Well, I have started looking at Affinity, I've watched Ash's video (the full 22-minute version) and I have to say that I am happy. It's pretty much what I had expected.
I predicted a mixed economy where subscriptions were concerned, and that is what we have got (you pay for the Canva AI bit, if you want it). I did not believe that the app would otherwise be free: that's a surprise, but not an unwelcome one.
There was speculation that the three apps might be rolled into one: given that the architecture for this was already there from the very outset, this is not that much of a surprise, either, and now that I am beginning to find my way around the updated interface, I think it's going to work well.
We haven't lost any functionality: all of the V2 functionality is there, albeit some of it is not in the same place, and there are some new features, with a promise of more in the future that will remain part of the free app. For example, a sophisticated blend tool is on its way.
Unsurprisingly, the loudest voices on Discord who did not want a subscription-based model are now complaining because it's free; those who didn't want AI as standard are complaining because it's there (even though they don't need to use it unless they want to). Really, you couldn't make it up! However, at least some new sections have appeared on Discord over the past 24 hours that will make it a little bit easier to use (threaded sections).
All in all, apart from the download being leaked before anyone who'd signed up got their 'first peek' E-mails, for me, yesterday played out pretty much as I had hoped, with a couple of surprises. I remain optimistic, and having to access the Internet when launching for the first time, having to have a free Canva account and having to access Help files online really don't bother me one jot.
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