A question about Sure Cuts A Lot

K I'm not sure how to word this. I'm wondering what all it can cut. Because I found a website svgcuts, that offers free files, as if they are hard to find. I was under the impression you could cut pretty much anything. Like, could you find a random picture in google, and cut it? How does that work?
I know you can use any font that's on your comp. Does that mean all the fonts you have in microsoft word, etc?
Sorry it's all a little confusing.

Also... I guess I would need to buy a usb cable or something? Or does that come with the kit? I heard there's a cd that comes in the mail?

You will need to buy a usb cable. You can either buy SCAL as just a download and save it to a cd on your own for cheaper or you can buy it as a cd to install.

As for making files. Yes you can goggle an image and cut it. However it needs to saved as a svg file. That can be done easily in another program called inkscape. Inkscape is free.

There is a circut board on here and they can help with more questions if you have any.

You will need to buy the cable and the program used SVG fles.

You might want to hold off because Provo Craft is currently suing the makers of SCAL for copyright infrigement among other things. I haven't used it on my new Cricut E yet because it voids the warranty on the machine and if they render it useless after the hearing, I don't want to void my warranty for nothing.

I was just going to say the same, I just read somewhere that Provocraft just won a lawsuit that will stop these software companies from working with cricut.

They actually settled in court with the makers of Make the Cut. The SCAL lawsuit is still pending/going on. I'm trying to wait for the outcome to use SCAL on my new machine, but I don't know if I can wait! I really like the program and it prevents me from having to buy a million carts.

you can google any jpeg picture and use the trace function in SCAL2 to make a cut file. If it is detailed, you may have to do some layering. The learning scale for SCAL is not huge....one night of youtube tutorials and I had it down.

The only way ProvoCraft will know you use SCAL is if you tell them. It changes nothing in the machine. You can no longer buy Make the Cut and use it on a Cricut...they had to take whatever it is in the program that allows the Cricut to understand the cut out. I still use my SCAL almost daily.....if they have to settle with PC also then I will not be able update my Gypsy but that doesn't bother me a bit because as soon as I can get the money saved up I'm going to buy an ecraft anyway...I will have an Expression, Gypsy and cartridges for sale. I have found THOUSANDS of free svg files online, have made several of my own, and have bought a few...they are generally a lot more affordable than a cartridge and I know what I buy I will use.

and yes, you can use any true type font you have in microsoft and download thousands more. I have found a few that just don't cut well because they are way to skinny. I love being able to have so many choices.....it seems like right after I got my Cricut I used it a lot for the fonts but I"m tired of the same old 8 or 10 fonts....SCAL gives me a lot more options.

Ok thanks everyone. That helps a lot. I'm nervous now about the lawsuit thing. Anyone know when that might be decided? How long has it been going on now? If it's been ages then maybe it'll be ages more, and in the mean time it might still be worth getting scal.

Does the free trial void your warrenty too or no?

I'm wondering if we know for sure that if provocraft wins this, that previously purchased SCAL's will not work.
Is there anyone who has Making The Cut that can still use it now?

everyone on the blogs says their Make the Cut still works but they won't be able to update their Gypsy or get any of the upgrades on Make the Cut or it will cause them to not talk any longer. Make the Cut has to take the "dictionary" out of their program that allows it to communicate with the cricut.

The current version of SCAL2 will work with your Cricut as long as you don't update your Cricut to a newer firmware version. If Provocraft wins the suit, all new copies of SCAL will have to be disabled from communicating with cricuts as well.

I read somewhere that the dispute is settled. But I can't find what the outcome was.

What are firmware updates? Is this something a person would be upset to not be able to do?

K I found this on another blog, which makes me think it's worth it to get Scal, still. So long as Scal continues to work even if it can no longer be sold, and so long as they can't FORCE me to update the firmwear that will make scal not work anymore, it's worth it. Here's what I found:

I was concerned about my Expression upgrading and not being able to use my SCAL software. I wrote Michelle at scrappingtable.com where I purchased my SCAL software and have had excellent customer service. She sent me an email I found interesting and said I could share it with my friends

Thanks for emailing me. I’m happy to answer your questions about this. I have received several other emails about this so I decided to provide information to clarify. Please let me explain by making a comment about MTC and then SCAL. Feel free to share this with your friends.


About Provo Craft vs. MTC:

Make The Cut (MTC) was only on the market for about six months when it was sued by Provo Craft, one year ago. This was largely because MTC had created a way to let users “back-up” Cricut cartridge content. In addition, MTC was alleged to have Cricut cartridge content in the MTC user gallery. Provo Craft moved quickly to save its cartridge content from being distributed on the Internet.

