The wait is over, Affinity Photo for Windows is here. Now Windows users can enjoy the benefits Mac users have taken advantage of for over a year. Not only is it now multi-platform, but it comes with a v1.5 update for the Mac, too. This adds a whole host of new and updated features to the software.
For Mac users, one of the big additions is support for the new MacBook Pro TouchBar. Along with HDR, 360° image editing, batch processing, focus merge, and a whole bunch more, Affinity Photo now has Macro support. Photoshop actions are hugely useful for serious Photoshop users, so it’s nice to finally see their equivalent implemented in Affinity Photo.
The major news is, obviously, that Affinity Photo is now available for Windows. This opens up the software to a massive new audience. Having a multiplatform piece of software was Affinity’s goal from the beginning, although they kept it very quiet for a while.
For the most part, the back end engine that drives Affinity Photo is identical for both the Mac and Windows, which means the same features are available for both platforms. There are a few OS-specific optimisations, to help them perform at their best on their respective platforms, though.
While Windows users may be seeing them for the first time, the version 1.5 update adds a whole host of new features to the Mac. Some of the biggest include :
- Full HDR merge support with complete tonemapping workspace
- 360° image editing with live interactive pan and zoom
- Recordable macros with interactive attributes
- Focus merge (or “focus stacking”)
- Improved RAW processing engine with lens profiles
- 32Bit editing and OpenColorOI support
- File compatibility improvements to both PDF and PSD
- Accumulation brush dynamics
- Improved YUV vectorscope
- Improved plugin support
There’s far too many features and improvements to list everything. For the complete breakdown and more details, you can check out the full list here.
It is a massive update, that finally starts to bring it closer to that “Photoshop Competitor” status that many have been hoping for. It adds a slew of features users have been asking for, features that have kept users sticking with Photoshop despite owning Affinity Photo.
Affinity Photo normally costs $49/£39, but right now you can get it for $39/£29. That’s not a monthly fee, there’s no subscription, it’s a one time cost, with free updates. You can read more about the software, and purchase it on the Affinity Website. The discounted prices end on December 22nd.
Have you jumped on board Affinity Photo yet? Do you prefer it to Photoshop? Or have you found yourself sticking with Adobe? Do you use the two side by side? What features do you still want to see in Affinity Photo? Let us know in the comments.
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