Silhouette Studio Designer Edition vs. Basic, Business Edition, Designer Edition Plus (Plus a Review)

If you're wondering what the differences are between Silhouette Studio Designer Edition vs. Silhouette Studio Basic vs. Business Edition vs. Designer Edition Plus - look no further.

I get asked for an honest Silhouette Studio Designer Edition comparison vs. Studio Basic all the time, so I figured it was time we hash it all out.  A few things before I go into the differences between the basic Silhouette Studio and the upgraded versions.

Silhouette Studio File Types: Avoiding the Silhouette Studio File Not Supported Error

There are at least a dozen different file types you can import into Silhouette Studio - but not all files types are supported in all versions of Silhouette Studio.   If you've ever gotten the error "Silhouette Studio File Not Supported" it's because you are attempting to import a file that the version of Silhouette Studio you are using can't open. 

This Silhouette Studio tutorial provides an easy break down and list of file types Silhouette Studio supports...and therefore which can be cut with your Silhouette CAMEO, Portrait, and Curio.

Install Silhouette Studio Designer Edition (DE+ or Business) for the First Time or on Second Computer (2024)

If you purchased a Silhouette Studio Designer Edition license key (or a license key for Designer Edition Plus or Business Edition) you can install them on up to three computers.

This comes in handy if you get a new computer or have more than one computer where you use Silhouette Studio. This tutorial will show you how to install Silhouette Studio license keys and also how to install on another computer.

Silhouette Studio Updates vs. Software Upgrades

Silhouette Studio upgrades are not the same as Silhouette Studio updates so let's get to the bottom of it today.

 

There are some key differences when it comes to Silhouette Studio Updates vs Silhouette Studio Upgrades - the biggest is updates are free and upgrades are a one time fee.  But that's not the only difference... so read on for a better understanding.

Silhouette Studio Tool: Pre-Created Flexishapes (V4.2 Release)

In Silhouette Studio versions 4.2 and higher comes a long requested feature for more drawing shapes -  beyond circle, rectangle, and polygon!

The FlexiShapes tool has finally been unveiled in Designer Edition Plus and Business Edition. The tool gives users access to more than 60 new pre-created shapes called FlexiShapes.

Silhouette Studio Upgrade Features List: Designer Edition, Designer Edition Plus, Business Edition (Updated 2022)

I get asked all the time - is Silhouette Studio Designer Edition worth the upgrade? What features are included with Silhouette Studio Business Edition?  Does the highest upgrade include the features of the others?  Finally, I decided to put together an easy to read list of features, tutorials, and FAQs about all of the Silhouette Studio upgrades.

I can tell you - there's never been a better time or reason to upgrade straight to Silhouette Studio Business Edition.  With the release of Silhouette Studio V4.4 there are a lot of awesome features - many of them not available in the free basic Silhouette Studio version.

Trick to Use Silhouette Studio to Perfectly Place Embroidery Designs

With the power of Silhouette Studio software, you can accurately place and stitch out your embroidery and applique designs with your embroidery machine. 

This trick to add placement lines on your embroidery designs, will take all the guesswork out of lining up your embroidery machine so it stitches the design exactly where you want it!

How to Fix a Silhouette Studio Software Upgrade License Incompatible Error

If you are attempting to upgrade your Silhouette Studio software by entering a license key, but you're getting an "Incompatible Error", it's usually a pretty quick fix. 

The reason for the error is typically because you are attempting to enter a license key for a software upgrade out of order..here's how to fix this.

How to Open Embroidery Files in Silhouette Studio to Cut with CAMEO

If you own an embroidery machine and a Silhouette machine you can combine the best of both worlds!

What you need to open embroidery files in Silhouette Studio

Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Plus will open embroidery files which means you can cut fabric applique with your Silhouette CAMEO then finish the machine embroidery applique on your embroidery machine!

How to Sew for Beginners (Good Enough to Make a Fabric Mask)

There's been more interest from Silhouette crafters in learning how to sew for beginner sewers than I've seen in the last six years combined.

I did a complete start to finish beginner sewing tutorial video on Silhouette School's Facebook Live but I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it so I'm sharing here on the blog as well.

How to Get a Solid Foil Fill with Foil Quill and Silhouette

Ever since we first showed you the Foil Quill with Silhouette, I've been getting questions about how to get a solid foil fill.

Because the Foil Quill works the same way as a Silhouette blade or sketch pen it will only leave a foil outline. However, using the sketch fill options in Silhouette Studio, you can create a solid foil fill with the Foil Quill.

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Are Silhouette Studio Software Upgrades Worth It? (& 2 Day SALE!)

Since Silhouette Studio Software upgrades are on sale right now for just two more days, it's good time to answer the question I must get once a day: Are Silhouette Software Upgrades worth the money and what features do you get with Designer Edition, Designer Edition Plus, and Business Edition? 

Check out the Silhouette video below - which originally aired as a Facebook Live on Silhouette School Blog's Facebook page - to find out more about Silhouette Studio software upgrades and then pick your software upgrade before the sale ends on Thursday September 13 at midnight EST!

Open Font Special Characters in Silhouette Studio V4 (Without Designer Edition)

One of the many benefits of Silhouette Studio Designer Edition - when used with V4 - is the ability to access those font swirls and extra characters right in Silhouette Studio.

But if you don't have Designer Edition (or higher), you can still access them - it just takes a few lot more steps.

How to Make Designs Curve in Silhouette Studio: Meet the Conical Warp Tool

The Conical Warp tool is a feature introduced in Silhouette Studio V4.1 for users on Designer Edition Plus and Business Edition. It's extremely helpful when applying designs – text or graphics – on conical or curved surfaces such as tumblers, tubs, and other round objects.  

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

The tool works to warp text and graphic designs to account for a curved surface. 

Installing Silhouette Studio Designer Edition or Business Edition Software on New Computer

So you got a new computer and now you need to move your entire Silhouette Studio library onto the new computer as well as put Silhouette Studio Designer Edition or Business Edition on the new computer.

It may seem like a big job, but I recently did both and in only the matter of 20 minutes or so. Most of that time was the actual design import from my Silhouette Studio library export.

New Silhouette Machines and Software Updates and Upgrades

By now you've heard that Silhouette America will release two new machines later this year along with the ability for mobile editing in Silhouette Studio. Dozens of new Silhouette-brand products - including new cutting materials and deep cut blades - to use with the current Silhouette SD, CAMEO and Portrait machines will also be released. The details on those products are really limited but they could be out this summer.

Neither the Silhouette Curio or Mint are meant to replace the current machines. Instead, they're meant to accompany it - and because of their functions, they're especially attractive to paper crafters like our regular contributors Becky and Glenna from My Paper Craze. For that reason, I'm going to let my go-to paper experts explain more about the big news!