Should I buy SCAL or not?

[funtosave]

Thanks Bob!

[countrycutter]

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. One other question I have is, can you use shapes and designs from the Cricut cartridges to design with or do you just use the shape library in SCAL and any true type or open fonts? I have a ton of cricut cartridges and would like to use those designs to create with also.
Thanks,
CC

[gj1]

If you had DS that is what you would use with your carts still or their new program that I think they have. You can not use them with Scal...but Scal Shapes Library works in much the same way to combine images to make new images. I love it. I only missed my carts for a little while...now I very rarely use them for anything. I ran out of ideas with them and with Scal the ideas are endless.

[bex777]

Hi
I was in the same situation as you. I ordered my cricut on Friday and bought 4 carts, on Saturday I found out about SCAL and bought it straight away. My cricut arrived on Tuesday and I've been playing around with SCAL so much that I need a new mat! I'm so mad I wasted all that money on the carts! I LOVE SCAL!!!!!

[sherylreal]

I have just found out about SCAL but I'm having some questions. I kinda understand the concept of downloading the fonts, I have some fonts on cd's and understand that I can download them onto my laptop/computer that the SCAL is loaded onto and I would be able to use those fonts to create with but how do you go about downloading shapes? And, is SCAL easier to use than Design Studio? I had DS and did not like it at all, I have a Gypsy and LOVE it.

Thanks so much for all your information.

[gj1]

You can download picture images and .svg images from google search for free and cut using SCAL. It requires a little learning and work...but that is the fun part to me...

There is a shapes library with couple hundred shapes(not sure exact number)ready made included with Scal. I use them all the time the same way combining and making totally new shapes on my own.

It is so much better than DS...there is no comparison. G need carts...Scal does not require that you purchase any.

After all of the above, you just hit 'cut'.

[matchboxpatty]

It's the best money I ever spent!!!!

[scrappindeb]

I have SCAL2 and love it. I also have the Gypsy for the Cricut. I find I hardly use my Gypsy anymore even tho the carts are on it. I always seem to go for my SVG's file which I have hundreds of images on it. There are thousands of SVG images on the net for free and for purchase. People are so creative. I have my images folder categorized like my font folder, Baby/Children images, Christmas, Halloween, Garden, etc. This makes it so much easier to find what image you are looking for.
I have a Fonts folder also. This file has hundreds of downloaded free fonts off the net. I quit installing them a long time ago. I just use my AMP Font viewer program which lists a list of my installed fonts and a list of uninstalled fonts. I have them categorized like ex: Children Fonts, Halloween Fonts, Christmas Fonts, etc. I type the title I want to use in the example box and then click thru the fonts to see how they will really look and I then choose the font I want to use in SCAL2 (located in my font folder), click on it to open it up. Then when you are in SCAL2, you go thru the font selector and the open font is there and you can use and cut with it. This way you do not use up so much of your computer resources with installed fonts.

Also, beware of updating your Cricut Expression with their updates as they will probably have a fix so that we can't cut them with another program. I won't be updating my Gypsy anymore either or buying any more carts.

Deb

[gj1]

What is AMP Font Viewer and how do I get that? Although, I can just type in Scal and then change the font and the text will change to show how it will look. I also have many uninstalled fonts and am so glad for this feature. I think downloading all of the fonts to my old computer is what damaged it. I keep them on a memory stick now.

I LOVE SCAL and was just mentioning to a friend about doing home repairs here now...plumbing, ac, roof, electric, painting...a little of all of it...and if I were still spending $100's on carts I would not have had the dollars to make the necessary repairs. SCAL is the right choice for those who live on any kind of a budget, AND IT IS MORE FUN, MORE CHOICES, MORE CREATIVITY, and less drama :)

[scrappindeb]

AMP Font Viewer is a viewer and manager of installed and uninstalled fonts. The reason I like it is it is so easy to type in your words or title and then click on the ex: uninstalled fonts and click down one by one and the words change to that font. That way, I get a very quick overview of which font I want to use. It has some other features too but this is the one I use most. It is a free download on the web so just type in amp font viewer download and it should pop up.