Silhouette America released version 3 of Silhouette Studio and Silhouette Studio Designer Edition this afternoon and I managed to get it downloaded and installed before the now traditional server crash. The feature list is indeed impressive, headlined by the edition of layers to the Designer Edition (really? this is a DE feature? Even free Cricut software has layers, but I digress.) Users of the Silhouette Connect plug in for Illustrator and Corel Draw will find this new version familiar as it shares a new (but still kinda ugly) interface design and many features as well. But the new features come at a high cost, namely backward compatibility. And stunningly, SA did not create a new file extension so watch for tons of confusion in the days ahead.
This page is being frequently update so please check here and in the comments section for additional information.
Warnings for those who have updated
If you create a file in SS3 and someone with V1 or V2 tries to open it, they will get a message that an update is required before the file can be opened. You can only open V3 files in V3. Please consider marking the files you create in SS3 as such.
Note: At this point I do not anticipate problems with files in the Silhouette Online Store because those are not created in any version of Silhouette Studio.
If you use V3 to open a file that you or someone else created in V1 or V2, there are some significant issues as well:
-*the cut setting will be set to Card Stock, regardless of what it was before
-*there is no more Cut, Cut Edge, Perforate or Perforate Edge or No Cut so any of these you set will need to be re-set using a new method. Some combinations are no longer possible.
-*registration marks will be switched off and any adjustments will be lost.
-*dashed lines that were set under Line Styles will cut as solid lines.
What I really like
Nesting in the DE version – this is brilliant!
Select by color – yes!!
Adjustable pivot point in DE is now off by default, but can be activated when you need it. This is a change I asked for, then had to ask to back it out, so I am very happy about this change.
The arc tool is pretty sweet, but an option to draw a sector would have made it perfect.
SVGs are generally easier to use, especially layered ones. No more ungrouping and setting cut lines, before you can even get started.
Pasting text from the clipboard into a text box (what a novel idea!)
The foggy area outside the page is gone, making it easier to visualize designs off the mat, create tutorials, etc. Not as good as just letting us toggle the red line off, but nice.
Ability to pause between layers.
What they did not fix
*The eraser still freezes just as bad, major fail here. But the good news is at least you won’t lose your work since there is auto-save now.
*You still can not add or change keywords or descriptions of files in the library.
~*You still can not turn off the cutting red line or adjust it for a machine you do not have connected.
~*Goofy defaults like High Pass filter on under trace and offset to a quarter inch are still there.
The manual – that’s right, the same one that’s been outdated since 2012 has made its way into V3.
And of course, you still can not save as SVG (not only that but the v1.9/2.0 workaround has been greatly diminished since v3 files can’t be opened in these versions)
What were they thinking?
*Cut by color is by line color, not by fill color. This is just craziness. The work required to cut a Silh Store file or an SVG (that isn’t pre-layered) either by color or by layer is ridiculously and artificially high as you have to either manually place each piece on a separate layer or change the line color of each piece. Feature fail.
Layers are upside down. That’s right, in the layer window the top layer is on the bottom and vice versa. I wish I had a witty comment, but seriously. I am speechless.
Two freehand drawing tools – too smooth and not smooth enough. Give us something adjustable, please, our Wacoms are waiting!
Shadow tool – as in flat shadows only … the 1980s called, they want their design element back.
*PDF Import – This imports all PDFs as bitmaps that have to be traced, even if they were perfectly good vector files to begin with. Far cry from PDF import in MTC and SCAL.
Page and mat settings became even more confusing and inconvenient… not to mention buggy. Mine gets confused between Portrait and Landscape orientation sometimes (can you blame it, since Portrait is also the name of a machine?)
*Cut margins (the red line) only shows correctly in the Cut Preview, but you can not move the pieces from there. So you have to keep toggling back and forth between views to get your pieces in bounds. Why have the red line in the way on the normal view, if its not correct anyway?
