|
Post by nancydrew on Oct 13, 2016 19:44:17 GMT
Am I the only person that still just uses cartridges with my Cricut? I have the original Cricut (which my daughter is now using)and an Expression. I know I'd have a lot more options with Explore or Design Space but I just have no desire to be tied to my computer.
|
|
|
Post by OntarioScrapper on Oct 15, 2016 8:37:47 GMT
amayalylac - which store did you find it at? I'm in WM country too! I caved and bought the HSN Explore air 2 - I have the original 6x12 cricut and the 12x12 that I've had for years now. I also have the gypsy and I am so sad to know I can't link my carts to the new machine I just bought since they are all linked to my gypsy. I haven't even used my gypsy in quite awhile nor I have I upgraded in years. So I may be SOL as far as using my carts with new air 2. I am excited to get it and use the DS for a year for free though If you have a Cricut Account set up you can use that login in for Craft Room where there is an area to link your Gypsy and your cartridges will be accessable online. Use the same log in for Design Space and they will show up there. If that does not work, than call the Cricut people. For them to be able to link your cartridges they will ask you to take pictures of the carts and email them. They will manually add the cartridges to your account. When I decided to use Craft Room, I linked my carts there with my Gypsy. When I got my Explore, my carts showed up in Design Space.
|
|
|
Post by OntarioScrapper on Oct 15, 2016 8:41:58 GMT
Am I the only person that still just uses cartridges with my Cricut? I have the original Cricut (which my daughter is now using)and an Expression. I know I'd have a lot more options with Explore or Design Space but I just have no desire to be tied to my computer. There are many. I haven't used my Expression 2 in two years now. My internet is pretty good so I don't get as many glitches as others. I do wish Design Space had an off line option. I think that would make more "old school" cricuteers upgrade. I really enjoyed my Gypsy and Craftroom with my older machines (I also have a Create).
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 9:20:19 GMT
shecallsmenana- I am in Southwest Missouri. I was at my WalMart tonight and there was another new Cricut. This makes a whole inventory of two, lol. I just realized I don't know the price of these machines. I didn't look for it. nancydrew- I love your screen name. I still have my aqua Expression. I still have my cartridges. I will always love them. The only reason I have an Explore is because my Expression is on her last legs. I said this last year and she is still going. I was going to get another Cricut cartridge base system. The Black Friday deal last year at WalMart. made it cheaper for me to get the new Explore. I do admit I was curious too about the Explore. There are many Cricut girls & guys that prefer Cricut as a cartridge base system. Not old school at all. I have a great Internet setup. I have Cat 7's all over my home. I have a gaming router. Three gaming computers. With all of that I don't like being tied to my computer all the time when I am in my art studio. If I want to cut an oval I just want to cut the oval without booting up my computer & loading Design Space. For example this week I made the cutest pumpkin file in Inkscape and cut it out with the Explore. It was a lot of fun. I have been journaling all week and I have wanted to cut some simple files and I have avoided the Explore because it is too much of a hassle. I kept thinking "Baby Cricut would be so helpful right now!" I am actually considering buying another one. If another company came out with a good cartridge base system and the cartridges were fair in price I bet it would be popular.
|
|
|
Post by bay63 on Oct 21, 2016 19:54:01 GMT
So glad to see this thread.. I spent the last several hours updating the firmware on my Create & Expression..What a nightmare .. I couldn't get the machine to go into update mode even chatted with the Cricut help line no luck.. Finally found help online for do a forced reboot.. How do I link my carts to the Craft Room? They are already linked to my Gypsy. Tia~ Tia, if you have problems linking your carts through Craft Room, call Cricut. They can manually link them for you. However they will ask you to take a picture of every cartridge to do so. Sometimes the linking doesn't work well. Also if you have a cart like George, you have to call to get it linked. There are a few that just won't link to Craft Room.
I could not get my George to link either. I will give PC a call.
