As more and more people create and develop their own visual content for personal and professional purposes, they are relying more heavily on image editing programs to get the job done. Affinity ® Photo from software developer Serif has become a go-to resource for many creators but you need to have the right setup to take full advantage of its features, including having enough RAM.

The bare minimum RAM that you need for Affinity Photo is 2 GB whether you are on a Mac or a PC, but 4 GB is recommended. Depending on the complexity of the project and whether multiple applications will be used, you may benefit from having 8 GB or even 16 GB available.

Since arriving on the scene, Affinity Photo has become more than just another image editing platform vying for users in a competitive field. It has become an indispensable tool that is giving more established programs a good run for their money. Like all software, there are certain system requirements, and aside from how much RAM you need, there are other things every user should know so keep reading.

How Much RAM Do I Need for Affinity Photo

One of the main selling points of Affinity Photo is that unlike most of its big-name competitors that operate on a subscription model (under which the costs of their software can be quite high over time and through continued use), it can be purchased outright for a one-time licensing fee with free software upgrades as they are released.

The affordability of Affinity Photo and the treasure trove of editing tools combine to form a powerful one-two punch that has earned this program high praise from users of all skill levels. But according to Serif, there are certain RAM requirements that must be satisfied in order for Affinity Photo’s vast library of features and functions to work properly.

• For Mac computers running Affinity Photo, the bare minimum RAM is 2 GB
• Similarly, for PCs the bare minimum RAM is also 2 GB but 4 GB is recommended by Serif

While indications are that at these levels of RAM, Affinity Photo will run smoothly with full functionality, actual user experiences indicate that 2 GB of RAM is hardly enough and that even 4 GB may be an insufficient amount of RAM under certain conditions.

For instance, when running multiple applications at the same time as Affinity Photo, you may experience sluggishness in the way that some of the program’s functions work. For complex projects or resource-intensive operations, it may be advisable to install Affinity Photo on a computer with 8 GB or even 16 GB of RAM to ensure that your workflow experiences no disruptions.

Why Does RAM Matter When Using Affinity Photo?

RAM, which stands for random access memory, serves as short-term storage for data that a computer can access quickly and efficiently. It is therefore an extremely important aspect of a computer’s infrastructure and one that directly affects its speed and performance.

In the case of a program like Affinity Photo, having a sufficient amount of RAM will ensure that all of its powerful functions and tools work properly and that the user can maintain a high level of productivity. If the RAM is too low, the software will run sluggishly, and in worst cases, possibly freeze or crash. This is why the bare minimum RAM is 2 GB and the minimum recommended RAM is 4 GB.

So what kinds of features does Affinity Photo offer? Here is a sampling:

• Powerful video and photo editing tools including real-time editing and 60 fps pan and zoom
• A full suite of retouching tools including skin and blemish editing
• A dazzling array of filters and layers
• RAW editing
• PSD editing
• 360-degree editing
• Full histograms
• Photo stitching, including panorama
• Full catalog of brushes
• Wacom and Apple Pencil compatibility

With so many features, Affinity Photo is a true image-editing resource with a wide range of purposefully designed functions that can handle just about any task or project. If there is any type of editing that needs to be performed on a photograph, illustration, or video, chances are the perfect tool is just a few mouse clicks away.

But to make these functions work smoothly and seamlessly, Affinity Photo needs sufficient RAM to keep the productivity going at a high level. This is particularly the case when this program is used in conjunction with other applications in a multi-tasking type of workflow.

What Are the Other System Requirements?

To ensure a productive and efficient user experience with Affinity Photo, there are certain system requirements aside from having sufficient RAM that your computer hardware should meet. These specifications vary depending on whether you are using Affinity Photo on a Mac or a PC.

Mac Users

These are the system requirements for Mac users:

• 2.8 GB of available hard drive space (more may be needed during installation of the software)
• 10.9 operating system (Mavericks) or later
• M1, M1 Pro, or M1 Max chip or Intel processor
• 1280 x 768 display or larger
• Compatible computers include Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook, and Mac Mini

A toned-down version of Affinity Photo is also available for later versions (2017 and newer) of iPad Pro, Air, and Mini running iOS 12 or later.

PC Users

For Windows users, these are the system requirements for PCs:

• 953 MB of available hard drive space (more may be needed during installation of the software)
• Compatible with Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11
• DirectX 10 graphics card and above
• 1280 x 768 display or larger
• Hardware GPU acceleration requires Windows 10 (April 2020 version or later)

It should be noted that Affinity Photo can be downloaded through the Affinity Store or the Microsoft Store and the operating system requirements can vary slightly depending on where it is purchased.