“Vertical text” was added, but umm, its not what is generally meant by vertical text, it’s simply normal text rotated 90 degrees. In other software, “vertical text” means horizontal letters stacked on top of each other.
Major changes to how basic functions have to be done and not one single tutorial to be found from SA (or anyone else since no one had advance copies and authorization apparently).
What ticks me off
SA has once again removed features that we already paid for (or bought a machine with the understanding that these features were in place). Here are things we lost in V3
-*Ability to set individual objects to No Cut, Cut, Cut Edge, Perforate or Perforate Edge (you have to assign them a line color or move them to separate layers first)
-*Ability to share files with users of earlier versions
-Ability to drag a pattern into a shape (already removed from standard in v 2.7, now removed from DE)
-*Ability to set work space larger than cutting area
-*Ability to move and node edit in Cut Preview mode
-*Live Preview of file dragged over mat
-*Cut Preview no longer shows which lines will cut as dashed
-Blade advance arrows. This is a problem for Portrait users who do not have arrow buttons on their machines and so, can not reset the origin or cut multiple test cuts.
-Ability to manually detect registration marks.
-*Ability to mix Cut and Cut Edge, or Perforate and Perforate Edge, in a single document
-*Ability to select a block of text and cycle through font changes to it using the arrow keys
-*Ability to jump down in the font list using the first letter of the font
-*Dashed lines set under Line Styles no longer cut as dashed lines. (Dashed cut lines have to be selected under Cut Settings for each layer/color)
-*Inverted registration marks
-*Tool tips on modify panel (Y’all think I’m an expert, but the truth is I am lost without these)
-*Visibility of printable area
-*Hashmarks to indicate safe zones for print and cut
-Ability to open AI files in Mac version
-Number of color theme choices reduced from 8 to just 3
-*The offset button at the bottom of the screen now only makes 1/4 inch offsets instead of being adjustable as before.
Hopefully some of the above are bugs and not intentional omissions. But if not, please join me in holding SA accountable for this. I mean, what if you bought a car and a week later they came and ripped out your stereo? Update: *Asterisks above indicate items that SA representatives tell me they are aware of and working to fix.
My recommendation
For now I recommend that the newbies give us pros a little time to get ahead of you so we can answer your questions. For the adventurous, update but keep the old version loaded somewhere if you possibly can. You are not going to want to be learning this and adjusting your files on a deadline.
Important note: I am getting a lot of questions about how to rollback to the previous version, how to install multiple versions, how to restore your DE license, etc and I do not have the answers to these kinds of questions. Please check with the relevant forums, Facebook groups, blogs or Silhouette support for this kind of information.
Here are a couple of good videos that show SSV3 in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vxTNEzOyzI
Diana says
wow – had no idea – feel so stupid because i opened a file in V3 to play with it and now i can’t open it in the earlier version – any workaround to open it in the earlier version?? sorry if you already answered….great review by the way.
trishreddick says
Thanks Kay for an unbiased, comprehensive review. I do appreciate SA attempting to make their already great product even better, but I will wait to update until the glitches are ironed out. I really want some of the old features back (cut edge, no cut) ! I am not anxious for this learning curve!
Jason says
Thankyou for the review.
I use the free drawing package Inkscape to create my cutting file, which I then save as a DFX file before importing it into Silhouette Studio Standard Edition. This means that I don’t have some of the issues that you have found because I don’t use those tools. I was also very pleased to see the new cut-by-colour options.
On the down side, in addition to your list:
1. Studio crashes when I try to save the .DXF file as a .studio file,
2. even though the animation is supposedly at the fastest level, it’s still annoyingly slow, “off” would be good,
3. I can’t cut more than twice, and
4 the cutter didn’t go back to origin at the end of the cut, so I wasn’t able to do another pass.
5. It’s too easy to change a user defined material type. There should be a question box asking if you want to change the material type if you change it and then click on a different one..
