Help cricut users!

[Dreamer2012]

I'm thinking of buying one for my DD24 for Xmas.
She loves making scrapbook pages of different events using photographs and stickers etc... I know NOTHING about these machines but it seems like she would enjoy one - any advice?
Expressions 1 or 2 - difference? Easier to work with? There's a huge price difference! What about used? ANY HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED!! TIA-

 

[mssong85]

Honestly, I would go with a Silhouette. I have a cricut, but I am just keeping it until it brakes. Cartridges add up and get very expensive.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I would highly suggest the silhouette cameo (the larger one) or silhouette portrait (smaller one)..

The silhouette will allow her to cut fonts off the computer and not be restricted to cartridges.

The silhouette you will need to upgrade her software to the Designer Edition but it will allow her to cut SVG files..

I'm still learning a lot of it but there are others on here that will probably be able to chime in and give you a much better understanding...


BTW, I do have a cricut personal, create, E and E2.... and many cartridges...

I love my silhouette portrait especially for my titles!

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks for your opinions - can you tell me more about the Silhouette? It connects to the computer? Is there a service cost?

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Yes, the silhouette connects to your computer.

You will need to buy mats, they run about 8.00. But they last a good while.

Here is the website for silhouette.. I have no affiliation with them, this is just where I found my information when researching.

http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/

There are places where you can buy svg files for as little as 50cents each.. There are also places on the net where you can find them for free also.

There is no service fee for use...like a monthly fee or anything..

There will be the cost to the machine you pick.. cost to upgrade the software to designer edition unless of course you get a package with that software already included.

There are a tremendous amount of youtube videos that explain how to do a lot of things with the silhouette.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks Princessnancy96! I really appreciate your help! I have decided that the silhouette portrait is the one I'm going to buy for her! I found it on Amazon for &120. That's about what I had in mind to spend - and since it's for my DD24 I like that she can choose from the internet exactly what she wants and not buy an expensive cartridge that she may not ever use some of the pieces from. I just hope she as excited to receive it as I am to give it!

 

[mssong85]

I believe the Portrait may come with Sure cuts a lot, but if it doesn't I highly recommend getting it. I use that program to make my own SVG files. I don't have to buy images ever. Also there are tons of free fonts to download and use to cut .

 

[PrincessNancy96]

The Silhouette Portrait comes with their software.. you just need to upgrade their software to the Designer Edition and it will cut the svg files.. I don't have sure cuts a lot and with the Designer Edition, purchased from the silhouette site, I can cut all kinds of svg files.. I can cut Reddy's files that she creates without any issues....

 

[Dreamer2012]

Can you please explain svg files? Sorry a real newbie here!! TIA!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I'm going to move this down to the scrapbooking section in hopes that one of our svg pros will be able to answer your question so you can understand it... If I even attempted your head would be submerged in the mud because I would confuse the stuffing out of you..

I do know it's a graphic file that can be cut... and can be layered...

I hope one of those who understand it more than me will pop up here yet today/for sure this weekend and explain it better...

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks! But how do I get there to see the answers?

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Hi, nan sent me over.

Svg is a simple vector graphic.

You can take clip art and coloring pages that are in jpg, PNG, gif format and convert them using inkscape or scal software.

You can convert the same files in studio, but must have the designer edition software. The basic comes with the machine, but it is very basic.

The silhouette has an online store filled with 1000's of pre made ready to cut files. They are about .99 each. So much easier and cost effective to buy an image at a time instead of a whole cartridge.

Silhouette studio is super simple to use.

There is loads of videos out there showing how to convert files into svg's and how to use silhouette studio.

 

[dogcarbon]

(our answers are right here in this thread)

You can now start to collect free svg files on your computer. SVG stands for Scaleable Vector Graphic. (Scale-able, in that you can make it as large as you want and it will not get all pixel-ated with jagged edges)

Go to miss kates cuttables, and she posts a free svg file every day. Just download the folder and put it on a thumb drive for your DD, and by Christmas time you will have collected over 30 free files.

Also, create an account at the silhouette online store http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/ Each Tuesday they post a free .studio file. (the .studio files are what the silhouette studio software saves their files as) You can start collecting those files too.

Silhouette Studio (SS) is the free software that even you can download to check it out. To upgrade to the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition (SSDE), the retail price is $50, but can often be found for $25-30. the main reason needed for the upgrade is the ability to open svg files directly.

Also, another great place to get free svg files is on the Sure Cuts a Lot forum (that's another forum that used that software which can be used on the Silhouette products, but not really needed if you have the SS or SSDE. Also SVGCuts.com provides some free files too.

And a great place to see what else, beside scrapbooking for the silhouette, (such as card making) is Under A Cherry Tree blog.

If you don't want to buy the SSDE, their is a work around, but it involves using inkscape (a free program) to convert any svg file to another file extenstion (.dxf) and the SS will open .dxf files.

I hope we are not providing too much information, but enough to get you excited for this purchase! And don't forget the awesome print and cut the Silhouette can do, along with the great vinyl cuts!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Thank you JLD and dogcarbon!!! I told you there was our DIS experts to help!! They can explain it so much better than me!!!!

Keep asking questions because these girls are great about helping out and pointing in the right direction.. I learn new things every time I read their posts!!!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Thanks! But how do I get there to see the answers?

Just making sure you are seeing the additional information posted this weekend since I moved this down to the scrapbooking section!!! You should be getting notifications of new posts...

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thank you so much ladies!!! I am getting the notifications and I very much appreciate it!! I hope she will enjoy it as much as you ladies do!