Cricut expression help

I'm wanting to either the cricut expression or a PC based cutter. I'm more inclined to the QuicKutz Silhouette. However it the cricut can download stuff off the internet, I would then get the cricut. I've read on some sites that it only takes cartridges, but on others sites, it said the cricut expressions could be connected with USB and could cut from the internet. Help does anyone know? Which is the better cutter? AHHHHHHHH

The Cricut can only cut using cartridges. You can use Cricut Design Studio to take multiple images and form new images to cut out...but you need all of the cartridges involved in the image to cut it.

Sounds like you are having the same dilemma I am. I am NOT buying another cutter than requires me to spend a ton of money for each different font!

I have a QuicKutz now, and by the time I bought an uppercase, lowercase, shadows for each, numbers & punctuation, etc., you end up spending literally like $500 for ONE font!! So I have, yes, exactly one font.

I really want a machine that I can cut any font I want without buying anything else other than the machine.

I just bought the personal cricut. I did a lot of research and I was able to find this online for $150 with two cartridges. I plan on buying "Sure Cuts a Lot" which will allow you to use any True Type font with the cricut without a cartridge.

I've heard a lot of people say that this voids your warrenty but I can't figure out how. You aren't altering your machine in anyway. Its just allowing you to connect through USB to youc computer so that you can cut anything. I've heard from the people that have it that they love it and I can't wait to get it.

• Amonika Said:

Actually, it can potentially mess with the software that is within your machine which is why it voids the warranty, and why you wouldn't be able to "hide" the use of SCAL if you called them with an issue.

That being said, after my year's up, I may actually get it. But I'm going to go through my year's warranty first.

Let me just say how much cheaper it is to get a font for the Cricut then for the QuicKutz . You can get them on sale or on ebay for around $40. But you can cut anywhere from 1 inch to 5 1/2 inch on the Cricut, and even smaller on the Expression. There are also extras on each font, shapes, welded words, flowers, hearts, and more on each cartridge, so they are well worth the money. And it is soooo quick and easy to use.
I keep going back and forth on the Sure Cuts a LOt and Design Studio as I don't want to get on my computer and spend time using it, I want to be scrapping and getting things done!!!
Anyways, it is a great investment. Since I've had mine I've made over 300 pages, I lost count, with it! So it was well worth the money to me! I even like my Cricut soooo much I got an Expression!

• Quote:

Actually, the firmware update required is done by using Cricut Design Studio. The firmware is "the software in the machine".
SCAL does not affect the firmware of the Cricut.

HTH

• He--inwa Said:

That's interesting because everyone that I know in computer science says the potential is there whenever you hook up a machine too some program not created by the manufacturer for it... But not going to argue.

I have the design studio and really don't like it. Could be I just don't know how to use it, but so far it has not been helpful. I need a video or some better instructions. Can you weld two lines together? Once my warranty is expired I am going to seriously look at SCAL. It does tru type fonts but what about graphics?

I love, love, love my Cricut Expression. Believe me, each cartridge has hundreds and hundreds of possibilities! I have 2 cartridges that came with mine (Plantin Schoolbook and Accent Essentials) plus I bought the Wedding Solutions cartridge ($30 including shipping on eBay) to go with it. Even if you have a little imagination (I have little sometimes...LOL...) you can come up tons of great ideas! Even though each cartridge technically has one font, there are so many variations of that font that you can cut the letters in many different ways and make the fonts look differently.

When I started reading about the other cutting machines that you could hook up to your computer and get all this great stuff without buying cartridges, I seriously considered and researched it. However, I decided that I didn't want to be tied to my computer every time I wanted to cut out something. My computer is across the room and sometimes I just cut various things and something will hit me that will work with the LO I am doing. Although the Expression is not as portable as the baby bug, I could still take it with me to a crop or someone's house without lugging a laptop or worrying about a computer for it. I may end up with the Design Studio some day, but at least with that I will still have the option of using it without the computer.

Anyways...sorry for the long, rambling answer! Hopefully my experience with the Expression will be of some benefit to you!

I love my cricut Expressions. I also have Design Studio which I highly recommned. Many, many people on the cricut MB share their files that they have designed. Many design using George which came with the baby cricut. Also, I have requested someone design chess pieces for me using George and guess what... someone did. I have made designs for others at their request.

Design studio is not easy to learn but there is a person on the cricut MB (Susan Uncle) that posts her lessons on how to use the software. This really got me through the learning curve.

I also plan on purchasing SCAL. I have read the pros and cons and believe that it is worth it.

I now have a blog with many of my files that I share. If you want the site, send me a pm and I will give it to you. I just don't think I can post it here.

I too have a Cricut and I love it. I thought that I really needed a PC based cutter so I bought the Inspirations by Pazzles and love it as well. I think one reason is because it is designed exactly like the cricut by the same folks the functions are the same the loading and unloading features are the same. It's just a pc based machine. My disadvantage is that I like to grab a cartridge and go and not have to design anything. So that is my reason for loving the Cricut what you see is what you get unless you design something with the Design Studio.
I love using my Pazzles Inspiration don't get me wrong but I don't like spending alot of time designing on the computer.
I love the pazzles over the silhouette for the simpilcity of the load and unload features. When I saw the shilhouette demo I was done. For goodness sake it you don't have a third hand at home you might be in trouble. It does not have a load or unload function so you have to hold the mat and then crank the handle. It was quite obvious that it was easier said than done, unless they have improve that. Like the person above said you are tied into their software. Pazzles has their own CD's for a fraction of the price but you don't have to have them. The learning curve it pretty simple IF I can master it anyone can. You can vectorize (a fancy way to copy) things and then cut them out. Your child can draw a picture you then scan it and it will cut it out and you have a perfect copy of your child's art to scrap. You can vectorize a pic like a side profile of someone and scan and cut. It is a little more money I have seen them advertised for 459.00. I personally think it is the best at this time. The Wishblade and robo cutter seem to be a little less quality cutter when you see them side by side and the smooth function of the Pazzles I think you will agree. JMO and HTH.

• Amy Chomas Said:

Me too! I loved my Cricut so much that within 4 months I upgraded to the Expression. I never pay more than 40 for a cart, and I love all that each cart can do. My hubby got me the DS for my birthday, and while I don't use it for every cut, it is SO great to have! It makes each cart go even farther, and I love using it to weld so I don't have to put adhesive on and place each piece separately.

I have thought about the SCAL, but I am happy with what I have now and wouldn't want to spend the money on something that could potentially mess up my machine.

"That's interesting because everyone that I know in computer science says the potential is there whenever you hook up a machine too some program not created by the manufacturer for it"

Then I guess we should also quit printing from photoshop or other third party programs.

Just a thought.

The only reason I'm concerned about this in particular is because I have recently read about people having problems, not just the threat from the manufacturer.

As to problems, I've heard of very few, and usually it's not actually a machine problem.
What I've noticed is that some SCAL users are calling PC because of SCAL software issues.
Of course, PC is not going to help because it's not their software.

There were some issues with vista with the initial release of SCAL, but those problems were quickly corrected by the scal developer/tech support.
Their tech support is great and they also have a message board/forum that is very helpful.

• scrap4brains Said:

I know this is an old post, but I felt like the above poster. I hated the DS. I couldn't get the welding to work. I had missed one vital point. After that I played with it and started welding images........low and belhold it made sense. Then along comes the Jukebox and I didn't have to swap out cartridges. Now it's as vital to me as my computer.