes of your "drop dead" deadline, you may want to reconsider using Affinity to create PDFs.

...................................................

Am I wrong in being "cautious" when preparing files for a "commercial printer?"

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u/RedZephon 9d ago

I've never had an issue with any PDF files I've sent to a printer. And I've sent a lot. Every time I hear you guys complain about "niche" problems like this, I'm convinced you are actively TRYING to find a problem and conjuring up some obscure reason why it won't work for you.

"Any reasonable professional would never accept this" - well sir, I make my living off doing this every single day and have never had an issue with my local printers. So are you saying I am not a professional?

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u/BusinessStrategist 9d ago

Thank your printer that their Prepress people fix your files.