SCAL general questions - looking to purchase

[cme]

Hello all,

Let me apoligize for the long post up front. Wondering if you can assist a husband here trying to help out his wife with a cutting tool. I had been looking at the Wishblade or the Craft Robo as an option, since they could cut shapes, dingbats, text, and custom cut pictures. The one reason I had not looked at the Cricut was because you had to purchase the cartridges, and after you bought a bunch of them to compete with the other hardware, the cost seemed more. Then I found Sure Cuts a Lot. So, before looking into this option, just wanted to make sure...

So if I understand correctly, this is a stand alone program that can use the Cricut to cut all of the items mentioned above, except for the user-defined cutting area (like cutting out a picture). And using Inkscape, you can create welded text which everyone loves.

How simple is the processes for creating what text to cut? Pre done dingbats? And I saw something that you can take shapes from just about anywhere and create dingbats to import - how easy is this? Are there any other special things that can be done that I did not mention (like those cool butterflys and that baby book) My wife is an average user, and just asks me whenever she needs assistance.

I saw that there were some tutorials on how to create svg files (which I'm thinking are those pictures people create that can be cut). Are there other posted tutorials? A suggestion - if so, you should either sticky those at the top of the forumns or give them their own category).

This seems like it would be a great program and process, but like I said, wanted to make sure that this was something that could be used just like the other hardware.

Thanks,

Chris

[plg1117]

I can't compare Cricut to the other cutters as I have no experience with them.

SCA software in conjunction with Inkscape is very easy to use and the tutorials are very well done and easy to follow (good suggestion to have a separate area for those).

There are other ladies on this forum that are familiar with the other cutting machines that could help you out with a comparison.

[aperez]

where can i find the tutorials?

tia!

[dlwrules]

I'm not very computer literate and I have been able to learn to use this without much difficulty.
I was convinced that I wanted the Silhouette (similar to Wishblade) until I saw this software. Now I am very glad that I waited and bought the cricut expression and the SCAL software.

[dlwrules]

You might also want to read the thread called QK Silhouette on this message board. Some have graciously posted comparisons of the capabilities of these machines and the learning curves associated with them.

[AnointedHands]

Well, I just worked up this long reply and it disappeared.

While I think the Cricut is a great machine, if I were you, I would consider the other cutters. The SCAL software made the Cricut more versatile, but the other machines can cut a full colored design. With the Cricut, you have to cut in pieces and then layer. I have posted a link to a design I created. If I had been using another cutter, I could have cut it out as one piece. With the Cricut, I had to make layers and then put together ( the picture is the first post and the files are in the second).

http://forums.surecutsalot.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=209

Using Inkscape, the platform for the Cricut is wide open. The software has a learning curve and the more you do, the steeper the curve and the more patience you will need...but well worth the effort.

[plg1117]

the tutorials are posted under the General forum

[wreed06]

If I had been using another cutter, I could have cut it out as one piece.

How would you get the different colors on another cutter if it were cut out as one piece? If another cutter prints the different colors, I would think it would take a lot of ink. If so, you might want to weigh the cost of ink vs the cost of multiple pieces of paper and the wear and tear on the cutting blade.

By the way, I love your candle!

[susibi]

Other cutters like Wishblade and Robo are also able to print and cut ie you import and trace your coloured image to give the machine its cutting lines, send to print and then put in the machine to cut. These machines have a laser eye and are able to line themselves up using a series of registration marks.
Susibi

[AnointedHands]

If I had been using another cutter, I could have cut it out as one piece.

How would you get the different colors on another cutter if it were cut out as one piece? If another cutter prints the different colors, I would think it would take a lot of ink. If so, you might want to weigh the cost of ink vs the cost of multiple pieces of paper and the wear and tear on the cutting blade.

By the way, I love your candle!

Thanks. Ink is not a problem cuz you don't have to print using the photo setting which uses up more ink. I print my paper at lot and I use the normal and depending on how dark I need the print to look, sometimes I use the draft. If I had printed that candle, it would have been in normal. Plus, I would rather print than to have to put a lot of pieces together. I said when I get a job that needed one of shapes that required a lot of little pieces (any of the Disney carts), I would invest in the cutter, make the original design with the Cricut, scan it into the computer, print and cut my heart out. That way I have my design as I want it and don't have to keep messing with little pieces.