Unlike its sister application, Affinity Publisher, Affinity Designer does not have a built-in function to directly insert interactive web hyperlinks into objects or text within the application for typical export formats like JPG, PNG, or standard SVG. While you can export graphics for the web, the linking functionality itself is handled outside of Designer.
The method described in the provided reference, where you "rightclick this photo interactive and insert hyperlink," is a feature specific to Affinity Publisher.
Reference Snippet: "And say okay and then we'll do the same thing we'll just rightclick this photo interactive and insert hyperlink. And then I will link to well this came from pixabay. So let's just clear."
This process in Publisher allows users to embed clickable links (pointing to URLs, files, pages within the document, etc.) directly into objects like photos, shapes, or text frames. These links become active when the document is exported as an interactive PDF or certain other digital formats.
Linking Workflow with Affinity Designer Assets
While you cannot create the link within your Affinity Designer document (.afdesign file), the graphics and layouts you create are fundamental elements used in projects where linking is essential. The common workflow involves using Designer to create the visual components and then using another tool to assemble the layout and add interactivity.
Here’s how Designer assets are typically utilized in linking scenarios:
- Creating Web Graphics: Design buttons, banners, icons, or full website layouts in Designer. Export these assets (often using the dedicated Export Persona) as raster images (PNG, JPG) or vectors (SVG). The exported graphics are then integrated into a web page using HTML, where the
<a href="...">tag is used to apply the hyperlink. - Designing for Interactive Documents: Prepare illustrations, charts, or page elements in Designer. These are then imported or placed into a publishing application like Affinity Publisher or Adobe InDesign. It is within these layout programs that you would add the interactive links to turn static graphics into clickable elements in an exported interactive PDF.
- App UI Design: Design user interface elements in Designer. These assets are passed to app developers, who implement the navigation and linking functionality within the application's code.
Key Difference Summarized
Think of Designer as the tool for creating the building blocks (the graphics and visuals), and other applications (like Publisher or web development tools) as the environment where these blocks are assembled and made interactive with links.
| Task | Affinity Designer | Affinity Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Creation | Primary Tool | Supports Graphics |
| Document Layout | Limited (Artboards) | Primary Tool |
| Embed Hyperlinks | No | Yes |
| Export Web Assets | Yes | Yes |
| Export Interactive PDF | No | Yes |
In conclusion, the direct method of adding clickable links by right-clicking an object and choosing 'Insert Hyperlink' is a feature of Affinity Publisher, not Affinity Designer. When working with Designer, you focus on creating the visual elements that will later be linked in a different application or web development process.
