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I found when I switched to Affinity I was able to drop PS completely. I even had good luck working with client supplied PS files, though I didn't need to return

I found when I switched to Affinity I was able to drop PS completely. I even had good luck working with client supplied PS files, though I didn't need to return the supplied files, just create a derivative deliverable. One odd side effect of this is I'm more disappointed in Affinity when it doesn't do something as well as PS, whereas with the other tools I'd write it off to their smaller scope an size.

rudedogg 10y ago
I purchased Pixelmator a long time ago, but have never actually used it. I bought it to do web graphics, but their UI doesn't really speak to me. I've never cared for the floating docks like GIMP uses. Affinity Designer has allowed me to not miss Photoshop/Illustrator at all. It came out right as I was thinking of buying a Mac and switching to Swift development. Saving the monthly Adobe fees helped me justify the cost of a Mac. Also, the new Symbols stuff in Affinity Designer makes it useful for doing mockups. I haven't tried the layout constraint stuff they added. For mockups I think Sketch is still easier/faster, but only barely. And it is kind of limited in what you can do, while Affinity Designer isn't. It's made me want to invest the time into getting good with Affinity Designer, since it's so powerful and fast. The buy once thing is also nice - I think paying monthly for desktop software is mostly bullshit. Sorry for the long rambling, I just really want to praise Affinity. When I see that there's an update I actually get excited, and they keep adding non-trivial features. It's how I wish other software companies worked. I hope they do well and can continue with their current business model.
- joshontheweb 10y ago
  Pixelmator is definitely the wrong tool for web graphics. It is much more focused on image editing. I tried to use it as a PS sub like you. Eventually i moved to Sketch and it has been great.
  - spacemanmatt 10y ago
    This is true. I enjoy using it for basic editing/painting but it lacks the depth of general image manipulation tools.
- BashiBazouk 10y ago
  I might just have to give this a try. Looking at the Affinity site it's the first Adobe alternative that I have seen with Pantone support. Critical for the print world. Now if it plays nice with RIP's...

rudedogg 10y ago

I purchased Pixelmator a long time ago, but have never actually used it. I bought it to do web graphics, but their UI doesn't really speak to me. I've never cared for the floating docks like GIMP uses. Affinity Designer has allowed me to not miss Photoshop/Illustrator at all. It came out right as I was thinking of buying a Mac and switching to Swift development. Saving the monthly Adobe fees helped me justify the cost of a Mac. Also, the new Symbols stuff in Affinity Designer makes it useful for doing mockups. I haven't tried the layout constraint stuff they added. For mockups I think Sketch is still easier/faster, but only barely. And it is kind of limited in what you can do, while Affinity Designer isn't. It's made me want to invest the time into getting good with Affinity Designer, since it's so powerful and fast. The buy once thing is also nice - I think paying monthly for desktop software is mostly bullshit. Sorry for the long rambling, I just really want to praise Affinity. When I see that there's an update I actually get excited, and they keep adding non-trivial features. It's how I wish other software companies worked. I hope they do well and can continue with their current business model.

joshontheweb 10y ago
Pixelmator is definitely the wrong tool for web graphics. It is much more focused on image editing. I tried to use it as a PS sub like you. Eventually i moved to Sketch and it has been great.
- spacemanmatt 10y ago
  This is true. I enjoy using it for basic editing/painting but it lacks the depth of general image manipulation tools.
BashiBazouk 10y ago
I might just have to give this a try. Looking at the Affinity site it's the first Adobe alternative that I have seen with Pantone support. Critical for the print world. Now if it plays nice with RIP's...