Affinity by Canva

Product Introduction

1. Affinity by Canva is a comprehensive design and photo editing application that combines vector graphics, raster image editing, and page layout tools within a single platform. It operates natively on macOS and Windows, offering professional-grade capabilities without subscription fees or usage restrictions. The app integrates three specialized studios—Vector, Pixel, and Layout—enabling users to handle diverse creative workflows seamlessly.
2. The core value of Affinity lies in providing unrestricted access to advanced design tools for free, democratizing professional creative software. It eliminates financial barriers associated with traditional design suites while maintaining high performance, precision, and customization tailored to individual workflows.

Main Features

1. Customizable Workspaces: Users can reconfigure panels, tools, and studios to create personalized workflows, with the ability to save and share multiple workspace setups. This includes mixing vector editing tools with photo filters or layout grids within a single interface.
2. Non-Destructive Editing: Adjustments, filters, and layer effects update in real time without altering original files, enabling reversible edits and iterative design processes. Features like adjustment stacks and live previews ensure pixel-perfect exports.
3. Cross-Studio Integration: Seamlessly switch between Vector (logo/UI design), Pixel (RAW photo editing, compositing), and Layout (multi-page publishing) tools within the same document. Supports PSD, AI, IDML, and DWG file imports with layer preservation.

Problems Solved

1. Cost Prohibitive Subscriptions: Affinity replaces expensive recurring payments for creative software with a free, full-featured model, reducing financial strain on professionals and hobbyists.
2. Fragmented Workflows: Designers, photographers, and publishers no longer need separate apps for vector graphics, photo retouching, and layout tasks, as all tools coexist in one environment.
3. Collaboration Barriers: Files created in Affinity can be shared and edited by collaborators without requiring paid software licenses, thanks to its free accessibility and broad file format support.

Unique Advantages

1. Subscription-Free Model: Unlike Adobe Creative Cloud or similar tools, Affinity requires no payments for core features, with optional AI enhancements tied to Canva premium plans rather than mandatory upgrades.
2. Hardware Optimization: Runs efficiently on mid-range Windows PCs and Apple silicon Macs, leveraging GPU acceleration for tasks like real-time rendering and large-file processing.
3. AI Integration Strategy: While the base app remains free, Canva premium subscribers gain access to AI tools like generative fill and background removal, avoiding feature bloat for non-AI users.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Affinity truly free forever? Yes, all core design and editing tools—including vector, pixel, and layout studios—are permanently free without usage limits, though Canva premium plans unlock additional AI features.
2. Can I open Photoshop (PSD) files in Affinity? Affinity fully supports PSD files with intact layers, layer effects, and masks, enabling non-destructive editing comparable to Adobe workflows.
3. What are the system requirements? Affinity runs on macOS 10.15 or later (optimized for Apple silicon) and Windows 10/11 (64-bit with DirectX 12 GPU). A dedicated GPU is recommended for complex projects.
4. How does AI integration work? Canva premium subscribers can enable AI tools like image generation and smart object removal directly within Affinity’s interface, with no third-party plugins required.
5. Can I collaborate with non-Affinity users? Yes, exported files retain full editability for users with Affinity installed, and common formats like PDF/X-4 or SVG ensure compatibility with other software.