10 Reasons NOT to Upgrade to Storybook Creator 4.0
I was eagerly anticipating the release of Creative Memories Storybook Creator 4.0 the moment I heard its announcement. I have loved Storybook Creator 3.0 since I began using it and consider myself a “power user”. While 3.0 is a fantastic program, it does have some areas which could be improved. I made the assumption 4.0 would address these shortcomings as well as add additional cool features. Well, I was wrong. Once I installed 4.0 I realized it was actually a huge step backwards from version 3.0.
Here are 10 reasons NOT to upgrade to Storybook Creator 4.0:
- Saving a page takes TWICE as long. I had seen the Creative Memories introduction video and it talked about how page saving was improved in 4.0. After using the software for over 5 hours and becoming frustrated with page saving, I finally decided to do a side-by-side test. My test was on the same computer and in the same page of the same project. I applied a simple text edit to the page by changing the spelling of a word and then saved the page. The results? In Storybook Creator 3.0 it took 7 seconds to save the page. In 4.0 it took 13 seconds. That’s nearly twice as long! How can this be considered an improvement?
It takes nearly TWICE as long to perform basic functions. Using 4.0 seems to require an awful lot of clicking. There is a never-ending parade of pop-up menus and windows. Everything is much more complex. Time for another side-by-side test. This time I decided to place a simple black square on a page in both 3.0 and 4.0 and I counted my mouse clicks as I did so. The results? In Storybook Creator 3.0 it took 8 clicks to make my black square. In 4.0 it took 14 clicks. Not quite twice as long, and definitely not an improvement. To be fair, once I created my black square in 4.0, the software remembered many of my selections so putting black square #2 on my page “only” required 11 clicks. Dreadful performance for an upgrade!- EVERYTHING placed on a page defaults to having the aspect ratio unlocked. Normally, when I work on a project I simply drag and drop photos and elements onto my page. Then I resize these to my tastes by dragging the little corner handles. When the aspect ratio is defaulted to “unlocked” everything begins to look askew or stretched as I resize. Now, when working in 4.0 I need to drag everything I think I might need onto the page and do a “select all” to set all items to a “locked” aspect ratio. Yuck!
- The program operates less efficiently on your computer. In the Creative Memories YouTube video it talked about the improved tabbed workspace. While this is a nice feature, it isn’t much different from 3.0. In 3.0 I could access other open projects via the home button. I am using Windows 7 and with 4.0 there are actually new instances of the software being opened for each project! So the tabs aren’t really doing anything other than switching between open windows. This is an inefficient way of managing system resources.
- The pages view in the right side well is less efficient. With 4.0, an image of my project’s cover is continually floating at the top of the view. This is locked here so as I scroll through my pages I can always see the cover. First of all, I don’t need to see my cover that often. I know what it looks like, and I often don’t design it until the project is nearly complete. Second of all, having the cover up there all the time reduces the number of pages I can see at one time. Definitely a step in the wrong direction!
- “Shadow” and “Glow” buttons are no longer functional. What I mean is these commands are no longer buttons – they only function as drop-down menus. With 3.0 I can set my shadow or glow and then the button is set to that preference. To apply a shadow or glow I simply click on the button. In 4.0 the “button” only produces a drop-down menu requiring me to make a selection from all the shadows and glows available. More clicks.
- The backgrounds of all the pages in my project default to being “locked”. In 3.0, once I found the perfect paper to use as a page background, I could use the drop-down menu to “set as background” and the paper would automatically fill my page. In 4.0, if I do this I get an error message saying the background is locked and I must first unlock the background before I can complete the command. So again an extra click has been added to my workflow. I must always unlock the page background before starting. Why would I want my background locked in the first place?
- A few buttons are a bit too stylish. Creative Memories was right on when they decided to give a fresher look to the colors and appearance of the software. Many of the buttons now have a nice blue and green look that is indeed nice. However, on the “Arrange” ribbon some of these buttons have become just a bit too stylized. It is harder to see at a glance which button is which because all of the arrange buttons are so similar. Trying to see where the tiny dotted line is on the button is slightly difficult. I have to either look carefully or rely more heavily on tool tips. Not a huge deal, but still not an improvement for an upgrade.
The right side well no longer shows a two page layout, two photos, or two content pieces. The good news is the side well has two choices for viewing. You can expand it out to view four items side-by-side, or if you want more workspace you can collapse it down to show just a single item. The bad news in 4.0 is you can no longer have the standard two page layout view that is the default in 3.0. While it is nice to have these two new options, I don’t understand why they could not have offered all 3 views as options.- The color-coordinating feature isn’t for everyone. A new feature in 4.0 is the color-coordinating feature. This allows you to change the look of your entire page easily. You can select a photo or element to coordinate and voila! Instant beauty! However, there are limits to the functionality of this feature. It works really well with pre-designed pages or other layouts that rely entirely on content. However, if you have any elements on a page you have created yourself, it will not color-coordinate these items. An example would be if you put a solid color mat around your photos – the mat color will not change with the color-coordination tool. This seemed a bit limiting to me and I was disappointed it didn’t transform any page.
