Affinity Publisher Adobe Indesign
The importing of documents in Affinity Publisher is a one-way process. You cannot overwrite the original file once it has been imported. Imported documents must be saved as an .afpub file.
You can merge multiple IDML or PDF files by going to Document>Add Pages from File. See Merge documents for more information.
Canvais a tool that helps you to create designs with your team. It provides drag and drop.
Importing Microsoft Word documents
- Affinity Publisher and Adobe InDesign are both 2D publishing programs, and they're both modelled around a similar interface, with comparable functionality and tools. The differences between the programs are minor, and most users with prior experience of InDesign will find a transition to Affinity Publisher to be relatively painless.
- Adobe ® Indesign ® IDML; Microsoft ® Word ® DOCX, RTF or plain text; Spreadsheet data (XLSX) - Microsoft ® Excel ®, Apple Numbers, LibreOffice; Affinity Photo (.afphoto) Affinity Designer (.afdesign) Affinity Publisher (.afpub) Adobe ® Illustrator ® AI (containing PDF stream) PDF; Adobe ® Photoshop ® and Adobe ® FreeHand ® (versions.
- Affinity Publisher is IDML compatible, meaning it has the ability to import IDML files. IDML is an open format created by Adobe to allow for the interchange of publishing files. Users of InDesign can manually export their InDesign documents before opening the IDML in Publisher.
Microsoft Word documents saved in DOCX file format can be imported into Publisher.
Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word content can also be added to Publisher using copy and paste.
Importing InDesign documents
Affinity Publisher can import InDesign files that have been saved in IDML (InDesign Markup Language) format, which is available in InDesign CS4 and later. With earlier versions of InDesign, you can export documents to PDF and then import that format directly into Affinity Publisher.
The dpi (dots per inch) setting of the resulting Affinity Publisher document is decided as follows:
- If the imported IDML file does not contain linked or embedded raster resources with their own dpi settings, the document is set to 300 dpi if it's a CMYK document or 72 dpi if it's an RGB document.
- If the imported IDML file contains linked or embedded raster resources, the document is set to whichever of 72, 96, 144, 192, 300, 400 and 600 dpi is closest to the highest dpi setting of all those resources.
A document's dpi setting can be changed at any time in File>Document Setup.
Supported IDML features
The following features of IDML files are honored upon import into Affinity Publisher:
Adobe Indesign Training
- Facing two-page spreads
- Master pages
- Automatic page numbering
- Bleed settings
- Document grid and guides
- Text frame and picture frame properties
- Text styles
- Missing resource warnings (fonts and placed content)
- Tables
- Blend modes
Text variables, aside from page numbering, are converted to text.
The Affinity Publisher is making a tough time to its competitors, especially for Adobe InDesign, and its unique attributes are filling the digital publishing space. Although it lacks certain features, the cost-effectiveness is enough to enter the market and stand against the industry giant – Adobe.
Read further and found out who is the winner in the Affinity Publisher vs InDesign duel.
About The Affinity Publisher
Serif released the full version of Affinity Publisher on June 2019, and it is running on a Mac OS and Microsoft Windows as well.
Publisher works like InDesign and being the part of Serif product line alongside with Affinity Photo, and Affinity Designer makes him a powerful tool, and with the use of the whole family, you can create any type of publishing media imaginable.
Affinity Publisher Making it Hard for InDesign
Tutorial Videos
The Affinity Publisher provides several tutorial videos for the beginners. They help you to understand the essential functions like setting a new document or adding the text etc.
If you are a new user or even an advanced one, you should watch the introductory videos to utilize the program to the maximum.
I cannot merely say that Affinity Publisher is a copy of InDesign. If you are familiar with Adobe InDesign, you would probably know how to set up the master spread, when designing a book or brochure.
The same feature is available in Publisher, but it works a bit differently than in InDesign, so you have to get used to its design process.
