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
I am so frustrated!!!! If this was my first experience with Silhouette I would give up and return it.
Has anyone tried to print something with patterned paper? I keep getting white blocks in my shape.
Yes, that’s a known bug that SA has a fix for when the new one comes out.
Wish I had read this before I did an update. Does anyone know if this update would cause the program to say
“No Silhouette devices hooked up” when I try to cut. Upgraded from Portrait to Cameo. I think its missing a driver or something. If this was my first experience with Silhouette I would be done and send it back. Sorry but thats the way I feel.
Well I am fairly new to all of this only having had my Portrait for under a year and I thought I had to automatically update, what a nit wit, still you’re never too old they say!!!! Its taken me all of my time to learn the Portrait and now I feel like I am almost back to square one with the new version. I wish I had never upgraded, so all out there be warned, the new version has some good and some bad points, but to be honest, stick with what you know I say…
Having just read all of the other comments I am now wondering how and if I can revert back to the older version. I was thinking of buying a Cameo as I like the idea of 12 x 12 but I have been watching Create and Craft and Linda the demonstrator is still on the old version, does that tell you something? Are there any advantages to going up to the 12 x 12 or should I just stick with the Portrait, which incidentally I love. I am open to any comments you might be able to pass on to me.
Thanks for posting this – thought I had lost the plot having wasted a couple of pieces of card when what was meant to be perforations cut straight through. Hope they do fix these things!
Where is the double cut feature? I’ve had the Silhouette Cameo for over a year and just upgraded to the Designer Edition. Is there a user’s manual for this edition? Do you have to use Silhouette Stencil material to get what you want. I bought Martha Stewart stencil material and it won’t cut through. Frustrating
It’s still there, see my reply below (sorry, missed the reply to comment link before)
Just upgraded, big mistake !!!! it just frezes !!! i had the older version saved and went back to it what a relief !!
I just de-installed V3 and went back to the older version. I’m a pretty advanced user, but I use the PNC feature all the time. Converting my designs – one by one was becoming a nightmare. Edwina, I love my Cameo and I had a Portrait – it is worth it. I have two major complaints with SA: 1. They have the WORST software documentation in the industry. (I know, because I used to do that for a living.); and 2. Support makes you feel like an idiot when you try to clarify what they are saying. This is a really buggy release. I wouldn’t/shouldn’t have installed it until it gets cleaned up. SA – get your act together, as far as the documentation is concerned. Even your FAQ’s are unclear.
Kay, do you plan to review the newer edition V3.0.343 – 16 April 2014? I am very interested in your opinion of this version.
Already did. Please see my latest post.
I wish I had not upgraded to V3………… it constantly FREEZES!!!!!! is there an UNDO button for the upgrade?????
I am totally frustrated! I have had all the same problems mentioned above and downgraded to my old version. Today came by opening the DE a note, that an update is available. I read carefully through the release notes and it sounded (too) good to be true! So I gave another try and installed it – and what should I say?? On the first look some well-known features seemed to be back, but the worst problem: you can click on a feature to see the maximum cutting zone the CAMEO does not cut till this line – it stops in the middle of the design and far away from the edges! So not usable for me since I need the whole space in my sheet (I produce individual eyebrow stencils!) So again back to my old version, which now not accept the new files and dont accept the registration marks. Am lost and totally frustrated!!
I have not experienced this problem but have heard a couple of similar reports. Be sure you let support know what you are experiencing. Also try changing preferences>defaults to registration marks off.
Yes, I already wrote. What drives me really crazy and upsets me, is the fact that they bring a software on the market, which is not really well tested! It was with the version on the beginning of April and now – again! I feel really kidded…
I read the first imppression of clever some day and I agree totally. As a new user of Silouhette cameo, I am still trying to figure out the previous version
.I downloaded v3 and within 15 minutes I deleted version 3 and reloaded the CD from the original and have my previous version back
I’m glad I did. Like windows 7 to windows 8 “if its not broke, why try to fix it”?
I tried to download yesterday and today to my Mac. When I install it (after it’s downloaded to my computer), while initializing screen is up I get an error message. It continues to initialize but never finishes. I have to force quit because it covers my screen up to do anything else. Luckily I did save my old software so I can still use my Portrait. What a mess. I tried to call Silhouette but their voice mail box is full so I emailed them. So glad I didn’t erase the other.
