Affinity Bootcamp - January 2025

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 1/25/2025 at 1:30 PM, Rene Marker said:

I thought the Frame Text would be equivalent to wrapping text and it is as long as you want a square or a rectangle area. I couldn't find a way to make an odd shaped object that I could wrap text in. I was so hoping there would be something for that because every single time I use text wrapping in either 2021 or 2023, it crashes. So I don't use text wrapping in PSP. If you find a way to do it in Affinity, I would definitely like to know!

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That is precisely what I want too! Now I have to type my text in PSP in a shape without the selection box and that way it is more work to change the text or a typo. If I use a selection my text goes to a straight line and I can't convert the text layer to a raster layer as well. One of the most annoying bugs in PPSP 2023 and I hoped there is a way in affinity to use text inside a selection.

[Rene Marker]

  On 1/25/2025 at 6:49 PM, Corrie Kinkel said:

That is precisely what I want too! Now I have to type my text in PSP in a shape without the selection box and that way it is more work to change the text or a typo. If I use a selection my text goes to a straight line and I can't convert the text layer to a raster layer as well. One of the most annoying bugs in PPSP 2023 and I hoped there is a way in affinity to use text inside a selection.

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I don't even get a straight line! The program crashes while I'm typing the text. Heck, it crashes when I'm typing text and not even trying to do wrapping. About 95% of the time I have to resort to using X8 to get text on my layouts. That is one reason that I get frustrated with PSP. I finished the layout I was working on last night and completed the companion page to it today. The program lagged so much. I got to the point that after saving I would quit scrapping and do something else to ease my frustrations for a few minutes.

[Cassel]

@Corrie Kinkel and @Rene Marker Affinity will wrap text inside a shape, whether it is made from a Shape tool or the Pen tool. The only way to get an irregular shape is by using the Pen tool to create that shape. I suggested to them that using a Selection would be more flexible and much faster in certain situations but for now, the only option is to draw that shape manually with the Pen tool.

When I need to wrap text (and mostly have the ability to edit it), I will use PSP2022.

[Marie-Claire]

Day 11- Project 5   ( I hope I am in the correct place this time 🤓

Since I haven't been outside much the last few months and haven't been able to take any pictures except inside the house, I tried something different.
I made the image with Bing co-pilot. I am not a fan of AI at all but to make my own images to use for scrapbooking I think it is ok.

[Linda Rexford]

  On 1/25/2025 at 1:30 PM, Rene Marker said:

I thought the Frame Text would be equivalent to wrapping text and it is as long as you want a square or a rectangle area. I couldn't find a way to make an odd shaped object that I could wrap text in. I was so hoping there would be something for that because every single time I use text wrapping in either 2021 or 2023, it crashes. So I don't use text wrapping in PSP. If you find a way to do it in Affinity, I would definitely like to know!

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Rene in Affinity, it you go to Help in the menu across the top, search for Frame Text Tool.  Maybe that is what you are looking for?  It's been awhile since I used PSP so I don't remember how it works there.

[Linda Rexford]

I ran into a wall trying to do this one, so it took me awhile.  I finally got some inspiration and got it done!  The papers are all from Design Bundles, except for the rectangle the writing is on.  That is from an old PSP Scrapers Dozen I did back around 2012!  The berries in the corner and pine needles are from Jessica Dunn. The photo is mine.  The frame is from Marisa Lerin.  

[Linda Rexford]

I have used Affinity since 2017 but not for anything like this.  I mainly use Designer because I wanted to make my own elements.  I learned how to do vector in PSP, but it is much easier (I think) in Designer.  I have used Photo for many things but nothing like Scrap booking.  I learned many new things because of this.  Many thanks to Carole for having this workshop and I will be in the next one too!    It was also fun meeting new people here!

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 1/25/2025 at 7:09 PM, Cassel said:

@Corrie Kinkel and @Rene Marker Affinity will wrap text inside a shape, whether it is made from a Shape tool or the Pen tool. The only way to get an irregular shape is by using the Pen tool to create that shape. I suggested to them that using a Selection would be more flexible and much faster in certain situations but for now, the only option is to draw that shape manually with the Pen tool.