6. When including a pause, the origin seems to have shifted to the right for lines cut after that pause.
We seem to have been given beta software to test for Silhouette America.
Kay says
Jason,
These are excellent observations. I hope you have sent them to SA.
susan banks says
Interesting Jason – OK made and saved a dxf and opened it in DE. No file, nothing appeared then remembered a very old problem we had with Inkscape and Robomaster ( talking January 2006 when Inkscape first introduced the possibility of saving as dxf!!) zoomed out and there it was way off the page! So the file worked just didn’t appear where it should have. Then saved as .studio and the program didn’t crash , so so far so good there . In the few test cuts I’ve done the Cameo went back to where it started from so had no difficulty there. Haven’t tried the pause yet that’s really strange! I very rarely use the machine settings but all the custom ones I did do in V2 have disappeared. V3 has a mind of its own ( and a fickle one at that ) and although it has a lot of potentially good ideas I’m sticking to V2 for the moment – better safe than sorry!
Kay says
Susan,
There is a setting in prefs that will center the DXFs so you don’t have that particular issue.
Jason, there is also a setting to return the blade to the origin or leave it at the end under Cut Settings>Advanced. Not sure if that is working properly but something to check.
Paula Gale says
I have subscribed to Kays comments purely out of interest – when I just read yours.
Being too afraid to delete version 3 incase I lose my library – I NEEDED to use it, so thought i’d at least give it a go. I had absolutely no hicups (touch wood)! so was quite pleased. However, the reason I get in touch is because I noticed that, if you go to advanced settings under the cut / blade settings – you may also need to scroll down too – there is a box that says ‘return to origin when finished’. I wonder if this is not checked in your settings. Just a thought that’s all… forgive me if this is something you have already checked.
Paula.
susan banks says
Latest horrors: uninstalled V3 created two folders and installed v2 in one and v3 in other. so far so good – but 3 opened as designer edition and 2 as normal. Put in designer key for 2 and OK so far so good two designer editons and feeling exhausted but proud. Closed programmes for a while came back – V3 still designer V2 reverted to normal. Oops put in key again no go contact support to reset. ( Friday) This morning reset arrived and up and away with V2 back to designer – inadvertently closed V2 and it reverted to normal ( if I keep the program open it works as designer no problem, if I close it ir reverts to basic version !) Am trying to talk someone ithrough uninstalling V3 and going back to V2 so need to close program and … you’ve guessed key has run out again ( we only have three tries) so have to contact support again. they’ll think I’m some sort of crazy person but if you teach this stuff I suppose it’s part of the fun. My student is going hysterical as she upgraded even though I told her not to so hope Silhouette sort out the compatability issues soon.
One good thing about V3 is the scan feature .. with a little work around I can cut out my ‘live’ stamped images rather than the scanned in ones.
Kay says
Closing V3 causes V2 to lose DE upon next open. So keep V3 open as long as possible.
susan banks says
Yup have unfortunately discovered that !!.. found a getaround so I didn’t have to go ask for my key again – decativated the version on my lap top which I use rarely and freed up a key. When I closed the programs they were both basic versions. I opened V2 and put in the key – success, when I opened V3 it had also become DE. I can now open and close V3 freely – just can’t close V2. Goodness haven’t had so much fun in years (not). I’ve worked on this for the best part of 7 huors today helping my friend get her V2 back up and running and then screenshotting and retracing all files from V3 she couldn’t open.
hiskid777 says
Can we go back to the old version? Thanks for all your help. I called them this morning and left a message due to high call volume. I am sure there are many people calling with complaints.
serafeena says
Thanks so much for your detailed report – this is eye-opening!
best wishes, serafeena
hiskid777 says
I can’t even open it now. It keeps loading and loading. This is frustrating
Auntie says
Kay,
Thanks again for your thorough review and comments. I am glad that I did not jump right in and install the update. Will definitely wait until I am sure all is well.