So there you have it. You can tell I’m not happy with the 4.0 upgrade. I don’t see any of the features as justifying the price of an upgrade. If anything, the “upgrade” seems like a step backwards for Creative Memories. So I would advise any users of 3.0 not to upgrade.
However, I still believe the Storybook Creator product is an excellent product and I would encourage any folks new to digi-scrapping to buy the software. If you haven’t used 3.0 in the past, 4.0 will still be an easy-to-use software program for digi-scrapping. But, if you are a 3.0 user, I suspect you will be disappointed in the upgrade.
Have you upgraded? Did you experience the same disappointments as I did? Perhaps you really enjoy the new features of 4.0? Either way, we would love to hear from you. Make a comment here to join in the dialog.
That’s funny. I LOVE the new Upgrade and I have not had one of the problems you are experiencing. Actually, I find the software faster and more intiutive. I think one of the problems is that most of us have been using SBC now for 5 years and we have gotten used to it and now we are having to make major changes. My new digital customers who have never used SBC3 find it wonderful and easy to navigate. I just love that when you click on the content you get EVERYTHING popping up in a new window so you can choose more quickly and see all elements at a glance. Wow, that is wonderful. My computer has lots of memory and can accommodate this fast software and I am glad I have high speed internet and all the newest programs. Maybe that helps. My pages save instantly! I find navigating faster. I don’t mind that I have to hold down the shift key to lock the aspect ratio – not really another step just the opposite of SBC3 where you have to hold down the shift key to unlock the aspect ratio. No big deal for me. I love having my cover available to me without having to change view to see it! Backgrounds have always been locked so I am not sure what the problem is there. I love the new color coordinating feature. I still have my two page view so I am not sure what is the problem there. I love that all of my recent projects show at the bottom of the home screen. I just LOVE Storybook 4.0 and I have been a Storybook user since day one all the way back to Storybook 1. Watch the 14 tutorials posted on youtube and get a feel for the software before you download it so you will be expecting all of the changes in the look and feel of this super software….Enjoy, Scrappin’ Sue – Digital Diva
Sue,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post! I can tell you put some thought into it and I appreciate it. I too, am curious about the different experiences we are having with 4.0.
My computer is about 1 year old and running Windows 7 and everything is up-to-date. So I don’t think my computer is affecting performance. Do your pages really save instantly? If you are willing to perform the same test I did in point #1, I would be very curious to learn your results. Also, have you found any tasks where the number of clicks is fewer?
I find all of your comments to be really astonishing. I am a CM consultant and have customers who downloaded the program and wouldn’t start using it because of your comments. I am telling them how easy it is and how many cool features there are and as soon as they started to try it they agree it is so much easier. As with any thing new there is always a learning curve and I don’t feel this will be any huge challenge. I too have been a Storybook user since it came out in 2007 and have been self-taught along with picking up tips thru webinars and Pixels 2 Pages was always a great training tool. I continued right where I was in 3.0 and have watched the tutorials just for my information. Probably one of the best features is you can choose to work in Basic or Advanced and not be overwhelmed by too much.
As I have always heard there are many ways to perform the same function and you’ll always pick up tricks along the way. It shouldn’t take any one 14 clicks to make a simple black square. Change is always hard but I hope you will continue to work in 4.0 and enjoy the things we have always loved about the program and learn the new cool features. For better or worse technology has changed our world. Happy Scrapping.
J. Boles,
Thank you for your comment! I am glad your clients are enjoying their 4.0 experience. I am continuing to work in 4.0 and have logged many hours in it since my original post. I still find it slow and clunky compared to 3.0. I hope to grow to love it but I still feel change shouldn’t be this hard. I agree we all resist change but for the Creative Memories target customer, I think they should make change seamless and easy.
By the way, did you try creating a black square? How many clicks does it take you?
Wow! I just spent 20 minutes writing a reply, only to have it disappear because i didn’t see the recaptcha requirement! (Probably should move the Submit Comment button BELOW the captcha requirment (just some friendly advice).
My reply, in sum: 4.0 does not process as well as 3.0 did. It stops responding, practically after each command I give it. Do love the new features, though. I wouldn’t upgrade if you are trying to finish a project, in case you run into the same issue I am.