When I need to wrap text (and mostly have the ability to edit it), I will use PSP2022.

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Thank you, something to try, if I can get those tools to work in the first place. Everything new is a challenge but fun to do, mostly 😉

[Rene Marker]

  On 1/25/2025 at 8:12 PM, Linda Rexford said:

Rene in Affinity, it you go to Help in the menu across the top, search for Frame Text Tool.  Maybe that is what you are looking for?  It's been awhile since I used PSP so I don't remember how it works there.

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I've used the Frame Text Tool already. But it wouldn't work as it is for the text wrapping I wanted to do. I would have had to create 2 different areas for the text wrapping. So what I wanted to know was how to do text wrapping where it wasn't in a strict square or rectangle.

In PSP, it is done by selections.

[Rene Marker]

  On 1/25/2025 at 7:09 PM, Cassel said:

@Corrie Kinkel and @Rene Marker Affinity will wrap text inside a shape, whether it is made from a Shape tool or the Pen tool. The only way to get an irregular shape is by using the Pen tool to create that shape. I suggested to them that using a Selection would be more flexible and much faster in certain situations but for now, the only option is to draw that shape manually with the Pen tool.

When I need to wrap text (and mostly have the ability to edit it), I will use PSP2022.

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Guess I need to practice using the Pen tool. The one time I played with it, I felt it was easier to use than PSP so maybe I'll be able to use it more in Affinity.

Although I do like the method PSP uses of a selection for the text wrapping. I once did a layout using a template that had the shape of a dog that was for journaling. I think I used X8 and selected the inside of the shape, and started typing. That shape IMO would be much harder to do in Affinity. You'd need to have lots of nodes!

[Cassel]

  On 1/25/2025 at 8:50 PM, Rene Marker said:

Although I do like the method PSP uses of a selection for the text wrapping. I once did a layout using a template that had the shape of a dog that was for journaling. I think I used X8 and selected the inside of the shape, and started typing. That shape IMO would be much harder to do in Affinity. You'd need to have lots of nodes!

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Yes, and based on odd shapes, it would be more challenging. For example, looking at this tutorial, I find it would require many more clicks. Also, I find that, with a selection, you can get a precise and even "padding" all around the text. Doing that with the Pen tool would be less precise, in my opinion.

[Sharla]

Day 11 Project 5
I’m late. Life has had its challenges just recently and power cuts caused by Storm Éowyn yesterday didn’t help. Anyway here is project 5. I’ve kept it very simple just to be able to practice the techniques. The photo is one of mine. The papers are by Meagan Johnson (July Kit) and the pngs are from Freepik. 

 

[Raymond]

Project 5

Thank you to everyone who "LIKE/LOVE" my projects.  Much appreciated.

 I never used Affinity Photo before but now that I have learned the basic features, I plan to use some of the special features in Affinity Photo for post-processing of astrophotography.

[Julie Magerka]

  On 1/25/2025 at 9:15 PM, Sharla said:

Day 11 Project 5
I’m late. Life has had its challenges just recently and power cuts caused by Storm Éowyn yesterday didn’t help. Anyway here is project 5. I’ve kept it very simple just to be able to practice the techniques. The photo is one of mine. The papers are by Meagan Johnson (July Kit) and the pngs are from Freepik. 

 

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Thanks for the smile! I needed that just now.

[Julie Magerka]

  On 1/25/2025 at 8:00 PM, Marie-Claire said:

Day 11- Project 5   ( I hope I am in the correct place this time 🤓

Since I haven't been outside much the last few months and haven't been able to take any pictures except inside the house, I tried something different.
I made the image with Bing co-pilot. I am not a fan of AI at all but to make my own images to use for scrapbooking I think it is ok.

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Did Poncho see this? How did he feel about an AI clone?😁

[Jeni Simpson]

  On 1/21/2025 at 11:52 PM, Rene Marker said:

The scrapbooker I know that uses Affinity Designer posted a tutorial at The Lily Pad today on how to warp shadows. I've played with it and it is really easy since she shows how to get the shadow on another layer.

