  We present a construction of invariants for links using an isomorphism
theorem for affine Yokonuma--Hecke algebras. The isomorphism relates affine
Yokonuma--Hecke algebras with usual affine Hecke algebras. We use it to
construct a large class of Markov traces on affine Yokonuma--Hecke algebras,
and in turn, to produce invariants for links in the solid torus. By
restriction, this construction contains the construction of invariants for
classical links from classical Yokonuma--Hecke algebras. In general, the
obtained invariants form an infinite family of 3-variables polynomials. As a
consequence of the construction via the isomorphism, we reduce the number of
invariants to study, given the number of connected components of a link. In
particular, if the link is a classical link with N components, we show that N
invariants generate the whole family.
