Affinity Designer Now FREE with All features can be used, except for AI.
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https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/all-new-affinity/
Is vectorstyler also considering releasing a free version?
What I mean is that we can have a free version with some basic features, and a paid PRO version with advanced features;
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There are restrictions though... read the terms of service.
I always get nervous about a license agreement that includes terms like this:
- If we believe in our sole determination that your use of the Service is being used to discriminate, especially if based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry or national origin, we may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend your access to the Service without notice and liability for any reason.
(quoted from https://www.canva.com/policies/acceptable-use-policy/)
Never mind what the intent behind something like this might be - consider the ramifications of a statement like that. Just a few examples to get you started:
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Being suddenly locked out of a tool due to the "sole determination" of an outside company when that tool uses proprietary file formats to store work which may be mission-critical to you and possibly your employer or client is clearly a high-risk item that should not be taken lightly.
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Sometimes a single piece of art may be part of a larger story and could show something that would in isolation be interpreted this way, but which as part of the larger story is showing an arc in which that presentation is later contested. For example, some deranged "bad guy" is committing violence against old people, then some hero later sweeps in to save the day. If that earlier frame of art were considered in isolation, it would not give the whole story - but if Canva only looks at the smaller piece of the story they might misjudge the situation and lock you out anyway.
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The software Canva provides is referred to as a "Service" - which is a big problem if they are thinking of it that way, rather than treating it as a "Product". The terms of a "service" are easier to change than the terms of a "product" that has already been licensed. This means that arbitrary future changes to the terms may similarly prevent you from being able to use the software (and services can be cancelled) making future usability of the software particularly uncertain. This is now a subscription - even though there are no fees to remain subscribed, it is still ultimately a subscription at this point, not a perpetual license.
I for one have no intention of using this new version - "free" or not, the cost of having terms like that in the licensing agreement (the risks it creates) are too high. I will be looking for alternatives to replace Affinity. VectorStyler is a great start on that to replace Designer. Canva/Serif lost me due to these terms of service.
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I think regular people would not create the discriminatory content it mentioned, so there is no need to worry.
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The free affinity license is interesting in that it's a direct shot across the bow of Adobe's predatory subscription service. I can see many types of designers, especially college students and small design skips and hobbyists utilizing the software option as a way to avoid feeling forced to use Adobe's software. Unfortunately, there are few substantial upgrades to affinity in this new update despite 18 months since the aquisition by canva. This is essentially version 2.10. The program is basic level and always has been. The fact that it's "free" means they could end it's availability at any time or decide to put more advanced features behind a paywall. I'm a supporter of user freedom to own and use the license to the applications we work with without that of them being removed or controlled differently down the road. I'd much rather pay for major release versions and "own" them than to wonder how things will be in the future. I'm not a fan of canva restricting the types of content that can be created with it. What if someone decides to create religious art or anti religious art, maybe art that mocks Christianity or mocks Islam? What about art that is pro gay or trans or anti gay or trans? What if someone decides to create a racial joke or unpopular political stance? Why can't people have the freedom to create what they want to? I'm not trying to stir up a religious or political debate, just explaining that free speech and free expression of creativity should be defended, whether we agree with it personally or not.
On a different point, I don't know if I'd want to see vectorstyler offered as "free". I think in order to do so, VS would have to offer AI features and storage to help pay for the development of it if free, or even if it was still sold at the standard price.
Vectorstyler offers so many amazing features and is a professional design product that is already sold at a low price. I'd love to see vectorstyler pick up the torch of offering the universal file format between dedicated Vectorstyler, a rasterstyler and a desktop publisher app.
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It's a silent subscription model as we own nothing but eventually strings will be attached because a corporation is duty bound to remain profitable. I don't think it's a good idea to push independent developers to work for free. That only helps out the competition that has deep pockets. If you want a project to grow, there are plenty of other ways to contribute than asking them to make the product free... no such thing.
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@lilith There's more than just discriminatory content being subject to review in the link @fde101 provided and it's a code of conduct, basically... if Affinity is now a service requiring an active user account for licensing, then we don't actually own anything.
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@lilith said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with no restrictions or payment needed.:
What I mean is that we can have a free version with some basic features, and a paid PRO version with advanced features;
No offense, I understand the desire, of course, but I don't know
anyone who could live or work for free.In my opinion, €95 (often less on sale) is still very good value for an
app with all these features, and no, I'm not rich. I also have no
objection to the developer of my beloved app being able to make a
good living and continue working on it.Or should apps only be developed by large companies that can then
use "free" offers to bind "customers" in one way or another?
