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I was just wondering if a person "needed" to have both? I know sure cuts a lot does more than the design studio, but does the design studio software do anything that sure cuts a lot doesn't?
So can you use SCAL with your cartridges or just with what is on your computer or whatever you download? I need help deciding which one to get. PLEASE!
I am researching these this morning as well. Want one NOW! Here is the link to the newer version of SCAL http://www.craftedge.com/products/products.html
It looks more promising than original comments about not working with Cricut due to PC blocking. You can download both SCAL and DS for trial versions also. You will need to download DS anyway to upgrade firmware in Cricut. As I find out more, I will share. For anyone who has both, please let us know what you think about them.
I have both SCAL & DS... but to be honest I use SCAL more. Now in order for SCAL to work you do have to have atleast one cartridge in the machine at the time of cutting. Does not matter which one if you are using SCAL.
I really enjoy both SCAL and having cartridges. There are tons of talented crafters out there that can create files that are so similar.. but sometimes I don't have time to make them.
I prefer the DS. I understand the advantages to owning the SCAL software but I'm not a huge font gal nor do I have the time to constantly download files. I like the DS better because it works WITH the cartridges that you already spent your money on. The SCAL software doesn't work with the cartridges. I am saving my pennies and feel that the DS is a much better investment for me. Best of luck with your decision.
My friend has a cricut and a pazzles. And I don't know which is better to have.
If you use SCAL with your cricut would this pretty much do what the pazzles does? Use your cricut with the cardridges and use the software to weld letters and download other stuff?
Do you just connect the computer to your cricut??
Please fill me in.
I'm looking at getting SCAL--after seeing that the newest Font cartridge from Cricut will be (at minimum) about $60 and has what--6 fonts? For a bit more, I can cut unlimited numbers of fonts. And seeing as I have (ahem) around 1300 fonts on the computer anyway . . .
My name is Deb, and I am a font-aholic . . .
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I have DS and just bought SCAL last night.
As for voiding warrenty -as someone pointed out to me a few days ago - Warrenty is only good for a year anyways and I've had my cricut a year.
I have DS and just bought SCAL last night.
As for voiding warrenty -as someone pointed out to me a few days ago - Warrenty is only good for a year anyways and I've had my cricut a year.
Well yes that is true. I never thought of it that way! Good point!
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Question with SCAL if you have the baby bug can you cut the size at 11 1/2 lets say I want a letter J 5 in wide and 11 1/2 in tall can I do that? Can you weld with it too? and do you have to have X cart. to cut that shape? I know with DS you have to have the the cart.
__________________ Jen
The sign of a good housekeeper is that you have not lost your house once!
I much prefer the Design Studio. What's such the big deal of needing additional software for it? I'm very well satisfied with the 20 some Cricut Cartridges I have. There are more choices on them than I will ever have the time or opportunity to use. Why would I need more with that other software.
If you have and use DS, can you also install SCAL and use that?
I like manipulating the images on the cartridges, so I don't want to install anything that will disable that. I also like I can search the library for particular images and that the library in DS updates so I can see what's on new releases before I buy them. I'd like to turn my back on DS because PC sure doesn't deserve my loyalty, but I do use a few of its features.
I have a KNK and don't really need to cut fonts on my Cricut, but my E is portable and the KNK is not. I'd use SCAL on the E simply because I take it places I can't take the KNK. I use the Cricut because I like the licensed carts and also the simplicity and portability.
Anyway, if I could run both programs (DS & SCAL) seamlessly, I would buy SCAL. If I used it only for fonts, it'd be worth it to me. There are thousands of free fonts on the web (and my computer LOL), and dingfonts give me just about any shape I can imagine.
Question with SCAL if you have the baby bug can you cut the size at 11 1/2 lets say I want a letter J 5 in wide and 11 1/2 in tall can I do that? Can you weld with it too? and do you have to have X cart. to cut that shape? I know with DS you have to have the the cart.
I'm not sure about your size question, but if you're using SCAL, you just need a cart -- any cart -- in your Cricut to cut your SCAL design. The Cricut has to have something plugged into the cartridge slot in order to function.
If you have and use DS, can you also install SCAL and use that?
I like manipulating the images on the cartridges, so I don't want to install anything that will disable that. I also like I can search the library for particular images and that the library in DS updates so I can see what's on new releases before I buy them. I'd like to turn my back on DS because PC sure doesn't deserve my loyalty, but I do use a few of its features.
