MTC vs SCAL

[Shelley]

Do you guys think that if you have SCAL, is there really a 'need' for MTC?

I own DS + SCAL 1 & 2... Don't really use DS or SCAL 1 anymore....

What do you guys think about MTC? a waste, or just another fun tool???

[Sweetness4713]

For myself?? SCAL2 has everything I need.. They are constantly upgrading the SCAL2 to better it so who knows what good things the future holds

[pennsylvaniakate]

No, if you all ready have SCAL 2, I wouldn't bother with MTC. The two programs are keeping neck-to-neck across the board. What one can do today, the other will be able to do tomorrow.

[atlantis4569]

I have both programs and I'm glad that I do! SCAL will do everything you need it to do, but I like MTC because it has a new feature that lets you trace your cartridge images (the ones you already own), to svg's with ease. I LOVE that! And while MTC is GREAT, I find myself always using SCAL to cut. Download the trial version and see for yourself. =)

[Deloris]

I tried the trial version of MTC a few weeks ago and didn't like it. Guess I'm just used to designing with Inkscape or SCAL2. I have been able to create anything I can dream up with the two programs so I can't see any reason that I would ever pay for MTC. ( I only own a couple of Cricut cartridges and rarely use them so the new feature of MTC doesn't interest me enough to get me to pay $ for it.)

[Shelley]

I have been browsing the MTC forum... They have some cool stuff, that you could use in SCAL... fonts and stuff...

Some of the projects that people have done inspire me. I guess I am not going to get this software, I have all I need w/ SCAL...

But there's some great ideas over there!!!

OK... back to my homework... I must get it done... Spring break is so close I can't wait!!

[Care_911]

The only advantage I can see is the whole being able to trace your cart images thing... Which could be very useful, since Design Studio is so limited and user-unfriendly (although it's up-side is being able to download and trade .cut files). Let's see... around $80 for MTC... around $400 for Cricut Gypsy (which is supposed to give you the functions SCAL already does.) Not much of a toss-up there, if that is what you are looking for. That's the only thing that might make me consider MTC, because I do have DS and lots of carts as well as SCAL. But also do not know if MTC does a cricut-standard job of it, either.

Having said that though, I am completely loyal to SCAL. They were there first, they have hands-down the most awesome customer service, and are making sure everything MTC can do they can do better. If I ever did buy MTC, it would be an adjunct to SCAL, not a replacement, and for that one purpose only, and you would have to be able to combine cricut images like in DS otherwise what is the point, since you can just cut them on your cricut or ds otherwise. The person who built SCAL and this board built this person to person sharing system that MTC is now profiting on, to be what it is today. And if you ever want to check what a phenomenal job they've done, check out the cricut ds sharing board. It's absolute junk compared to what we have here on this board.

And I can completely understand why SCAL (Todd, is it? Not 100% sure) would not want to stick out their neck on the cricut images capability. Let MTC try it and see if they get sued by Cricut. Thanks for the tip about the MTC forums though, as another site to pick up more svg files, I never thought of that.

I may be a little biased on the basis of the hard work that went into building this business, as my mother works as a baker for farmer's markets and was one of their "founding fathers" so to speak. Once it was booming and lots of customers coming in then every seller wants a piece of it, but they weren't there during the lean years when there were little customers and you baked and spent all day in the rain to earn only $80. It's a metaphor, but I hope you understand what I'm saying. Todd built this, and they are launching off his pad.

[Shelley]

Oh, don't get me wrong I'm totally loyal to SCAL too... And I definately did not want to replace it with MTC... Just wondering what's so great about it. I don't feel the need to back up my carts at this time... They still work, and I don't mind using them the "old fashioned" way. But I really don't even bother with them anymore...

I guess one good thing about backing up your carts, is it's easier to get what you need... But then again you could just open DS and do what you want with your cart... so....

Time will tell what happens, with the whole Provo Craft, and MTC... That will be interesting to see how that unfolds...

[missiethegal]

To buy or not to buy MTC...
I started with SCAL and did end up purchasing MTC a while back before SCAL had all the awesome updates.
I haven't used it much as SCAL is my go-to program but I am happy to support those that are trying to improve the possibilities with the Cricut when I can. Even if my MTC hasn't gotten much use yet, I am so glad it came about! SCAL2 has improved IMMENSELY since and MTC has gotten even more people involved in our fun!! Which has lead to so many more ideas and potential. I like to think that MTC is still kinda in its infancy stage (at least for what I desire in a program) and Andy is busy constantly working at improving it-- so who knows what it will be like after more time.

I think MTC is superior in creating layered designs from images but I guess I don't do that style often-- my designs usually become complicated and intricate and I usually end up editing a bunch so the node and drawing tools of SCAL are near and dear to me.
Personally, and I don't like saying this, but at this time I don't think there is a true need to purchase MTC right now if you're satisfied with SCAL2. Of course, it could depend on your design style preferences--layers, etc-- if you haven't already, definitely play around with the MTC trial version and see if you think you are missing out on anything.

Also... if you are hopeful like me, I've got faith in Andy and his program and he has said all along that upgrades will be free, and I figured I would end up purchasing MTC at some point, so I decided I might as well buy early so I can play and learn from the get-go and keep up with the program as it evolves. Just something else to consider

[atlantis4569]

Time will tell what happens, with the whole Provo Craft, and MTC... That will be interesting to see how that unfolds...

Nahhh, as the owner of MTC Andy said in one of his posts, there's not a whole lot that Provo Craft can do about tracing an image off of your own cart, that you already bought and purchased. And if you think back to a couple years ago, everyone thought that SCAL was going to get sued by PC and that never happened. BUT, here is what can get tricky, (and you and I already talked briefly about this Shelley ) but I think it's going to become a big problem when people start sharing those different svg files off of the cartridges. Now THAT'S what's going to be VERY interesting!