As a software development manager, I know how critical it is to accomplish thorough functional testing before release updates to the “field.” I have worked for several federal agencies (including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense) and we would never let our software users to be the one to find errors ala ones similar to the SIL ones. We would have been crucified. We always tested to make sure our “fixes” did not affect “old” processes.
Yes, testing is expensive (for both the seller/developer, but if they do not do complete testing, the user pays, and subsequently the seller/developer pays with a loss of good will. Someone has to pay the piper. (I don’t buy the argument that I have heard that “it always happens” with new/updated software.)
Sorry for the rant, but it is painful for me and so many other SIL users that has given me cause to wonder if I made a wise investment in purchasing my Cameo last week.
Thanks for listening to my frustration.
k b says
When you write a software program that has some features that older version can’t do then that does created file incompatibility between the different versions. This is not an uncommon situation in graphics programs where one is doing drafting activities. It is obviously going to be an inconvenience for some people.
But just remember that in order to go forward with improvements can for technical reasons involving feature changes and the need to access the menu items that induce those changes means you can no longer go backwards. It is not a nefarious plot, it is simply what happens when some of the software code gets revised.
Kay says
I completely understand this and my suggestion was simply to make a different file extension so the files could be kept apart more easily for sharing. I can not think of another graphics program update, however, where existing files required a lot of manual updating to work in the new version. Most software developers include some kind of conversion utility to handle this sort of thing.
Amanda says
Have 2.7DE on my own PC, but just downloaded v3 standard (not realising it had been updated) on partner’s system so he can use it to cut jewel case liners. Absolutely horrified by the new version, which seems to make even simple tasks difficult. Wish I’d seen your review first. Will now be uninstalling & installing the version on the CD instead. Have set my own version to never update.
marie fyfe says
Okay — I downloaded the new version to my laptop — how can I get rid of it and download the older version — I didn’t update on my desktop and glad I didn’t. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t find the “scissor” icon! thanks for giving us this information.
hiskid777 says
Go to your computer control panel and uninstall program. Then go to Silhouette American log on and go to the page that you uploaded the newer version and scroll down you can reload the older version.
Sharon says
Hello,
I installed V3 and ended up emailing Silhouette about the cutting lines and drag and drop problems. They suggested in two different emails that I uninstall V3 and reinstall V2.945. They said to wait for further updates.
Melissa Viscount says
Best line of the (very informative) post ‘I wish I had a witty comment!’ OMG you crack me up, Kay!
Joanne says
This is totally off the subject but has anyone used a graphic drawing tablet with the Silhouette? If so, does it make drawing your own designs easier?
Thanks so much!
Joanne
Kay says
Silhouette Studio has not been graphics tablet friendly in the past, but I think this is one of the things they were attempting to fix with the new freehand tool. Many of us use graphics tablets to design cutting and sketch files in other programs such as Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator.
Barb says
Hi Kay – THANK YOU for your info. I did DL and install 3.0 and within a day am really frustrated – haha – when I get on my Sil its to WORK hard!!! It really messed me up with some dashed lines etc – I went back and installed the 2.9 instead, will wait on you.
Kay V. Sturgeon says
OT Kay please delete if not appropriate – Sylvia Redford, just read your message, we have an Australian Silhouette Facebook Group, we would love to have you to join us – https://www.facebook.com/groups/267902426665132/
Dani says
I am very happy to read this. The Cameo Silhouette is now in my house for like 4 weeks and I started to get used to it. The freezing rubber was very nervy so I thought, the new update will fix that.
Nope and yeah, its worse than before..Its very hard to handle, I spent today 5 hours to figure out, why the passmarkers never got accepted, hopeless I gave up…I tried soo many things and I have nooo idea why it only worked for two times..
The dotted line which should be a folded line turned out being cut..very paper wasting day…
Thank you for being very detailed with your review! I think I will put on the old version again..its seems to be easier right now.
