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Affinity is now a single app that brings together photo editing, vector illustration and page layout in three workspaces: Pixel, Vector and Layout. Canva says the core tools are free, but you need a Canva account; a Canva premium plan is needed only to use Canva AI features inside Affinity. The current official FAQ lists Windows and macOS, with iPadOS still in development.
What changed in Affinity?
Canva relaunched Affinity as one app for work that previously called for separate photo, vector and publishing workflows. Its three studios—Pixel, Vector and Layout—can be customized, and tools from different disciplines can be combined. Canva says vector and pixel work can live together in the same .af document, with non-destructive edits and export by object, slice or document.
Is Affinity really free?
Canva says the Pixel, Vector and Layout tools, along with customization and export features, are available without payment. The core app is not described as a time-limited trial, and Canva Pro or another premium plan is not required for those studios. Canva premium plans—Pro, Business, Enterprise or Education—unlock Canva AI features inside Affinity. See Affinity’s current product information.
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Pixel: photo editing
Pixel includes RAW editing, tone mapping, lens correction, live filters and adjustments, inpainting and healing, and dodge and burn. For larger or composite workflows, Canva lists batch processing with recordable macros, HDR merge and panorama stitching. The photo workspace can also export high-resolution JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP and press-ready PDF. Affinity photo editing features and format notes.
Vector: illustration and design
Vector offers pen, node and pencil tools, live shape editing, boolean operations, a shape builder, flexible gradients and image tracing. These features support drawing and editing paths as well as constructing illustrations from shapes. Canva lists PDF, SVG, PNG, JPEG, TIFF and WebP among vector export formats. Affinity vector design features and exports.
Layout: multipage publishing
Layout is designed for documents such as books, magazines and marketing materials. Its listed tools include linked text frames, autoflow, text wrapping, master pages, advanced typography, CMYK and spot-color output, preflight and bleed support, and CSV-based data merge. Canva also identifies mockups and other complex documents as use cases. Affinity page layout features and format notes.
What do you need to get started?
- Create or use a Canva account. Canva’s current FAQ says an account is required to use Affinity.
- Check your operating system and download availability. The current FAQ lists Windows and macOS as supported and iPadOS as in development. Availability can change, so check the official download page before installing.
- Choose whether you need Canva AI. The core studios do not require a premium Canva plan; Canva says its Pro, Business, Enterprise and Education plans unlock Canva AI features in Affinity.
Can you move existing projects into Affinity?
Canva’s launch announcement names PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, TIFF and IDML as supported import formats. Importing a file does not guarantee a perfect, editable match: advanced effects or application-specific features may flatten, simplify or need manual adjustment.
Photoshop files
Layered PSDs can retain masks, groups and adjustments in most cases, according to Affinity’s photo FAQ. Smart objects and advanced filters may flatten. Check important layers and effects in the imported document before relying on it as a fully editable replacement. Photo import and export details.
Illustrator files
AI and PDF-compatible imports can preserve vector shapes, paths and layers in many cases. Appearance stacks, masks and advanced effects may flatten or simplify, so inspect complex artwork after import rather than assuming its original construction survives intact. Vector import details.
InDesign files
IDML imports can preserve page structure, text frames and basic styles. GREP styles, anchored objects and tables may need manual adjustment. Affinity does not export to INDD or IDML, so it is not a round-trip format option for handing a finished document back as an InDesign file. Layout import and export details.
How does Affinity fit with Canva workflows?
Canva says projects can be exported into Canva for collaboration and publishing workflows. That gives users a route from detailed creative work in Affinity to Canva-based handoff, but the formats and features supported during import and export still matter. For a team workflow, check the specific file and effects your collaborators need rather than assuming every project will transfer unchanged. Canva also says Affinity work is stored locally on the device and is not used to train or develop Canva AI features, including work created using Canva AI in Affinity. Those are Canva’s statements about Affinity, not an external audit or a blanket claim about every Canva product. Canva’s explanation of its Affinity model and data practices.
The Tool Desk
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- Illustrators who want vector drawing tools alongside pixel editing in one project.
- Photographers and image-makers who need editing tools such as RAW processing, healing, HDR merge or panorama stitching.
- Designers producing multipage work who need text flow, master pages, preflight or print-oriented color options.
- People with existing files who are willing to check imports for flattened effects, changed formatting or other fidelity limits.
A graphics drawing tablet is an optional tool for digital illustration, not a stated Affinity requirement. Canva’s product pages do not endorse a particular model or establish compatibility for specific hardware. If you compare Affinity with Adobe or another creative suite, compare the exact workflow, operating-system availability, file handoff and any premium AI or collaboration needs; shared categories such as “vector” or “photo editing” do not establish equivalent tools or results.
Quick Recap
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