mkc

I caved and also bought BlockBase+ today. I haven't used the older versions, but this one certainly seems user-friendly.

I recall EQ8 being a major improvement/upgrade over EQ7, so that could explain why the new BlockBase+ is not backwards compatible. The underlying engine in EQ8 is completely different than EQ7, so they would have had to basically create 2 versions of BlockBase+ to have it be compatible with the older, techically out-of-date, version of Electric Quilt.

thepolyparrot

Ah, that makes complete sense.

The thing I most use Block Base for is when someone asks, "What block is this?" and between BB and the Brackman, I can usually find it.

But, this new version, I have already used to design a quilt and I can see me using it a lot more for that, in the future. It's been fun, just dinkin' around with it.

Tartan

FYI-There is a review on Bonnie Hunter’s Quiltville site today March 22 on the new Blockbase.

TeresaA

One more thank you to everyone for information, insights and perspectives. I'm still on the fence. If I had EQ8, the decision would be easier. Or if I DIDN'T have old Blockbase, ha. The SVG export looks more convenient with Blockbase. Decisions, decisions. ;-).

SuzSLO

For those on a Mac, I noted that Blockbase runs on the most recent MacOS software (Big Sur) on either an Intel or M1 chip. This is notable because EQ8 does not run (well) on the M1 chip.

TeresaA

Question for those who already have the new Blockbase.
Can you export blocks for EQ7?
I worry that I'll get Blockbase and won't be able to use the blocks with EQ unless I upgrade to EQ8. I know I can link Blockbase to EQ8, but I'm hoping that is merely a convenience and I can still do the export from Blockbase, import to EQ7 that I know I could do with old Blockbase.

mkc

Linking BlockBase+ with EQ8 Software

"Linking BlockBase+ to EQ8

The BlockBase+ blocks can be linked to the EQ8 Block Library so that you can use the blocks in EQ8 to design quilts. BlockBase+ does not work with earlier versions of EQ."

TeresaA

The only problem with this approach is I don't have EQ8 and have no current plans to upgrade, at least for awhile. But thanks! I was asking if I could export from Blockbase and import into EQ7 (like I could with old original Blockbase)

TeresaA

I spoke with the Electric Quilt people. You cannot export project files from Blockbase+, so EQ8 is needed in order to incorporate blocks from Blockbase+ (new version) into Electric Quilt.

With the old program, I can save each block as a project and open it in EQ7. So I'll stick with that instead of upgrading.

Just writing out my final resolution for posterity, in case someone else has a question about it.

mkc

That's why I bolded the part that said it was not compatible with versions of EQ prior to 8