scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 11, 2015 18:22:56 GMT
I can't believe I am actually considering buying this machine. I love my Cameo. I had heard good things about the Explore, but I absolutely hated the idea of the software being limited to online only use.
I saw the Explore at the Scrapbook Expo, and the gal showed me things that really did impress me. I picked the design, I picked the size it cut the design, and I made it as challenging as possible. I was impressed, and that is saying a lot.
I thought I either heard or read somewhere that they are working on being able to use the machine with just the computer, minus the online only restriction, but I don't know if that is true or just blarney told me by the demonstrator at the Expo. I also don't know if it would be a completely new machine or if it would just be a software update. I don't want to buy a machine now thinking it would just be a software update, only to find later that PC decided to make it a new version of the Explore instead.
Does anyone know anything about it? Will it always be online only cutting?
Thanks for any info or thoughts you may have on this.
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Jul 12, 2015 23:55:07 GMT
I've only heard the same rumor. PC has been better lately but I still wouldn't hold my breath. I'll believe it when I see it.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 13, 2015 14:01:56 GMT
At least I know I am not the only one who heard the rumor. I guess I will just wait patiently until more is known. It's not like I need a new machine, but right now I could use the Explore's ability to cut heavier materials.
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 14, 2015 12:59:13 GMT
I would wait until it is actually a real thing. I've heard it too, but as Abe Lincoln said, "You can't believe everything you hear on the internet"....  I love my Print & Cut with the Cameo and wouldn't give up the large size it does. The Explore doesn't have a very large Print & Cut space. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 14, 2015 14:51:33 GMT
That makes two others who have heard the same rumor, but I think I will wait till it is a reality. Unless they offer a screaming deal for Amazon Prime tomorrow, of course.
I am not into Print and Cut. It's just not my thing for some reason, although maybe I should try doing more with stamping, coloring, and turning the results into a Print & Cut for making multiple cards. I hadn't thought of that until just now. I do still love my Cameo. That will never change. I can make anything with it, and I love the software. I am not that impressed with the Explore software.
I love very detailed cuts. That is one of my weaknesses, and as painful as it has been to admit that I am actually interested in the Explore (I seriously never, ever thought I could want another Provo Craft product), I have to admit that the Explore cuts better details than the Cameo. It can also cut pretty heavy leather, which is a plus, since my son loves to design and make leather crafts.
Provo Craft has really turned around.
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Jul 14, 2015 15:02:25 GMT
I would wait until it is actually a real thing. I've heard it too, but as Abe Lincoln said, "You can't believe everything you hear on the internet".... I love my Print & Cut with the Cameo and wouldn't give up the large size it does. The Explore doesn't have a very large Print & Cut space. What is the size difference for the p&c? I haven't heard that there was a difference. |
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 14, 2015 20:12:35 GMT
With the Explore you can only "print then cut" up to 6" wide by 8" tall.
I have a large format printer and just finished a project that I printed on 11x17 paper and I regularly print on 12x12 paper. It would be a waste of my awesome printer on an Explore.
I bump out my registration marks on the Cameo and can actually get a pretty large printable area. Love it! Use it all the time.
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 19:44:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 7:24:18 GMT
scrapnnana- Have you seen the new Silhouette Curio? It is going to be the new cutter in the Silhouette line that can cut out heavy materials. I am waiting for that one. I was going to buy a Cricut Explore but the online thing is a huge NO for me. I need my cutting software to be offline. I have heard the rumors that there is an offline Cricut software currently in alpha testing. I heard this a couple of months back. If there is then I will put the Explore at the top of my list over the Curio just for the fact that I have ten billion cartridges. Plus, I do like Cricut's design library. |
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Post by htstepper on Jul 16, 2015 18:51:24 GMT
scrapnnana- Have you seen the new Silhouette Curio? It is going to be the new cutter in the Silhouette line that can cut out heavy materials. I am waiting for that one. I was going to buy a Cricut Explore but the online thing is a huge NO for me. I need my cutting software to be offline. I have heard the rumors that there is an offline Cricut software currently in alpha testing. I heard this a couple of months back. If there is then I will put the Explore at the top of my list over the Curio just for the fact that I have ten billion cartridges. Plus, I do like Cricut's design library. I am holding out for the Curio as well. I just hope it works well. I don't want to be tied to the internet. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 17, 2015 2:33:23 GMT
