Can I put 2 different versions of Silhouette on my computer?

That is one reason I have not updated, the problem of files disappearing.

Thank you for those links!

I forgot to mention that I have a PC.

I waited an hour on the phone to talk to Silhouette software support. An hour. That tells me that customers are having a lot of problems with the latest software.

The Beta version Business edition of the software is the one that has the SVG export. Beta versions are for user feedback, but NO SUPPORT is given to those who are trying it out.

I had backed up my files and exported them to a separate location on my computer. I also copied the files to a jump drive and imported them into the Silhouette software on my laptop, just in case files got lost in the upgrade. I was ready to upgrade to the beta business edition of the software. I called their tech support just to make sure that it really did let you convert to SVG,because I did not want to spend the money for the business edition if it didn't. Nowhere on their website does it say anything about SVG export or saving as SVG.  Although it took an hour to get through, the person seemed knowledgeable. At least I got the information I needed.

However, since there is no support for the beta version, I see no reason to upgrade to the business version at this time. I wanted it solely for the SVG export. I realized that I can't use an older edition of Silhouette that still has the SVG export, because the file that needs to be exported as SVG was created in a newer software version which cannot be read by the older version.

I have Illustrator, but it is kind of a pain to convert the files using Illustrator. I had to print it, then trace it, now I am working on clean up. It would have been easier just to export the file as SVG. I'm not sure I want to spend the money to upgrade to the business edition, though, when they have no suppport for it, and even if they did, it takes an hour to get help on the phone. Email support is a joke. They send you a cut and pasted answer from their FAQ section, and it has never once matched the problem I described in my email. If you respond and complain that the answer didn't match the problem, that they need to read emails more carefully, you will eventually get a better answer, but it takes days. Phone calls at least get you your answer the same day, even if you do have to wait for an hour.

I did find out that the export library function was retained in later editions of the software. I had read somewhere that the export library function had been eliminated when they went to the Cloud. Exporting your library provides you with an easy back up of your files if you do want to upgrade to a newer version of the software. I am waiting. I was going to do it, but then I realized that it won't help me with my current problem. The newest current business edition that is supported does NOT let you save as SVG, only the beta version, which has no tech support.

I am trying to help my sister. She has an original labyrinth design which she created in the Silhouette software. It needs to be converted to a vector format that an architect can use. They said SVG would be acceptable. This will be a walking labyrinth for cancer patients, but she is not getting paid for it. It's a charity project.

I was willing to pay to upgrade my software, not just for the labyrinth project, but also because I figured that the SVG export would also make it easier for me to use my Cricut Explore. I could do my design work in the Silhouette software, then export as an SVG and be able to cut leather and other heavier materials on my Explore. The Explore software (Design Space) is absolutely horrible for design work, but it does import SVG designs quickly and easily. I was willing to pay for the Silhouette business edition to get the SVG export capability for that reason alone. Since it is only in Beta for the business edition, and the Beta software reportedly has a ton of problems, I see no point in buying the business upgrade at this time.

Wait...you can print to PDF?!?!? I never noticed that! I have and use Illustrator, which will let me export as SVG, but it would be so much easier and give me a cleaner image if I can print to PDF and open it in Illustrator. Thank you!!!

Microsoft print to PDF is on my laptop. Unfortunately, no matter what program (including Inkscape) I try to use to save the PDF as SVG, it does not import into Explore, which is my "test" because if it will come in as SVG there, it should work on whatever program the architect will be using. At least that is the theory.

The PDF won't come in right into my older version of Illustrator. The newer version (trial) of Illustrator will import it, but although it seemed to save as SVG, when I import into the SVG into Explore software (Design Space), it does not show up as anything. In the past, I have imported SVG files created in my older Illustrator, no problem. I am not sure if it is my error, or something related to the way Silhouetteor Microsoft prints to PDF.

Tomorrow I will just print it, scan it with Photoshop, then save it in a format that I can bring into my old Illustrator CS2, trace, and export as SVG. That is what I have done in the past, but it's a pain. There is more point clean up to do that way.