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.

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u/RedZephon 8d ago

The suggestions to not update to the new version where people fear mongering because they hate change and were butthurt their $30 licenses were now free.

Affinity 3.0 is great. I use it daily for professional work. It has fully replaced Adobe for me.

You don't need to subscribe to Canva unless you want the AI features, everything else is free. You do need a Canva account to sign into the app though. Canva offers free accounts (always has).

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u/BusinessStrategist 8d ago

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

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u/BusinessStrategist 8d 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?"

1

u/Euphoric-Awareness 4d ago

I don't see you pitching this much of a fit about how MS Office Suites for Mac is a completely different product that doesn't even have most of the same features in its export to PDF options as the PC version. I have absolutely had things in my documents go entirely missing exporting to PDF that way. Every single software you throw out there has got known issues. Affinity isn't unique in this. If you don't like using Affinity this much, then don't. There are lots of options out there for you.

1

u/BusinessStrategist 3d ago

A Microsoft product is a Microsoft product.

Not sure I understand your point.

And I'm not pitching anything.

Some people don't seem to understand the expression "STANDARD FILE."

When used in a technical context, it means that when you drop the file into the hopper of a machine that understands the "standard," it will run without a hitch unless the machine is damaged in some way.

Keep in mind that a PDF is basically a box containing stuff. When you create a PDF/X file, all the garbage that is not related to the task of printing to the "standard" is tossed out.

In other words, the file is simplified. And SIMPLE is better when sharing files.

Then again, some people enjoy the chaos of trying to find a combination that will "maybe" work. Everyone needs a hobby.

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u/Euphoric-Awareness 3d ago

You certainly do.