Provo Craft and MTC reached a mutually beneficial settlement to their dispute. In other words, Provo Craft did not “win” a lawsuit against MTC. Actually, Provo Craft’s actions may cost them significant customer loyalty.

In the settlement, MTC agreed to drop future support for Cricut systems and also agreed to force a patch on a small group of MTC software users whose version has the cartridge back-up capability because it essentially lets users copy cartridge content. The patch only disables the cartridge back-up feature.

People who currently use MTC with their Cricuts will continue doing so.

If you visit the Make The Cut website, you will see they are still very much in business but no longer offer their product for the Cricut.

SCAL is not a party to the Provo Craft / MTC dispute and no part of the Provo Craft / MTC settlement applies to SCAL.


About Provo Craft vs. SCAL:

SCAL is the original, leading third-party software designed to let Cricut owners use creative content from their computers and has been on the market for more than three years. SCAL was only recently challenged by Provo Craft. Unlike MTC, there is no feature in SCAL that lets users back-up Cricut cartridges and the SCAL development team has been very careful to avoid any such capability.

Craft Edge (the company that makes SCAL) disagrees that they have violated Provo Craft’s intellectual property rights and has retained capable legal representation.

The dispute between Provo Craft and SCAL could continue for awhile. As I mentioned, the Provo Craft / MTC dispute continued for about a year.

In the event that SCAL and Provo Craft decide to settle their dispute, the worst case could be similar to MTC’s settlement which means that SCAL owners would continue using SCAL with their Cricut systems just as MTC users will be doing. Also, if similar, SCAL would discontinue future support for Cricut systems.

SCAL supports other cutting systems including the Silhouette, Wish Blade and E-Craft and work continues to progress to support even more systems. Indeed, I am tremendously excited about the work that is being done to extend SCAL to other personal cutting systems. SCAL will continue to improve like other major software programs have over the years.

What Every Cricut Owner Should Know:

Provo Craft cannot force a firmware update on the Cricut Personal Cutter, Create, Expression, Cake or Cake Mini systems. The firmware can only be updated manually by the owners. SCAL supports these five systems and the latest firmware releases which are:

Personal Cutter: 1.34
Create: 1.54
Cake Mini: 1.54
Expression: 2.34 or 2.35.
Cake: 2.34 or 2.35.

One Reason Why I Don’t Own a Cricut Imagine and Won’t be Buying an Expression 2:

The new combined cutter-printer called the Cricut Imagine and soon-to-be-released Cricut Expression 2 do have the capability to allow Provo Craft to push updates including ones that can cause older cartridges to become incompatible. This is one reason why I returned the Imagine after purchasing it. Below, I am providing you with section 2.2(b) of the Cricut Imagine End-User License. I have not read the soon-to-be-released Cricut Expression 2 End User License but I interviewed a Provo Craft representative who was demonstrating it at a recent trade show, he said the technology was the same as the Imagine.

Cricut Imagine End-User License:

2.2 Restrictions.

(b) The Software may include features that (i) automatically check for updates or upgrades to the software, (ii) prevent or disable backwards compatibility or downgrades after an update or upgrade is installed (iii) restrict the use or operation of a CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ System with other CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ Systems or accessories, and/or (iv) register to your CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ System any Cartridges that you use with your CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ System, locking and making such Cartridges unavailable for use with other CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ Systems.

Unless You configure your CRICUT IMAGINEâ„¢ System to preclude the transmission or use of upgrades or updates to the Software or Third Party Software, You hereby agree that Provo Craft may make such updates or upgrades available to You from time to time. If Provo Craft, either directly or through a distributor makes any updates or upgrades to the Software available to You, such updates or upgrades shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement unless the Software is expressly provided to You under other, or additional terms and conditions, in which case, those other, or additional terms and conditions (which may include the payment of additional fees), shall apply.

A Little Perspective:

Throughout the history of high-technology and even back to Thomas Edison, high-tech companies have had disputes about intellectual property rights. Apple, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Dell, Samsung, AMD, Adobe (the list is endless) have all been involved in disputes.

According to a December 2010 article by ITIC, a high-tech consulting firm, “In the last decade alone, most of the high technology vendors have sued, been sued and agreed to pay each other billions to settle patent infringement lawsuits after protracted and enervating legal battles.”

Regardless of the outcome, you will receive several years of benefit from your Cricut and SCAL. SCAL will actually outlive your Cricut. The Cricut is mechanical as well as electronic. The rollers, bands, motors etc. will eventually wear and the system will need to be replaced. Indeed, I have already needed to replace my original Personal Cutter which I bought in 2008. The lid wore around the hinges and other areas were wearing. New technologies are constantly being developed and there will be plenty of cutting system options in the future to use with SCAL.

