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10/29/2020 02:06:31 PM · #26 |
Have you tried Darktable? I have been using it from when it only ran on Linux, but the new versions aparrently run quite smoothly on some Mac's and most Windows systems.
It is extensive, and freeware. I have never used any PS product so cannot do comparisons. Here is a good summary from a guy that moved from Adobe.
Editing photos with Darktable, Affinity Photo, and Google Nik Collection
As an example, to answer your question on the use of NIk, you can read the following Q&A to use NIK in Darktable - possible but intricate setup.
Is there a good way to export a photo from darktable to Nik Collection?
As Darktable are evolving quite quickly, the developers may already have added an easier way to use NIK |
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10/30/2020 03:21:45 AM · #27 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Ok thanks, will check it out later :)
ETA: took a look at the first Affinity Photo vs PhotoShop and looks like it may be worth the switch. If nothing else just based on price and not having to pay a subscription fee. Part of the reason I want to stick with my PS CS5 bundle is cause I paid $700+ for it.
But is Affinity Photo Mac friendly? Will it work with Mojave? Do I have to open it in 32 bit? Can I open NEFs as native or do I still have to convert to dngs? Can files still be saved as psds? Do the two programs work together? (yeah I know I'm being an optimist lol) How well does it work with NIK? |
Affinity was originally made for the Mac. It was only later that a Windows version came out. So no problem. I use it on Sierra without problems. You can open any RAW file in the Developer module, no dng converting needed. It also accept psd files and you can save as psd as well. Only thing that might not work is if you use smart layers in your psd files, those will not work in Affinity. Affinity does some smart layering as well, but not in the way Photoshop does.
It works fine with NIK, only small problem is that when you use an older version of NIK (I use the free version of many years ago), the colours in Viveza are off for some reason, but that is resolved for the later DxO versions.
All together, imho, Affinity is as good as Photoshop, it works quite the same although maybe less sophisticated then PS. And for me the most important reason to use it is that they seem to care about their users and offer an one-time-payment concept with free updates (at least until now), where Adobe is interested in dollars only with their subscription model. And let me be clear, if I could buy a single version of Lightroom I would do that immediately, I love LR, but I don’t want the Photoshop bundle.
So give it a try, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. There’s loads of videos on YT or on the Serif website if you want to know more about it, but I think working with Affinity is not very different than working with PS. |
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10/30/2020 08:39:53 AM · #28 |
Thanks so much for all the detailed info Kroburg! It definitely looks like a way more viable option than PS. I had to buy the new NIK collection so all good there.
DO you know if Affinity can open psd created in PS? I am assuming so. |
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10/30/2020 10:56:00 AM · #29 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Thanks so much for all the detailed info Kroburg! It definitely looks like a way more viable option than PS. I had to buy the new NIK collection so all good there.
DO you know if Affinity can open psd created in PS? I am assuming so. |
Yep, should not be a problem, although not all features are supported (like the Smart Objects as I mentioned before). |
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10/30/2020 05:37:04 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by Kroburg:
Originally posted by snaffles:
Thanks so much for all the detailed info Kroburg! It definitely looks like a way more viable option than PS. I had to buy the new NIK collection so all good there.
DO you know if Affinity can open psd created in PS? I am assuming so. |
Yep, should not be a problem, although not all features are supported (like the Smart Objects as I mentioned before). |
But if smart objects aren't supported, what happens when you try to place images? Isn't there a window syaing that smart object or layer must be rasterized? Or am I thinking of something else entirely? |
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10/30/2020 05:40:30 PM · #31 |
| Placing an image on a new layer should not be a problem -- you can do it in PS without the "smart" aspect, at least you can in the primitive version I use ... |
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10/30/2020 06:28:06 PM · #32 |
In version 1.7 of Affinity Photo Smart Objects are rasterised (flattened) on import and appear as a regular pixel layer in Affinity. There may be improvements for the upcoming v1.8 though.
In version 1.8 they claim: PSD smart object support – any smart objects included in PSD files can now be imported into Affinity Photo as embedded documents [enable in preferences], letting you easily edit layers within any smart object and maintain a non-destructive workflow into Affinity.
I have no experience with this. If I read the forums, I get the feeling it’s not yet without problems. No idea if they are incidental or structural.
But why not try it out. There’s a 10 day free trial as far as I know.
Message edited by author 2020-10-30 18:34:25. |
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10/31/2020 10:05:00 AM · #33 |
| Downloading Affinity even as I write. 30 day free trial, $69.99 CAD to buy. But so long as it doesn't keep me jumping through hoops and barrels, I'll be happy. Hopefully it's similar enough to PS that I can find my way around quickly, get NIK in there too etc. |
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10/31/2020 10:25:04 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Downloading Affinity even as I write. 30 day free trial, $69.99 CAD to buy. But so long as it doesn't keep me jumping through hoops and barrels, I'll be happy. Hopefully it's similar enough to PS that I can find my way around quickly, get NIK in there too etc. |
I hope you’re going to like it. I don’t think it’s so very different from PS, but for me it’s quite some time since I worked with PS. But I really like working with AP and still learning every day. Good luck! |
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11/01/2020 03:38:04 PM · #35 |
| Just a quick message...I am really liking Affinity so far. Mostly getting used to different icons and that sort of thing but also the workflow seems quicker and it's very intuitive. The online help videos actually help and I am not left steeped in bafflegab or being lectured into upgrading my system or my software. Or both. Pretty sure I will be purchasing it esp as I don't think I can install my NIK on a trial product! |
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11/01/2020 07:06:07 PM · #36 |
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