Most common files from Adobe programs can be further edited in Affinity.
Continuing work in Affinity changes the original format; unsupported features are lost. Therefore always keep a copy of the original files.
In general: the fewer complex functions are used in the original file, the fewer problems you can expect when switching. The transition usually follows these steps:
- Before exporting, resolve or “rasterize” any complex program functions (e.g., smart objects) in the original program.
- Export the file in an “intermediate format” (e.g., IDML, PDF, SVG).
The table below shows which Adobe file formats can be opened in Affinity, the process to preserve as much content as possible, and the features that cannot be converted or may cause issues during migration.
| Adobe program | File extension | Affinity program | How to preserve content | Non‑transferable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photoshop | .psd | Affinity Photo | Open the file directly. Most layers, masks and adjustments are retained. | Smart objects, complex filters and other special functions may not be imported as expected. |
| Illustrator | .ai | Affinity Designer | If the .ai file contains a PDF stream, open it directly; otherwise export the file from Illustrator as PDF or SVG, then import into Affinity. | Special effects, raster effects or non‑standard Illustrator features cannot be transferred or further edited. |
| InDesign | .indd | Affinity Publisher | Direct import is not possible. First export the document as .idml in InDesign, then import the .idml file into Affinity Publisher. | Links, interactive elements, complex master pages and automation scripts are not carried over. |
| InDesign | .idml | Affinity Publisher | Import directly into Affinity Publisher. Layout and text are largely preserved. | Scripts, dynamic content and unsupported object styles may be lost or render incorrectly. |
| Acrobat / PDF | All Affinity programs | Open directly. For print data, export as PDF/X is recommended. Vector and layer information usually remains. | Interactive elements, scripting, multimedia, and special colour channels are lost. |
Key takeaway: Always keep an untouched copy of the original Adobe file, and simplify the document as much as possible before converting it for use in Affinity. This minimizes the risk of losing important features during the migration.