Moochie,
Sorry you had difficulties with our submit and captcha layout. We are currently looking into how to fix that problem. In case that happens here or elsewhere to you in the future, sometimes hitting the back button on your browser’s navigation will bring you back to your original typing. It’s worth a try when you spend a lot of time crafting a post! In any case, we appreciate your feedback!
I agree about not upgrading while in mid-project. I have had problems with a few random pages not working properly after converting them to 4.0.
I will say I am pleased with Creative Memories’ response to some of the issues in 4.0. I have seen updates coming through and all are improving or fixing issues with the software.
Are there any features you are particularly pleased with?
I totally agree. It is slow and bulky. I hate the aspect ratio and how on color and shadow and glow you can’t just set and click for the whole page… Wish I would have read this 5 days ago.
Courtney,
So sorry you didn’t find my article just a bit sooner. The bright side is I have noticed Creative Memories is making efforts on updates and bug fixes. I have put countless hours into 4.0 now and am getting more used to it. However, the aspect ratio issue is still something I cannot adjust to. I hope to see Creative Memories fix that issue soon! Just today I noticed that I can lock the aspect ratio on an embellishment, but if I use the cutting tool on the embellishment it goes back to being unlocked. UGH!
I agree with everything you said and MORE. I ordered a storybook as a Christmas gift several days before the deadline. Yesterday I received a message telling me there was a problem with my storybook upload and my order was cancelled. Okay, so I won’t have that Christmas gift. But even worse, they sent this:
We ask that you please do the following:
1) Download the latest StoryBook Creator 4.0 update. The update and instructions are found on this webpage: http://www.creativememories.com/Content/Help/HelpZone-SBC4-Update.aspx.
2) Create a new project and import each page from your old project into your new project.
a. From each page of the new project, click on ‘change template’ > from my computer
b. A warning may come up saying that the process cannot be undone, click OK.
c. The next screen will be a system browsing window, locate your project.
§ Windows Xp Default -> Local Disk C:\ -> Documents and Settings -> Users -> My Documents
§ Windows Vista / 7 Default -> Local Disk C:\ -> Users -> [user name or owner] -> Documents -> Storybook Projects
d. Click on the appropriate page you want to import.
e. Repeat these steps for each page of your project.
Seriously???? I also used a coupon code to purchase the book which expires the end of this month. I don’t have the time to redo all of this before then. I’ve requested CM make this right. If they don’t, I’m DONE with this company.
Krista,
Ugh! I feel for you! You are justified to be upset. I just saw a posting from CM about problems printing 8×8 and 8×12 books plus 12×18 calendars. I wonder if your project was one of these? I recently had a problem uploading an 8×8 book I had created in 4.0. Rather than trying to figure out the problem (I received an incomprehensible error message), I just saved the project as a 3.0 project and placed my order through 3.0.
Everyone,
The other posting I just noticed from CM is in regards to memory errors when working in 4.0. This isn’t something I have experienced — has anyone else? If so, CM has some tips available to help: http://downloads.creativememories.com/SBC4.0/SBC4_Improve_Performance_Suggestions.pdf
This is one more reason why I feel 4.0 just isn’t ready for prime-time just yet!
I use Storybook 3.0 and am quite happy with it. I know several people who are creating pages in SB3, and then saving the each page as a pdf or jpg to upload to other sites to produce much less expensive books. Does SB4 still allow you to save jpgs and pdfs of your pages?
Yes, SBC4 still allows you to create .jpgs and .pdfs of your creations.
I am very unhappy with the page saving capabilities this software was supposed to have. I watched the tutorial which said it’s possible to navigate from page to page without saving. Also, my consultant told me I could work on both pages in the two page view, without saving pages. None of this works for me.
And it is extremely slow. I have a new computer with all the bells and whistles. It’s not my computer. CM knows they are having problems with slow software, they have a spot on the opening page of the software with suggestions to improve performance. None of these do anything to improve the lag time in moving items around on a page, or the delay in being able to move from one action to another.
I’ve already asked my consultant for a refund.
Let us know how that refund request turns out! Software is notorious for being impossible to return. I am curious how CM will handle this.
I have just “up graded” to 4.0. I have not started any projects & already I hate it. None of my “contents” flowed over to 4.0
My consultant said when I was uploading the program, it should have asked me. I did not see that question, nor was it mentioned in the instruction booklet. So therefore all the stuff I have paid for plus the things that came with 3.0 did not seem to have carried over to 4.0 . I did find in a drop down menu that 4.0 will import all of my stuff with “keywords”. Does that mean I have to assign a keyword to each of my contents??? that will take some time. I am Pissed. Not happy at all. I thought this was a upgrade!!! And now I have 3.0 & 4.0 on my desktop. I will ask my consultant to work with me. And investigate the problem. But I should not have to spend so much time to get an upgrade to work. I loved 3.0 & could not wait to use 4.0. What a disappointment!