Personally, I don't consider Canva's offer "free" and suspect it will
involve some costs sooner or later.
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@lilith said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with no restrictions or payment needed.:
What I mean is that we can have a free version with some basic features
No plans for this at this time.
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@lilith said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with no restrictions or payment needed.:
I think regular people would not create the discriminatory content it mentioned,
That's not the problem. The problem is "in our sole determination". Something that is viewed as discriminatory by one person won't be by another. Different people will interpret the same thing differently, particularly in the world of visual arts, and the fact that they are clearly stating they might "permanently" "terminate" access "without notice" means you could suddenly find yourself cut off from a tool you need for your work, without warning, based on someone else's opinion which you might not share.
You may not think of what you created as fitting those categories, but that doesn't matter. If they do, then you lose your access.
The first issue is that the license terms are based on things which are subjective instead of objective.
As others also echoed, the second issue is that they have turned it into a subscription.
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@lilith said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with All features can be used, except for AI.:
Is vectorstyler also considering releasing a free version?
OMG Noo! If you want a free product than use a free product. But I'd rather have a good product without hidden costs and weird terms (search for the 'Affinity terms' on the Canva site) now or in the future with no things after a subscription-based paying wall now or later, but a perpetual license for the product which is trustworthy and where the company keeps its promises. The price VectorStyler goes by is very reasonable. Especially for the development cycle rate. IMO it's also not reasonable to even ask to make it free knowing this is a one man thing. It makes me think if you understand what time goes into creating such software.
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I think we should all be thankful to have such a dedicated developer behind VectorStyler (@VectorStyler). His commitment to improving the app, listening to users, and implementing bug fixes and requested features—often in such a short time, no matter how complex or niche—is truly remarkable and something rare in today’s software world.
I want to support his effort financially (the price is more than fair) to help ensure that this great tool continues to grow and evolve over time, and that his motivation to keep improving it remains strong.
I’d also like to contribute in my own small way to helping VectorStyler gain more visibility and attract new users. I believe what’s mostly missing right now are quality tutorials. I’ve never made YouTube tutorials before, but I’d be willing to give it a try. I remember it was mentioned that promotion would become a focus after the 1.3 release—if there’s a plan for that, I’d be interested in knowing how I could help.
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Do it and learn along the way.
My little tutorials often started for different reasons. Either through
VS features that I was exploring myself, or it was a way to
familiarize myself with VS's features. Or as a small project that I
did for myself and later had the idea to share it. Explaining things
to others often helps with understanding as well.Btw i can recommend using "ScreenPal"—it's a great tool for this.
It's easy to learn, has some video editing tools, and you can upload
your videos for free to your free account.
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@Subpath yes, you're right. I should just start and do it. I was wondering what channels to use if one was planned. Where can I find your tutorials on YT ?
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You won't find me on YouTube, and I have no interest in doing so.
I don't know if that will change in the future, but I don't really think so.I post my tutorials here in the forum to show features, for helping
new users, and serve as a reminder for myself.
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@Subpath said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with All features can be used, except for AI.:
You won't find me on YouTube, and I have no interest in doing so.
I don't know if that will change in the future, but I don't really think so.Actually, I’d suggest posting your tutorials on YouTube. Here are the reasons: 1. They’ll reach a much larger audience, which can attract more new users. 2. People can subscribe to your YouTube channel to access all your videos—finding all your tutorials on the forum is practically impossible. 3. You can share the YouTube links on your tutorial page after uploading the videos, which kills multiple birds with one stone. Hope you’ll consider this suggestion!
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@Subpath And here’s another thought: if your tutorial videos consistently draw a huge following—tens of thousands or even millions of subscribers—they could also bring in some extra income, haha!
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@monsterfox said in Affinity Designer Now FREE with All features can be used, except for AI.:
Hope you’ll consider this suggestion!
Well, I've already considered this and consistently decided
against it. And that will remain the case for the time being.I get all your points. But in my eyes having and managing
a YouTube channel is a bit different ballgame.My goal was and is not to have a large following or to
earn extra money on the side (which in Germany, depending
on income, could be taxable; you might even have to register
a business and deal with various other things).People who are interested in VS and have questions can check
out the forum, ask their questions, and may find something
helpful in the Tutorial Section.