Features And Workflow
If you are accustomed to the InDesign, you will immediately see the resemblance between the two. They both have similar tools and features, but the workflow of Publisher is relatively unique, and like with every new program, it takes some time to get used to it.
If you haven’t used InDesign before, you will find Affinity Publisher smoother to use because it has a better UX design compared to InDesign, which makes you find the desired functions with ease and fewer clicks.
Use For Different Media
Affinity designer is not limited only for the use of print media, but you can also use it for making online presentations, e-books, and if you’re a UX designer, you can neven use it for creating wireframes for apps or websites.
What About The Performance?
InDesign lacks in handling power of the workflow and is quite RAM thirsty. Especially users with slightly older computers or the ones who make designs on a laptop can definitely feel how much power InDesign needs for running.
InDesign Fast Display function can resolve the problem to some degree. However, you would have to complete the design without seeing the actual pixel quality, which might lead to a problem later on in a printing process.
On the other hand, Publisher is quicker in handling the document. No matter what workstation you are using, PC or laptop: images will remain sharp, and you will not face any crushing problems which are typical for InDesign.
Imitation of The Interface
To attract the users of InDesign, Publisher had to make the interface looking similar to InDesign, for instance, Strokes, Swatches, and Colors are in their usual positions.
Even though the Publisher imitated some of the InDesign’s features, it improved the overall usability of a program, with the use of the vital commands available right at your fingertips.
Asset Panel
Publisher’s assets panel is an attractive feature for many users. You can choose between different pre-made vector icons, which you can simply drag into your designs. This feature can improve and fasten your design process.
Should You Consider Switching to Affinity Publisher?
If creating magazines, brochures, and other print media daily, Affinity Publisher is brilliant software to use. It has an impressive interface, enough capacity to deal with the complicated task, and has a unique attributes list.
It is also part of the StudioLink, which is one of the most noteworthy things Serif has created. It enables you to alter photographs, make vectors, and create page breaks inside one application.
Best fit for Publisher would be a freelance graphic designer or small designer team, and if you are one of the two you should consider shifting from InDesign.
Despite being a new player in the publishing business, it is still a professional-grade all-in-one publication tool, that will definitely suit all your needs.
On the other hand, if you work in an environment where everyone uses Adobe InDesign, switching to Affinity Publisher most likely isn’t the right choice.
The Publisher Needs Some Essential Nuts and Bolts
When the software was in sill in a Beta form, developers were collecting users feedback to make necessary improvements for the final version. However, there are still some specific features missing, which might be quite unfavorable for some users.
For example, if you want to make a three-fold brochure where you put together three spreads one next to another, you can, for now, forget about it.
Another thing that you can not make with Publisher are interactive presentations, and if you make a lot of those, I suggest you stick with the InDesign for now because Serifs said that they are not planning to take any steps in that direction.
Farewell to Adobe InDesign?
Publisher covers print and in some way also web design, besides it’s made for both Windows and Mac operating system. You will be able to create single or multi-page documents, books, brochures, and magazines with ease, and if you’re looking for processing speed, power, and flexibility, the Publisher is the ideal choice for you.
Before purchasing Publisher, be sure to check out how long your Adobe subscription lasts, so you won’t be stuck with two programs that do the same job.
Final Words: Affinity Publisher Vs Adobe InDesign
Affinity Publisher Adobe Indesign Free
With the one-off payment of $49.99 Publisher is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an InDesign substitute, which runs at $239,88/yr, besides being a cheaper alternative Serif also offers free updates on all their programs.
Even though Affinity Publisher is not perfect yet, developers are listening carefully to the design community and are developing new tools that will come with future updates, besides that they are trying to make the program runs smoothly as possible, without any crushes.
If you’re still on the fences, try the Publisher trial version, test it out, and it might convince you to dump InDesign for good (I know I did).
If you’re interested in other Affinity products, you can also read my review about Affinity Designer vs. Adobe Illustrator here on DesignyUp.
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