Smart Object Mock Ups - NOT Photoshop!

[Justin]

So we use smart object mockups, it's a necessry evil some of the time.

I've made the transition from Photoshop to Affinity but can't cut ties completely due to the smart object features. Affinity supports some but not all files.

I know there's Photopea whcih is great but a little slow and lacking in some functions we need. So, we thought about trynig to get smart object mockups made that will work in Affinity, anyone know if this is possible?

We also use the online product mockup sites which can be great but again very limited.

[webtrekker]

Personally, I don't think there's any real substitute for Photoshop's Smart Objects. Not any with 100% compatibility that is.

What's put you off Photoshop Justin? If it's the subscription costs then why not use an older version? I have 2 PC's and on one of them I still run PS CS5. Ok, it lacks a few of the later features which TBH I hardly ever use anyway, and all of these 'Neural Filters' are just poor implementations of similar features freely available from many online sites, but it solves the problem of needing a high spec graphics card as is now required by the latest PS versions, so will run happily on an older system.

Getting back to Smart Objects, they run fine in CS5 and it's my goto program for 90% of the work I do in Photoshop. CS5 loads quicker and runs faster anyway. So I'd suggest installing CS5 or CS6 to work with Smart Objects instead of Affinity.

[Justin]

Ok, I stand corrected. Affinity Photo DOES work with psd smart object files! Clearly I was doing something wrong!

Thanks for your response Webtrekker. I do subscribe to the latest CC as my boys both use it for education. I only get 2 user licences so have to log in and out on each PC etc. which is a pain. Biggest issue I have with Adobe is the support. Photoshop crashes, you finally get hold of them, they dial in, reset a load of settings on your PC, follow the same routine every single time. Software works again. Disconnect from support, issues arise straight away...and so the merry round has gone on for several years.

I have Affinity loaded onto all of my PC's, laptop etc. no issues. Everything works perfectly and it hjas never crashed. I have been speaking to support last 2 days regarding smart objects via facebook. Quick response, immediately ongoing support. Checked my files were ok for me, sent me a screen recording to show everything worked.

Affinity cost me £25 (Usually £50 but sale price) so a couple of months CC subscription! UK based company (my home town Nottingham) so UK support which is so unusual nowadays.