I have the original Expression and used SCAL. Piece of cake but my Expression didn't cut intricate designs very well. I was on the fence with the Explore because of Design space. How could a cutting software not make shadows. I would think that is the most basic feature. I watched a You-tube video about the Explore and he mentioned Inkscape. It took a bit to get used to Inkscape, but it is powerful. The Explore is a fantastic cutter, the best in IMO, but PC needs to beef up the software. I think they should spend more on the DS and less time making phone apps. Who wants to work on such a small screen!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2016 10:34:33 GMT
bay63- I agree wholeheartedly about Design Space not making shadows. Also it can not offset, node edit or do other basic functions that even software geared for young children can do. I love Inkscape. I have been using Inkscape before I even bought a die cutter. My first die cutter I ever bought was a Wishblade over ten years ago. I design all my vector's in Inkscape. Update on my WalMart getting in Explore's. They are slooowly tricking in. Now they have two kinds. The HSN ones and the basic Explore that is not the Air. I did check the price tonight. Yeah, I remembered, lol. The one with no bluetooth is $149 and the Air is $249. Black Friday last year I go the peach Explore with no Bluetooth I think for $149. Honestly, that is a great deal for a cutter. Especially, if you are new and don't want to put $300-$400 in a heavy duty cutter. Michael's this week has the Explore Air for $199. Your WalMart might price match it. I know WalMart doesn't price match as much as they use too but some managers still do. It doesn't hurt to ask or go to Michael's if you are wanting to buy one. I am starting to get a feeling that the pretty colored Explore Airs are going to be the Black Friday special. My WalMart is getting in a lot of stuff early for Black Friday and already selling it. I will let in on a small secret from last year. I didn't do Black Friday to get my Explore. I wasn't expecting to get it. I was shopping at WalMart around 11p.m. on Friday. DH & I were buying video games. I was walking past the craft department and setting at the return table was an Explore. I hardly could believe it. I ran right over and started looking at it. My DH said I had to get it. The manager came by and he saw me looking at it. I asked if I could have it. He said take it they won't have to put it back, lol. He gave me the Black Friday special for it too. Next day the other four were returned. They only got in five. My secret check your WalMart for the returns. Ask the manager if you can have it for Black Friday price. If you have a smaller WalMart they are usually very gracious about it.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 24, 2016 11:26:29 GMT
Apparently there's an increase of crafters because, Design Space is acing up for many users. I recently joined a Cricut Facebook group which I notice is heavily moderated. Recently when Design Space was slow from the influx of new Cricut owners when people would post about DS being slow I noticed the moderators would jump in and either say that they weren't having problems themselves with DS or they would imply the trouble was on the user's end and not from DS. I read that some of them work for Cricut so I assume they have been told to downplay any problems with Design Space and nip in the bud any complaints about it.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2016 7:50:35 GMT
NightOwl- This is very true what you said about ProvoCraft.
They always moderate their FB groups to the point of stalking obsession. They do not want any bad feedback from the Explore. I just found out from a ProvoCraft employee they also still sending employees to the other non-Facebook message boards and newsgroups posing as Cricut Explore users who have complaints about Facebook or the Explore. If it is not an employee it will be a trusted Facebook user who in turn will receive free Cricut products for doing this. Then when we jump on the complaint they start making damage control such as contradicting what we are posting. That made me growl. I found this out because I was just browsing Reddit and typed in Cricut. I found a board that seemed to be very Cricut employee based on answering questions. My friend told me it was not. They had an employee over there trying to prevent bad feedback. Um, there was no bad feedback. People were asking questions. Since I found this out I think all of that is very freaky. I really don't understand why they are doing this? You can only get better and have customer loyalty if you have feedback. If any of us have valid issues ProvoCraft does not want to address them. They only want our money.
I guess I will shut up about offline software and an offset/inset function. We are not going to get it. Android users will probably not have offline on their tablets.
Thanks for letting us know about how slow Design Space is right now. I am happy for the news. I really do not need this week to be dealing with online headaches. My Internet was just doing maintenance work for fifteen minutes and I was side eyeing my modem, lol.
I am thinking of getting a Scan n Cut. I should say I will have a Scan n Cut soon. We all know how that works out with me and die cutters, lol. Does anyone have both and do you prefer one over the other?
I found out we can use SCAL to convert to Scan n Cut's die cutting extension. We will technically have an offline software. I need a heavy duty cutter with no drama's and offline software.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 25, 2016 11:41:42 GMT
They always moderate their FB groups to the point of stalking obsession. They do not want any bad feedback from the Explore. I just found out from a ProvoCraft employee they also still sending employees to the other non-Facebook message boards and newsgroups posing as Cricut Explore users who have complaints about Facebook or the Explore. If they had faith in their product then they shouldn't be resorting to underhanded tactics. To be honest I think the machine itself is great, their downfall is having Design Space be dependent on the internet.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2016 6:58:43 GMT
NightOwl- I love the machine too. I think it is the best die cutter I have ever owned. Trust me, I have owned a lot. Design Space is so frustrating and wacky. ProvoCraft wants to be the top but makes a software that is completely online when their competitor has offline software. Yeah, that makes a lot of marketing and business sense, lol. I do understand a need for online software. If they were a smart company then they would have had both online/offline. Their underhanded tactics is a problem too. They have been doing this same song and dance for ten years now and two different CEO's. It is the same story, different day. They seem to thrive on drama and playing games. I put up with this drama too when they had pcCrafter. Back then it was smaller since pcCrafter was so niche and the community was smaller and much more willing to nail them on their bad behavior. So seeing it on a larger scale just is mind boggling to me.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 26, 2016 10:27:38 GMT
ProvoCraft wants to be the top but makes a software that is completely online when their competitor has offline software. I looked at other machines but the reason I went with the Explore is because I have so much invested in cartridges. My husband liked to give me cartridges for Christmas, birthday, valentine's day, etc. so I built up a collection over the years. It is so frustrating to finally get the time and in the mood to scrapbook and then when I sit down to do it I can't get into Design Space.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2016 6:59:41 GMT
I looked at other machines but the reason I went with the Explore is because I have so much invested in cartridges. My husband liked to give me cartridges for Christmas, birthday, valentine's day, etc. so I built up a collection over the years. It is so frustrating to finally get the time and in the mood to scrapbook and then when I sit down to do it I can't get into Design Space. Same story for me too. I have close to 100 cartridges. A lot of those cartridges were gifts. Some of my cartridges I adore like Hello Kitty, Summer in Paris, & Art Nouveau. I really do love my Cricut designs. I was one of the early adopter's to the Cricut when they first released it. I had a Wishblade but when I saw my favorite pcCrafter designer's making Cricut cartridges I wanted the machine. I hate Design Space. ProvoCraft knows the majority of the customer base hates Design Space. If they had offline software I would not own another cutter. I will take that back I would keep my Cameo since I can print & cut at 600DPI and the Explore can only print at 300DPI. That is the only reason I would keep my Cameo. I do prefer the Print & Cut process on the Explore. Ten plus years as a ProvoCraft customer & I will never understand their marketing thought process.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 27, 2016 16:13:53 GMT
when I saw my favorite pcCrafter designer's making Cricut cartridges I wanted the machine Me too. When Cricut first came out and I saw they had cartridges from companies like Doodlebug and Pebbles I had to have it. I used to really like ProvoCraft's designs, I loved their patterned paper. But now it seems like Cricut doesn't get the variety of designs any more, Anna Griffin is talented but she is not my style. Now it seems like Silhouette is getting more companies and designers working with them.
