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I have the Cricut Expression. It is not the newest version. I notice a type of port in the back. I am about to purchase the scal software, but am wondering: Do I need a special cable to hook my pc into my Cricut machine? Will Scal work with my machine? The port in the back does not look like an ordinary usb , but it is definitely there for a reason. Please advise. Thnaks.
Make and Cut is new to me, in fact, I am just learning about SCAL. What is this? Also, that is what I am wondering about. Where do I attach the usb cable? The little port in the back of my Cricut looks like it is some kind of port but it does not look a regular usb. Thanks for taking time to share with me.
No problems! MTC is a new program that most everyone is very happy about and is more user friendly than scal (or so ppl say; I've never tried scal).
If it's the same as the expression, you need a cable that has a USB on one end, and a square-ish on on the other end (the square-ish one would go into cricut, USB into your computer).
With these programs, you can pretty much cut out any design; really, the sky's the limit. I would urge you to check out make-the-cut.com, maybe download the trial, and read the forums.
Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Thanks Msong! I will definitely try the MTC on the site. I appreciate your direction . Where does one find the special usb cable for the cricut ? I don't seem to have one, so I am figuring that this would be an accessory?
The cable you're looking for is also often called a 'USB Printer Cable'. So that might help you recognize it among all the other cables.
I had to upgrade my CI to a newer version before using SCAL. When you first turn on your cricut it will give you a software version number. Check out your own cricut and make sure what ever program you choose can use that version.
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I actually bought my cable at Walgreens for about $7.99 or so.
I have the Cricut Original. You will have to download the trial version of CDS, I believe in order to get the right firmware otherwise I don't believe SCAL2 or MTC will work without it.
I downloaded the trial version of each software to see which one was easier for me to use and fit what I wanted better. I'd suggest doing that before you make a decision. I preferred Make The Cut because it was easier. Right now a lot of people are testing the new beta version of MTC to work the kinks out of it. But all in all, I'm perfectly happy with my choice.
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Okay, I just ordered the new Cricut Design Software which is, I think, 2.5. This is fine because it was $35.00 and includes the cable which I had to buy also. Not bad. So this should give me the up-to-date firmware for my MTC software that I am about to order...RIGHT??? I have the large, Cricut Expression machine, and when I turn it on it says I have right now: 2.0. I am getting more confused by the minute.
Yikes! You actually did not need to purchase CDS to get the firmware update; MTC automatically searches and updates that for you. I guess one good thing is that you got the cable? : ) (you can only cut out images with CDS if you own the cartridge of the shape you want). At least thus is true for MTC; don't know about SCAL.
the newest SCAL software runs on both the old and new firmware on the machine. You don't have to update firmware anymore. When you are about to cut, a window pops up and you select the machine (personal/expression/create) and the firmware version.
scal question