Conclusion

Serif’s Affinity Photo is a formidable newcomer to a competitive field of image editing programs that has been dominated by Adobe Photoshop. Geared toward budget-conscious users who still demand high functionality and cutting-edge features, Affinity Photo delivers an appealing combination of performance and value.

For best results, however, it may be wise to install Affinity Photo on a computer with at least 4 GB of RAM, and ideally 8 GB or even 16 GB, if it can be managed.

Designing logos and high-end graphic designs can be tricky. If you use Affinity Designer, creating a logo can be easier or even a less complicated process. However, you may be wondering how to add clip art to Affinity Designer?

To add Clip Art to Affinity Designer, follow these steps:

1. Download the clip art and then unzip the folder
2. Files will be ready to go and in a PNG format
3. Open all files you want to use with the Affinity Designer
4. Move files to the main screen you are wanting to use by using copy and paste

You may be wondering where you can get clip art to download for use and how you can use the clipping mask feature in the Affinity Design space as well.

Using Clip Art in Affinity Design

With Affinity Design, you can create a logo, graphics, and even create patterns for personal use or for business. Affinity Designer allows the creator to make a wide range of products with the designs they either create themselves or with images, or clip art, that others have created.

But where do you find the clip arts for use on Affinity Design?

Clip art for use on Affinity Designer can be found on several websites and programs. These locations can be from:

• Creative Market
• Placeit
• Adobe Stock Clipart

Not only can you use clip art in Affinity Designer, but some other edits and add-ins can be used as well. You can use clip art for creating patterns as well. There are YouTube videos available like this one from East Coast Charm that offers step-by-step instructions for creating clip art patterns.

Using SVG Files in Affinity Design

It is possible and preferable for your clip art files to be SVG and for your project to be saved as an SVG file. There are ways to create and save an SVG file to use in Affinity Design.

When saving or using SVG files with your Affinity Design, these files are easier to edit and keep the quality of the image you are using.

Creating a vector SVG file can help you learn how to create an SVG-type file. There are also other clip art files that can be used as an SVG file for your designs. Not only can you create your own but you can also use other clip arts to be added as a background to an image you have created.

To create an SVG vector file in Affinity Design you will need to:

1. Create the document in the Affinity software
2. Add a Pixel Layer
3. Draw out a triangle using the “Triangle Tool” from the “Shapes Menu”
4. Duplicate the triangle for repositioning
5. Then duplicate and rotate
6. Make a compound path that is found in the “Layer Menu”

To save it as an SVG file, you will need to locate the “File” option and select “Export”. There will be an option for file formats. After locating the option for the SVG file, you will choose “Preset SVG” and then “Export”. The files should then be saved as an SVG file for later use.

Clipping Mask in Affinity Designer

A clipping mask is another great function that can be done when using Affinity Designer. This tool can create a boundary within the design that will take the shape of a text without damaging the quality and outcome of your design.

Using a clipping mask can help enhance your design and you fill objects with photos.  A clipping mask is great to use when wanting something to take the shape of your design without altering how it is made.

To use the clipping mask feature, you will:

1. Identify the image you want to create the clipping mask for and the image you wish to be involved
2. Place the object that is used as a clipping mask over the object or image you want to clip
3. Navigate to the layers menu and ensure the image is correctly placed
4. Click and drag the bottom layer on the layer that is on the top, making sure the image you want is taking the shape of the other

Now you know everything about adding clip art to Affinity Designer.

Conclusion

With Affinity Designer, different concepts can be used. However, the main question is whether or not you can use clip art in your design while using this program. Affinity Designer has features that allow you to use different clip arts by downloading and opening any files that are zipped.

There are also features such as clipping masks that can help with editing your design with any clip art you have included. Watching videos while you are trying to add clip art and using the clipping mask can help you understand where to find everything.

Creative people will tell you that creativity isn’t always a 9 to 5 kind of job. Sometimes that long-awaited flash of brilliance comes after hours at home or even at your kid’s ballgame. When that happens, being able to capture that idea electronically right then is crucial and can depend on how many computers Affinity Designer can be installed on.

One copy of Affinity Designer can be installed on each computer owned or controlled by the user as long as all the computers use the same operating system. Affinity Designer may be used for personal, commercial, and educational work. Affinity Designer is not allowed on a network. 

Want to make sure your creative juices have a place to land at any time of day or night? Read on to find out how many computers you can put Affinity Designer on.

Affinity Designer Offers Multi-Device Usage

Affinity Designer (AD) is a powerful design tool used by graphic and game designers, web developers, illustrators, and other artsy people. It is touted as “anytime, anywhere” software – a real plus for creative types who struggle to turn off their brain at the end of a day.

Affinity Designer can be installed on Windows, Macs, or iPads. Regardless of the operating system, the software uses the same file format meaning you can create cool stuff seamlessly on different devices with the same file.

