What cutter should I get?

[Amber1279]

I have a Cricut Expression, I got it for Christmas. Mom got it during a Black Friday sale at Wal-Mart for $165. I bought Sure Cuts a Lot to go with it.

I have not mastered the "print and cut" so for now I print a page of scrapbook paper from the digital kit then use the SCAL software to cut. Or use scrapbook paper from my LSS.

I like it for making boxes and 3D items. My program can convert an image to a SVG file, and I have been meaning to try to cut some of the templates of yours (Heather) that I have bought. I have some files from other designers at The Digi Chick that are supposed to be print and cut but I haven't tried them.

I have also tried using some of Darcy's fonts to cut out letters (because the SCAL software lets you use any font installed on your computer), but when they cut most were too thin to get off the sticky mat.

 

[Heather Roselli]

Yeah, I know they can be converted, I just don't have the time to deal with it. LOL I love it when gsd files are included. Now if I could just find a way to convert gsd files into svg files I'd be a very happy because then i would rethink buying the Ecraft.

So how do I convert the .studio file from the Silhouette software into a GSD file? The software doesn't give me another file type option in the Save dialog box, not does it have an export function.

 

[tettletop20]

I've been able to do it so many times in the past (I used it to cut 200 custom jelly jar lables in Nov),but last night it wasn't cutting on the lines - it was the design - it was just off so I'd get a 1/4 inch cut off the design and a 1/4 of white on the other side. Have you had that happen? I really wanted to take these on vacation with us but I don't have the time or energy to cut them out by hand!

After you "get the outline" and "paste then exit," zoom in on the design and you can actually move the outline lines appropriately so they line up perfectly with the element. I've had it happen a couple of times to me for some unknown reason as well.

 

[tettletop20]

So how do I convert the .studio file from the Silhouette software into a GSD file? The software doesn't give me another file type option in the Save dialog box, not does it have an export function.

The file is saved as GSD format in the Robo software, then opened up in the Silhouette Studio software.

I hope I'm understanding your question right....my boys are on me right now and having a hard time focusing!

 

[FireWolf]

So how do I convert the .studio file from the Silhouette software into a GSD file? The software doesn't give me another file type option in the Save dialog box, not does it have an export function.

I'm not sure you can convert it. When they changed to a proprietary software I think they also switched to a proprietary cutting file, the .studio file. If you're wanting to do .GSD files you might have to go with the Robo software. Let me ask/look around and see what I can find out. I'm thinking that there just has to be a software out there somewhere that does both svg and gsd files. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[FireWolf]

Heather,
Ok, nope, there is not 1 single software that does them all, at least not that I can find, but I'm looking into what works for each file type. I've been gone all day and now we are heading out to dinner and won't be back until late, but I'll play around some tomorrow and see what I can work out and hopefully I'll have something that will work for you tomorrow.

 

[Heather Roselli]

Heather,
Ok, nope, there is not 1 single software that does them all, at least not that I can find, but I'm looking into what works for each file type. I've been gone all day and now we are heading out to dinner and won't be back until late, but I'll play around some tomorrow and see what I can work out and hopefully I'll have something that will work for you tomorrow.

Thanks! That would be great! I was able to DL the Silhouette software from their site, so I'll go back to see if I can get the Robo one too. This is just so hard not having the equipment, knowledge or anything to understand all this and still want to include all these file types. I really hate to do it all wrong!

 

[Kenzi]

I have a cricut that I got when they first came out, long before they even had the silhouette. I liked it at first when I was doing a lot more regular scrapping especially for alphas. Then my MIL and SIL got the silhouette and now I have silhouette envy. I have a fair amount of money invested in the cricut (the machine, cartridges, software etc.) that I can't justify getting a silhouette right now. So in my humble opinion, get the silhouette. Even though it seems expensive up front, you can cut true type fonts and download images to cut with out having to buy extra software and/or cartridges. One thing I hate about the cricut is that you have to buy a whole $49-$89 cartridge just to get one image even if you don't want/care about the other on it :thumbdown:

 

[Jamies Creations]

I've had my Silhouette a little over a year and I love it!!

You cannot convert .studio files, they've gone proprietary. But, if you have Inkscape (and maybe illustrator), you can create a file, save it as SVG, or DFX. The silhouette can read .dxf. The biggest problem I have with designers selling cutting files, in all honesty is, most charge around 4 or 5 dollars for just the cut file. They are .99 through the Silhouette so, I have a hard time there. But, I do love when I get a cut file with a hybrid tempate! Then, I can design my own and P&C, or use regular old scrao paper and cut it.

 

[pam4gators]

I have a silhouette and cricut, let me tell you the silhouette by far smokes the cricut product, I have made glass etched things for gifts and everyone just thinks I am soooo creative, which I am not! I put my daughters name on her bags and scrapbook pages with rhinestones. I dont know how I ever lived without my silhouette. This thing is great. I like the tattoo kit also, it is really neat. I can take a few pictures of things I have done. I have a thirty one bag that had these dotted circle pattern I put the rhinestones in them and my name on it. I can also help with any info if you need it.