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Post by elegantsufficiency on Aug 27, 2021 10:37:25 GMT
I used my Silhouette to print and cut some stickers the other day and, having spent a while adjusting settings and so on, I left the software open on my desktop ready to play when my small friend was here. When I returned to the program however, it threw up an error message and closed without saving anything. Boo. Not only that, but I couldn't open it again - the same message kept opening. I did all the usual tricks - rebooted my PC, the turned it off and unplugged for a while, made a cup of tea and came back...but still, no joy. I was miffed, to say the least.
I opened the helpline/chat feature and once they'd woken up (being in Europe gives us a head start but there are times when it's a distinct disadvantage!) I had a reply with the advice to download and install the software update. I have no idea which version I was using previously, but I did as instructed and version 4.4.554 is now installed and working like a dream. Best of all, when I loaded a .png file to print and cut, it was all there, autotraced already! Wooop! and there's a print preview, which I never had before.
Just thought I'd share by way of encouragement when the Silhouette stops playing nicely...sometimes the automatic update reminder doesn't kick in or we simply forget. Either way, that cloud had a silver lining and I'm a happy print and cutter again! When it plays nicely like this, I *love* my Silhouette!!
(I still haven't grown to love the "alternative" blades we chatted about recently and need a bit more encouragement on that score, please.)
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,549 
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Aug 27, 2021 13:08:39 GMT
It is an awesome machine when it works. Somewhere in the updates/having to get a new machine (my old one stopped working with my computer) I lost the extra software I paid for a few years ago. Thanks for reminding me I need to figure out how to get that back. Maybe I'll use the chat feature, it has to be more helpful than my DH speaking in computer nerd at me  |
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Aug 27, 2021 13:50:03 GMT
Now, I do know how to get your purchased extra software, having just been on the site! You'll need to sign into your Silhouette account (which is different from the Silhouette store account, I discovered) and one of the tabs is to download further copies of the software you have purchased. I couldn't remember what extra I'd bought, but it was there, clearly stated on the website, on my account page. The chat line is very helpful indeed and offers a prompt service, provided you keep the same hours as they do - which for me, is half a world away  We just got a new printer so believe me, I know exactly what you mean about having things mansplained! |
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,197
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Post by nicolep on Aug 27, 2021 15:34:01 GMT
Thanks for posting this elegantsufficiency. I was recently having issues with mine as well and I jumped on the chat and she also suggested that I update but I am terrified. She had all of the instructions and even emailed the step by step instructions. I've only updated once and it worked fine so I don't know why it's scaring me so much. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 27, 2021 16:32:06 GMT
Updating to a new version of the software is scary because the potential is there that files which YOU have created or downloaded from non-Silhouette sites will disappear.
Back them up to your hard drive. Back them up also to the Silhouette Cloud, too, if you like, but I have had files that never did back up to the Silhouette Cloud correctly, so I back up everything I create to my own computer and external hard drives.
I lost files only once, and that was when I updated my Silhouette software without first backing up the files I had made or bought from other sites.
It can also be frustrating when things change in the newer versions of the software. Most of the time, though, I feel it is worth updating, but I also keep a copy of every version of Silhouette software. That way, if I want to go back to an earlier version, I can uninstall the new one and reinstall the old one.
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Aug 27, 2021 21:28:59 GMT
scrapnnana normally I also back up all my files before updating, but on this occasion I had no choice! I found it interesting that all the previous versions of the software are there on the site for download too. I wondered why anyone would want that, but I guess you answered that question  nicolep don't be afraid! Back up and go for it! The new version was so much slicker than the one it replaced, that even though the decision was made for me, I was glad I updated in the end (and it was easy peasy, honest!)
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 28, 2021 16:51:36 GMT
elegantsufficiency, I now consistently back up to my hard drive first, then to my Silhouette software, so if I end up in the same situation as you found yourself, I won’t have to worry about not being able to do a backup first. It would only be an issue if my software or computer froze in the middle of a project, before the current project was saved, but at least I wouldn’t lose any prior files. It’s so much easier to keep it backed up as I go. So essentially, I save each project twice: once to my hard drive, and once to my library. The latter is for convenience. I’m glad you like the new version. Which one is it? What are the things you like better about it? It’s been awhile since I updated.
