.af3 — Affinity Photo 3 Document
Serif Europe Ltd. · 2023
An .af3 file is the native, editable document format for the Affinity Photo image editing software.
Key Features
- Preserves all layers and editable adjustments.
- Non-destructive editing capabilities.
- Supports both raster and vector elements.
- Optimized for fast performance within Affinity Photo.
Best For
- Saving projects for continued editing in Affinity Photo.
- Maintaining maximum editability and flexibility.
- Complex image manipulations with multiple layers and adjustments.
- Storing master files for graphic design and photo manipulation.
Less Ideal For
- Sharing final images online or with clients (use JPG, PNG).
- Creating web-optimized graphics (use JPG, PNG, SVG).
- Embedding images in documents or presentations (use JPG, PNG, PDF).
- Collaborating with users who do not have Affinity Photo.
Common Use Cases
- Saving ongoing photo editing projects.
- Storing complex digital art compositions.
- Archiving master files before exporting to other formats.
- Collaborating on projects where all editability must be maintained.
How to Open It
- Open the Affinity Photo 3 application on your desktop (Windows or macOS).
- Go to 'File' > 'Open' and navigate to your .af3 file.
- Double-clicking an .af3 file will usually launch Affinity Photo and open the document if the application is installed.
- Affinity Photo is required to fully open and edit .af3 files.
What is a .af3 file?
The .af3 file extension is the native format for Affinity Photo 3, a powerful raster graphics editor designed for professional photographers and graphic designers. It preserves all layers, adjustment layers, masks, effects, and other editable elements created within the software. This means you can return to your project at any time and make non-destructive edits without losing quality. Affinity Photo is a strong competitor to Adobe Photoshop, offering advanced tools for photo retouching, compositing, and digital painting at a one-time purchase price. Storing your work as .af3 ensures all your creative potential remains accessible for future modifications.
Programs That Open .af3 Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Affinity Photo 3 | Paid | Official |
| macOS | Affinity Photo 3 | Paid | Official |
How to Convert .af3 Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .PNG | Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
| .JPG | Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
| .TIFF | Affinity Photo Export, Online Converters |
Common Problems with .af3 Files
Frequently Asked Questions
An .af3 file is a working document that retains all layers and editability, intended for use within Affinity Photo. A .jpg file is a flattened, compressed image format typically used for final output, web display, or sharing, where editability is lost.
You can open .af3 files on any computer that has Affinity Photo 3 installed (Windows or macOS). You cannot open them with standard image viewers or other editing software.
The .af3 format itself stores data losslessly, preserving all original image information and edits. However, if you export from .af3 to a lossy format like JPG, that export process will involve lossy compression.
Technical Details
The .af3 format is a proprietary binary file format developed by Serif. It is a container that stores all project data, including pixel layers, vector objects, text, and parametric adjustments. The structure is optimized for fast loading and saving within Affinity Photo, ensuring a smooth workflow for complex documents. It supports lossless storage of the original image data along with all editing metadata.