some SCAL questions. ***Update! ***

[chocovrdmicears]

I decided that I *must* have SCAL . But I am a little nervous and have a few questions.
1. Is it really easy to use? I looked at the message boards over there and I ended up being more intimidated. It sounds like people are 'creating files' and doing that in different programs. I know its not as simple as typing the words in Microsoft Word the pushing 'cut' ...but if someone could give me a 'simple' explanation of what I need, it would be so appreciated.
2. I know I need a usb cord to connect my cricut to the computer..what kind of cord is it? Is there such a thing as a 'standard' usb cord?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

UPDATED: I just wanted to post back here in case anyone else had the same questions I did. I downloaded SCAL this past week and wanted to update with some info.

1. YES, It really IS that easy to use!! I downloaded the trial version first. I found out that I needed to update my firmware on my Cricut. I immediately panicked, but it was very easy to do. I just had to go to the Cricut website, and download the 6 day trial version of Design Studio. By doing that it automatically updated my Cricut allowing SCAL to be compatible.
2. After playing with it for a few hours I realized how easy and user friendly SCAL is so I bought it! I have been playing with it for a few days and lets just say it is definately under the 'how did I live without it category' now. I spent more hours than I care to admit gathering hundered of fun free fonts. (Dafont had LOTS of fabulous ones).
3. SCAL itself is tremendously easy to use. It really is a simple as picking the font you want to use from the dropdown menu in SCAL, sizing it on the mat that comes up on the screen , then hitting CUT. It couldn't be easier. I know that lots of people with more advanced computer skills are able to create and do 'magical' things in inkscape..but truthfully there are so many options with the millionso of fonts and dingbats already available, you really wouldn't need to get that technical if you didn't want to.

Sorry for the long post..just thought the info would be helpful to anyone who was hesitating using it. I honestly see this as SUCH an invaluable tool...and money saver as well because I don't even see myself purchasing another font cartridge again. I even found some really beautiful flourish dingbats that I love.
Hope this information has been helpful to some!

 

[New England Eeyore]

I love my SCAL - I think it is worth every penny. And I do find it very easy to use.

Yes, you just need a regular USB cord - the kind that would connect a printer to a computer or other such thing. I had one lying around, but I ended up going out and buying a longer one so I could move the Cricut a little further away from the computer. As far as I know, there is only one kind of USB cord so just look for that name.

In terms of using it - for fonts it really is almost as simple as selecting your font, typing and pressing Cut. 3 windows will come up when the program opens: "Library" - all the fonts you have in your computer; "Properties" - which is where you can select features like shadow, welding and other alignment options, and the keypad for the font you have selected - so you can click on the letters rather than using your keypad (really only matters if you're using dingbats instead of letters.) Basically, you just select your desired font from the library, click on the spot on the mat you want it to cut, and type. You can then use the mouse to make it bigger or smaller or move it to a different spot. Welding is also very easy to do.

Now, for images - that's what you were seeing on the message boards with the creating files and that's more complex. I have only scratched the surface of what it can do with images and Inkscape (the program you use to turn clipart and other files into the type of files SCAL can cut) is a little too complicated for me - I just haven't taken the time to really sit down and try to learn it. There are lots of files out there that other people have created that you can use. I also have learned how (following simple, step-by-step instructions I got on the SCAL message board) to convert the GSD files that they use for the Wishblade into SVG files for the SCAL. There are literally thousands of GSD files out there for a few dollars that you can buy - I don't mind paying for someone else do do the hard part for me.

I really recommend downloading the free trial before you purchase because that will let you see exactly how it works.

And post any questions that you have that come up - there are a lot of us who have SCAL and really love it - it's easily the best scrapping investment I ever made.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! Thanks to your info I am very excited to try this now. I didn't realize I could download a free trial. As soon as I get the usb cord later today I am going to try it out. I will probably be back!

 

[logan&tylersmama]

i have scal - i like it - it is easy to use and i love that you can use any font -
there are a ton of cool free disney related fonts out there. it is easy to weld letters and then one step shadowing.
i have no idea to use it with inkscape - i just need the time and patience to play with that function.
i think you will like it
jennifer

 

[123SA]

Can I add questions here?

1. How do you find good fonts? I know how to find thousands of free fonts -- but not all of them will cut & weld & shadow well. I find myself looking through fonts and then just giving up and going with a cricut cart. I'd much rather be creating with paper than playing on my computer.

