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I am thinking heavily on purchasing a silhouette cameo but I need help in choosing a software to use. I am a complete novice when it comes to things like this. I am looking between silhouette's own software or Scal. Can anyone give me suggestions on one that would be best for a beginner with a big learning curve?
Also, all you cameo owners, how do you like it so far? Easy to use? Well made? ANY issues yet? Lastly, do you have to manually change the depth of the blade on this and is it a pain?
Sorry I can't help you. I don't know much about the Cameo except for a few positive comments I have read on this site. I too am interested in the answers as I am considering purchasing one depending what I hear about them.
My co-Mother-in Law has just bought one of the new Cameo's.She had an original Silhouette, and she loves the Cameo. Yes, you alter the blade position yourself, but its just turning a dial, nothing complicated. Actually its better than the original Silhouette, as you have blade caps to change. I read recently that it will cut chipboard, so thats another huge improvement in cutting thickness. I have the original too, by the way. I have always used the software that comes with the Silhouette- had no experience of SCAL, but don't see the point anyway, as the Silhouette software does everything. I suppose that if you already are used to SCAL, then its probably easier, but if not, you would have to learn it, so its easier to learn the Silhouette software.Plus there is lots of info & help on their site. I have never had any issues with my Silhouette, and haven't heard of anyone having issues with the Cameo. I will say that their customer service & support is second to none. When I first had mine & was learning, they were really helpful.I have had my Silhouette for about 6 years now, and it is still as good as the day I bought it, so their quality is brilliant. Without a doubt, it was the best money I ever spent, and when my Silhouette finally gives out on me, I shall definitely go for the Cameo. This UK Forum UK Scrappers is dedicated to the Silhouette/Craft Robo/ Wishblade/ Cameo- you should get a lot of useful info here.
For a novice, I would say use the software that came with the machine. I've played around with it and it's not too bad. SCAL is a bit more powerful, so if you find yourself outgrowing the free software then give SCAL a try. But get some experience first.
A lot of the crafty blogs have tutorials on SCAL. SVG Cuts is a vendor of SVG cut files designed to work with SCAL. They have a lot of tutorials on their blog.
I have been wanting the Cameo but all this talk about the software is confusing me. If software comes with it why do you need other software?
For the same reason Silhouette sells an upgraded version of their software: for more features. The software that comes for free cannot handle SVG files. SCAL has fancier drawing capabilities.
I wouldn't worry about it. The free software is plenty capable. If you really get into designing your own cut files, or find that SVG files are appealing, then start looking into other software.
Svg cuts is what made me look into purchasing a cutter! Love their stuff I am looking forward to learning the software that comes with the Cameo so I can use Silhouettes own designs. I however am hoping to hear how well the new designer software does with svg's before I end up getting it. Thanks for all the advice so far. It really helps!
Hi Shaz! It's been a while since we talked and wanted to let you and everyone else with Cameo trepidation know that I finally found time to get mine going and I am in hog heaven! It works perfectly right out of the box....well, after you install the software, that is. I LOVE it and so far am perfectly happy with the sofware which comes with it. It's not nearly as difficult as I was expecting. Just jump right in and play...you'll love it!
Svg cuts is what made me look into purchasing a cutter! Love their stuff I am looking forward to learning the software that comes with the Cameo so I can use Silhouettes own designs. I however am hoping to hear how well the new designer software does with svg's before I end up getting it. Thanks for all the advice so far. It really helps!
Though I haven't tried it myself (so far haven't needed to) there is a free program called Inkscape that converts SVGs to a format the Silhouette software can import. Hope this helps! I'm on day 2 of my Cameo and so far I think it's great!
I too was wondering about the software. I have been using scal 2 without upgrading to cut in my "other machine" but would like to use my new cameo and am unsure how to do this. Does anyone know if you need scal 3 to run the cameo....as when I try to cut, scal doesn't recognize my cameo. I know silhouette recommends and only guarantees their software on the cameo, but I am a big fan of surfing svg cuts and the web to cut svg files. What is the best software to do this. Thanks everyone!
I have stuck with the Silhouette Studio I got with my Cameo and that works for me! I upgraded it to the designer edition and I can now use it to cur SVG files as well. HTH.
I got my Cameo a couple months ago. I did purchase the upgraded software but I dont honestly remember what the difference was. The cost was not much because I got it wholesale. It was easy to get the unit up and running right out of the box. You will love a Cameo.
Blessings.
Silhouette Cameo - what software for a novice?
