Hey out there in Sonar Nation,
 
Ive got a singer song writer friend just wanting to do some simple recording, (Guitar /vocals) and was thinking to suggest starting with Sonar Home Studio, but cant find any detailed documentation online to determine some details,
Is there anywhere to access user manuals?
My main query at this time would be if project files are directly compatible with Sonar Platinum, i.e., can Home Studio Project files be loaded into Sonar Platinum? (or possibly vise versa).
Also can it be upgraded to a higher version of Sonar in future? (with some kind of price break).
 
(PS. He bought a small 2 channel Presonus interface that came with Studio One Artist, was helping him set it up, while somewhat easy to select a simple 2 channel recording template, beyond that I found Studio One to be a somewhat more awkward user interface to use than Sonar's, particularly for a beginner. )
 
 
Cheers
John
 

SONAR Home Studio/Artist/Professional and Platinum use the same manual http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR&language=3&help=toc.html. I am not sure if Home Studio and Artist can open projects containing patch points and aux tracks. If you use them, it might be worthwhile to test. Aside from that and the missing ProChannel, a few plug-in locked to Platinum and Home Studio track and plug-in limits, projects should be sharable between Platinum and Home Studio.
 
WRT upgrading Home Studio, from http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3573984

Upgrading SONAR to a more advanced edition

Starting May 1, 2017, if you want to upgrade your copy of SONAR to a more advanced edition, you simply pay the difference in the current price.

• If you own SONAR Home Studio, upgrade to SONAR Artist, Professional or Platinum for $49.99 off the regular price.

Hey John, im afraid the manual situation for Home studio is a bit of a mess.
I believe they have combined it with sonar Platinum. not the first time either,
In the past I remember they combined Sonar X1 essentials, Studio and Producer in the same manual
which made it a little confusing as well.
 
Maybe others can make a suggestion but once he downloads the software a manual will be available through CCC.
However I believe that manual is the same one that comes with Platinum

K thanks, Scook and Chuck,
 
So Home Studio could save as a bundle file that I could open in Sonar PLT?

I use Home Studio so speak first hand. 
It works the same as the big 3 but is stripped down somewhat. Go to the compare versions in the Cakewalk store to see what is not included. 
It certainly opens any CWP file I created in Splat but can't speak of Bundle files as I avoid them.  I would just use per project folders and CWP. 
For what I do with it, making midi backing tracks it's all I need. I could certainly write songs and make good demos too. 
If your friend is planning on recording audio make sure they also purchase an audio interface.