Affinity Releases 3.0.2.3912 (bug-fix release)

The whole .exe vs. .msi thing really isn’t an issue. It worked the same way back in Version 2, and it’s intentional. You just need to know which one you installed. The only tricky part is that the download page labels them in a slightly confusing way, which can mislead a lot of people. But the moment you actually download the file, you can clearly see whether it’s an .exe or not.

Many who used all three Affinity apps before were already switching between them inside a document. With Affinity Studio, that workflow has become even smoother. And the software keeps growing and improving. That’s why moving to Version 3 makes sense in the long run.

If you want to make the transition easier, check out some Affinity Studio tutorials on YouTube. You’ll get comfortable with the new setup much faster than you might expect.

Thanks for the additional information, lphilpot.

An unrelated problem, which has been an ongoing issue, since day 1: Canva Affinity seems to get "stuck" - either won't acknowledge that I've changed tools, or stops updating the image as I'm working on it. I have to save, close, and reopen. I'm guessing that's an internet issue? It's driving me nuts. I don't have these problems with the Serif versions.

Well, the fact that they no longer have the .exe file available in the same place (who would think to look in Enterprise?) is on them. I'm so used to switching between the old apps that it doesn't bother me. Honestly easier than trying to figure out where they put things in the new version. (Yes, I'm old and I don't like change.) I was initially excited about having a unified version, but it's proved more burden than improvement to me. I'm trying to finish a piece on a deadline, so I think I've wasted enough of my own time and that of others' on these issues here.

Quote from Kornalantis

An unrelated problem, which has been an ongoing issue, since day 1: Canva Affinity seems to get "stuck" - either won't acknowledge that I've changed tools, or stops updating the image as I'm working on it. I have to save, close, and reopen. I'm guessing that's an internet issue? It's driving me nuts. I don't have these problems with the Serif versions.

This question really belongs in a new topic.
Take a look at Settings → Performance and compare the options there. The issue might come from one of those settings.

Quote from gertd-214

Canva could provide a more userfriendly option in this

Please consider using the in-app Ask panel's "Suggest a feature or improvement" option to suggest that.

Quote from AlainP

Could be too many people updating at the same time but all I get is an error message with a "try again later". That's is what I'll do....

I've been trying for days without luck. Were you ever able to update?

Searching for Affinity or Affinity Studio on Canva results in "we couldn't find anything"

Quote from vkbellis

I've been trying for days without luck. Were you ever able to update?

Which operating system are you using?

Windows 10 Pro

In your case, it would be the .msix version for Windows (Intel/AMD). You can simply install it over your existing setup.

https://www.affinity.studio/download

Thank you Terry.

Are you saying that you weren't able to install the update directly from the prompt when launching the application?

Normally, all updates have always been handled this way when updates were available for Serif products; Publisher, Designer, Photo, both v1 and v2. It was also the means to update Affinity Studio v3 from v3 to v3.0.1. This was what prompted me to ask AlainP if he was ever to update as his post indicated that he would try again.

Supposedly, according to these FAQ items from https://www.affinity.studio/get-affinity, the app will update itself. There isn't any instruction to do differently other than it explains for users of Affinity v3.

Yes, that’s correct. Normally the version you installed updates itself, but it doesn’t seem to work this time. That’s why the suggestion to do it manually.

Sorry for the late answer vkbellis, I also downloaded the app from the site and updated manually.

Quote from Terry

In your case, it would be the .msix version for Windows (Intel/AMD). You can simply install it over your existing setup.

That depends, maybe or maybe not. It needs to be the same type installer as what's already installed.* Otherwise you'll end up with two instances installed. The MS Store supports MSIX, but the MSI / EXE / "Enterprise" version will also run on Win 10. It's the same program either way, just installed to a different location with different security and other infrastructure hooks.

If the built-in Affinity updater is failing, it's likely not because it's downloading the wrong type of installer. There's something else going on. Download the correct installer and running it manually.

* Look at the path in the Affinity shortcut. If it's "C:\Program Files\Affinity\Affinity.exe" it's the MSI. MSIX apps will install to somewhere under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\<whatever>.

Quote from vkbellis

Supposedly, according to these FAQ items from https://www.affinity.studio/get-affinity, the app will update itself.

As far as I know this can apply to the MSIX version only. I believe the MS Store can be configured to automatically update apps but I'm not 100% sure since I avoid using the Store if at all possible. I don't like software updating itself without my knowledge and approval. With either installer you can still be prompted to update, as has always been the case.

Quote from lphilpot

I believe the MS Store can be configured to automatically update apps but I'm not 100% sure since I avoid using the Store if at all possible.

I'm strictly a Mac uses so I don't know if this is true, but I thought Affinity Studio was not available through the MS Store. Am I wrong about that?

I was able to finish the piece I was working on and straighten out my installation problem, thanks to the information provided here. As someone tasked with software licensing before I retired, "Enterprise" to me would mean a license used by a large organization to cover multiple users, which is why I would never have thought to look there as an individual licensing one computer.

Quote from R C-R

I'm strictly a Mac uses so I don't know if this is true, but I thought Affinity Studio was not available through the MS Store. Am I wrong about that?

You're probably right, I don't know. I was referring only to MS Store functionality (my apologies if I didn't make that distinction clear). The reason I brought up the Store was -- barring some seriously insecure permissions -- on Windows the Store is the only way I'm aware that apps can be potentially updated automatically. Store apps (generally?) are packaged in MSIX installers, but they're separate pieces of an overlapping infrastructure and not exclusive to each other.

I think the wording in the FAQ means updates will be made freely available, not necessarily installed automatically. The fact the app itself prompts the user to update and then handles the update on its own seems fairly clear it's not designed to use MS services.

Quote from Kornalantis

As someone tasked with software licensing before I retired, "Enterprise" to me would mean a license used by a large organization to cover multiple users, which is why I would never have thought to look there as an individual licensing one computer.

That makes sense -- I'm also retired from (enterprise) IT and I agree. I guess it reflects a general preference in corporate environments for standard, manageable installations. Maybe the term is meant to imply "enterprise-style" as it were...? Who knows, Canva might have GPOs that could enable sufficient management of MSIX installers, but I'm not inclined to think so at present.