Affinity Photo vs. Photoshop CS4? (Mac)

[macstatic]

How does the current version of Affinity Photo compare to Photoshop CS4 (Mac)?
I've downloaded the 90-day free trial but I see it'll take a while to get used to the different layout, and would like to hear from others who have made the transition. It's currently at a 50% sale (it doesn't say for how long), so the price is right if it can do most of what Photoshop can.
I'm certainly no expert user of PS, but I do use layers, masks, know how to clone, retouch etc. It would be nice to continue with all that in Affinity Photo without having to re-learn everything from scratch. I'm of course open to other apps as well, but Affinity Photo is something I've read a lot of good things about (I looked into this 2-3 years ago, but despite its praises I believe it wasn't fully matured then and probably not the ideal PS replacement. Hopefully things have changed now though).

I'm asking because Photoshop CS4 is just about the only reason I'm stuck at OSX 10.11 (El Capitan) though I'll likely be upgrading to 10.12 (Sierra) as soon as I get the time -but that's as far as I can go based on my testing (it won't even install on 10.13 High Sierra).
I'm not interested in Adobe's subscription model, so it's either getting stuck at OSX 10.12 or moving on with something else....
I also use Lightroom (6.14 perpetual) and have it set up to do more complicated editing in PS, and as far as I know will still work fine in at least 10.14.

 

[Hughmac]

Actually I have CS4 running in High Sierra, mainly because I always upgraded the OS rather than a fresh install.
I've just upgraded from El Capitan straight to High Sierra on my MacBook Air by the way.

All that happens is when you reboot after the upgrade, a message appears to install the latest Java, with an Apple download link. After that CS4 seems to work fine, and I am still using it in some circumstances.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[jackerin]

I have made several attempts at coming to terms with Affinity Photo, and while it has many of the features that I need I keep running into things. I often use the color sampler to check white/black points and while the feature does exist in Affinity it's a lot slower (drag the crosshair from the info-window onto the image), but I can't do it while checking clipping levels.

While I would really like to have an alternative to Photoshop, Affinity is not quite there for me, though that's not to say it works for a lot of other people. For the price I would say it's worth it just to have a lifeline for when Adobe makes it unbearable.

 

[tizeye]

Affinity Photo is a decent program that doesn't hit you every year with an upgrade with upgrades free within the same version # decimal. While very inexpensive compared to the competition, the two computer license can't be split between a PC and Mac as they are downloads rather than installs. Unless they added it recently, it doesn't do what I call "true layers" involving multiple different files. Rather, they and most others, refer to layers but are actually masking layers of the same file. About the only one I have found that will do true layers is On 1, and of course, Luminar which is highly specialized with effortless (when it works) sky replacement. Speaking of sky replacement, for an easy way to see if the program has multi-photo layering capability, look for each programs training videos on sky replacement - but watch the video as may be simple masking areas of an existing sky rather than inserting a totally different sky. While I have had the quest to dump Adobe, each year I renew. While easy to replace Lightroom, with virtually every other alternative program I still need Photoshop to handle the shortcoming of the program. Also, those other programs annual upgrade typically cost as much as Photoshop/Lightroom if/when you take them up on the upgrade.

A little trick I found. Create two Adobe accounts based on different emails. They always consider current customer's second class, hooked into the product. The they give discounts to new/returning customers. I splurged this year and got a special on the full $52/mo Cloud for $22/mo which will cancel at renewal. Currently getting offers on my other email for 20% off the Photoshop/Lightroom...but my renewal is November.

 

[macstatic]

Actually I have CS4 running in High Sierra, mainly because I always upgraded the OS rather than a fresh install.
I've just upgraded from El Capitan straight to High Sierra on my MacBook Air by the way.

All that happens is when you reboot after the upgrade, a message appears to install the latest Java, with an Apple download link. After that CS4 seems to work fine, and I am still using it in some circumstances.

