The folks at Silhouette America have been very busy for the last couple of weeks, heeding what they read here and what thousands of you told them via phone, email and social media about the first release of Silhouette Studio version 3.0.293 (or what Duane from one of the FB groups so aptly dubbed, the Titanic version.) I’m pretty impressed with the way Silhouette has handled this, owning the problems instead of blaming them on us, and reaching out even to those who were, ahem, harsh with their analysis.
I’ve been helping with the beta testing, version after version, sometimes more than one a day. And I’m not the only “real” user that SA pulled into the loop this time. I can tell you that we have been heard and that the most irritating things about the unfortunate earlier version have been fixed. And for those of you that are waiting to hear from me, I say jump on in, the water’s fine. You can download the new version here. Read the lengthy release notes here. Update: Download the new manual here.
SA has pledged to keep on working, so my updated, removed feature list is below. Please let them hear about any of these that are important to you.
-Ability to drag a pattern into a shape from the desktop or a folder in a new document (removed from standard in v2.7, now removed from DE). Now works but only when a document has been closed and reopened.
-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. Portrait users, don’t stand for this. It severely devalues your machine.
-Ability to manually detect registration marks. This is a biggie for folks who like to push the envelope with specialty media and oddball techniques. Surely I’m not the only one.
-Ability to drop a file onto your SS app icon to open it. This no longer works, even for .studio files for some reason.
-Ability to import a font from the hard drive to the library. (this was removed from the basic edition previously and has now been removed from DE)
-Ability to open AI files in Mac version (this was never a published feature so SA not likely to admit it was removed or try to restore it)
-Number of color theme choices reduced from 8 to just 3 (changed for Silhouette branding purposes. In other words, its about them, its not about us)
And we still haven’t gotten the 3 biggest things I hear asked for 1) ability to save as SVG and 2)layers and 3)ability to edit keywords, etc for files in library.
Ok, technically V3 has layers now, but this is not the kind of functionality we waited so long for, or the level of polish we’ve come to expect from SA. It is clunky and confusing and, did I mention, upside down. As an example, take a look at a file after I imported a few layered images. You’ll see layers and sublayers, none of which I created, and all of them are named “Layer 1.” So for now, enjoy the other features, and let’s keep the pressure on SA to give us logical, useful layers like the competitors have had for years now. They can do better, and they will, but I’m not letting them off the hook until it is accomplished.
Here’s a video from Doodling Debbie that’ll show you around the new update.
A note about file types: This new version of SSDV3 lets you save as .studio3 (File>Save or File>Save As>Save As…) or .studio (File>Save As>Save as Legacy(V2)…)version. I plan to save everything as .studio (legacy) unless it specifically contains layers or some other feature of V3 that will not translate back to V2. I hope that most of you will use this strategy as well, to facilitate easier file sharing and to make it easier to go back to an earlier version if you need to. You will need to use Save As Legacy each time you save the file, as using Save alone will save a .studio3 version.
Now let’s get back to enjoying our Silhouettes!
Thanks Kay! Can we continue with the older version?
Yes you certainly can. Hopefully everyone will continue to share files in .studio format for a good while.
Thanks so much! I’m downloading it now (the previous update came out when I was on vacation and I was saddened by the response so didn’t even try and download it after I saw the problems everyone was having.)
What’s the best way to make our voices heard? (I’m mostly passionate about layers! That would really make me so very happy!)
Thanks for your hard work in working to try and get a version that functions and for fighting for features that should be present.
I’m downloading it now too! Thanks for testing my oven SVG in it!!
Kay, Thanks for all of your work and dedication on this!!
I downloaded the ” Titanic ” version and I am going to wait to download the latest version until I see things are working reasonably well . My hair is thin enough as it is
Barbara
Thanks, Kay. I wonder why the “Removed percentage reported at the top of the software screen indicating the document’s zoom level.” … this was my one favorite part of the new 3.0 version.
Also, keep on them about the SVG saving option!! That is a biggie!! Thanks for hard work.
I liked it, too, but I think people were confused about what it meant. Hopefully they will bring it back in a more logical place.
Thanks so much. Do you think it’s safe now or wait for a bit?
Are the version 3 files still exclusive to that version (ie, you can’t use one created in v3.### in v2.###)?
Thank you so much for beta testing and communicating with the rest of us about it. It is appreciated!
Yes, .studio3 files still only work in V3, but saving as legacy V2 (.studio) solves that problem, which is why I recommend this be your primary way to save.
Thank you – you said that and I missed it 🙂
Have a great night!
