.af — Affinity Photo Document
Serif · 2015
An .af file is a layered, editable document created by Affinity Photo, ideal for ongoing graphic design and photo editing work.
Key Features
- Preserves all layers and editable elements.
- Supports non-destructive editing workflows.
- Stores rich metadata specific to Affinity Photo.
- Maintains full image quality for future edits.
Best For
- Saving your work-in-progress in Affinity Photo.
- Maintaining maximum editability for complex designs.
- Collaborating on projects where everyone uses Affinity Photo.
Less Ideal For
- Sharing images for immediate viewing online (use JPG/PNG).
- Creating simple, single-layer graphics for basic use (use JPG/PNG).
- Incorporating into web pages or presentations without conversion.
- Printing final artwork without exporting to a print-ready format.
Common Use Cases
- Saving ongoing photo manipulation projects.
- Archiving raw design drafts before final export.
- Creating complex digital paintings with multiple layers.
- Developing web graphics that require iterative refinement.
How to Open It
- Open Affinity Photo on your computer and select 'File' > 'Open'.
- Drag and drop the .af file directly into the Affinity Photo application window.
- If Affinity Photo is associated with .af files, double-clicking the file should launch the application and open the document.
What is a .af file?
The .af file extension is primarily associated with Affinity Photo, a professional raster graphics editor developed by Serif. It serves as the native working document format for the software, preserving all layers, adjustments, masks, text, and other editable elements created within the application. Unlike final export formats like JPG or PNG, .af files are designed for ongoing editing, allowing users to return to their projects at any time and make further modifications without quality degradation. This makes it an essential format for graphic designers, photographers, and digital artists working with Affinity Photo.
Programs That Open .af Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Affinity Photo | Paid | Official |
| macOS | Affinity Photo | Paid | Official |
| iOS | Affinity Photo | Paid | Official |
How to Convert .af Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .PNG | Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
| .JPG | Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
| Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
Common Problems with .af Files
Frequently Asked Questions
No, .af files are native to Affinity Photo and cannot be directly opened by other editors like Photoshop or GIMP without conversion. You must use Affinity Photo to open and edit them.
While Affinity Photo may use internal compression for efficiency, the .af file itself is a complex document format designed to store all editable data, not primarily for image compression like JPEG.
.af files are editable working documents that preserve layers and quality, while .jpg files are flattened, compressed images meant for final display and sharing, and cannot be easily edited.
Technical Details
Affinity Photo documents (.af) are binary files that encapsulate a complex data structure. They store information about image pixels, vector shapes, text layers, effects, and application-specific metadata in a proprietary format. The structure is optimized for non-destructive editing within Affinity Photo, allowing for extensive manipulation of individual elements.