Best wishes from Germany
Valerie says
I only wish I had read this post before I purchased my Sil. I am so disgusted with the technical support and customer service from this company. I received my machine last Friday and still haven’t been able to use it. After not being able to load the program from their disc, upon their suggestion I downloaded the new version to my pc, but after loading fonts and initializing for an eternity, the splash screen opens but disappears. The program won’t open. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled literally dozens of times…still nothing. My latest caper is that I can run the new version in safe mode only. Last night I used the program in safe mode to create a pattern, only to find that the blade isn’t even contacting the paper. I have emailed tech support and called numerous times, but all I get is an email with the same instructions that don’t work. I just don’t understand a company that would knowingly release software that doesn’t work. I want some help with this, or my money back. I don’t think that I’m alone in this.d
EllenM says
I really thought I was going crazy when my print & cuts weren’t cutting correctly and I finally realized that the hash marks are gone. I’m not sure I like this update.
Gigi Jansen says
Well, I’ve just got around the old version and it was fine for me and now I am completely lost and struggling with V.3… >_< the layered cut multiple passes to do a perforated, dotted and cut line are killing me. I really want to see if Silhouette WILL work out some of these 'bugs' that you've described sooo well, Kay, I must say thanks a lot.
Anita says
Wow…I have been keeping up with all the comments here and on other sites. I did not update, thankfully, but the more I read I am beginning to despair that I will ever be able to. V3 sounds really daunting. I love my Silhouette and really hope I will be able to make the leap when they get the bugs all worked out.
[email protected] says
Kay. I found your website by going on to you tube by accident, and have found the tutorials a god send. I bought the silhouette cameo last year for my seventy fourth birthday I’ve struggled with the program but I’m learning slowly. i’m not going to install the update untill I read something different from your blog Would it be possible for you to email me with ”how to download fonts into the silhouette program”. I dont know how to do this. Learning how to use the computer and the silhouette cameo is my retirement project , I hope you can help me with this please Pamela
Lisa says
Pamela – any fonts that are on my computer show up in the Silhouette. If I want to add new fonts, I download them from whatever site and then copy them into the “fonts” folder in the “control panel” window of my computer. then I open up Silhouette Studio and they are automatically there. I hope I haven’t misunderstood your question.
Sarah says
I’m so frustrated with this new software. I just purchased my Cameo a couple of months ago and was just getting accustomed to the software. I was doing pretty well at first but now I’m lost because I did the update and upgraded to the Designer Edition at the same time. I was trying to print and cut a t-shirt transfer for a b-day gift and I lost two hours today trying to figure it out. I only needed to cut the outside edge and it was so easy before and now I can’t figure out how to do it. I did a google search and found this and now I’m really regretting upgrading. How do I do it by color or line?
jean says
I could not get on with it all and have gone back to the previous one.
Sarah says
Unfortunately, I didn’t back up the previous version of the software. I just tried downloading it from the site and it won’t allow me. Ugh 🙁
Carol says
Do you still have the installation disk that came with your Cameo..??..That is what I used…Good luck..!!
Paula Gale says
Sarah
I have been playing with the new version with some success today – I was quite surprised. I only wanted to do regular cutting today though – i’m not prepared to do much else until the book fixes are done… Anyway – the trick is to change the colour of the cut lines for each different group of things you want to cut. I had several things on my mat at the same time, but only wanted to cut them in turns – e.g. all the bits that I wanted to cut out of my pink paper, then my green cardstock etc. So, all those being cut from pink paper – i’d select in one go – then go to cut line colour and made them all the same colour (probably easiest if you make them the same colour as the cardstock you want to cut them out of – just for remembering sake)!… the green cardstock cuts – green line and so on. Once you have more than one different colour cut line – these colours will appear in boxes – all you have to do is check and uncheck your boxes as you change each colour of cardstock/paper/medium… To be honest with you – because they were all straight forward cuts – it was simple and had no problems. Just for this exercise – I didn’t even miss the scissors icon with the different choices of cut on, cut off or cut outline, cut all (in and out bits)! I’ll wait for a new update release before I go about print and cut etc – but I can get around that by using coloured cardstock – or printing my patterned paper out, placing on the mat – then cutting. It may mean I have to print out a whole sheet of patterned paper – rather than pattern filling each piece – but this works around the hatched areas when printing and cutting for now too… hope that makes sense…
I’m happy with just cutting coloured/patterned cardstock/paper and printing out a whole sheet were necessary for now – i’m sure they’re working frantically on getting out an update to replace this one.