In my opinion, there is no reason to be concerned. To the contrary, I believe this is a opportunity for Cricut owners to buy SCAL and lock-in years of savings should it not remain available for the Cricut in the future.

I hope this helps you, Kat. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Michelle

ScrappingTable.com

Thanks for posting this! Now I'm not worried about using my SCAL on my new machine.

Thank you. Found it here:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/announcements-f13/provo-craft-sues-make-cut-sure-cuts-lot-t522655-3.html
Hope that's alright to post. It's not a store.

" Sure Cuts A Lot requries version 2.1 or 2.3 for Cricut Expression machines"

Mine says 2.35. Does that mean I can't get SCAL?

Sorry to keep spamming questions but. Another thing I'm worried about is that I'll run into a problem with my current firmware and need to update because of that, and then I won't be able to use scal anymore. Is that a possibility??

• bcblondie Said:

Absolutely it is possible that you will run into problems using SCAL and a cricut. There are NO guarentees right now when it comes to SCAL.

If it is not clear...you absolutely can not discuss/complain to ProvoCraft concerning any SCAL issue.

It's a gamble buying SCAL right now. You may be able to use it forever OR just a few months.
If you can afford SCAL...meaning it's not a large purchase to you...I would say buy it.
And don't upgrade your Cricut software.

• Gelidy Gelato Said:

I'm confused about teh bold. Did any of us do this? I would never run to provo craft about a problem scal caused. They'd say "haw haw, serves you right"...

To me, I think the insane amount of fonts you get and the improved creative capacity would be worth the 60 bucks if I got at least 6 months or more out of it. I think I would learn a lot about what types of carts I should buy, what I would use most often. I could cut just hundreds of flowers and use them at a later date, if I did happen to not be able to use Scal anymore.
From the way they're talking, the case could take a year to settle. The one against MTC did. And only then would I risk the issue of "now if I need to upgrade I lose my Scal."
I'm starting to think it's worth it, even if it isn't forever...

I LOVE SCAL! I have taken jpgs and made them into cut files. I've also done pdf's to cut files! SUPER easy and I LOVE LOVE LOVE using it! I use it WAY more than I use my carts or G's.

now this whole lawsuit is making me nervous. i have scal and have loved it i just recently bought a gypsy since my cricut was upgraded atleast i think it was does that mean i cant use my scal program anymore i havent tried it since i got my gypsy. i love the idea of the scal i can cut any font i want that was my main key point on buying it. i get bored with the cricut carts fonts they seem to be all the same type after awhile.i like more variety

I think upgrading only disallows you from using scal AFTER teh lawsuit settles. And depending how they settle. That could take a year. So You're safe for now.

I downloaded the trial and have imported lots of free svg files already. I'm nervous to actually hook it up to my cricut lol.

Susy, I have the 2.35 E and use SCAL. I won't be upgrading my firmware again, which means no new carts for me, but for the 1000s upon 1000s of fonts and svg files out there it's more than worth it to have. Hope that helps a bit

Uh. You can't buy new carts and use your current firmware?
This is all so confusing lol.

But I bought it today. So far I love it. Made 3 cards already.
If people could link blogs with their fave svg files that would be awesome. Or Pm me if that's not allowed. Thanks.

• bcblondie Said:

You will still be able to use new carts with your machine, but if you don't update, the new carts will not be included in the list of carts on your Gypsy ot Design Studio. Thats why some of us are using 2 machines! 1 for MTC/SCAL (with no further updates) and the other machine to keep up with PC's updates.

Ohhh Ok thank you. I don't intend to get a gypsy or design studio any time soon.

No DS for me cause I have a Mac. PC really shot themselves in the foot for not coming up with "SCAL" themselves OR making DS available on a Mac. The technology is "old" but they try to make you think it's the latest and greatest. I took my Cricut to a windows comp - got the firmware updated by getting the temp. DS. Then took Cricut home, hooked up to Mac and voila!!! Got the SCAL. Really gotta look into making my own svg.files!!!!!!!

Sorry for the confusion Susy! I only use my carts with design studio so that's why I won't be getting any new ones/updating.

Thanks Trish for clearing it up

How do you tell what firmware version you have?

Lornaduck when you start up your cricut it'll say on the screen.

That's ok Ashley!

Vivian congrats on your purchase. I'm absolutely loving it. Like literally too excited to sleep. I made my first "regular pic turned into an svg you can cut" (is there a shorter term? lol) And it worked so well. I couldn't beleive it. Definitely go to the video tutorials in the help section of Scal and learn all the tips and tricks. I'm floored by all the things you can do. Last night I cut this:
Canucks logo By Bcblondie

nice job Susy!

Thanks