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Aug 28, 2021 21:28:00 GMT
scrapnnana it's version 4.4.554 and the first thing I noticed was that when I upload a .png file, it's already traced and ready to cut...none of that fiddling about with the sliders to get the right balance between a sharp edge and all of that. The other main difference is that there's a print preview before I print and cut, which is useful for checking that I haven't squeezed those shapes too closely together! As you'll gather, I've mostly been print and cutting digital files I bought recently and making stickers for our young friend who has just begun journalling. I'm hoping that, when she returns from holiday and sees what I've been able to do, she'll feel inspired and will want to come and play herself. It was quite some time since I cut stickers and I thought I'd better get my skills up to scratch before I show her how easy it is  You are, of course, spot on about backing up. My system backs up automatically to an external hard drive every night so I don't really worry too much. It's a massive pain in the neck to have to retrieve stuff though, so clearly, I'd rather not have all of that parlaver if I can avoid it! I tend to save my own work to my online library as well as my hard drive too - I am also a belt and braces kind of person!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 28, 2021 21:55:33 GMT
Thanks for the details. I realized belatedly that you had mentioned them in your original. I don’t know how I missed that. That .png feature might be exactly what I need.
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Aug 29, 2021 9:14:20 GMT
scrapnnana no worries - if we always went right back to the beginning of a conversation before replying, we'd be here all day, wouldn't we?! The .png feature works with white and transparent backgrounds. I've used both and it's a great timesaver.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 29, 2021 17:21:02 GMT
My dream is that silhouette come’s out with an update/new software that works with phones/tablets similar to the cricut joy.
Cricuts new limits have turned me off them sort of permanently
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 29, 2021 19:25:03 GMT
My dream is that silhouette come’s out with an update/new software that works with phones/tablets similar to the cricut joy. Cricuts new limits have turned me off them sort of permanently I haven’t used my Cricut recently, but I never worked with it using my tablet, just my computer. What are their new limits? |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,081
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Aug 29, 2021 20:43:37 GMT
Updating software can be scary. I used to do IT/network & server administration and I've had servers I've had to rebuild from scratch because the software upgrade failed horribly, so I'm also very leery of updating any software, no matter how easy it seems (looking at you iPhone OS updates!).
Like others have said, make sure you backup your files before updating if you can.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 30, 2021 3:12:29 GMT
My dream is that silhouette come’s out with an update/new software that works with phones/tablets similar to the cricut joy. Cricuts new limits have turned me off them sort of permanently I haven’t used my Cricut recently, but I never worked with it using my tablet, just my computer. What are their new limits? they limited uploads per month. Then they back up a bit and limited them after this year. I don’t have a cricut now and it’s not likely I’ll get one before their deadline therefore their machine will be too limited for me |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 30, 2021 13:47:42 GMT
I haven’t used my Cricut recently, but I never worked with it using my tablet, just my computer. What are their new limits? they limited uploads per month. Then they back up a bit and limited them after this year. I don’t have a cricut now and it’s not likely I’ll get one before their deadline therefore their machine will be too limited for me Thanks for responding. I’d heard about that but forgotten. The customers asked for the basic offset function for literally years, and when Cricut finally made it available, they came out with the stupid uploads limit, which understandably upset the customers. The Cricut company bigwigs seem to be totally clueless when it comes to making/keeping customers happy. I suspect that Silhouette will have the wireless capability you want at some point. They are a lot better at trying to meet customer requests. If all those who want that capability will write to Silhouette, it will probably happen sooner than later. |
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Post by powderhorngreen on Aug 30, 2021 13:57:06 GMT
I am not so sure Silhouette Studio will come out for use on an iPad or phone. The software is so robust that sufficient processing speed and/or space may not be available on these platforms. They have tried for a "lite" version app and it was awful. After you start to really use Studio, it would be hard to go to a stripped down version. Just my opinion.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 30, 2021 19:30:37 GMT
they limited uploads per month. Then they back up a bit and limited them after this year. I don’t have a cricut now and it’s not likely I’ll get one before their deadline therefore their machine will be too limited for me Thanks for responding. I’d heard about that but forgotten. The customers asked for the basic offset function for literally years, and when Cricut finally made it available, they came out with the stupid uploads limit, which understandably upset the customers. The Cricut company bigwigs seem to be totally clueless when it comes to making/keeping customers happy. I suspect that Silhouette will have the wireless capability you want at some point. They are a lot better at trying to meet customer requests. If all those who want that capability will write to Silhouette, it will probably happen sooner than later. They are wireless, but not on my phone like the cricut joy. But I’m not buying into a limited system lol |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 30, 2021 20:49:16 GMT
Both of you make good points. I haven’t used the wireless for any cutter. I use my cutters with my computer.
It makes sense that the software and the tablets/phones might not play nicely together. The Silhouette software is extremely capable, unlike Cricut’s.
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