Really? Wow.
But in case it acts up and you have to re-install it you'd have to first re-install a previous OS, install CS4, then upgrade to 10.13 again?
In any case that would give CS4 some extra life.

Will 10.13 be your final upgrade? Or is there a way to make it work even with 10.14 as well? How do you find 10.13 compares to 10.11 in terms of performance and general first impressions?

Thanks to tizeye and jackerin for comments on Affinity Photo. I've used the demo version a little bit today and although it's not quite "Photoshop with a different name" I see it's a capable and professional looking app. Hopefully I can adapt and do the same things as before.

 

[Hughmac]

I always have bootable backups on external drives, so if things go wrong I simply clone the backup onto my hard drive using Carbon Copy Cloner.
I've never had to reinstall CS4 because of this, just the Apple java files mentioned above.

10.13 is fine; I had 10.11 on a 2009 MacBook (the maximum OS it would take), but since my wife is no longer using her MacBook Air I have appropriated it.
So, I put in a 512GB SSD and cloned the installation from the MacBook to the Air.
Once that was up and running I upgraded to 10.13. That is how come all my apps and settings are preserved.

I may take it up to 10.14 but don't see the need at the moment, but I'm resisting 10.15 because of all the 32 bit stuff I still use.

By the way, I mostly use Elements 15 to process my photos, and that is fairly CS4-like in operation and seems to suit my needs as a rank amateur.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Janichsan]

It's currently at a 50% sale (it doesn't say for how long),...

Until May 20.

 

[Hughmac]

At that price, I would grab it now ! Then you will have it for ever

Cheers

Hugh

 

[macstatic]

Yes, I think I will!

I may take it up to 10.14 but don't see the need at the moment, but I'm resisting 10.15 because of all the 32 bit stuff I still use.

I thought all the 32 bit support was gone with 10.13 and up, but apparently not.
So 32 bit apps may still work with 10.14? I assume using the same method as previously discussed (install CS4 on OSX 10.11 or earlier, then upgrade the drive with the later OS). Is it wise to take this in steps (i.e. upgrade from 10.11 to 10.12, then 10.12 to 10.13 etc.) or can I just jump from 10.11 to 10.14 (or 10.13) without causing any potential issues?
Yes, a clone of the boot drive is very smart indeed! I have an automatic backup operation for that and my users with Chronosync. It can clone as well, but Carbon Copy Cloner is indeed a very nice app and probably easier to set up.

 

[Hughmac]

Yes you can use 32 bit with 10.14, but with constant nag screens telling you that 32 bit support is ending.

I think I still had CS4 working in Mojave on my MacBook Pro, but I uninstalled it once I had bought Elements 15. Wish I'd left it in place as I probably can't put it back now.

As for upgrading, I went straight from 10.11 to 10.13 on the Air a week or so ago, but on the MacBook Pro it was more gradual as new versions of MacOS were released.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[macstatic]

I bought it! Does anyone know if you can install it on more than one Mac (that I own myself)? I couldn't find any info on the website nor in the app itself about that.

Hughmac: Great insight in upgrading there! I had no idea CS4 would work in later OSes once it had been pre-installed. I should probably test it out with my separate boot drive first (currently at 10.12 with CS4 already installed).
I believe I read somewhere about some UNIX commands that can be issued in Terminal to get rid of those nag screens concerning 32 bit support. So 32 bit support is still there in 10.14, but Apple wants you to stop using those "outdated" apps so they can continue upgrading to 10.15 I would assume.

Very interesting new findings all this, which means I can probably continue using CS4 (together with Lightroom 6 or on its own -I believe Lightroom 6 is already compatible with 10.13 and 10.14), all while having a new option in using Affinity Photo which isn't reliant on an older OS. But then there's the graphic card upgrade thing (more $$$) for my mid-2010 Mac Pro. I understand I need that for 10.14 (or was it even for 10.13?). I need to give this some serious thought, but thanks to your comments here I have some additional options! Much appreciated ?

