Major Update for Canva, Affinity Becomes Free
The graphics tool Canva is getting more AI, better video editing, marketing tools, an email designer, and forms – plus, the Affinity acquisition is paying off.
Canva's Creative Operation System bases the Visual Suite on its own AI system.
(Image: Canva)
Something is happening at the graphic design service Canva from Australia: It has introduced the so-called Creative Operating System, which further integrates the Visual Suite, the company's main product, with its AI tools. The design software for visual communication aims to cover even more design tasks in one solution. In addition to presentations, social media graphics, videos, print products, and static websites, the design tool can now also be used to create emails, implement interactive forms, analyze tables with code, and measure campaign success. There is also news regarding the Affinity creative products, which now belong to Canva after the software manufacturer Serif was acquired by the Australians in 2024.
Own AI Model
Canva places an AI layer under its Visual Suite tools, which are accessible via the web as usual, so that users can ask the AI chat for support anywhere. The basis is provided by an AI model that Canva describes as the “world's first design model.” Through special training, it is intended to understand the complexity of design. For example, it can automatically adapt the style of a design and ensure brand-consistent design while considering the context of the existing graphic.
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The model also makes standalone layouts possible, which are fully editable, according to Canva. In addition, the AI, which is partly billed using credits, also creates 3D models. In the chat, you can use “@Canva,” for example, to request and implement alternative design suggestions and text improvements.
Emails and Forms
In the new design tool, teams can create elaborately designed marketing emails or newsletters. For sending, an additional solution is apparently still needed, into which the previously exported HTML file is imported.
(Image:Â Canva)
With “Forms,” interactive forms are created that can be used in websites and other designs. In addition, feedback forms, surveys, quizzes, or bookings can be created directly with Canva. The system stores the captured data in its spreadsheet program, “Canva Sheets.”
These tables can now be linked with the AI-powered coding environment “Canva Code” to create interactive, data-driven widgets such as live dashboards, calculations, or learning cards.
New Video Editor
The video editing tool “Video 2.0,” also newly developed according to Canva, receives a new library with templates for quick results. You can now also start directly with your content.
(Image:Â Canva)
The editor offers a new timeline that is intended to simplify trimming, synchronizing, and overlaying video material. AI integration is intended to help automate edits and effects.
Marketing Tools
Ads created with Canva and placed on Facebook, for example, can now be tracked in real-time via “Canva Grow.” This allows advertising content to be quickly optimized if success is lacking. An AI learns from the determined performance data and creates new variants upon request.
Interesting for companies concerned with their branding: In the new “Brand System,” teams collect all important information about a brand. This includes fonts, colors, logos, and templates. This is intended to ensure consistent appearances across all designs.
Affinity Becomes Free
In March 2024, Canva acquired the British developer studio Serif, which is particularly known for its popular one-time purchase alternatives to Adobe's graphics suite. Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher have replaced Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for many graphic designers, which are only available via subscription.
Until now, it was unclear what Canva would ultimately do with the acquisition. However, the feared switch to a subscription model has not materialized. Starting today, Canva is offering a new app called “Affinity” for free. It combines all functions of photo, designer, and publisher. Instead of switching apps as before, you switch to the desired vector, pixel, or layout mode.
(Image:Â Canva)
Owners of the old three apps could already try this out in Publisher. From the beginning, all three programs used a uniform file format, but with different extensions. Now there is a uniform suffix “.af.” Affinity continues to be an app that can be used purely offline. It is aimed more at professionals, while Canva is intended to be as easy to use as possible and also appeals to inexperienced designers.
Integration into the Canva cosmos is now also given; it begins with an export to Canva and a connection to Canva AI to generate content. However, a paid premium account is required for the AI function. Deeper integration has already been announced, but whether the subscription issue is completely off the table remains to be seen. Canva has not announced any concrete new features for Affinity by the editorial deadline.
Prices
It is also currently unclear whether there will be any changes to the prices; however, they are expected to appear shortly on the website. So far, the basic version Canva Free with 5 GB of cloud storage, some design templates, and AI tools is available for free.
For the Pro version, Canva charges 110 euros per person per year. It offers stock material, an unlimited number of premium templates, more AI tools, 1 TB of storage, and customer support. Between the Teams and Enterprise offerings, there will be a new business plan for individuals and small teams with expanded storage space and additional AI credits.
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