Canva has just unveiled the all-new Affinity, a complete transformation of its professional creative suite. The three separate Affinity apps — Designer, Photo, and Publisher — have now been merged into a single, unified platform that combines Vector, Pixel, and Layout studios.
Even more remarkable: the core app is now free for everyone, with no time limits or stripped-down features. This move signals Canva’s push to democratize advanced design tools while building a bridge between traditional creativity and AI-powered workflows.
1. One Unified App
Affinity now combines vector illustration, photo editing, and layout design in one workspace. Users can switch between Vector, Pixel, and Layout modes seamlessly — without exporting or reopening files.
2. Free for Everyone
Canva has declared that the new Affinity will remain completely free, forever. This includes all essential features — a bold contrast to the subscription-heavy landscape of design software.
3. AI Tools via Canva Premium
While the main app is free, AI-powered tools (like generative fill, smart background removal, and style transfer) are integrated through Canva’s AI Studio. These require a Canva premium subscription — showing a “free core, paid intelligence” model.
4. Major Technical Upgrades
- Non-destructive editing across all modes
- GPU acceleration for smoother performance
- Customizable studios and layouts
- Improved file compatibility (PSD, AI, SVG, PDF, etc.)
5. Compatibility & Legacy Support
Older versions (Affinity V1 and V2) will continue to function, but updates now focus on the new all-in-one app. Migration is smooth thanks to broad file support.
6. Community & Creative Pledges
Canva and Affinity announced four key pledges to creators:
- Keep perpetual licenses alive
- Continue independent development of Affinity tools
- Offer free access for schools and nonprofits
- Maintain community-driven feedback and updates
What It Means for the AI & Prompting Community
This update is especially interesting for generative AI creators:
- A powerful, free toolset for post-processing AI images (no subscription barriers).
- Seamless integration possibilities with AI pipelines — e.g., generate in Midjourney, refine in Affinity.
- New opportunities for “prompt + layout” templates, blending text-to-image generation with Affinity’s Layout Studio.
- A real chance for prompt creators to influence how Affinity integrates AI tools — since Canva is emphasizing open community input.
Source: Canva Newsroom