 

[tizeye]

At that price, I would grab it now ! Then you will have it for ever

Cheers

Hugh

Agreed...At that price. It should also be noted that that the 50% off applies to all three Affinity programs - Photo, Publisher and Design. While I already own Photo and Publisher, I may seriously consider Design to have the trio. Publisher is nice but has a MAJOR shortcoming with it's inability to export as an epub format. On the community forums, in 2018 Affinity acknowledged that oversight, noted coming in the future but no timetable. Still waiting.

 

[macstatic]

Yes, I noticed. I assume one of them might be a substitute for Adobe InDesign while the other is for Illustrator?
And I'm free to install any of those apps purchased on multiple Macs that I own, right? I believe I read it in some forum as I couldn't find info about this on the website or user guide.

 

[Hughmac]

I still don't know the answer to that one, as I bought mine through the App Store where you can use it on any Mac using your account.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[jackerin]

I have Affinity Photo installed on both desktop on laptop, downloadable from the app store as I log in with the same Apple ID on both, but you might be able to just copy the application file between computers too.

 

[tizeye]

Yes, I noticed. I assume one of them might be a substitute for Adobe InDesign while the other is for Illustrator?
And I'm free to install any of those apps purchased on multiple Macs that I own, right? I believe I read it in some forum as I couldn't find info about this on the website or user guide.

Yes. Draw is a vector graphic program like Illustrator (and Corel Draw). Publish is a publishing program like InDesign (and Quark Express).

Affinity/Serif has a unique user license, unlike others that typically limit the # of installs (i.e. Adobe = 2 and can mix operating systems in the two installs) With Affinity, formally stated in their EULA and summarized in their FAQ, two specific issues. 1) operating system dependent, so if you want to install on a PC and a Mac, you have to buy the Windows and Apple versions separately. And 2) for personal (non-commercial) one license entitles to unlimited installs on computers you own and under your control within that operating system you purchased.

 

[v3rlon]

Okay, I successfully jumped from PS to Affinity - completely. For the short version, I am happy with the choice.
When I transitioned from PC to Mac, I made a conscious decision to not run a VM, emulator, or boot camp. It either ran on a Mac, or I wouldn't need it.

There may be some of this in Affinity. I solve the problem with the tool I have. The tool I have is Affinity. That said, I am yet to run into anything I CAN'T solve using Affinity. Some things can be done faster (frequency separation, preview changes like blend modes) others are slower (see above). I can normally follow a photoshop tutorial and end up in the same place when done. There are a few differences, but you learn the interface. How it works out in the wash depends on how you do your laundry, I suppose.

If you buy Affinity on the App store, it installs like other Apps do. I have no experience with it on the PC side. It wasn't offered until after I converted.

 

[jaymc]

Until May 20.

Still 50% off (due to Covid)

 

[Clix Pix]

I used Photoshop a long time ago and then found myself going in a different direction with editing software..... I tried Affinity and well, frankly it and I definitely did not “click” in any way so it was among the several apps that I discarded along the way as i began figuring out how I wanted to manage and work with editing my images.....

 

[dwig]

Disclaimer: my experience with the Affinity "suite" is only on Windows 10.

I've made the switch from Ps/CS4 to Affinity Photo for my personal work and I'm happy with AP. There is a learning curve, even for users like me who have 20+ years experience with Ps and who still use Ps/CC2020 for their day job.

I've been forced to "work remote" since Aug 2019, temporarily relocating from Key West FL to Houston TX for my wife's cancer treatment. As a result, I'm stuck using my Surface Go (with a 27" monitor, full keyboard & mouse...) instead of my "big" Dell XPS box.

My personal work is with AP and my work for the gallery in KW is either done locally with modest sized files on my Go using Ps/CS4 or remotely with huge files in Ps/CC2020 on the iMac back in KW. I find the AP works well, but the Go struggles a little with complex files in AP more that it does with similar files in Ps/CS4, but my work in either is rather demanding for the Go's modest hardware.

For me, the Affinity pricing and licensing makes sense and Adobe's doesn't.