NBP Retouch Tools: Software Updates & Upgrades Policy

An update improves or maintains an existing version of a product and is free. An upgrade moves a product to a new major version and is offered to existing owners at a discounted upgrade price.

At NBP Retouch Tools, these terms have specific meanings:

Updates are free. Bug fixes, performance improvements, compatibility adjustments, and minor feature additions within the same major version are provided at no additional charge.

Upgrades are discounted for existing owners. When a new major version is released, customers who own the qualifying previous version can purchase the new version at a reduced upgrade price, rather than paying the full retail price.

New purchases are full price. Customers who do not own a qualifying previous version purchase the new product at its advertised retail price, subject to any current promotions.

Purchasing an NBP product includes free updates within that major version. It does not include free upgrades to future major versions.

1. Free product updates

Customers receive updates to their purchased major version at no additional charge, when those updates are released.

Updates may include bug fixes, stability improvements, performance enhancements, compatibility adjustments, and minor feature additions.

For example, purchasing CMX3 version 3.0 includes subsequent CMX3 updates such as 3.1, 3.2, or 3.5, when available.

Updates are released as needed. 

2. Discounted major version upgrades

A major version upgrade represents a new generation of an existing product, often involving significant new functionality, substantial redevelopment, or major changes to the software.

Existing owners of a qualifying previous version receive discounted upgrade pricing when purchasing the next major version.

For example:

A CMX3 owner will be eligible for discounted upgrade pricing when CMX4 is released.

An FC4 owner will be eligible for discounted upgrade pricing when FC5 is released.

Customers purchasing CMX4 or FC5 without qualifying previous ownership will pay the applicable retail price.

Upgrade discounts and eligibility requirements will be announced when each new major version is released.

Discounted does not mean free, to be clear. Each major version is a separate purchase, including for existing customers.

Purchasing version 3 does not provide automatic ownership of version 4, version 5, or any subsequent major version.

3. Special 2026 complimentary upgrades

In 2026, NBP Retouch Tools made a few exceptional, one-time decisions:

Previous CMX2 owners were offered CMX3 free of charge.

Previous FC3 owners were offered FC4 free of charge.

These complimentary upgrades were goodwill gestures associated with the introduction of our newly developed Photoshop panels.

These exceptions apply exclusively to the above-mentioned panels. They do not extend to future major versions.

Specifically:

CMX2 owners who received CMX3 for free will pay the applicable discounted upgrade price for CMX4.

FC3 owners who received FC4 for free will pay the applicable discounted upgrade price for FC5.

Receiving a complimentary upgrade does not establish lifetime access to future major versions.

The complimentary upgrades offered in 2026 were one-time exceptions. Future major version upgrades will be paid releases, with discounted pricing for qualifying existing owners.

Customers who received upgrades through these offers are eligible for free updates within those respective major versions, but not free upgrades to subsequent major versions.

4. Purchase verification and upgrade eligibility

Discounted upgrades and special offers may require verification of a qualifying previous purchase.

Acceptable verification may include an original order number, purchase receipt, order confirmation, or the email address associated with the purchase.

Purchases through authorized third-party resellers may qualify, subject to verification and the terms of the applicable offer.

Owning one NBP product does not automatically qualify a customer for discounts or complimentary access to unrelated products.

5. Policy and future releases

NBP Retouch Tools will continue maintaining its existing software products and developing new major versions as appropriate.

Free updates apply within a purchased major version. Future major upgrades will be paid releases, with discounted pricing for eligible existing customers.

NBP Retouch Tools reserves the right to revise this policy as needed. Product-specific terms provided at the time of purchase will remain applicable to that purchase.

For questions about updates, upgrades, or purchase eligibility, please contact NBP Retouch Tools through our website.