Kay, I just want to make sure I understand… If you use (most recent) V3 to create a new image, if you save it as “legacy V2” (e.g., .studio) it can be used by someone who only has V2? How can that happen if you use some of the capabilities (e.g., layers) of V3?
It will not save the layers or shadows or other features that are specific to V3, of course, so there are limits to this, but most files will be perfectly usable to V2 folks when saved this way.
Kay thank you for the update!! 🙂 I am happy to see a lot of the issues resolved (knew they would once they saw users issues as SA is typically pretty good for that).
I wanted to confirm whether or not the ability to open files saved in the new version in previous versions has been fixed or not?
Also, you are not the only oddball!! I will not be updating unless manual registration marks get added back in as that is my favourite use for my silhouette!!!! I will be sending them an email to let them know as well but wanted to check on the previous version file issue first. 🙂
Thanks again!! You rock!!!!!!!
….and I just read the added part of your post about the file type (didn’t see that in the email version LOL).
Thank you!!!
Will the legacy version open in 1.9 to then allow saving as svg from there?
My first attempt with v1.9 failed 🙁 am continuing to check on this.
If you do a normal save from V3 it will save as .studio3 and will not open in earlier versions, but you have the option to “Save as Legacy(V2)” which will save as .studio and be backward compatible.
Thanks so much for all the work Kay now if my silhouette makes it to Orem tomorrow and my new one is shipped soon.
I am new to this group and so glad to be here! I used my silhouette (v3) yesterday with no problems. Today I opened it and only got a white screen. I was not planning on downloading the ‘fix’ for v3 until everyone confirmed that it was working well. Well, inasmuch as I couldn’t get my current v3 to work I downloaded the new fix. And! I’m getting “a problem caused the program to stop working correctly”. Windows will let me know when a solution is available. I have already uninstalled and reinstalled once tonight. I’m very sad and frustrated! Any suggestions…
Thanks
Joanne
Joanne,
So sorry to hear this. Please contact [email protected] and see if they have a fix for you.
What is Legacy Kay?
Martie
>
Legacy in computer terms means older versions of hardware or software. In this case it means versions 1.x or 2.x of Silhouette Studio.
Still big bugs… when you ask for a text 20mm size, all you get is 14,6mm …. not even close.
That is not a bug, but how text is referenced in SS by design, in relative terms, like in MSWord, etc. The text size is measured based on a reference character in the font, not the actual measurements. If you want the actual measurements use the grid or a reference object, or ungroup the text. Keep in mind that once you ungroup or otherwise change the text to path, you will not be able to edit it as text any more, however.
Thanks so much for all your hard work Kay, will go see the new version, so much better than trying to juggle two permanently open versions and teach things as well. Do hope they get the layers feature right – looks like they took inspiration from features in MTC, SCAL, Brother SNC software, Cricut Explore etc and tried to put them all together which if they did manage would make a very explosive program!!!
Truth being there was a lot of good intention there in V3, just didn’t quite hit the mark and the scan feature in Designer really does work. Here is a tip for those who want to scan and cut their stamped images in the new version :
Open your page in SSD add reg marks ( I always take mine down to the smallest possible size)
Cut three 2″ squares of masking paper and apply these to a piece of typing paper or thin card where the reg marks would appear. Send your card through the printer – this will print the reg marks on the squares. NB personally I always use a WHOLE sheet of card for this.
Take the sheet of cardstock you intend stamping on NB again this must be a full sheet of the same size as the printed page.
Peel the printed corners off the scrap card and apply them carefully to the cardstock.
Stamp your images keeping within the cutting area ( draw yourself a faint pencil rectangle if you’re worried about going outside the area)
Scan in your stamped page from .
Carefully place the scanned image onto your page matching up the registration marks. When your page is in place use the eraser tool to erase all unwanted space around the images ( I just draw a quick outline and erase what’s left)
Trace your stamped images to give them a cutting line and away you go!
1- it works – 2 you have the reg marks which you can peel off and use another time as you don’t always want to put cardstock through the printer
Can you do this with scraps – yup but fiddly and why complicate life!
Try and see!
Susibi,
I have used that method in the past, but tend to prefer this one, at least for stamps I plan on cutting more than once. http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/templatemethod/ Either is better facilitated with the scan feature. Thanks for sharing.
Wow – that is a great method, how clever. I’ll definitely have to try it. I’ve been using my method for quite a few years now and it’s what works for me but made even better now by being able to scan directly into the program.
