DS vs. SCAL?

[wdwmickey]

I'm in the process of updating my firmware. Is there a reason to purchase both Design Studio and SCAL? Thanks.

 

[morgansmom2000]

I'm in the process of updating my firmware. Is there a reason to purchase both Design Studio and SCAL? Thanks.

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to weld Cricut images, you'll need DS. I use DS to find things on the carts, but it hasn't been updated, and the search isn't great (but it's better than nothing).

You can download the program for free on Cricut.com and you will be able to cut with whatever cartridge came with your machine without paying for the program. For instance, if you have a baby bug, you'll be able to cut images from George and Basic Shapes. If you have the E, I think it's Accent Essentials.

I have figured out a work around for using SCAL2 on um, "licensed" images. PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.

 

[wdwmickey]

So as I'm playing with the free trial, I can only cut George. If I buy DS do I need to own the cartridge to use the font or image? I think the answer is yes.

However, if I have SCAL I can cut any font that is on my computer. I know SCAL voids the warranty (my bug is out of warranty anyway). And I can find folders with shapes online for SCAL, right?

 

[beaucoup]

I just bought my Cricut Expression and I'm on a trial version of SCAL. Out of curiosity, just how would Cricut know I even have SCAL on my computer to void their warrenty? SCAL doesn't load anything into or onto the Cricut firmware, does it? As of right now, I haven't connected the Expression to the computer. I only picked up a USB cable for that today.

 

[morgansmom2000]

So as I'm playing with the free trial, I can only cut George. If I buy DS do I need to own the cartridge to use the font or image? I think the answer is yes.

However, if I have SCAL I can cut any font that is on my computer. I know SCAL voids the warranty (my bug is out of warranty anyway). And I can find folders with shapes online for SCAL, right?

Yes, you need to own the cartridge to cut out any images or fonts that you use in CDS. In SCAL, you can use any font on your computer - some work better than others, some weld better than others.

There are loads and loads and loads of files out there. Some people give away SVGs, some give away full .scut files (which is the SCAL file extension). You can also "trace" image in SCAL, which is how you can pretty much use any image out there (again, some work better than others). I've "traced" the C from Le Cellier to cut it out, a variety of signs, logos, etc.

I just bought my Cricut Expression and I'm on a trial version of SCAL. Out of curiosity, just how would Cricut know I even have SCAL on my computer to void their warrenty? SCAL doesn't load anything into or onto the Cricut firmware, does it? As of right now, I haven't connected the Expression to the computer. I only picked up a USB cable for that today.

As far as I know, there is no way PC could know that you use SCAL unless you tell them or somehow give them permission to view your hard drive online. The trial version will cut out a "watermark" and basically shred whatever you try to cut out.

It's an amazing program

 

[wdwmickey]

Thanks again Jennifer

 

[morgansmom2000]

Thanks again Jennifer

Anytime, Cheryl, I'm a wealth of useless information

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Cheryl-I own both and I have found that SCAL2 is SO much easier to work with than CDS. Really the only time I used CDS anymore is to weld my cricut cartridge fonts, which I don't buy that much of anymore because I can download fonts for free and use them with SCAL. And I have done like MM and traced letters and pictures and then cut them. It's not hard once you get the hang of it. Just my two cents!

 

[katied]

I love using SCAL2. I use it more often than any of my cartridges, and yet I continue to buy catridges (like an addiction). But anyway, SCAL is great to use, and well worth the $ for what I've gotten out of it.