Hi! I just found you today, searching for info on how to work on a 2 page layout, like Cindy mentioned in the comments. Still haven’t figured out if that’s possible.
Anyway, I totally agree with *all* of your points about the S-L-O-W-N-E-S-S of 4.0! (Except #9, I can see 2 items across like you show in your image; my complaint is that to change content folders, it opens a new window and I have to scroll around looking for the kit I might want, again with the additional clicks!).
As for changing a project midstream from 3.0 to 4.0, I learned that lesson when trying to finish two 2011 books within the January sale frame. I pulled one project in, then realized I couldn’t find my embellishments and it was going to take a while to learn the software, so the other project I just finished in 3.0.
I am going to stick with the 4.0 since I’ve got it, but I hope I don’t have to call HQ every time I have a question. Why is it that there are no blogs or newsletters with tips and tricks and ideas for SBC the way there are for Photoshop? I find the CM blog rather limiting and I really don’t want to shell out $30/month for Pixels 2 Pages, just to learn the software that I purchased. Will your blog be sharing more tips on SBC4?
Thanks for letting me vent! Nice to have someone who knows what I”m talking about! Best ~ Christine
I found your site this morning while in frustration as it took 30 seconds for each new photo to be added to a page and I was trying to figure out if I could go back to version 3.
Then I downloaded the update that was released yesterday and I’m much happier. It might not help with the extra clicks and such, but if it will at least decrease my wait time in between adding elements, I’ll be less inclined to throw the computer out the window.
Thanks for your post so I at least I knew I wasn’t the only one with a few issues with the upgrade.
I completely agree! And, I only worked with it for about 10 to 15 minutes when I first upgraded to figure out it was NOT a better version! The upgrade saved as a separate icon on my desktop leaving my SBC3 icon still available and that is what I’ve been using instead. SBC4 would bog down my system to where I would have to W-A-I-T and wait some more even for simple things like drag and drop of elements on my workspace. Who has TIME for that?
My hard drive just crashed 3 days ago. I replaced it and have spent 2 days re-installing everything. I got to the SBC software and it will NOT take my serial code now. I called CM’s customer support. I sat and WAITED for 40+minutes before a person finally came on the line to help me. After going through everything with them, they told me my SBC3 code was used for upgrading to 4 and now they couldn’t unlock 3 for me. I just have to use 4. (WHAT?!) I said I got an entirely DIFFERENT code from you to open SBC4, which should have left my SBC3 code available to use for that version. He explained that the SBC3 “code” is the SERIAL NUMBER, which was still being used to run SBC4. But, for me to get in and USE SBC4 they sent me an ACTIVATION code. So, if you take them up on their savings deal of upgrading for $10 or $15 you LOSE your privilege of EVER using the code that goes with the box it is on!!!!!
I have used SBC since it was first released in September of 2007 and I CANNOT believe that even though I have 2, 3 and 4 I can’t use whichever one I need to. I have submitted an email to customer service to see if a new serial number can be generated as I HAVE purchased enough “rights” to use the product and should be able to choose which version suits me and my computer system best. We’ll see how that goes….not holding my breath though! =(
Wow! So many frustrated people! I do agree with all of you and your frustrations. I will admit though that by forcing myself to use SBC 4.0 exclusively, I am getting a bit used to it. But I still don’t think this was worthy of an upgrade. Based on the recent news about CM not supporting the Mac version, it looks like they are going through some rough times right now. I guess for those of us who have been with CM for a long time will just need to keep the faith that improvements will be made and we will once again be able to be proud of their digital product.
Keep on scrapping!
I was a Mac user and have been forced to partition my MacBook Pro to even be able to use the CM product. The only product available for purchase is 4.0. I am pretty unhappy with the functions compared to Mac. I thought they had upgraded the StoryBook Creator to compare more to the SBC Studio. They haven’t! There were so many more functions on SBC that were so easy to use. I don’t get why they can’t implement these changes in StoryBook Creator! The main one that I miss is being able to adjust a picture in a shape!
Thanks so much for the review. I was trying to find out if upgrading my Storybook 3.0 to 4.0 was really worth it. I originally paid for v2.0, paid for the upgrade to 3.0, and now as I understand it, if i wanted to go to v4.0 I would have to pay the full price for Storybook 4.0.
I think Storybook 3.0 is fine – I never found it difficult to work with(so I fail to see how 4.0 which is touted as being more intuitive would benefit me) and I think 3.0 already takes long enough to load and save. For now, I will stick with Storybook 3.0 and wait for a REAL upgrade worth paying for.