Serif has announced that a big update is coming to their Affinity Photo software in early autumn. In a sneak peek video showing off version 1.5, we are shown the software’s new abilities such as HDR image merging, a new tone mapping workspace, and a new way to view and work with 360-degree images. The new update will arrive in early autumn, but today through July 21 you can get Affinity Photo for 20 percent off.

Affinity Photo, which was chosen as Apple’s “App of the Year” in 2015, offers non-destructive photo editing, raw processing, and end-to-end color management with your work. Many believe it is the closest competitor to Adobe Photoshop available today. With the new 1.5 update coming soon, Affinity Photo inches that much closer to being a full replacement program. I know current users, and potential users like me who have been keeping their eye on the developments, are going to be really excited for the macros function. Similar to “actions” in Photoshop, the macros will record and replay a set of commands to greatly improve workflow.

Other features announced today include HDR merges that produce full 32-bit linear color space images, a new tone mapping workflow, focus stacking (I assume automated, and hopefully much better than Photoshop’s attempt), batch processing, and a new way to edit 360-degree images.

Affinity Photo v1.5 360-degree image editing.

The new update will be free for existing users of Affinity Photo for Mac, and will also be coming to the Windows version. Affinity Photo is available now in the Mac App Store for a discounted price of $39.99. The 20 percent discount lasts until July 21.

For more information about Affinity Photo visit their website.