Computer driven die cutting machines

[PNWmom]

My husband is thinking about getting a computer driven die cutting machine for my daughter and I. (Sorry Cricut fans but the thought of a cartridge based system give my programmer husband the hibby geebies). I found information on the Craft Robo, Wishblade and Pazzle if there are others let me know, I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

For those of you who have one of these machines what software do you use? I've read you need vectoring software in order to cut clip art, but the only one I have read about is Inkscape, are there others? How easy are they to use? Can you use coloring pages as well as clip art?

Don't be fooled by the lingo I really don't have a clue.
I'm just the computer geek's wife.

 

[rlovew]

I have a craftrobo Pro II. It is a higher end of the craftrobo line capable of cutting 24 inches wide and 30 feet long although I have not used it for anything over the size of a cricut large mat. I just use the robomaster software which can autotrace. I use clip art and coloring pages- in fact coloring pages are easier than clip art.

There are at least 2 other machines. The gazelle and the Kick and cut. I don't know a lot about the various machines other than mine. i know the original craftrobo i first got didn't cut through everything I wanted easily (partly bacuase i wasn't willing to wait for the learning curve to kick in).

Software people use on these machine include funtime as well as inkscape. I would suggest joining the easywishblade yahoo group and possibly also the wishbalde yahoo gorup to get more information. At least one of these has great comparisons between the machines. Watch out who has done the comparison though as i have definately seen some that are scewed based on what machine the person is promoting.

Rebecca

 

[PNWmom]

Rebecca,
Thanks for the information. There is getting to be so many of these machines my head is spinning from all the choices.

What types of things did you find that the original craft robo wouldn't cut?

 

[rlovew]

I wanted it to cut chipboard and such. They have gotten better and the big thing was that I gave up after my second time trying it out and decided I wanted the bigger one.

Rebecca

 

[Raenstoirm]

I just got the Pazzles a few weeks ago. It has a bit of a learning curve, but not too bad. I think my issue is that I got photshop at the same time, so I am learning them them simultaneously and getting confused on which does what.

 

[PNWmom]

How long is the learning curve?
Is it more about learning the software or of learning the capabilities of the machines?
What types of projects are you using your machines for?

 

[Raenstoirm]

My issue is that I have had the Cricut software for almost a year and it is really user friendly. Buuuuuuutt cricut doesn't really do anything. Pazzles can literally do anything you ask it to do. My issue is how to "ask" it to do certain things. For example I made a 12x12 layout with the software, looks good on the computer screen, go to cut and it only cuts a 8.5 by 11 chunk of my design. I don't know how to convince it to actually cut a 12x12. I'm sure I must have clicked (or not clicked) the correct paper size button somewhere, just need to find it.

I have only done "baby" things with it so far. I made a border of stallions for a page, a really cute sea lion from clip art and my favorite, a 11 inch Freak Out (carnival ride) for another page.
I met someone when i bought it that had had hers since March and she loved to make the word chipboard books.

I really haven't had a lot of time since I got it to really play and see what it can do.

 

[ScrappyDappyDoo]

I have the original wishblade (blue) and LOVE it. It doesn't cut chipboard, but I hardly want to cut chipboard. With 2 passes I can get bazzill to cut (just learned that trick).

I create anything and everything for it. I use (my real work) autocad, and learned that I can create in Autocad, trace, etc. and dxfout the images, and bring it into wishblade and cut. I don't get the jagged edges you see sometimes with curves, I can get true curves.

So, for now, I am very happy with it.

Lisa