Paul,

It depends on your maintenance end date.  It looks like the ‘born on’ date for v29 may be March 1st 2026 (that has been used for the beta programme – I can’t be sure if it may alter for the full release).

If your maintenance end date is later than the ‘born on’ date for v29, then yes you are entitled to install and use it.

As an aside, many of those on the current extended trial from the magazine will also be able to update to v29, when the final release becomes available.

For Atom3D, v29 will include some bug fixes, but the major obvious change is a significant user interface update (rather than any new tolls/functions).  This is designed to be simpler to use – but any change does require a familiarisation period – so look at the v29 release notes to decide how urgently or otherwise you want to update.

You can run v28 and v29 ‘side-by-side’ but file edited or created in v29 will not open in v28.

FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT – v29 has not yet been released, the beta test programme is ongoing.

That price for Expert sounds ‘too good to be true’ – check carefully.

You can always choose to upgrade later if you feel some higher level tools would be of benefit, after you have built more experience.  OR you might be able to do all that you need in Atom3D.

Hello Mr Jupp,

Do you have a firm release date for V29 yet please?

Thanks,

Phil

And the aimed for release date is today. Not quite there yet, but the sun is barely over the yardarm in TX. 😀

Thanks for the updates Messrs Jupp & Rand.  I hadn’t realised that my question was so-well timed having been unable to find relevant info’ on ‘the net’.

Thank you also for the update John.

It would certainly be interesting to read of ‘real-life’ hobby user’s experiences with and thoughts about the new GUI, even if very brief, rather than the somewhat breathless ‘professional’ presentations at present available on youtube.

Phil

On 28 May 2026 at 08:14 JasonB Said:

 

I would go so far as suggesting you do not overwrite V28 then you have the option to go back to that at any time.

I would concur, Jason.  I ticked the option to install alongside my version 28, at least until I’m happy with the new installation.

John