We’ve all experienced that disappointed feeling when you’re away from your desktop computer but still want to work while you sit on the couch or even the beach. The End User Agreement offered by Affinity for their Affinity Designer product is generous compared to other companies.

Affinity’s licensing structure allows you to work on multiple devices, with one main caveat: You can download and install Affinity Designer on any computer that you own as long as they all run the same operating system. 

You cannot use that same license to install Affinity Designer on your iPad or Mac too. To add the program to an Apple IOS device, you must purchase a separate license.

Individual Use

You, as the original user, may use Affinity Designer for personal or commercial interests. The good news is that individual use is not just limited to one single person. Other family members can enjoy the benefits of AD too as long as they are not using it for commercial gain.

So, if you’ve got several Windows devices such as a desktop, a laptop or two, and Surface, go ahead and put Affinity Designer on each one. Everyone can take advantage of the program on any device – remember the file is the same on all devices – but only you can use the program for commercial projects.

Commercial Use

Let’s say you’re a business owner and want your employee or employees to have access to Affinity Designer. There are a couple of ways to do this.

• Provide AD for use by one specific employee by installing it on any computer that you own or control and that they work on.
• Install AD on one computer that you own or control but that is shared by multiple people who use it at different times.

Educational Use

Affinity Designer may be used in an educational setting too. Similar to the commercial rights, educational use should be managed so that one individual (teacher, student, administrator) is allowed to have AD on any computer they use and that is controlled by the governing entity.

Use by multiple students or teachers may occur when an AD-loaded computer is located in a central place such as a library or commons area controlled by the school.

Can Affinity Designer Be Used on a Network?

Many businesses and most schools and universities have networked computers to facilitate use across multiple workstations and devices. Given the generous nature of the user agreement that allows multiple users even in commercial and educational settings, you might think Affinity would be okay with having their program being on a network. That is not the case, however.

Affinity’s licensing agreement expressly forbids installing its Affinity Designer product on a network where it can be accessed by multiple users at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Creativity rarely stops when the office door closes at the end of the day. So when you finally experience that epiphany sometime after midnight and head to your home computer, Affinity Designer can be there waiting for you. Best of all, the same idea will greet you at work the next morning.

Affinity Photo is a top contender for industry staple Photoshop. Both can be used on PC, macOS, and iPad, but while Photoshop requires a monthly or annual subscription, Affinity Photo is a one-time fee of either $21.99 or $54.99. With such a contender, it prompts further investigation into the features of the application and if they compare to others on the market.

Affinity Photo does not have a shape builder tool. You can still build shapes in Affinity Photo using the geometry operations.

While having a shape-building tool is an asset that can make building shapes faster and easier, there are workarounds with Affinity Photo if you want to learn how to do it in this program. Keep reading for the breakdown of how to build shapes in Affinity Photo.

How to Build Shapes in Affinity Photo

The geometry tools within Affinity Photo will allow you to do anything you can do with the shape builder tool in other programs. It just takes a bit more time to learn and understand. Some designers may like using the geometry tools more than the shape builder tool in programs like Illustrator.

The geometry tools, also known as Boolean operations, are found on the top right-hand side of Affinity Photo. There are five blue icons, each with a different function.

1. Add Boolean Operation
2. Subtract Boolean Operation
3. Intersect Boolean Operation
4. Xor Boolean Operation
5. Divide Boolean Operation

Let’s take a deep look into each function and what it does in reference to shape building. For ready-made templates that involve learning new operations, you can use sites like placeit.net for your design needs.

1. Add Boolean Operation

The first icon from the left is the Add Boolean operation. It appears as a circle and square overlapping with a plus symbol. The icon is self-explanatory; the function combines selected overlapping objects.

If you have two side-by-side squares overlapping, and you select them both and click on the Add Boolean operation, the function will erase the overlapping lines to make one shape, which will look more like a rectangle now.

 If the squares were two different colors, the new shape might take on only one of those colors. You can use the Color Picker tool to change this if you desire.

2. Subtract Boolean Operation

To the right of the Add Boolean operation is the icon for the Subtract Boolean operation. It appears as a blue square and grey circle with a minus symbol overlapping.

Suppose you have a selected square and circle overlapping in a similar fashion to the icon and select the Subtract Boolean operation. In that case, the bottom object, the circle, will be removed from the top object, even the overlapping portion.

3. Intersect Boolean Operation

Beside the Subtract Boolean operation, you will find the Intersect Boolean operation. It appears just like the other icons with a square and circle overlapping; only the square and circle are grey apart from the overlapping portion, which is in blue. The difference is to indicate that the blue portion is what will be kept when using this function.

If you have two selected shapes overlapping and click the Intersect Boolean operation, it will eliminate everything except the overlapping section of the two shapes.