2. I have CDS too. DH set up the latest update for me, but he didn't do anything with SCAL and won't be home again for another month. Will it just lead me through the steps? I have been afraid to even open it for fear I will somehow break my laptop or even worse my cricut! If I can the support number, do you think they'd talk me through it?

 

[LindaBabe]

CDS is dead easy - just follow the instructions that come with it step by step. I have avoided Scal for the same reason I bought a cricut instead of a wishblade - because I, too, would rather be creating with paper than playing with my computer.

With CDS the learning curve is short, and you'll be cutting in no time. One nce thing about it is, you can setup a whole page of cutting and set it going and go do something else while it's running, rather than entering what you want directly on the cricut one line at a time.

 

[123SA]

CDS is dead easy - just follow the instructions that come with it step by step. I have avoided Scal for the same reason I bought a cricut instead of a wishblade - because I, too, would rather be creating with paper than playing with my computer.

With CDS the learning curve is short, and you'll be cutting in no time. One nce thing about it is, you can setup a whole page of cutting and set it going and go do something else while it's running, rather than entering what you want directly on the cricut one line at a time.

Maybe that's my problem -- I don't remember seeing any directions on how to weld things or maybe a shadow of something welded. Were they in the box and I missed it?

I mostly use CDS for fitting a lot of things on a page like you have described or seeing what size to use before I cut. To me, it is worth it for that alone. I just wish I could figure out the rest without a major time investment. I've tried posting on the cricut board, but my questions are so basic I guess no one feels like answering. I am starting to think there is a bug in my CDS -- it just can't be that hard to weld a few letters, can it?

 

[New England Eeyore]

I don't have CDS, so I can't help you there.

As far as good fonts go, do you have a Font Organizer? I use "The Font Thing" which is free and you can find it by googling. The organizer allows you to create collections so you can group fonts by theme. But I confess, I have so many fonts I haven't sorted them all into categories. What I found most helpful is to put the sample size really big and scroll through them - you can just kind of tell which ones will weld easily or cut easily. I stay away from the really delicate ones. And I don't weld everything - some things just aren't meant to be welded, but usually the shadow can be welded if the regular font cannot.

 

[LindaBabe]

ok. open your CDS and select a font to use. Jasmine or cursive weld better than say the Mickey font.

Type your word all together in one box rather than each letter in a seperate box. Keep that text box selected.

Across the top are 3 boxes, the first has the list of cartridges in it. The middle one has the keypad. and the one on the right says "Shape properties."
In the shape properties box, at the bottom is a box that says weld. Check the box and click apply.

The letters should move close together. Kerning adjusts the space between the welded letters - from quite compact to a little wider. If you uncheck the box and click apply, your word goes back to normal.

You can also weld another way. By putting each letter in a box of its own and using the handles you can pull it over as close as you want it to the next letter. playing with the handles for size and shape gives some interesting variations.

When you have your page like you like it, remember to save it by a particular name - I usually use the cart name plus what it is - ie Alphalicious happy Birthday.

Hope this helps.

 

[123SA]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

 

[DisneyBarlans]

So, I take it from reading this thread that SCAL does not cut all fonts well. Does it cut the font that looks like Walt's handwriting well?

 

[123SA]

So, I take it from reading this thread that SCAL does not cut all fonts well. Does it cut the font that looks like Walt's handwriting well?

Just to clarify my earlier statement, I didn't mean that SCAL doesn't do a good job, just that some fonts are not designed for cutting. For example, I think Arial is way to thin to cut. One of the cricut Mickey carts has the word Disney in Walt's font -- it cuts fine. I am sure that SCAL would cut it well also.

 

[New England Eeyore]

So, I take it from reading this thread that SCAL does not cut all fonts well. Does it cut the font that looks like Walt's handwriting well?

Yes, I have cut many things with Waltograph on SCAL just fine.

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Yes, I have cut many things with Waltograph on SCAL just fine.

Okay, great. Next question-where can I get the best price on it?

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Updated info added in first post! Thanks to all for your help!

 

[LORNADUCK]

I am new to this also, do you need to buy Design Studio to be able to use the SCAL?

 

[123SA]

No, but you do need the free trial version of design studio.

 

[123SA]

Updated info added in first post! Thanks to all for your help!

Thanks for the update. I need to stop being afraid of it, get it updated and start working with it again.

 

[New England Eeyore]

So glad you're having fun with it!