Silhouette Cameo Design Studio -- Is it worth buying?

[Susan_Stasel]

I ordered the Silhouette Cameo over Black Friday. Is it worth purchasing the upgraded software "Design Studio"? It's on sale for 40% off the MSRP of $49.00.

[sprtchick]

I ordered it...but I cannot tell you what the difference is between it and the free version.
blessings.

[smokiesgal]

I just got my Silhouette Cameo yesterday. My bundle came with the Designer software. I haven't used it yet. But once I get it going I will be happy to let you know what I think.

[uncbballfan]

I don't own a Silhouette (yet!), but my cousin brought hers over so we could play - love it! She has the designer software; it gives you many more options and tools to use. She paid full price for hers, and in my opinion, 40% off sounds like a great deal.

[Barbara Jay]

Here is the comparison of the features of the Basic software that is included with the machine and the Designer Edition Software

http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/fil...%20edition.pdf

I don't think the 40% off Black Friday sale included anything that is downloaded including upgrading to the Designer Edition software . The 40% off Black Friday special ended Nov 30th

[KatarinaM]

I think it's worth it just for the ability to use SVG's. They are the most common type of files offered for free all over the internet. IMO it's a must.

[Barbara Jay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatarinaM

I think it's worth it just for the ability to use SVG's. They are the most common type of files offered for free all over the internet. IMO it's a must.

Thanks. I will put that on my wish list. I have spent enough right now on the Silhouette Cameo, cut files and accessories. :cool:

However, I am loving this machine !!.
It is the best idea since metal dies and die cutting machines were introduced

[smokiesgal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara Jay

Thanks. I will put that on my wish list. I have spent enough right now on the Silhouette Cameo, cut files and accessories. :cool:

However, I am loving this machine !!.
It is the best idea since metal dies and die cutting machines were introduced

I will second that one!!! Love my new machine!!!:p

[~LN]

Does anyone know if their software works with windows 8?

[cat_woman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~LN

Does anyone know if their software works with windows 8?

It does. I know of few people running it on this os. I haven't had a chance to fully explore the added features on the designer edition (I won a copy - yay!!). I'm going to go back to an earlier version so that I can also save my designs as svgs too. The new version doesn't allow saving as svg and I want to be able to use MTC when I get my new Zing.

[~LN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

It does. I know of few people running it on this os. I haven't had a chance to fully explore the added features on the designer edition (I won a copy - yay!!). I'm going to go back to an earlier version so that I can also save my designs as svgs too. The new version doesn't allow saving as svg and I want to be able to use MTC when I get my new Zing.

Thank you! and Congrats!

[jp1989]

"I'm going to go back to an earlier version so that I can also save my designs as svgs too. The new version doesn't allow saving as svg and I want to be able to use MTC when I get my new Zing. "

I thought the Design Studio was the one that allowed you to cut from SVG files? If you have MTC, would you even need the Design Studio software?

[cat_woman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp1989

"I'm going to go back to an earlier version so that I can also save my designs as svgs too. The new version doesn't allow saving as svg and I want to be able to use MTC when I get my new Zing. "

I thought the Design Studio was the one that allowed you to cut from SVG files? If you have MTC, would you even need the Design Studio software?

You can open and cut svg files with any version of the designer edition, but the newer versions don't allow you to save as svg file type. I want to be able to save my Silhouette files I purchased as svg so that when I get the new machine, which won't work with SS, I can cut the purchased files through MTC. If you already own MTC, then you are correct; you wouldn't need SS since there is a plug-in for it so that you can use the CraftRobo/Silhouette/Wishblade and the Cameo. However, you wouldn't be able to use the studio files since those are in a proprietary file type and can only be used in the SS software. There is a work around for those that don't have the designer edition of SS and I did post a tutorial on my blog on how to get around this if anyone is interested: Cat Scrap Fever: How to "Export" Silhouette Studio Files to SVG files

[jp1989]

Thanks for the explanation. I don't even own a Cameo yet, but I'm planning on starting there and then maybe upgrade down the road to a machine with more force. All of this is, of course, in my dreams at this point. So it sounds like the best of all worlds would be as you're doing to be able to use all files down the road. What enhancements are there between the original DE and the current or where would one be able to purchase the older edition? So many choices....so little cash!

[cat_woman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp1989

Thanks for the explanation. I don't even own a Cameo yet, but I'm planning on starting there and then maybe upgrade down the road to a machine with more force. All of this is, of course, in my dreams at this point. So it sounds like the best of all worlds would be as you're doing to be able to use all files down the road. What enhancements are there between the original DE and the current or where would one be able to purchase the older edition? So many choices....so little cash!

There is a pdf download on the Silhouette site you can take a look at to see what enhancements are in the DE of the software compared to the basic version. You can't purchase an older version of the SS software, but there are a few places that you can still download it from (its always been free to download the basic SS). If you search on UKScrappers in the CraftRobo forum, you will find a link to download the older SS, but you still need the DE license key to upgrade it to be able to use the "save as svg" feature. You can't do any updates on the older version of the software, otherwise that will eliminate that feature.

[uncbballfan]

This is taken directly from the SilhouetteAmerica site:

"Silhouette Studio� Designer Edition contains all the same functionality as Silhouette Studio� plus the following designer features:
•Ability to open, manipulate, and cut .svg files
•Rhinestone tools to convert designs into rhinestone templates and create your own rhinestone designs
•Sketch tools to convert designs into several styles of sketchable art
•Creative knife tools to allow you to clip designs using different patterns
•Enhanced eraser set to modify designs with more precision
•Built-in ruler and guide lines for precise alignment and drawing"

[~LN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncbballfan

This is taken directly from the SilhouetteAmerica site:

"Silhouette Studio� Designer Edition contains all the same functionality as Silhouette Studio� plus the following designer features:
�Ability to open, manipulate, and cut .svg files
�Rhinestone tools to convert designs into rhinestone templates and create your own rhinestone designs
�Sketch tools to convert designs into several styles of sketchable art
�Creative knife tools to allow you to clip designs using different patterns
�Enhanced eraser set to modify designs with more precision
�Built-in ruler and guide lines for precise alignment and drawing"

Thank you!! ;)