Cricut dumb

[Suzann]

Ok, I admit, I don't know much about cricut. I mostly do digital, but this machine calls to me for some reason
My questions:
(and yes, I have looked at their website, but its kind of general)
Can you make your own design and have it cut it?
Do you just have to use the certain shapes on the catridges?
Is there a machine that will cut shapes that I create on the computer?

Thanks so much my scrapping friends

 

[rlovew]

The machine that will cut shapes you make on the computer is called either a wishblade or craftrobo (the basic level of these 2 machines are exactly the same but they have different labels)- graphtec makes them both and they look exactly the same. Wishblade just came out with a new pink machine and craftrobo's new one will come out in the US in about 6 months (they have an agreement not to sell the new machines in the states for so long after they come out by wishblade.

These 2 machines will cut up to 8 inches wide and if you string the mats together up to 36 inches long.

Also Pazzles has cutters that I don't know much about that you can cut on they have 3 sizes depending on the thickness and size you want to cut.

I have a craftrobo pro which is a large plotter with a blade in it that can cut up to 18 inches wide and I think 36 feet long (I use it for 12 by 12 pages and haven't done anything bigger than than although I guess i could).

The machines come with basic software that if you are good you can use to design your own files - the craftrobos take gsds and the pazzle machine takes a different kind of file. You can also eaither purchase or download free software that makes it easier to design files (I am told on my yahoo groups- I have only used the original software myself).

These new wishblade does work on macs and the craftrobo is supposedly coming out with drivers for macs soon. They do not work on Vista though.

Rebecca

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

At this time the Cricut only uses it's cartridges. If you want one that cuts out fonts from your computer you want the Craftrobo or the Wishblade. (They are both essentially the same thing.) However they are more expensive. The Wishblade is roughly $400-$500.
I wold love the Wishblade but it is not Mac compatible without the intel processor so I am leaning towards the Cricut. Immediate gratification and all, I am not the most patient person in the world. LOL

You beat me to it Rebecca!

ETA the new pink wishblade does work with Mac with OSX. YAY!!!!

 

[Suzann]

Hmm.. I have a Mac, so nothing too much compatible yet, huh (besides the cricut)

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hmm.. I have a Mac, so nothing too much compatible yet, huh (besides the cricut)

You don't even need the computer for the Cricut. Which is a plus if you want to take it to crops and such.
You could get the new wishblade but it's backordered according to their website. I'm pretty sure you can use the older wishblade if your Mac has an intel core processor or you have windows dual boot. My laptop is from Dec 2005 and I missed the intel chip by a few months.

 

[rlovew]

The new wishblade works with Mac OSX as Buffy mentioned. On the yahoo groups I know a number of people have macs that are using the new wishblades. It is definately more expensive for the intial purchase than the cricut but once you add in the cartrdges I am not sure. You can use any TTF to cut with the wishblade and autotrace around any clipart now (when I first bought it you had to hand trace).

Rebecca

 

[patchchild]

I keep dreaming of a wishblade. Being able to cut any font at all, in any size, is a huge draw for me. Also, I love that it can do graphics as well, paper piecing made easy. Unfortunately, the price tag is through the roof. Maybe I'll get a summer job some year...