NutSew wrote:oh my gosh. i didn't understand any of that. maybe i should get ds instead of scal. i am so confused.
SCAL is much better than DS, since you can create designs to cut out, or use designs created by other folks (including everything shared on this forum). It just sounds complicated because it's new to you.
SVG is simply the file type that is used by SCAL, such as filename.svg. SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics and is like saying BMP or JPEG.
In SCAL, there are 2 ways of doing things, either OPENING a file that is already a SCUT file (such as something you saved or something someone else made - SCUT is the file type SCAL creates when you save a project) OR you can IMPORT a svg file. Which just involves clicking the SVG button in SCAL, choosing the file you want and then it opens in SCAL. Very, very simple and no more difficult than DS.
Once you get the hang of SCAL, you can then create your own designs in inkscape, which is a free graphics program that will make SVG files for you. Or you can use any program that can create SVG files, such as Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator, if you already have them. Even if you don't want to learn inkscape, there are nice folks here that are usually willing to help out and make designs.
But the best part of SCAL is that you are NOT tied down to buying cartridges and only using what Provocraft makes for you. You can do anything you want.
-- but I found some designs I absolutly love and it says svg files - would like to know before I go out and purchase them ..