So the catch is that you'll need a Canva account to download the program. I already have a Canva account due to work, so I have no problems signing in.

Signing into Canva is free, and they do have an option to subscribe to premium for extra options. But it seems like Affinity runs fine and has all the tools you'll need if you just have the free Canva account.

Initially I was a little worried because that meant it requires to be online-only when in use. But it sounds like Affinity only asks you to be online once for downloading the program + signing into Canva to read the license. And then it's workable even in extended offline periods.

Anyway so, once I got it running, it turns out it's merged all its existing programs into one

vector tools. pixel tools. layout tools.

oh yeah it has generative AI tools, which sucks thanks to the merge with Canva

but it's like.............. an option that i can completely ignore anyway

plus those tools are available if you subscribe to Canva Premium

uh

all i did was fiddle with the brush settings....

it's got auto-save features! so the file got recovered

no way for me to adjust pen pressure sensitivity here sadly. i can force pressure, and turn on the stabilizer for smoother lines