4. Xor Boolean Operation

The second to last icon is the Xor Boolean operation. It appears as a square and circle overlapping. The square and circle are blue, aside from the overlapping portion, which is grey. This function acts in the opposite way of the Intersect Boolean operation.

If you have two selected shapes overlapping and you click the Xor Boolean operation, the portion that gets eliminated is the overlapping section. Everything else remains, and the new shape takes on a single color if the previous shapes were two different colors.

5. Divide Boolean Operation

The last icon is the Divide Boolean operation which appears as a fully blue square and circle overlapping. When you use this function on two overlapping shapes, they will divide into three distinct shapes. You will have the top shape minus the overlapping section, the overlapping section on its own, and the bottom shop minus the overlapping section.

The overlapping section, now its own shape, will take on the color of the bottom object. If you navigate to the Layers Panel, you will see that each shape is on its own layer.

Conclusion

You can use the Boolean operations in various ways, including non-destructively, editing one or multiple operations, moving compound shapes, and so on. Experimenting will allow you to build incredibly unique shapes.

Not all design or editing programs can store work in a consolidated and organized location, and the software is called Digital Asset Management Software (DAM). Affinity Photo is a professional image editing software. If you’re considering it for your photo editing needs, you might wonder about some of the software’s features.

Affinity Photo does not have a built-in photo library. When saving photos you’ve edited using the software, images will save to the device or external storage, like a USB.

You can use alternative applications with file management capabilities, like organizing files, creating folders and collections, reading and writing metadata, and so on. Keep reading to find out what those applications are and how you can use a third party with Affinity Photo for file management.

Digital Assets Management Software (DAM)

DAM software allows you to streamline the process of file management. One of the primary features of such software is a centralized asset library which allows you to store, organize and access all your images and digital files.

There are two primary categories of Digital Asset Management software, stand-alone and hybrid. Hybrid, meaning that the application has both digital asset management capabilities and is used for other primary purposes, like editing photos.

There are applications like this on the market, and they would save you the trouble of using a third party for your file management.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom, also known as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, is a creative image organization and manipulation software. It gives you the best of both worlds in a centralized location. It’s a free application rated at 4.8 and has over 200,000+ reviews.

The application is supported on Windows, macOS, iOS, tvOS, and Android. Lightroom’s editing features include white balancing, detail, lens corrections, calibration manipulation, and more.

Capture One

Capture One is photo editing software created by Phase One. The software also performs image cataloging, tethered photography, and raw image file processing. Product options include Capture One Pro, Capture One for iPad, and Capture One Live.

All the versions require a yearly or monthly subscription, comparable to Photoshop. Capture One’s features include intuitive layering capability, custom-made masks, advanced color editing, and more.

Luminar 4

Luminar 4 is the second generation program since the introduction of digital asset management. What makes Luminar unique is that the maker Skylum relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) for its innovative features and editing tools.

The application is not subscription based but charges a one-time fee with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Luminar is both an application and a plug-in for macOS and PC. Features include AI-powered tools, batch editing, enhancing details, noise removal, and more.

Digital Asset Management Software for Affinity Photo

Photographers and editors have their go-to software for editing images. Suppose you already have Affinity Photo, and you don’t want to start all over again with a new application. In that case, there is a way to find digital asset management software compatible with Affinity Photo.

There are many DAM software options on the market. One of the most highly recommended is Adobe Bridge. Adobe is known for its reliable products, and while some are subscription-based, Adobe Bridge is entirely free. It’s compatible with most devices, including macOS, Windows, iPad, etc.

Adobe Bridge will allow you to work on multiple assets at a time. It allows you to preview, edit, organize and publish work. You can even edit metadata, adding keywords, labels, and ratings to any asset.

Here is how you can use Adobe Bridge with Affinity Photo:

1. Go to adobe.com and download Adobe Bridge
2. Open the application, select the photo you want to edit, and right-click it.
3. Navigate to the “Open With” option on the menu, and a second menu should appear.
4. Select Affinity Photo from the list of applications.

Affinity Photo will open with the image you selected ready for editing. When you want to save the image, you have two options. If you want to use the Affinity Photo file extension, the thumbnail will appear in Adobe Bridge as the Affinity Photo logo. Save an additional copy of the image as a JPEG and group the images in Adobe Bridge using the Stack feature.

The alternative is to make a configuration change in Affinity Photo by opening Preferences > General and enabling “Save over imported PSD files.” Save the preference change and restart Affinity Photo.

Conclusion

Like many of its counterparts, Affinity Photo is an excellent program that doesn’t have digital assets management. Now you know how to get around this issue with an application like Adobe Bridge or turn to other applications with a DAM integrated.

