Rising โคDesign Software Affinity Challenges Adobe Photoshop’s Dominance
Jakarta,โ Indonesia – A new โdesign application, Affinity, is gaining traction as aโค compelling alternative to industry standardโฃ Adobe Photoshop,โ notably among students,โค freelancers, and small โbusinesses. Affinity distinguishes itself with a flexibleโ pricing model -โข offering a free version with coreโ features โand a premium version available via a one-time purchase โค- a โคstark contrast to Photoshop’s subscription-based system which users report feeling “bound by,”โฃ even with infrequent use.
Photoshop plans currently start atโ approximately USD 20 per month with an annual commitment,โค orโข USD 30 for a monthly plan, with potential cancellation fees reaching USD 120.This cost has driven many to explore more affordable options like Affinity.
Affinity boasts an intuitive interface with dedicated “Vector“โฃ and “Pixel” tabs catering toโ illustration and photo editing needs respectively. Features like a โคdrawing stabilizer and automatic error prevention toolsโข aim toโ reduce the learningโค curve for new users, while maintaining a workflow familiar to those โmigrating from Photoshop or GIMP.
The software supports professional-grade features including RAW photo editing, a complete layer system, professionalโฃ color managementโ (CMYK &โ LAB), and compatibility with PSD files. Notably, Affinity is reported to run more responsively than Photoshop, especially โฃon lessโค powerful laptops – a meaningfulโ advantage โขin Indonesia where creators may โnot always have access toโ high-end hardware.
Despite its advantages, Affinity faces challenges. Its plugin ecosystem is โคcurrently smaller thanโค Photoshop’s, and adapting to a new โsoftware requires time, particularly for designers accustomed to โPhotoshop’s extensive hotkeys. While a basic version isโค free, advanced features,โ including AI-powered tools like automatic background removal and generative fill, may require a paid upgrade or integration with Canva โPremium. โ consequently, โฃPhotoshop remains a strong choice for large studios and โฃcollaborative workflows.
