Affinity Designer Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Affinity Designer. Based on analysis of 15 signals.
Issues by Category
No image trace / auto-trace feature
Unlike Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer lacks a built-in image trace or auto-trace feature to convert raster images to vectors. This has been a top requested feature for years. Users must rely on third-party tools like Imag-R or manually trace with the Pen Tool, adding significant time to workflows that require bitmap-to-vector conversion.
Vector brushes are actually pixel brushes
Despite being marketed as a vector tool, the 'vector' brushes in Affinity Designer are actually pixel-based. This breaks pure vector workflows and causes issues when exporting to PDF or SVG formats. Users expecting true vector brushes like in Illustrator are disappointed to find rasterized output.
Steep learning curve for beginners
New users find the interface confusing, particularly those without prior vector editing experience. The software lacks comprehensive onboarding, and users report the official documentation and forum are poorly organized. Color settings and layer management work differently than Adobe products, causing frustration for those transitioning.
No plugin or extension support
Unlike Illustrator, Affinity Designer does not support third-party plugins or extensions. Users cannot add functionality like advanced grid systems, specialized export tools, or workflow automation. This limits the software's extensibility and forces users to work within its fixed feature set.
Cannot merge vectors into one layer
Users cannot merge multiple vector objects into a single layer in the way Adobe Illustrator allows. This limitation complicates organization when working with complex artwork that has many individual vector elements, forcing workarounds that add steps to the workflow.
Artboard layer management is confusing
Working with artboard layers is difficult compared to Illustrator. The layer system doesn't behave as users expect, and navigating between artboards with multiple layers becomes cumbersome. Users switching from Adobe products find this particularly frustrating.
No built-in templates or shape library
Unlike many competitors, Affinity Designer doesn't include a built-in library of templates, shapes, or starter assets. Users must create everything from scratch or import external resources, adding setup time for new projects.
SVG and PDF export bugs
Users report persistent issues with SVG and PDF exports. Exported SVGs often have incorrect dimensions requiring manual resizing, and PDFs with gradients or embedded SVGs render inconsistently across different applications. Export settings don't maintain consistency between sessions, forcing users to reconfigure each time.
Frequent crashes on Windows
Windows users report more crashes than Mac users, often when opening, importing, or creating new documents. Issues are frequently tied to graphics card driver conflicts. Users must manually disable hardware acceleration or update GPU drivers to stabilize the application, which isn't obvious to most users.
Intermittent interface bugs and focus issues
Users report strange intermittent bugs where background windows somehow receive focus and commands. Various 'little' interface oddities accumulate to create a frustrating experience. Tools occasionally stop responding until the application is restarted.
Slow performance with large or complex files
Performance degrades significantly when working with complex vector artwork or large file sizes. Users with high-end computers report sluggishness, especially when using effects like blur. The software has memory management issues that cause lag even on systems exceeding minimum requirements.
Cannot export to Adobe Illustrator AI format
Affinity Designer cannot export files in native Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format, complicating collaboration with teams and clients who use Adobe products. While it can open AI files, the inability to save back in this format creates workflow friction in professional environments where AI files are the standard.
iPad version has gesture conflicts
The iPad version suffers from gesture recognition issues. Holding the iPad while drawing frequently triggers unintended gestures. Some useful workarounds from v1, like selecting multiple layers by sliding, were removed in v2. Processing complex vectors or exports can cause noticeable lag.
Concerns about Canva ownership and AI data usage
After Canva's acquisition and the shift to a freemium model, some users worry their projects could be used for machine learning purposes. The integration with Canva's AI ecosystem has raised privacy concerns, though Canva states projects remain private unless explicitly shared.
Updater requires manual download
The software update process requires downloading a new installer rather than updating from within the app. Users find this inconvenient compared to applications with built-in auto-update functionality, particularly frustrating for those managing multiple machines.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Affinity Designer.
Needed image trace after starting a project
Users begin a project expecting to convert client-provided images to vectors, only to discover there's no image trace feature. They must either learn manual tracing, find third-party tools, or switch software mid-project, causing delays and frustration.
Client demanded native Illustrator files
Freelancers complete work in Affinity Designer only to have clients request native .ai files they cannot provide. This leads to awkward conversations about file formats and sometimes losing clients who require Adobe-native deliverables.
Realized transition from Adobe is harder than expected
Users expecting a quick switch from Illustrator find the learning curve steeper than anticipated. Keyboard shortcuts differ, features are located differently, and some workflows require completely different approaches. The time investment exceeds initial expectations.
Performance issues emerged with growing file complexity
Initial projects run smoothly, but as users tackle larger, more complex designs, performance degrades significantly. What seemed like a capable tool becomes sluggish with real production files, leading some to return to their previous software.
Export bugs caused client revisions
Users export seemingly perfect SVGs or PDFs only to have clients report rendering issues. Gradients appear differently, dimensions are wrong, or colors shift. This leads to embarrassing revision requests and extra work to troubleshoot export settings.
Missed plugin ecosystem from previous software
Users who relied on Illustrator plugins for specific tasks discover Affinity has no plugin support. They must either recreate functionality manually, use workarounds, or maintain multiple applications, reducing the expected efficiency gains.
When Affinity Designer Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Affinity Designer fails or underperforms.
Production workflow requiring image trace
When workflows depend on converting logos, sketches, or photos to vector format quickly, the lack of image trace creates a complete workflow blockage. Users must either dramatically slow down with manual tracing or use external tools, breaking the integrated workflow promise.
Collaborating with Adobe-only teams or agencies
In professional environments where partners, clients, or team members exclusively use Adobe products, the inability to export .ai files creates constant friction. File format workarounds (PDF, EPS) may lose features or require additional verification steps.
Complex file exceeds performance limits
Large illustrations with many layers, effects, and artboards cause significant slowdown. Users find themselves waiting for the interface to respond, especially with blur effects. Projects that seemed manageable become frustrating time-sinks.
SVG export to web applications fails
When exporting SVGs for web use, dimension issues or rendering inconsistencies appear in browsers or frameworks. Developers must troubleshoot and manually adjust exported files, negating the time savings expected from using a professional design tool.
Windows users with GPU driver conflicts
Designers on Windows systems with multiple GPUs (common in workstations) experience crashes until they manually update drivers and adjust hardware acceleration settings. This technical troubleshooting wasn't expected from a professional tool.
Team needs workflow automation via plugins
Teams seeking to automate repetitive tasks discover no plugin ecosystem exists. Unlike Illustrator's extensive automation options, Affinity Designer offers only built-in features. Productivity gains expected from switching are reduced by manual process overhead.