If you have spent anytime working in Photoshop or Illustrator, you’ve probably accidentally clicked on “Browse in Adobe Bridge” at some point. After waiting for the program to open just so that you can close it, you may have found yourself wondering, “does anyone actually use Adobe Bridge?”

Adobe Bridge is an asset management tool used by photographers, graphic designers, and creative professionals to preview, organize, and publish multiple visual assets quickly and efficiently.

Adobe Bridge is one of those programs that everyone has, but not many people know what it does or how to use it. Below you’ll find out who exactly uses Adobe Bridge, and what it is used for.

Does Anyone Use Adobe Bridge?

When you sign up for any of the Adobe Creative Cloud services, Adobe Bridge is usually bundled into the package.

If you’re using Photoshop or Lightroom here and there for simple edits or creative designs, the idea of using the complimentary management program as probably never crossed your mind. However, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get its fair share of use.

Adobe Bridge is commonly used as a media manager by creative professionals who work with visual assets. This generally includes photographers, graphic designers, animators, marketing teams, and more.

But the program’s use isn’t only for professional creatives and those working in teams. Individuals freelance professionals and hobbyist could also benefit from using Adobe Bridge.

What Is Adobe Bridge?

Adobe Bridge is a free creative asset management tool that is included in all subscriptions of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. It is a companion application that allows users to organize, preview, batch edit, and publish files efficiently with the use of metadata, tag, and keywords.

On top of that, the program doesn’t just manage photos. It can work with various file formats and is meant to be used alongside all of Adobe’s programs. This includes:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Lightroom
• InDesign
• Acrobat
• Premiere Pro
• Adobe Express

While many of the features are geared toward professional use, there are several benefits for individual and at home use as well.

What Does Adobe Bridge Do?

Though Adobe Bridge is considered an asset manager, it does so much more than that.

The program’s main purpose is to aid in the organization of work by finding assets in various storage locations. It also supports file attribute searches, allowing items to be found by characteristics such as rating, file format, or camera settings.

There are also various features that help creative teams and individuals speed up workflow and streamline processes. Some of the features include:

• Preview native Adobe Files
• Group assets together via filters
• Tag images with labels for easier searching
• Apply ratings to assets for organization and prioritization
• Assign metadata info such as resolution, author name, etc.
• Describe assent content with the use of keywords
• Apply advanced filters for easier searching across sub-folders
• Make non-destructive edits with the use of Adobe Camera Raw plugin
• Preform batch edits to speed up workflow
• Export multiple images to save time
• Publish to Adobe Stock, Adobe Portfolio, or Behance

Even if you’re not part of a professional team, Adobe Bridge is an extremely underrated tool that can help with file organization and management. Uploading and deleting multiple files is useful for even those who play with Adobe as a hobby.

Not to mention, the ability to edit right within the program can save you from having to open multiple programs such as Lightroom or Photoshop.

Is Adobe Bridge Worth Using?

While Adobe Bridge isn’t always necessary, many users find it useful to have. Let’s say you’re working on a mockup in a program like Placeit. Adobe Bridge would allow you to search for all of the necessary files by keyword or filter, and them preview them in advance before you uploaded them to the site.

You could also make minor changes to the images without having to open a separate program.

However, not all the features are generally utilized. Some of the most popular uses of the program are:

• Batch renaming files
• Searching for specific folders of filetypes
• Making contact sheets for large numbers of images
• Previewing documents without having to open the corresponding program

So, whether or not Adobe Bridge is worth using is going to boil down how important organization and file management is to you. If you’re already happy with your file management system, then you probably won’t find much use in the program.

Final Thoughts

You should now have a better understanding of who uses Adobe Bridge. If you’ve had Adobe programs for years and never touched Adobe Bridge, it’s easy to assume that the program doesn’t get much use. However, it’s one of the most easily underestimated programs that really brings all the Creative Cloud applications together.

Affinity Designer is among the best vector image editing software available today. That said, with all of its fancy features, how is it at handling the basics of image editing? Does Affinity Designer have clip art? 

Affinity Designer can use clipart, however, depending on the clipart you want you will need to download it from an online provider or create it yourself. There are plenty of places online that offer clipart compatible with Affinity Designer. Perhaps, the most prominent of these is Creative Market.

If you’d like to use clipart in your next Affinity Designer project, but you’re not sure how, you’ve come to the right place. In our guide below we will discuss some of the best places to find clipart for Affinity as well as how to actually use it on the most fundamental level. Additionally, we’ll even discuss which is better for clipart, Clip Studio Paint or Affinity Designer. Let’s dive right in!

Where Do You Find Clipart in Affinity Designer?

Finding good clipart is half the battle. Still, when you’re using software like Affinity Designer, you’ve got to wonder where the best places to get it are. So, where do you find clipart for Affinity Designer? 