scrapnnana- Have you seen the new Silhouette Curio? It is going to be the new cutter in the Silhouette line that can cut out heavy materials. I am waiting for that one. I was going to buy a Cricut Explore but the online thing is a huge NO for me. I need my cutting software to be offline. I have heard the rumors that there is an offline Cricut software currently in alpha testing. I heard this a couple of months back. If there is then I will put the Explore at the top of my list over the Curio just for the fact that I have ten billion cartridges. Plus, I do like Cricut's design library. I have a ton of cartridges, too. I actually ordered the Explore Wednesday morning, but canceled before it shipped due to reading a lot of negative feedback. The negatives were a small percentage of the reviews, but I wanted time to think more about it. Part of my hesitation was that the negative reviews were not just the kind of things that less computer savvy people give, but things having to do with customer service, or software and online issues. Yes, I think I may want to look more closely at the Curio. Also, we are trying to renovate so we can sell our house and move halfway across the country in a few months. I think I should wait awhile, since I really do not need to get sidetracked from what I need to do, and a new cutter would definitely sidetrack me. Perhaps by then Provo Craft will get their act together again, and I can decide between the two machines. I thought that PC had really turned around, but their issue with the recent update causing the Explore to no longer work with certain computer operating systems (that did work before), is too much like an echo of their stupid decisions of the past. |
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Post by gale w on Jul 17, 2015 4:27:52 GMT
It looks like the Curio's bigger mat is only 8.5 x 12.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 6:37:01 GMT
Gale- I didn't even think about mat size. I just took a peek at the mats on Silhouette's site and your right about the size. I wonder why the Curio is so small? I wonder if it has anything to do with PixScan. I saw that PixScan mat for the Curio. If the Curio is a small machine that is a plus for me. That just put it in the lead over the Explore. I don't need a large cutter. I would rather have small. Scrapnnana- The computer problems on the Explore are a big No point for me too. This is very techy reason but it is a big decion for me in purchasing. ProvoCraft's software has always been very Adobe oriented. The major tech companies such as Facebook, Twitter & Firefox want Adobe to phase out Flash. Design Space (Cricut's software) needs Flash & Air to run. When Adobe does phase out Flash because it is matter of when and not if then PC will need to rewrite their software. I do love my cartridges. I have everything linked online. I do like PC's design library. I have used Design Space and it was pretty nice for basic cutting software. There is just too many if's right now for me to puchase an Explore. I have spent so much money on if things in the craft industry and been disappointed. That is my rule do not buy if purchases. I wish you a very easy and safe move. I moved two years ago but only across town. I got rid of a lot of my cutters. After I moved to my new home the way I die cut really changed. I never regretted downsizing. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 17, 2015 12:19:25 GMT
The computer problems on the Explore are a big No point for me too. This is very techy reason but it is a big decion for me in purchasing. ProvoCraft's software has always been very Adobe oriented. The major tech companies such as Facebook, Twitter & Firefox want Adobe to phase out Flash. Design Space (Cricut's software) needs Flash & Air to run. When Adobe does phase out Flash because it is matter of when and not if then PC will need to rewrite their software. ...There is just too many if's right now for me to puchase an Explore. I knew that Flash was probably going to be phased out, but I did NOT realize that Design Space needs Flash to run, so I am very, very glad now that I canceled the order for the Explore. While I hope they would just rewrite their software, I can't help wondering if they will just come out with another new machine at the time of the new software, which would force customers once again to buy the new machine. They seem to kind of have a track record for continuing to churn out new machines. I know the money spent on cartridges has kept a lot of people buying new machines from Provo Craft because they have so much invested in their cartridges. I have mixed feelings. The reason I have two Expressions is because I wanted a back up for the sake of how much money I spent on those cartridges. I have always planned to cut my favorite designs from those cartridges, scan them, and convert each to a Silhouette file over time. As long as I keep the cartridges, I still have the legal right to cut them, no matter what machine I use. I am NOT going to buy another Provo Craft machine solely for the sake of how much I have invested in the cartridges. I will only buy another PC machine if it is worth buying. I had finally decided that the Explore was such a machine, and now I am no longer sure. I am not thrilled with the smaller mat size of the Curio. I started with a smaller machine (blue Wishblade) and prefer the larger size capability of the Cameo. At this point, I am starting to consider the Silver Bullet again, despite its higher price tag. Thanks for your good wishes regarding our upcoming move. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2015 10:17:48 GMT
I have heard wonderful things about the Silver Bullet cutter. I don't really follow that cutter in the paper crafting world. The great reviews I heard are from the artists who work with models- airplanes, railroads, dollhouses, etc... I love making dollhouse miniatures and hear a lot about cutters from the modelers. They need those heavy duty cutters to really cut through the materials they use and it seems to cut perfect scale. Modelers and miniaturists scale is very important since you have to cut tiny. If I was in the market for that kind of cutter I would definitely have a Silver Bullet. Right now my miniature making is doll house decor and clothes I don't need the machine, yet.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 18, 2015 12:50:37 GMT
I can't say that I "need" another cutter, either. It would just be nice to be able to cut some materials that the Cameo can't do, and cut tinier details. The Cameo does very well, but the size and detail that I saw the Explore cut at the Scrapbook Expo was even more impressive, and it's far less expensive than the Silver Bullet. After we move, we have plans for a small business, and I may be able to justify buying the Silver Bullet for that, but I don't know. Also, I looked at the Silver Bullet gallery, and I saw nothing that showed the same kind of tiny detail that the Explore did. It may do even better than the Explore, but the kinds of projects they had didn't show anything better than what the Cameo can do (in the gallery there).
