Policy Alteration for Silhouette Legacy Renewals
In the world of graphic design and crafting, Silhouette Studio continues to lead the way with its innovative rotoscoping, paint, and VFX solutions. Here's a breakdown of some of the key updates and features introduced in recent releases.
Silhouette Studio v7 (June 2018)
Silhouette Studio v7 marked a significant step forward, offering a revamped interface and improved stability, along with enhanced design tools that simplified crafting. This update represented a departure from previous versions, adopting a more modernized approach and better performance.
Silhouette v2020 (Nov 2019)
The Silhouette v2020 release, often referred to simply as a release in the 2020 period, brought further improvements. It boasted better integration with new Silhouette hardware like the Cameo 5 and Curio 2, introduced new cutting and etching options (such as support for etching on Cameo 5 with the Punch Tool), and offered updated design panels like the Emboss Panel and Fill Gradient Panel for advanced graphic effects.
Upcoming Silhouette 2021 (v9)
The upcoming Silhouette 2021 (v9) major release aims to build on previous enhancements, focusing on usability, new advanced features, and possibly further hardware integration. While specific features for v9 have yet to be detailed, the trend suggests ongoing expansion of creative tooling, user interface refinements, and enhanced file management capabilities.
Changes in Support and Upgrade Policies
As of March 31, 2021, Silhouette Studio versions 6 and older stopped receiving official software upgrade and support options. Users with these older versions need to upgrade to newer versions (v7 and later) to maintain compatibility and access support, as legacy versions no longer receive updates or customer service.
For users stuck on older versions, the available upgrade paths after March 31, 2021, are to buy a new license or upgrade key to move to a supported version like v7 or later. Post-March 2021, Silhouette Studio no longer supports silent installations or legacy OS versions beyond Windows 8.1 and macOS 10.15 without downgrading the software itself or upgrading the OS.
Beta versions of Silhouette software are available for testing new features, but they are unsupported and may contain bugs. Instructions for installing beta versions and downgrading if needed are provided.
Pricing and Upgrades
Upgrading to Silhouette v2020 entitles you to 1 year of free upgrades and support. Silhouette upgrade pricing will only apply to the last 2 major release versions starting from the 2021 (v9) release.
Legacy owners running Silhouette v6 and older versions who do not upgrade their software licenses by March 31, 2021 will have to purchase new licenses at full price or choose affordably-priced subscription options.
Silhouette v7 or newer versions will qualify for upgrades after the release of Silhouette 2021 (v9).
For floating license upgrade options, contact Boris FX Sales. Node-locked licenses can be upgraded in the Boris FX Store.
Mocha Planar Tracking Option
A notable addition in the Silhouette v2020 release is the inclusion of the Mocha tracking option at no additional charge. This GPU-accelerated feature enhances the Planar Tracker's capabilities, providing a powerful tool for rotoscoping and VFX work.
In conclusion, Silhouette Studio continues to push the boundaries of graphic design and crafting software, with each release bringing new features and improvements. Users are advised to keep their operating systems updated for best compatibility and to install only one version at a time to avoid conflicts. To maintain support and access to new features, it is recommended to upgrade to the latest versions of Silhouette Studio.
Technology advancements are evident in the Silhouette Studio software updates, with Silhouette Studio v7 offering a modernized interface and improved stability for more efficient crafting. The Mocha tracking option, introduced in Silhouette v2020, is a technology enhancement that boosts the Planar Tracker's capabilities, enhancing rotoscoping and VFX work in graphic design.
