Upgrade from version 3xxx to 4xxx

[Bladerunner]

Hello, I still work with version 3 build 3702.
Can I easy upgrade to version 4xxx?
I have a huge number of songs, racks and so in version 3. Can I use them further in version 4xxx?
Or do I have to build again all the songs, song states, racks, bindings, routings and so on?

[cpaolo]

You can have both v3 and v4 at the same time. However, files saved in v4 can’t be opened in v3.

The update is automatic. Back up all your working files before upgrade. Files are located in:
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Topten Software\Cantabile 3.0 (x64)\
Replace YourName with your account profile name.

The AppData folder may be hidden. The locale version of Windows uses a translated Users folder name.
Migration is usually seamless. Take a look at this thread.

@Bladerunner

I have a huge number of songs, racks and so in version 3. Can I use them further in version 4xxx?

Yes.

@Bladerunner

Or do I have to build again all the songs, song states, racks, bindings, routings and so on?

You shouldn’t. When v4 was released, I upgraded without needing to change any of my projects, including songs, racks, states, bindings…

[Bladerunner]

@cpaolo
Thank you very much!
This sounds good

[cdv_gabriel]

@Bladerunner,

be aware that the binding system has changed in version 4100. This is what produces the file format incompatibility with previous versions. However, when you load a file using the old format into C4 >4100, a backup should be automatically created. I will paste down below an excerpt from this thread:

New Bindings System Available Now (build 4100)

It’s finally here! I’ve just put up Cantabile build 4100 which includes the new bindings implementation. I started work on this almost a year ago thinking it would take a couple of weeks - turns out it was a much bigger job than anticipated (and there were some distractions along the way). In any case a first experimental build is now available! So what’s changed? New UI The biggest difference you’ll notice is the UI has changed. Rather than bindings being edited in a single slot, with var…

Excerpt:

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Updating

When you load a song or rack file from an older build, Cantabile will automatically upgrade and convert all existing bindings to the new system. Your old song and rack files should continue to work in the new build as before.

IMPORTANT: Any song or rack files saved by this build, either by explicitly saving or automatic saving of racks will not load in previous builds. Before using this build, please back up your current song and rack files.

If you need to go back to an earlier build, you’ll need your old song and rack files.

(Actually, Cantabile will automatically save a backup copy of any song/rack before it overwrites it with a .pre4100 extension appended… but don’t rely on this and it’s better to be safe than sorry).

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Gabriel

[Bladerunner]

@cdv_gabriel
Thank you very much for the additional information!

[brad]

@Bladerunner

Can I easy upgrade to version 4xxx?

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: yes, but back up everything first in case you need to go back to previous build.

Explainer: Cantabile’s file formats are forward compatible, meaning newer versions can always open files created by older versions. But the reverse is not necessarily true. Often it will work as the file format doesn’t change that often. When the file format has changed, the older version will load what it recognizes and ignore the rest. With big updates like the new binding system, Cantabile will warn you and recommend making backups.