Affinity Photo 1.5 released, packed with new features and Windows support

In a definite shift towards platform parity, Affinity Photo has finally been relased for Windows, delivering everything that the hugely popular Mac software does.

The availability of a Windows version coincides with the release of version 1.5, which is a huge update packing the Photoshop rival with new features.

Here’s a rundown of the best new features:

Lens Profiles

1.5’s RAW engine now features profiles for thousands of lens-camera body combinations delivering auto lens correction.

Color Picking Tool

In response to user requests, there’s a new color picking tool outside of the color lab.

32-bit Editing Enabled

32-bit unbounded images can be composited and edited together with full Radiance HDR as well as OpenEXR file support.

Macros

Designers are able to record any number of operations, save them, and then play them back later on, just like Photoshop’s Actions panel.

Better Metadata Management

1.5 features a substantially upgraded detection of metadata for JPEG and RAW formats.

File Compatibility Changes

This version comes with significant improvements to PSD and PDF import and export.

Tone Mapping Persona

Users will enjoy dramatic results thanks to the full, tone-mapping workspace for LDR and HDR images with local contrast control. The new release features a complete workspace, where users are free to move between color spaces.

360 Image Editing

It’s now possible to both pan and zoom around 360 images. Designers can utilize Affinity Photo’s complete suite of tools to edit them live.

Equations Filter

Users now have the chance to create customized spatial fillers with limitless flexibility, all thanks to the equations filter.

Pixel Art Document Resizing

1.5 incorporates two, brand-new resampling algorithms. This ensures more precise resizing of pixel-based documents.

Pixel Tool Changes

After many requests, Affinity has added shift constrain and configurable CMD-drag behavior to this tool.

New Export Options

The export persona has been changed forever. Now, users can enjoy limitless flexibility to export multiple formats and resolutions for each slice.

OpenEXR Import/Export

All workflows will be supported with the multichannel OpenEXR Import/Export and options like alpha pre-multiplication.

Clone Sources Panel

Users have the ability to store an unlimited quantity of global sources for the clone brush; they can also work across multiple documents.

Text Style Support

The styles of text objects can be linked together now thanks to full text style support.

Marquee Selection Modes

Magnetic, polygonal, and freehand are the three new modes for the freehand selection tool.

Better RAW Processing

A more powerful RAW engine gets designers results more immediately while the presence of more than 70 new RAW camera formats makes for a better user experience.

Marc Schenker

Marc’s a copywriter who covers design news for Web Designer Depot. Find out more about him at thegloriouscompanyltd.com.