Based on extensive feedback received over many years, Astute Graphics changed over to the Annual Service Plan on 14 September 2019.
From further feedback, it became clear that this was confusing and customers didn’t see any benefit in keeping plugins which would likely lose compatibility in a short time. We therefore decided to make it simpler by switching to a full “12 month Subscription” in name and operation. This began on 3 September 2020. From that date onwards, all new purchases involve a one-off initial fee that provides access to the full suite of tools & plugins, plus a year of updates and enhancements. When that year ends, the subscription requires renewing to continue using the plugins.
Benefits of the subscription
All customers receive access to every current Astute Graphics plugin for Adobe Illustrator.
Automatic access to all new updates, upgrades, added compatibility, training and support for 12 months.
Greater cost planning and value for money with just one annual payment.
With significant time savings, our plugins pay for themselves very quickly. This benefit is available for individual customers and teams.
Workflow focused
Whilst in the past we sold plugins individually, with the 12 month subscription there are no restrictions on the incredible creative possibilities and time-savings available due to missing plugins in your toolbox.
Customers get the most from our tools when they are all used seamlessly together, as part of an integrated workflow. The 12 month subscription provides all tools, demonstrating the tools as we always intended them to be used in the real world.
Keeping up with changes
One of the largest uncertainties experienced by those using technology is the frequency of releases. With some operating systems and Adobe releases causing breaking changes, it has always been a difficult task to ensure you’re up-to-date and compatible.
Astute Graphics also has a long and proven track-record of producing regular new product releases or major existing product upgrades. The news of these paid-for releases could not be made in advance.
Both situations have always left questions of cost in a customer’s mind. What’s the best time to buy into the plugins? When will the next breaking change take place?
With the subscription, signed-up customers benefit from not only all compatibility releases, but also compatibility with every new and major Adobe Illustrator release. With an average paid-for release rate of 3 plugins a year since 2012, the 12 month subscription means that both costs and anxiety are reduced for all customers!
Get up-and-running quickly
The new Astute Manager was released in 2019 with vast improvements and simplification of experience, from ease of purchase and installation to activation. 3 September 2020 saw the release of Astute Manager v2 ensuring that the installation and maintenance of our plugins is as slick as possible. This was then further improved with the 2022 release of Astute Manager v3.
So, Astute Graphics plugins are now a full 12 month subscription service?
Yes, and we’ll prove to you that there are huge benefits in signing-up for another year, from the exciting new tools, training material and support to continued use with Adobe’s latest Creative Cloud releases.
You’re likely to make your money back in the first few days through time savings. Take our Free 7 day trial to find out, the trial includes 4 free plugins that you get to keep after the trial has ended.
We're certain that you will love what you find however, we understand that sometimes it’s just not meant to be. If you decide you want to return your plugins up to 7 days after buying, let us know, and we’ll give you a full refund, no questions asked.
Existing customers – we have you covered
With tens-of-thousands of loyal customers and well over 100,000 users, we want to ensure you’re looked after.
Legacy Customers
If you purchased before 14 September 2019 you are a legacy customer. As we have priced our subscription to be the cost equivalent of what previously bought you 2 or 3 plugins, the vast majority of legacy customers will benefit from gaining access to all tools rather than a restricted set. With our old licensing structure we typically released 2-3 major upgrades per year which (if purchasing all 3) could cost anything between $100 and $190. With our new service, you receive ALL licenses and upgrades for 1 year.
In the meantime, if you are already using previously-purchased plugins from us and you don't want to move to the subscription, they will continue to work as they have always done. While these legacy licenses will no longer be updated, and may not be compatible with future operating system or Adobe Illustrator releases, their licenses remain valid and available for Adobe Illustrator CS6 to Illustrator 2019 on both Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 and macOS 10.10 through 10.14. Please see our advice on reinstalling.
If you are experiencing any issues locating your license keys, please contact us quoting any known email addresses to which your plugin(s) are currently registered.
Grandfathered Customers
If you purchased between 14 September 2019 and 3 September 2020 then you are a Grandfathered customer covered by the original Annual Service Plan terms of agreement at the time of purchase. If you are one of these customers then if you choose not continue with the subscription, when your 12 months come to an end, you’ll stop receiving minor updates and you’ll also stop receiving new releases and upgrades to the latest versions. As promised however, you will still be able to continue using, installing and reinstalling the plugins you have paid for.
As newer versions of Illustrator and MacOS are released, you may find that you need to purchase again in order to ensure continued compatibility - crucially though, as promised, your access won’t be switched off immediately at the end of your 12 months. If/when you choose to move to the subscription, the current subscription service terms will then apply.
All other existing Customers
Plugins purchased from 3 September 2020 are purchased as part of the subscription service, customers pay a one off annual fee for 12 months of access to all plugins. At the end of the 12 months, access to plugins expires and it will be necessary to purchase again to continue use.
Take our Free 7 day trial to find out if the subscription is for you.