I have a KNK and don't really need to cut fonts on my Cricut, but my E is portable and the KNK is not. I'd use SCAL on the E simply because I take it places I can't take the KNK. I use the Cricut because I like the licensed carts and also the simplicity and portability.
Anyway, if I could run both programs (DS & SCAL) seamlessly, I would buy SCAL. If I used it only for fonts, it'd be worth it to me. There are thousands of free fonts on the web (and my computer LOL), and dingfonts give me just about any shape I can imagine.
HAHAHA This just struck me funny. Like the texting commercials where the teens are texting back and forth OMG! ROFL etc. Sorry, just made me LOL.
I bought scal the day I bought my expressions and have never needed or wanted to buy carts or ds. 14 months on and my cricut is still used nearly daily and has never had a fault. If it had have needed repair I wouldn't have volunteered the fact I was using scal. Being in the UK prices of carts is an issue specially with local shops selling new releases at over $100 each, my expressions cost me the equivalent of 3 shop bought carts so scal was worth the risk. I can't think of anyone on any of the forums or groups that's had an issue with scal voiding the warranty.
Scal will run on the same machine as DS with no problem until DS gets upgraded to include the new images then it's a case of either/or not both until the scal team write a new upgrade.
I have some questions and I thank you in advance for answering:
1. Once you have SCAL and you connect your Cricut to the computer, will the Cricut be plug and play? My computer is far from where my Cricut Expressions is, and there is no way for my CE to be permanently connected to the computer, unless I'll be using SCAL to cut some stuff from my computer.
2. Let's say I have SCAL and my Cricut is connected to the computer, do I need to disconnect my Cricut from the computer if I want to cut images from any of my cartridges?
3. With SCAL installed, can you just switch connecting Original Cricut and Cricut Expressions at any time? Does it matter which machine you connect to the computer and can SCAL detect which unit it is?
4. Will the use of SCAL void my Cricut's warranty if it's still valid?
5. Has anybody or have you heard of anyone breaking their Cricut because of SCAL? What's the worst that could happen?
Thanks again and I'll be looking forward to your answers
1, once the cricut has had it's firmware updated it will be plug&play.
2, no even with scal open on the pc unless it's cutting something it makes no difference
3, you tell the machine which you're and it makes no difference
4, yes it voids the warranty but don't tell them
5, Havent heard of anyones machine breaking because of scal and I'm a member of a few user groups with several 1000 other members.
It's really easy to use, just point, click and drag. Even converting images in inkscape is easy, less than a minute and only half a dozen clicks.
woo-hoo! I bought scal a couple days ago and I haven't stopped playing w/ it since. My blog has the projects I've done w/ it so far. I've even been making my own svg files. I love it. I'm so glad I bought it. I don't think I'll ever buy a cartridge unless its super duper cool..lol.
bumpity bump - interested in this now that PTI and Lauren Meader and I am sure more to come will have their templates available to download to these different machines.....
I have no clue at all how to use it but am interested in anything recent!
bumpity bump - interested in this now that PTI and Lauren Meader and I am sure more to come will have their templates available to download to these different machines.....
I have no clue at all how to use it but am interested in anything recent!
Oooh.. I must have missed that announcement! They'll be offering the templates as SVG too? Awesome!
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
I got my SCAL about a month ago, I too missed this announcement! So far I've only cut fonts I've downloaded for free. I'm anxious to try the SVG files from Lauren and Nicole. Although I recall a message about Lauren leaving PTI, so I need to see what she is up too!
My son bought me SCAL for Christmas and I love what can be done with it. I made him a thank you card the same day I got it. This website really helped me with my questions and even offers free fonts and images. http://www.scrappingtable.com/home
I think scal has competition...over at the cricut message board there is a thread talking about a new program like scal. I have scal and I've never had problems with it that can't be fixed but I'm curious about this one...lol. Has anyone tried it yet?
I think scal has competition...over at the cricut message board there is a thread talking about a new program like scal. I have scal and I've never had problems with it that can't be fixed but I'm curious about this one...lol. Has anyone tried it yet?
If you want to manipulate the images on the Cricut cartridges, you need Design Studio. As limited as it is, it's still the only way to work with the cartridges.
I have DS and Make The Cut. If you have more than a few carts and want to maximize your investment in them, you need DS. If you want to cut/design anything other than what's on a cart, you need a third-party program. I chose MTC over SCAL. MTC is a new design program and it's working great for me. I never used SCAL, though, so I can't compare the two.
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Sure cuts a lot vs. Design studio
