CDS & SCAL questions

[123SA]

I have both programs. I did the latest CDS update (actually DH did it). I haven't used SCAL since the CDS update. Do I need to update SCAL too?

 

[Doot Fan Mommy]

I think so. I believe the latest CDS update had something that blocked use of SCAL but then SCAL came out with an update that made it work again.

 

[123SA]

I think so. I believe the latest CDS update had something that blocked use of SCAL but then SCAL came out with an update that made it work again.

Sound like something I'll have to get DH to do. Thanks.

 

[Mischief_Managed]

And this is why I haven't bought SCAL yet. I just wished I didn't do CDS first. But I was able to get it for $39 - so I couldn't pass it up. But since the last update (in August - I won't be doing the most recent update for a while), I have had nothing but trouble with CDS and the Cricut. First, I was working on a very detailed design for about 80+ hours, and then it just decided to corrupt the file and *poof* it's gone. Then it freezes all the time! Last night, I was trying to finish cutting all my pieces for the surprise swap, and it decided to not cut the treasure chest from PDDU. I didn't have any designing on it - I just had them placed on the mat in various places to save paper. But nope, wouldn't cut a single one - I finally had to get a new piece of paper to cut them with just the cartridge and not use CDS. UGH!!!

But man, I really wish I had SCAL when I see what everyone is doing with it.

 

[123SA]

And this is why I haven't bought SCAL yet. I just wished I didn't do CDS first. But I was able to get it for $39 - so I couldn't pass it up. But since the last update (in August - I won't be doing the most recent update for a while), I have had nothing but trouble with CDS and the Cricut. First, I was working on a very detailed design for about 80+ hours, and then it just decided to corrupt the file and *poof* it's gone. Then it freezes all the time! Last night, I was trying to finish cutting all my pieces for the surprise swap, and it decided to not cut the treasure chest from PDDU. I didn't have any designing on it - I just had them placed on the mat in various places to save paper. But nope, wouldn't cut a single one - I finally had to get a new piece of paper to cut them with just the cartridge and not use CDS. UGH!!!

But man, I really wish I had SCAL when I see what everyone is doing with it.

So where should I look to see what everyone is doing with it? I hate to admit it, but I only have both because my DH is a terrible enabler. He bought both for my bday last June. I have only used scal to cut out a few welded fonts with shadows -- it was much easier to do in scal than in CDS. I am not sure if I have ever actually used CDS for anything other than finding out which cart has which shape and seeing what size to cut things at. I don't think CDS is a very easy to use program. It also drives me nuts that I have to read a blog to figure out how to use it - -provocraft should provide the directions and a help desk too.

 

[Mischief_Managed]

So where should I look to see what everyone is doing with it? I hate to admit it, but I only have both because my DH is a terrible enabler. He bought both for my bday last June. I have only used scal to cut out a few welded fonts with shadows -- it was much easier to do in scal than in CDS. I am not sure if I have ever actually used CDS for anything other than finding out which cart has which shape and seeing what size to cut things at. I don't think CDS is a very easy to use program. It also drives me nuts that I have to read a blog to figure out how to use it - -provocraft should provide the directions and a help desk too.

I check out a lot of crafters' blogs and they post their works. I'll have to go through my favorites and find a couple that are doing the best stuff. I agree about CDS not being user-friendly. It's taken me a lot of trial and error to do what I can - and I still consider myself a really basic user. I spend a lot of time on the Cricut CDS board to see what/how people are doing things. I download their cut files so I can see how they created certain things - even if I don't plan on cutting/using the items - it just helps to see what people are doing to create stuff.

Provocraft definitely needs better customer service with it - especially since many of us had problems with the August update. Provocraft just shrugged that they don't know why it freezes for people or why files keep getting corrupted. My theory is that when they created CDS, it was supposed to be used just as you use it - to weld letters and to see how things will cut. Even though there is "design" in the name, they didn't think people would actually use it to bypass the carts to create copies of cuts without buying the carts (I do that all time - especially for the Solutions carts). And they especially didn't think that people would start designing their own things so no need to buy new carts anymore. I think that is why with each progressive update, it has created more and more issues with cutting and designing. But if you use it just as a layout or welder, there are no problems. They want to make it so we won't use it to bypass the new carts. Unfortunately, many people are jumping CDS-ship and going to SCAL.

I read the Cricut CDS board all the time (have never posted though) - so I keep up with all the drama over there.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Does your latest update have Tink and Cars cart on them too? there was a newer update in oct/nov time frame but the update link on the CDS web page said august. and has the Hide contour feature on it which is wonderful.

You will have to go to craftedge.com and update SCAL it has the update that allows it to work with firmware 2.3.

Craftedge also has a forum under the support link. it has a ton of things that people have made using it. you can also get some great files.

 

[Lisa]

I too have used the forum under CraftEdge for help with SCAL. I only use SCAL and never have had to update the cricut version to use it.