Canva Relaunches Affinity Suite as a Free, All-in-One Design App
In a move that could reshape the landscape of creative software, Canva has relaunched Affinity, its suite of design tools, as a unified, all-in-one application. This follows Canva’s acquisition of Serif last year, the company behind Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher. The new Affinity app aims to compete directly with Adobe’s offerings, but with a significant difference: it’s being offered as a “free forever” platform, eschewing the subscription model that has become prevalent in the industry.
A Unified Platform
The core of the relaunch is the integration of Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher into a single application. This means users can now access photo editing, vector illustration, and page layout tools within one interface, streamlining the design process. According to the announcement, Affinity now utilizes “one universal file type,” simplifying project management and collaboration. The app is currently available on Windows and Mac, with an iPad version planned for the future.
Integration and AI Features
The new Affinity app also boasts seamless integration with Canva. Users can quickly export designs to their Canva accounts, expanding their options for sharing and collaboration. Furthermore, Canva Premium subscribers will gain access to AI-powered editing tools such as image generation, photo cleanup, and instant copy features directly within the Affinity app. This integration of AI tools, however, may be met with some resistance from creatives who are wary of the technology.
Addressing the Subscription Question
The shift to a free, all-in-one platform is a strategic move, particularly given the concerns raised after Canva’s acquisition of Serif. The previous Affinity apps were known for their one-time purchase model, a welcome alternative to Adobe’s subscription-based approach. Canva’s own platform, while free to use, locks many features behind a paywall. By emphasizing the “free forever” aspect of the new Affinity app, Canva is attempting to allay fears that it would transition Affinity to a subscription-based model.
What About Existing Users?
For those who have already purchased the standalone versions of Affinity Designer, Photo, or Publisher, these older versions will continue to function. However, the V2 editions of these apps were removed from the Affinity website several weeks ago, and it’s unclear whether existing users will continue to receive support updates. This leaves a question mark for those who have invested in the previous versions of the software.
Source: The Verge
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