Below we’ve listed some of the best places to find clipart for Affinity Designer with a brief description of each site: 

• Creative Market: Creative Market actually has packages of clipart specifically for Affinity Designer. The clipart they offer is great for any simple designs and patterns you would like to create. 
• Shutterstock: Shutterstock is a great resource for clipart. While they are mainly known for their real images, shutterstock offers some of the most variety when it comes to downloadable clipart. While the clipart here isn’t advertised directly for Affinity Designer the way it is on Creative Market, it still is compatible. 
• Clip Ground: Like Creative Market, Clip Ground offers packages of clipart specifically for Affinity Designer. This is one of the most reliable resources for usable clipart in Affinity Designer. 

Any one of these sites makes for a great resource. Of course, if you’d like to broaden the amount of options you have you could use any combination of them as well. The best one for you will really come down to your individual project and what it calls for. 

How Do I Add Clipart in Affinity Designer?

So how exactly does clipart work in Affinity Designer? Do you import it the way you would with any other set of images or is there a special way it has to be imported?

When you add clipart in Affinity Designer you do it the way you would with any other image assets. You can follow tutorials online if you would like to use that clipart to create more elaborate designs. 

Is Affinity Designer Better Than Clip Studio Paint?

Those looking to use clipart have almost certainly considered using Clip Studio Paint instead of Affinity Designer for their project. The question that leaves, of course, is which one is better, particularly for clipart?

While Clip Studio Paint is known for being a great software when working with clipart, it can’t quite stand up to Affinity Designer. With Affinity Designer you can create clipart designs that are just as good–if not better–than those in Clip Studio Paint, but you also get all the tools of vector editing at your disposal.

We should briefly mention here that if you’re looking for a great service to use clipart in, you should check out Placeit. Placeit allows you to use clipart to create everything from T-shirt designs to basic logos. They are easy to use and intuitive, meaning you can just start dragging and dropping things wherever you want them. They are one of the best for this kind of art!

So Really, Does Affinity Designer Have Clip Art?

Affinity Designer does allow for the use of clipart. You can use the editing software itself to create the clipart or you can go to sites like Creative Market, ShutterStock or Clip Ground to download it directly. Wherever you get the clipart from, it will be used in much the same way that other image files are used. 

While Affinity isn’t the only software out there capable of handling clipart–there are others like Clip Studio Paint as well–it is one of the best. That’s because along with the ability to use clipart comes all the vector editing capabilities one could want as well. With such a bold combination of features you can create virtually any design you can imagine.

Affinity Publisher is a fine alternative to Adobe InDesign with an emphasis on digital publishing. It provides numerous benefits for content creators of all skill levels. However, many creators ponder if they can create designs for their websites with the app.

You can use Affinity Publisher for web design, but your options will be limited. The app does not output HTML or any other web code. Therefore, you must import any web design you make with it into another application that can do the conversion or translate it by hand.

Despite the limitations, Affinity Publisher does offer some impressive web-compatible features that integrate well with other Affinity applications. By reading further, you will learn how to use these features to develop websites and other web applications.

Can You Develop Websites Using Affinity Publisher?

Presented as an open-source alternative to both Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher offers numerous features that make it very competitive in the market.

Affinity lets you create the following:

• Single and multi-page documents suitable for publication
• Books
• Brochures
• Flyers
• Magazines
• Other layout-based media for both physical and digital distribution

You can even import graphics, typography, photos, and other elements from Affinity’s other application through a simple drop-in interface called StudioLink.

Affinity Publisher and Web Design

Much of Affinity Publisher’s web features arise from its lack of historical legacy. InDesign’s foundation lies in traditional printed media. As such, its web features seem haphazardly tacked on to it. In contrast, Affinity Publisher has the look and feel of a web designer with a matching interface.

Affinity Publisher lets you:

1. Choose a variety of screen sizes, fonts, and pre-set web-friendly layouts
2. Design for specific devices including the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Kindle, and Nexus

For instance, it offers left-handed facing-page documents. Such a layout feels weird for traditional media, but it makes perfect sense for two-page spreads in e-magazines, interactive PDFs, and eBooks.

Limitations for Using Affinity Publisher in Web Design

Despite the numerous web design features, Affinity Publisher still has some steep limitations you must overcome.

You are limited on the following things:

1. Page size
2. Graphics
3. Hyperlinks
4. Basic layouts

This is because Publisher does not support web-specific elements such as JavaScript or CSS styles. The application also does not generate HTML, CSS, or any other Web-based code. Affinity Designer is a much better tool for designing websites and applications. This is because it has vector-based tools for creating web elements such as logos, buttons, banners, and forms.