For anyone doubting their purchase because of this issue – please don’t. This has NEVER happened before – and I’ve had a silhouette machine since 2008. There was a big change when Silhouette America bought out Quickutz Silhouette – and while those of us who were used to the older version of the programme – which was unrecognisable from the new version – the new version was infinitely better – it was just a matter of becoming accustomed to it. I am sure now they are aware of many of the issues – if not all of them, there will be a replacement version out soon… it’s not in their best interests to drag their feet – which I am sure they would not do anyway. I have found the company to be progressive and never intentionally do something to upset their customers. Everything has always been for the better, easier and to be more creative.
Buying my Silhouette Cameo has never been a regret of mine for a single day since I got it.
Sarah says
Hi Paula,
Thanks for the reply. I’ll have to try the color lines again. Mainly, I was having trouble doing a print and cut where I only wanted to cut the edges of a few different designs for a t-shirt transfer. And I’m also hopeful that there will be a replacement update bringing the scissors icon back or at least the cut edge option.
And just to clarify, I do NOT at all regret the purchase of my Cameo machine, for the most part, I love it! I was just regretting jumping the gun on updating the software when I had just gotten comfortable with the previous version.
And thanks, Carol, I forgot all about the disc that came with it! I will have to play around a little more and see if that is the better option.
Happy crafting everyone!
Liz says
I upgraded to v3 and found that it did not cut the existing fonts on my computer as well as previously. I was using an ornate W that I have used before in v2 and it cut beautifully. This time, the curves were rendered very angular and had a lot of thin places. I manually “recurved” some of the points, but can’t do that to the whole thing every time!! I hope they are not trying to make us purchase files instead of using our own fonts, that would be awful. I am reverting my software to v2. Has anyone else had problems with fonts not rendering as well in the new version?
Jim Sears says
Well, I got this information a couple of days too late. I have already upgraded version (if you want to call it an upgrade). I hate v3.0. I’m looking for a way to go back to the old version.
I do not understand, for the life of me, why these people try to fix what ain’t broke. It’s just like the crap that Microsoft does with their Windows OS. XP worked perfectly well. But nooooo..we have to give our programmers something to do. So let’s write a new OS. If programmers are going to roll out new versions, why don’t they have beta testers give it a try, and see what bugs are in it, what the good changes have been made, and what the bad changes are?
Can you tell that I am disgusted with this?
Auntie says
Jim, I really understand what you are saying about “fixing” something that ain’t broke. From my perspective, too many software companies (e.g., Microsoft) do this AND they don’t test their product before distribution (you can read my rant earlier in this stream). Yes, proper testing is time-consuming and expensive, but it results in great customer satisfaction and continued use–unlike this Sil release. The next really helpful thing for Sil to do is publish a “real” user’s manual–currently, there is no index, a minimal table of contents, and (almost) minimal help in understanding all that the Sil/software can do. As for release of V3, Sil has not enhanced user satisfaction, no matter how nice the additional capabilities eventually are.
Anita says
I too have often wished there was some sort of comprehensive user’s manual that went with the Silhouette. The blogs and videos on line are great and often a life saver, and I am really grateful these talented souls are so willing to share and teach. But it feel like I’m only using a small fraction of this great machine’s potential. That said…I love my Silhouette. I don’t think in 20 years or so that I have ever used a crafting tool that has given me more joy and satisfaction.