How can I update illustrator cs5 to version 16

[mark pilkinton]

I'm in a predicament that I can't easily control a plotter from my Mac work station with the latest Adobe suite. The plotter is 3 floors below and for years I've used a Windows rip server to print and cut with plotter software. Rip server was not online so older system's security is not an issue. My Windows system finally died and a easy way to control the plotter would be to use one of my older laptops with illustrator. I have version cs5 that I've installed from my last dvd version, but it is Illustrator version 15 and I need to do the update in order to make it version 16 which is what the plotter software requires. I've contacted Adobe and they sent a link that let me download my previous registered version, but it's the same as the dvd and only instals version 15. I did see a post that shows how to update to version 15.1 through web archives, but nothing about version 16.

I'm semi retired and don't see the benefit to invest several thousand dollars to build an up to date system just to control the plotter that's very seldom used, but hate to just say that's it...I'm officially retired. The plotter cuts vinyl and not much has changed over the years when it comes to plotters cutting vinyl letters or following a vector path. 

My laptops are mac 10.8.5 and High Sierra, but 10.8.5 seems more stable for cs5. I have Illustrator software as far back as 8.0 and even have photoshop 2.5 on floppy disk for what that's worth! The plotter is a Roland Camm 1 Pro.

any suggestions will be appreciated

[kglad]

there's no legal way to update cs5 to cs5.5 or cs6.

[mark pilkinton]

I'm not trying to jump to a version I never paid for. Only the basic updates that's available through the help menu. It did the update for photoshop after installing from dvd, but gives a error for illustrator..

[kglad]

there were never free major version updates.  minor version updates used to be available but are now unlikely.

[mark pilkinton]

Thanks...it's the minor version I'm referring too. 

[kglad]

you can try help update (which i think you have), but it's expected to fail.

[Nancy OShea]

Illustrator 16.0.1 was a CS6 update that came out in summer of 2012.  That's a very l-o-n-g time ago. 

Even if you had the CS6 disks & valid license to activate it, I don't think those 0.1 up updates are available anymore.  

Cricut Vinyl Cutting machines can be purchased new for under $150. They also cut other types of media.

https://cricut.com/en-us/cutting-machines

Just my 5 cents (the penny coin is gone).

[mark pilkinton]

Thanks Nancy and yes it was a long time ago. I was told by the adobe tech that CS5 was vesion 16, but I had a feeling he was unsure...I'm sure he gets very few calls about CS5! The Cut Studio download file states for Illustrator CS5, CS5.5 and CS6. After I did the CS5 DVD install, Illustrator looked for upates and came back with errors on the update, but opeded. At this point I'm just guessing it needs an update that will take it to version 16 like the Adobe tech said.

If the cutter was in the $150.00 range it would be an easy fix. The large format plotters/cutters I use had a starting price point of 10K back when CS5 was new. Its not in my plans this late in life to purchase a new one! Also the new cutters offer nothing new. They follow a vector path just like mine. 

Thanks again

[kglad]

illustrator cs 5 is version 15.  illustrator cs6 is version 16. 

there's never been a (free) update from cs5 to cs6.  there were (but no longer are) paid upgrades from cs5 to cs6.

[mark pilkinton]

Yes Kglad....you have posted this several times and if you read what was posted you can see. I have never ask for a free upgrade to CS6! Now I know the Adobe Tech was incorrect by stating Illustrator CS5 is version 16. Obviously the Cut Studio download for CS5 is wrong by stating my CS5 Illustrator needs to be version 16. Your first post is referring to illegal to upgrade to cs6 for free as if I'm trying to do something illegal. 

[kglad]

it's a statement of fact, not an accusation.

[mark pilkinton]

The fact is I ask about update and not upgrade. It's not my fault that Adobe tech support said Illustrator cs5 is version 16 and the cutter CS5 plugin says my CS5 version needs to be version 16. At this point nothing else needs to be said about versions vs upgrades vs updates for CS5. We now know what the issue is and I'll need to find other options to make the cutter work. It most likely going back to an old Windows setup. After dragging the cutter up 3 flights of steps and connecting to my iMac Pro running Illustrator 2026, it still will not work with Adobe Illustrator as a plug-in option. The iMac Pro sees the cutter, but Illustrator says it's not connected. I have a few more options to try, but all problems seem to point to lack of "updates" in the Cut Studio plugin. I did see a post about Cut Studio works on the 2024 version of Illustrator, but will need to see if I can find it. I've been paying the monthly subscription to Adobe for years, so hopefully there's options to install older subscription based copies. I see there's a few older versions pop up under my account, but I don't think it's back to 2024. I'm day 3 in traveling down this rabbit hole and I know there's a solution if I keep digging, but at some point I might need to put down the shovel!

[kglad]

you can install the current and one previous older version with your subscription.

[Nancy OShea]

...it needs an update that will take it to version 16 like the Adobe tech said.

By @mark pilkinton

===========

The tech you spoke to gave you bad information. Legacy apps are not in their wheelhouse.  They predate their tenure at Adobe.

CS6 was the only product with a 16.0.1 upgrade. And that ship has sailed.

Try modern Adobe Illustrator free for a 7-day trial, owe nothing if you cancel before the trial ends.

https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/free-trial-download.html

System Requirements:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/technical-requirements.html

Good luck.

[ExUSA]

Why doesn't the current version of Illustrator work? Can you just setup a new Windows print server? With the end of Windows 10 support, there are a lot of machines available used that can't run Windows 10 but might work for your needs.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Mark, you have received some good advice from Kglad, Nancy, and Exusa. I would just add a few things to the discussion:

You can use the step listed athttps://adobe.ly/4nXIudH to download a fresh copy of the installation files for Creative Suite 5. You will need to be logged in under the account you used to register the software, which is not the account you are using for this discussion, to access the files. Once the software is installed and activated, you will then need to make sure the computer is up to date enough to reach Adobe servers to complete the auto-update process. This is particularly challenging in 2025, as many computers that can run Creative Suite may not meet the minimum requirements to contact us. Information about these updates can be found at https://adobe.ly/49lYVwT.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, only the current and previous versions of our applications are available for download with an individual Creative Cloud subscription. You can continue to use older applications, but please note that they may become unavailable for download in the future. You can find more information on this topic at https://adobe.ly/3K9dHg7. ^JW

[mark pilkinton]

Why doesn't the current version of Illustrator work? No clue other than the cutter is old and apparently the cut studio plug-in that is stated to work with illustrator 2020 has an issue with any of the later illustrator downloads. The plugin shows a consistent one star rating with most complaints stating will not work with latest Illustrator. Now that I've made the effort to clear a spot for the cutter and drag it up three flights of steps so it's next to my iMac Pro, I think the best option is to make it work with latest version of Illustrator as opposed to building another windows, print servers. There are some third party software options that might work. As I said in my OP, I'm semi retired and dont plan to sink much money into cutting vinyl.

thanks for your suggestions 

[ExUSA]

Its possible that the compatibility issue is 32-bit vs 64-bit, and the plugin was never updated.

I would imagine that any third-party software would at least work with PDF files and possibly SVG. Maybe try Inkscape as a test to see if that has support?

The Roland software looks awfully old...

https://www.rolanddga.com/products/software/roland-cutstudio-software

https://www.rolanddga.com/support/products/cutting