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Post by gale w on Jul 18, 2015 20:49:30 GMT
My next machine will be the scan n cut. I tried it once and it didn't cut evenly around images, but apparently they've fixed that, plus it's possible to calibrate it now (it probably was before but there weren't any instructions for it). I'm waiting on a sale but it's not looking good.
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gramma
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Post by gramma on Jul 19, 2015 22:49:46 GMT
Thank you for this thread. I was all set to buy the Explore. Between the information here and watching a gal at the last crop I was at I have changed my mind. I'll keep using my Cameo an Expression machines
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Jul 20, 2015 23:23:00 GMT
They are going to make it so that you don't need to be online for the iPad. I think this is their test run. If it works, they will move on to the computer. I know they have made lots of changes since the Explore launch because of feedback. They are working on making the Print then Cut a bigger working space. For me I have only had Cricut machines and I really love the Explore. I don't go on crops and my internet speed works good with it. I wasn't too sure about an online only machine but there was a big sale at Christmas so I caved in. I was getting tired of my E2 not cutting cleanly like with circles. Drove me batty. I have had no problems with the Explore cuts. I used the Print then Cut function heavily for my daughter's Hogwarts Birthday Party. I have been using my Explore way more than I ever used my Create or E2. I actually like the fact that I can get out my laptop and design on it if the computer is being hogged by my daughter or I don't want to turn the computer on yet. It's also helped me with doing vinyl sayings for my friend's window designs she sells. She's very impressed with how small I can get the letters now though doesn't understand how to use the machine or else she'd get one herself. If you already have other machines I can see why one might not want to jump on this one until all the kinks are out. Though for me who hasn't used any of the other brands, this machine is drool worthy for me.  |
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 21, 2015 12:54:54 GMT
I don't think the Curio is a replacement for any of the Silhouette machines. I have heard it really doesn't cut anything heavier than what the Cameo will cut. It can just have thicker material put in to it. It can emboss, because you put soft mats underneath of it. It looks interesting -but I will need a good price break before I consider it. Here it is in action: Silhouette Curio in actionI have seen some leather cuts from the Explore and that is pretty cool - but as far as "heavy leather" - it didn't look like it would do a great job on that. It did a nice job on the thin stuff. I also read some interesting things about how the Explore doesn't work with older operating systems, specifically an older Mac OS. Cricut just up and said if you have that OS and don't want to update - you can't use the machine, you need to buy a new computer. At least Silhouette keeps older software for users of older OS's. They have the "Legacy" version for those who still have XP. That is one thing I really like about Silhouette. No matter how old of a machine you have - even the really old original machines - the same blades, mats, and software will work with them ALL. If you go to a Silver Bullet - remember that none of your Silhouette files will work with that software (the .studio format). |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 21, 2015 15:44:20 GMT
Yes, I understand that my studio format files won't work with the Silver Bullet. I knew my Gazelle (.wpc) files wouldn't work with my Cameo when I chose to buy it. However, I can still use Illustrator for designing files that can be used on the various cutters. I am very capable of designing my own cutting files and do so as needed. If I buy the Silver Bullet, it will mainly be for cutting leather for a business my son wants to do.
At the Scrapbook Expo, the swatches of sample materials the Explore could cut included a fairly heavy piece of cowhide. That was part of what impressed me.
No rush to decide now, anyway.
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 22, 2015 18:55:40 GMT
You can also screen shot your designs and re-do them in Illustrator to make them work with the other cutters - I am sure you already know that - LOL It's a pain to do though.... I had seen some heavier leather cut on the Explore and it took a double cut, and then a little scissors work to clean it up. I am sure it depends on the thickness and the part of the hide too. It is amazing what it can cut though. I wish the Silhouette had a little more down force. I was disappointed to hear that the new Curio really didn't have any more down force than the Cameo. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 22, 2015 22:52:54 GMT
That IS disappointing about the Curio!
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Post by kraft4fun on Jul 23, 2015 4:37:01 GMT
Curio is an enhancement not a replacement. Not even interested here. Love my cameo though.
Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards
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