However, even Affinity Designer has limitations that make it ill-suited for web design as well. As a result, your best bet is to leave the Affinity application for a true “What You See Is What You Get” website design tool.

Creating Web Hyperlinks in Affinity Publisher

Even with these limitations, you can make decent web page designs with the Affinity suite of applications. Both Publisher and Designer come with numerous built-in tools for creating web-friendly documents. You must eventually port your documents to another application for coding, but these apps will make your design process easier and more professional than you could without them.

Built-in Hyperlink functionality is a key feature web designers find useful. Hyperlinks give web designs their interactivity and basic functions, allowing you to go instantly from one web page to the next. Affinity Publisher will let you create them and keep track of them so you can edit them as needed.

However, creating hyperlinks in Publisher can challenge even the experts as it is not always obvious from the primary menus and toolbar. Fortunately, there are a few ways to do it, though most of them contain the same basic steps.

1. Name Your Layers

Before you start adding links everywhere, you should add layer labels to everything, including the shapes. These names will help you understand your hyperlink destinations.

2. Open the Hyperlink Panel

You will be adding most of your hyperlinks through the hyperlink panel you can assess from the Studio option under the View menu. As such, you want to open the panel every time you want to add or edit your links.

3. Select the Appropriate Objects or Layers

You add links by selecting the linked objects and text and then selecting “Insert Hyperlink” from the “Interactive” option from the right-click menu.

4. Follow the Instructions

In the popup window, you select the type of links such as Page or Website. You then insert the destination in the field provided before clicking the “Ok” button.

5. Use the Hyperlink Panel to Make Edits

Finally, you can use the entries in the Hyperlink panel to make edits and other alterations to the links.

Conclusion

While you can design websites and web applications using Affinity Publisher, it comes with some steep limitations. If you can live with these drawbacks, you will find the simple interface a powerful tool during your web design and planning process.

Affinity Photo is a marvelous image editor with easy-to-use and effective tools for bringing out the best from your photography and graphics. Some users even claim it is the only photo editor you will ever need. However, you need plugins to access certain popular functions, including the industry standard Topaz collection.

Luckily, Affinity Photo can work with most Topaz Plugins. However, Topaz does not offer native support for the Affinity application suite. As a result, most but not all Topaz plugins will work as advertised. Some of them may work with reduced functionality or not at all.

No plugin will work without proper installation. Therefore, by reading further, you will learn how to add plugins to Affinity Photo. You will also learn about a handful of Topaz plugins that are known to work with the application.

Some Topaz Plugins Work with Affinity Photo

In theory, every application would come with every feature imaginable, serving as a one-stop shop for your photo editing needs. However, no application can do everything out of the box due to trade-offs in production and costs. Fortunately, you can use plugins to extend your favorite app to cover any specific task you require.

Plugins are small third-party programs that integrate into Affinity Photo to add new functionality. For instance, you can have Topaz plugins that:

1. Enlarge photos for printing
2. Remove noise
3. Apply black and white film effects

The main advantage of using plugins is that they let you use multiple programs at once through a single common interface.

Affinity Photo Plugin Limitations

However, not all plugins will work with Affinity Photo. Serif, the developer of the Affinity suite has no control over Topaz, and therefore cannot ensure every plugin works as specified. Also, other photo editors, such as Adobe Photoshop, may use a different plugin interface, rendering their plugins incompatible with Affinity Photo.

Other common hurdles include:

1. Incompatible technological specifications
2. Extra costs and licensing that are separate from the main application
3. Conflicts with other plugins

For example, all Topaz plugins are completely incompatible with the iOS Apple App Store version of Affinity Photo. As such, you must use the standalone version straight from Serif’s website to avoid plugin issues.

Fortunately, as Affinity Photo’s popularity grows, more plugin developers will make compatible plugins for it. Until then, always make sure that your desired plugin will work with Affinity and that the provider fully supports and maintains it.

How to Install Topaz Plugins in Affinity Photo

Even if you do manage to find a compatible Topaz Affinity Photo plugin, it will do nothing until you install it.

Luckily, the 6-step procedure for installing Affinity Photo plugins is simple and easy to understand:

1. Download the Plugin from a Reputable Source – The first step is always acquiring the plugin from a reputable source such as the Topaz Labs website.
2. Run the Installation File – As the file unpacks the plugin onto your computer, you must take note of the destination folder. You must tell Affinity Photo to use this folder while using the app if the installation file does not do it for you.
3. Open the Affinity Photo Preferences Window – The Photoshop Plugins option should list your new plugin under Detected Plugins. If not, add the installation folder to the search options using the “Add” button.
4. Allow Unknown Plugins – If the expanded search fails to find your plugin, your next step is to brute force the installation by selecting the “allow unknown plugins” Preferences option. You should then close the window and restart Affinity Photo.
5. Troubleshoot the Installation – If nothing works, you should check the “Open Default Folder” option to see if the installation folder exists. If not, repeat the procedure from the beginning.
6. Use Your Plugin – You will find your new plugin on the Filters menu.