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Rene, any chance of a link to the tutorial. I can't find it at The Lily Pad, yet.

[Rene Marker]

  On 1/25/2025 at 11:32 PM, Jeni Simpson said:

Rene, any chance of a link to the tutorial. I can't find it at The Lily Pad, yet.

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Tutorials are in the Learning Pad on the forum. I don't like linking to other forums.

[Jeni Simpson]

  On 1/26/2025 at 1:44 AM, Rene Marker said:

Tutorials are in the Learning Pad on the forum. I don't like linking to other forums.

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Thanks, Rene, no problem. I may yet find it. I respect your wish not to share links to other forums.

[Carolyn Rye]

Project #5.   Love this photo of my grandson and his friend Max.  Still very slow at attempting to do these projects but I am getting there and learning along the way.  The only problem is that end up forgetting what I have just learnt. Well, I guess I will have to redo things until I can eventually remember.  Hard task for me.  

[Margo Ahern]

I'm slowly getting caught up.  Here is my Project 3.  I did go back and add the missing shadows to Project 2.  It was late when I finished and posted it and didn't realize I left those out.  Thanks for catching that for me.

[Ann Seeber]

Finally finished the last assignment. This is a new baby for my friend from Sweden. The background is an edge overlay from Anna Aspnes. The title and decor are from my Baby stash. (With 9 grands and 5 greats, I've accumulated quite a bit.) The photo frame is a PSP Picture Frame labeled "birds." Thanks for this workshop, Carole!

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 1/26/2025 at 1:44 AM, Rene Marker said:

Tutorials are in the Learning Pad on the forum. I don't like linking to other forums.

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Rene thank you I found it and there are a lot of Affinity tutorials on the Learning Pad as well. I have browsed through them and I find them very easy to follow. This is a treasure trove!

[Cassel]

Sorry, I skipped one day of feedback yesterday.

@Jacques Glad that PSP is still meeting your needs. And yes, the Place command is interesting. The closest we have in PSP is the Open as a Layer script, although it will automatically place the element in the center only.

@CristinaGlad you found it interesting enough to follow those tutorials.

@Marie-ClaireDid you start with a photo of Poncho to generate that image or is it just a generic image? I love how you put the title "two words inside another". Clever!

@Linda Rexford The "Scrapper's Dozen"!!! Wow! that brought some memories of myself recording videos in my kitchen for the theme! I didn't think anyone would remember that old event! As for Affinity Designer, I might have a go at it in the future, but right now, I will focus on one app at a time!

@SharlaSimple is often better when you are just learning. As you practice, you can change things, go further, try different settings, etc. It is like a recipe: follow it to the letter the first time and tweak it after.

@RaymondI can definitely understand that you want to stay with Affinity if you are doing Astrophotography and it has what you need. In PSP, we have the Sea & Sky workspace that might do some of what you do but since I am not familiar enough, I would not even be able to point you to the necessary tools/commands.

@Carolyn RyeSave your emails so you can redo the tutorials later if you want. If not, I have added those tutorials (not with the additional links to supplies) in the navigation, under Classes > Beginner > Start here with Affinity Photo. It is the same videos so you can refer to them again as needed.

@Ann SeeberI was not aware of that picture frame in PSP. How did you get it into Affinity?

Tomorrow is the last day to post your projects to be entered into the random draw.

And remember to fill out the survey. The link has been corrected.

 

[Rene Marker]

  On 1/26/2025 at 4:07 PM, Corrie Kinkel said:

Rene thank you I found it and there are a lot of Affinity tutorials on the Learning Pad as well. I have browsed through them and I find them very easy to follow. This is a treasure trove!

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I spent time today copying all her tutorials into OneNote, photos and all so I don't have to go to the forum all the time. She also has a YouTube channel where she shows herself scrapping a layout. Some of the older tutorials were using Affinity 1.

[Krystyna Nicholls]

Hi Cassel, I  have just been reading the comments on the Affinity trial. I missed the January bootcamp, but would like to sign up for the February one please. I would need to download the trial version nearer the time. Would I need to extend the trial version to cover this February bootcamp?