I have to be honest, this should have stayed in beta a lot longer, it’s an even bigger piece of rubbish than the machine is. Adulterates all v2 files, will not save settings, tries to start reading registration marks way too high and reports it failed when it was no where near reading the mark, move the paper higher and it reads the mark and cuts wrong.. while the interface may be a lot better than v2, it’s way worse. I hate this machine and have since the day it came out of the box… moving on to pastures new with the silver bullet… Adiós silhouette, RIP!
I am having TONS of trouble with it saying that it is failing to read my registration marks in print and cut. I can get it to work perfectly sometimes, and other times it will fail over and over again. Has anyone come up with a solution??
No solution with manual detection missing, but I have reported this as a bug.
I had the same trouble. To me it helped while loading the mat, to give it an extra press-in instead of just holding, when the machine takes the mat. Just make sure you press in the middle, otherwise its loading and cutting not even! It seems the loading misses 1 mm the detection needs to see there is a media on the mat!
Thanks! I’ll give that a try!
When arching text it grays out my oval (indicating no cut), however when I attempt to cut it cuts the oval and slices my text along the path. This is with the latest version. Frustrated beyond words, please help.
Yes, this is a bug and you will need to set the circle to no cut yourself.
Hey I figured it out…it’s a simple “convert to path” and remove the oval/circle. Thank you for keeping us all informed with the latest issues, it’s greatly appreciated.
You might want to take a look at my Text to Path Power User video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfX9hyb8QCc
One additional comment on the differences. I can import ai (Adobe Illustrator) files directly into 2.7.18. When I upgraded to v3, all my ai artwork I had imported was no longer a supported filetype. I downgraded immediately.
Keep this in mind when upgrading and happy crafting all!
Why can’t the Windows version use Illustrator files? They cross platform well between Mac and PC.
My Masterworks embroidery digitizing software (win) will import.
I have had my silhouette cameo since they first came out and have loved loved loved it! I have even demonstrated it at a local store at times. The new version, however, leaves me wanting the old version back. I am quite disappointed that they took wonderful options away and that even the format LOOK is so different. It confuses some of those who I talked into buying the machine, and frustrates me. It also requires much more system sources on the computer. I have an old computer, and this doesn’t help me at all. Hopefully they will get this all fixed SOON!!! –sometimes updates are flopdates.
I tried the new version when it first came out but have gone back to the previous version after spending a whole evening and numerous sheets of paper just to make a card insert that should have taken 10 minutes. Every time I tried to perforate a line the perforations were so close together that the paper was actually cut through
I am not a newbie. I upgraded (in my opinion) from a Cricut to the Craftrobo years ago and then upgraded again when the Cameo came out. I also use Designer edition. With the Craftrobo software you could only cut one style at a time by line colour so if you wanted to solid cut parts of a design and then perforate other parts the different aspects had to be different colours and you had to stop and change the settings between each style. I was delighted when the Silhouette software came out and put an end to all that but feel now that the new version has gone back in time.
One telling thing to me was that the SA website had both the old and new versions to download when normally only the latest version is available. I am certainly in no hurry to change to the latest version of the software
I really appreciate reading your observations about the latest update. I had a hard drive failure and would have certainly downloaded the latest version (which would have been a big mistake for this newbie) if not for the information in your blog. Well done and thank you so much.
I haven’t been able to cut a single thing since the update. It keeps telling me registration failed. I’m a new be so I’m not an expert and am confused about some of the things it offers to do. But before the update I could do the simple projects I attempted. I’ve been emailing SA back and forth. It’s very frustrating as I am try to do a project for a up coming family reunion. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.
Jenny,
Many seem to be having trouble with print and cut. My only suggestion would be to leave the registration marks at their default locations if you are not already doing that. If that doesn’t work, the best solution is probably to go back to V2.
Someone suggested to lightly push the mat in while loading. I have had success with this.
Like Jenney, I, too, am having a LOT of trouble with the registration marks when I try to print and cut. My Cameo won’t even scan the registration marks! I’ve tried both Registration “Types” as well as the manual setting, but the machine still won’t cut! All I get is an error message, “Registration Failed.” Needless to say, I am disgusted!
Hi Michele – like I said in a previous post: it seems the machine is not loading the mat deep enough since the update. Try to push a bit when the mat is loading – to me it works 99% of the time! Good luck! Sylvia 🙂
Old lesson had to be retaught. Never upgrade any program when you are in the middle of a project. I knew better but did it anyway.
Trust me do not do it.
I ended up going back to the previous version and now I’m back in business. It’s easier for me to use since I’m non an experienced cutter. I’m happy once again. ?
Thanks, Sylvia, for your suggestion! I will try it. If I continue to have problems, I will follow Jenney’s lead and re-install an earlier version of the software. 🙂