As a MAC girl myself, there's one big issue that made me take pause and why I might still be using my PC when it comes to printing on my Roland BN2-20A.
One of the biggest benefits to the Roland BN2 series is that includes a license to use the special edition Flexi Designer for Verasworks. It is hand down the fastest way to create Roland contour and perf cut lines.
It's easy enough for beginners and powerful enough for advanced users with complex designs. And you can even print and cut directly to a Roland BN2 from Flexi bypassing the need to go into Versaworks to rip and print jobs.
So what's the issue?
The issue is...while Versaworks 7 is now compatible with MAC, Flexi Designer for Versaworks is not. Wah wah...wah.
What Does This Mean for MAC Users?
To be honest, after talking with Roland directly about this I'm not even sure they fully realized the disconnect here since Flexi is a third party service they partner with for this special edition software. The issue seems to stem from the type of Flexi license Roland users were getting with their BN2.
It's a classic case of two steps forward one step back.
Options for Creating Versaworks Cut Lines on Mac
So what are your options for creating Versawork cut lines if you're a MAC-only user?
There is still a free solution to create Verasworks cut lines on Mac - although it's just 'ok.'
Hidden in DG Connect (the web-based version, not the Hub), you'll find a tool called "Designer" that will add cut lines for you.
It's definitely not nearly as good as Flexi. The cut lines are sometimes slightly off, they're not as smooth, they don't contour as nicely, and you have much less control over the process. But it IS an option if you're determined to stick with Mac only and don't want to pay for additional software.
Non Subscription Design and Cut Line Software for Roland for Mac Users
The other option I would recommend that's a one time fee instead of a subscription, is to use a combination of Silhouette Studio Business Edition and Affinity Designer.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or need personalized help with your Roland machine, VersaWorks 7, DG Connect, or just getting started, I offer one-on-one support through Silhouette U. You'll get direct access to me for same-day support and troubleshooting.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!
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