Popular Topaz Plugins Compatible with Affiliate Photo

While Topaz plugins cover everything you need to bring out the best from your photos, not every plugin will work with Affinity Photo without issues.

Fortunately, the following popular plugins will work with the editor right out of the box:

• Topaz Clarity – Adjusts color, contrast, and image clarity
• Topaz DeNoise – Remove noise to sharpen your photos
• Topaz ReStyle – Dramatic color and style adjustments
• Topaz Texture Effects – Additional image texture overlays
• Topaz Impression – Additional painting effects
• Topaz B&W Effects – Adds additional black and white gradients and tools
• Topaz Adjust – Creates presets for the other plugins and their effects effects

Now you know everything about whether Topaz plugins work with Affinity photo, and some that are compatible so you can get to creating.

Conclusion

Affinity Photo is compatible with numerous Photoshop plugins, including those from Topaz Labs. However, there are some severe limitations, and not every plugin will work with all versions of Affinity Photo.

Every designer and photo editor has their favorite design or image editing applications. Some design or editing applications can take a whole college course to learn the extent of the features, so it can be daunting when you start using another application, and none of the tools are labeled the same.

Affinity Designer has a lasso tool. In Affinity Designer, the tool is called “Free Hand Selection” and can be found on the left-hand panel, along with other selection tools.

Now that you know how to find the selection tool, you might wonder if it functions like the traditional lasso tool. Keep reading to find out how the Free Hand Selection tool functions.

How to Use the Free Hand Selection Tool in Affinity Designer

You might not see the lasso icon in the left-hand tool panel. Another selection tool may be at the forefront. If you see a circle, square, or rectangle marquee icon, select it, and a menu will appear. The Free Hand Selection tool will be at the bottom of the list identified by the title and the lasso icon.

Once you’ve selected the Free Hand Selection tool, you’ll see the tool’s setting in the toolbar at the top of the canvas. There are three types of the tool you’re using: freehand, polygonal, and magnetic. To the right of the Type are the Modes: new, add, subtract, and intersect.

Type: Freehand

If you select freehand for the type, then you likely are using Affinity Designer on a tablet or iPad with a stylus. This selection allows you to draw the selection with your mouse or stylus. This option takes precision, but it’s useful if you like the flexibility of freehanding. You can zoom in and draw around the shape or object you desire to select.

Type: Polygonal

With the polygonal type selection, you use your mouse to make points around the object. Every click drops a point, and a straight line will appear between each point. It’s fast, precise, and can be used on round edges with enough points.

In addition to using zoom, with this type, you can use the spacebar to move the image around if you need to make a point in a part of the image that is off-screen.

There is a way to get the effect of polygonal in freehand. Select the freehand type and hold down the shift key, and you can make points with straight lines attaching from one point to the next. However, you won’t be able to use your spacebar while holding the shift key as it would make a selection instead of moving the image around.

Type: Magnetic

This type works best when you have an image with high contrast. When you select the Magnetic type in the toolbar and make your first point, move your cursor along the object or shape, and the line will automatically follow, making points along the way.

The issue that arises with this type is that the application is doing the work of selecting the object or shape for you, so it can easily get confused with the edge of other nearby shapes and include unnecessary elements in the selection.

Mode: New

This mode allows you to keep making new selections using one of the three above mentioned types. New mode is useful if you want to make one selection at a time, but if you want to make multiple selections at once, it won’t work. In New mode, the last selection is forgotten every time you make a new selection.

Mode: Add

If you want to make multiple selections in different areas on your image, you can do so with Add mode. In addition to making more than one selection at a time, Add mode allows you to overlap two selections.

When you overlap, the top selections merge into one larger selection. Combining selections is useful if you miss a portion of the image in a previous selection.

Mode: Subtract

This mode will allow you to cut out areas of a selection you do not want to be part of the final selection. Subtract mode is very useful, especially if you’re in freehand mode and it took time drawing around an object, but you absentmindedly added a portion of the image you didn’t want. Subtracting allows you to cut that portion without starting all over again.

Mode: Intersect

This mode may not be as useful as new, add, or subtract. Once you’ve made a selection(s), you can select the Intersect mode and make an overlapping selection. The overlapping portion is what will remain in the selection; everything else will return to normal. You can get some interesting shapes when you use this mode in conjunction with other marquee selection tools.

Conclusion

Now you have a breakdown of the Free Hand Selection Tool, which acts as a lasso to make selections. You can find resources online for more in-depth tutorials or go to the Affinity Designer website for support.