Thank you for your hard work Debbie. V3 crashed on my computer and Silhouette had to walk me through numerous steps to allow me to reload the legacy version (deleting the version did not work). I am basically afraid to try again at this point. I will continue to follow you for further updates.
ugh. I downloaded and installed twice and it won’t launch, it goes from Initializing right to “program not responding” and then I have to force quit. I have no other programs open at the time of launching the program.
I’m in a iMac 10.7.5, funny enough the “bad” version of V3 before installed and opened fine for me, anyone else having this problem?
I guess the only thing I can do is download and again? maybe it got corrupted in the download process?
That’s exactly what I’m running, Claudine. Will em you.
got it to work! thanks to a tweak idea from kay and a fresh download, a couple of restarts! I can now test out V3 2.0!!!
Claudine would you mind sharing what “tweak” you did? I’m having the exact same problem 🙁
Dear Kay,
Thank you so much for your efforts with the Silhouette software. The company was wise asking you to join in the beta testing.
Kay,
What is the font that you used in your screen shot? I love it! Thanks!
Isn’t that cool? I don’t know what font that is. It was from a freebie here. http://burtonavenue.blogspot.com/2014/04/freebie-friday-easter.html
Figured it out! It is Kimberly Gershwin’s Janda Hide & Seek. It is a paid ($5) font and I now own it! LOL It is super cute! Thanks!!
Thank you Kay! I can’t imagine where I’d be without you and all your tutorials!
Thanks Kay!!!! Your information and tutorials are fantastic. Thank you for all the help to give to us. Have contacted Silhouette about the layers being so cumbersome and not being able to drag and drop patterns into shapes. The first V3 crashed my computer and caused major problems on the hard drive. I was going to buy a new computer anyway.
Silhouette American Isn’t answering their phones. I tried to call and pressed every option and it won’t let me go to any option and then at the end of the recording they have you leave a VM.
Anyone else find that when you change the text size from say 72 default to 24 it comes up at 240 pts instead? Everything is 10 x the value : 8 comes up as 80, 24 as 240 36 as 360 most odd!
Yes, this is a known bug that must not have gotten fixed yet 🙁
Hmm creepy crawlies abound still! I don’t phone them from Italy – just send a sweet e mail 😀
I’m still unable to arrow through the fonts. Mine sits on Arial Unicode MS and I can arrow down one but it doesn’t actual change the name listed. If I click on another is will show on my screen correct but it still lists the Arial Unicode MS. The release notes say this was fixed.
Be sure you click twice on the text block so that it has the selection rectangle, not the text cursor and vertical bar at the left.
I’ve just downloaded the Character Map files and am trying to work these. I have the file selected but when I go to the Fonts I can arrow through.
That should have said I can’t arrow through.
It seems to be fine when I create my own text which is great. Maybe I’m just not doing the Character Map right.
I din’t think it would work on the Character Map because of the way that file is constructed, but I did get it to work. I clicked once in the center of the mat, then clicked the A at the top to open the text styles window, then clicked a font in the list on the right (instead of typing one in). Once I had done that, I could arrow through the fonts. I’m glad you challenged me to try this because this is a really handy way to look for a particular dingbat even when you don’t know what font it is in.
I’ve just tried what you suggested but it still doesn’t work. I can click another font and it will change the Character Map but I can only arrow down 1 font from my selection and that’s it. Looks like I’ll just have to click each one for the time being. I don’t wish to save and print all just the ones I like but as yet I don’t know which ones they are. Thanks
Hi Kay, thanks for all the hard work you put in, much appreciated. Well I jumped back on in and I’ve jumped back out again 🙂 something weird is going on, it seems as if the new software is not communicating properly with my cameo. Print n Cuts are off some of the time, other times it’s fine. After the cut finishes it sucks my mat in rather than out to unload, the buttons on the cameo are hard to control when arrowing down to say unload, it keeps missing out on the options. So I’ve got back again!!! That’s all working beautifully 🙂 Do I really need V3, that is the question!!!
Christina
I can’t even get the new version to load. COntacted support and the “fix” was BS, they sent me instructions for a PC Windows machine even though I clearly stated I was on a Mac and sent them screen shots of the errors. I am more than upset, trying to get back to the old SW now.
I just updated my basic on my Mac and I can no longer automatically open files from my download folder like I used to. I’ve changed it under info to open all similar files in that app but it’s not working. Any ideas? I’m thinking of uninstalling and re-loading the one that came with my machine.
If you mean by dropping the file icon onto the app icon then you will see that I have that listed as a known problem. You can still open them from the file menu until they fix it, or go back to an earlier version if you prefer.