|
|
gigikay
Shy Member
Posts: 15
May 3, 2016 18:41:51 GMT
|
Post by gigikay on Oct 28, 2016 3:57:06 GMT
Glad to find this thread. I have the original Expression. Got it right after it came out. Still running strong. I also was given and new in the box, never opened Expressions 2. Kept it as I thought the original one must be on it last leg. Nope. I do also use the silhouette too. My goal in the next few month is to learn how to use the Cricut Craft Room. Cartridges, I have so many which is one reason I would never be with out a Cricut of one type or the other.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 9:17:06 GMT
NightOwl- I noticed the same thing too about ProvoCraft. The designs have really changed. I am sure there is somebody saying "These are the best designs in the world!" I am happy for them they are getting their time. I do really miss my paper piecing designs. I know a lot of people hated the cutesy designs. I didn't at all. I loved them. ProvoCraft was actually releasing authentic Kawaii cartridges. I know it seems quirky but I always felt like I could tell a story with my Cricut cartridges. Every time I made something it turned into a little scene. gigikay- I almost bought an E2 over the Explore. I got the Explore for a great price. I still buy cartridges. I do love my Silhouette. Least I know I have an offline machine when Cricut decides to have issues. Luckily, I really haven't been through those issues. Knocking on wood. I think it's because I craft late at night. I would think they would do server repairs at the time but they have always been online. I have only been knocked off once and that was years ago with Cricut Craft Room. It wasn't a big deal because I had my Gypsy. My Silhouette has turned into a sticker maker now. It is my go to Print & Cut machine. I make the majority of my stickers with my Cameo. Even though sometimes I do make stickers with the Cricut. Cricut Craft Room is nice. I bet it is quiet now that everyone is using Design Space. That is a good thing. Less people better server time. Cricut Craft Room is probably a lot more stable since most of the early day glitches have been patched or fixed. Anyone thinking of getting another die cutter for Christmas or upgrading to a different Explore? I am thinking of getting the Scan n Cut. DH & I love to sew. That machine cuts out your sewing patterns. I don't think it would do a formal wear dress pattern. It can cut out doll patterns and other simple to medium sewing patterns. DH & I just really want it as an enhancement to our sewing/embroidery machines.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 30, 2016 2:29:31 GMT
I know a lot of people hated the cutesy designs. I didn't at all. I loved them. ProvoCraft was actually releasing authentic Kawaii cartridges. The Create A Critter 1 & 2 and Simply Charmed cartridges are some of my favorites and remind me of the Kawaii stuff. I just recently upgraded to an Explore and am discovering sites for SVG files and I found some that have Kawaii designs, so excited! I have the original Expression. Am I the only person that still just uses cartridges with my Cricut? I have been using my trusty pink Expression until a few weeks ago when I got the Explore Air. I still love being able to stick a cartridge in and go, right now I have been using Baby Steps a lot since I have been working on my daughter's baby album. I am still getting used to the Explore and I am keeping my Expression to use too.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 7:18:44 GMT
Night Owl- I love Create A Critter cartridges! I swear those are the must have cartridges for Cricuting. I think it is so funny that a few Etsy sellers are making the cutest planner clips from those cartridges. What is so funny is that people are buying them that own a Cricut Explore. I guess they don't realize ProvoCraft owns the designs and the Explore users can buy them in the store. That says something for ProvoCraft that maybe their more unique designs are getting buried under all their new home decor designs and coloring pages. Maybe, the marketing department should be peeking at Etsy a bit more. Most of the items I make with my Cricut are Kawaii or French designs. A few weeks ago I was going through my December Daily items. I found the cutest gingerbread die cut. I squealed in excitement. I didn't remember buying him. He was so cute. Where did I get this? I remembered I made him from Create A Critter when I first got my Explore, lol. I loved the Pink Expressions. I remember when they came out I so coveted one. Then the Black Friday color Expressions came out and I had to have one. I love my Aqua Expressions. I know I will cry when she finally goes to Cricut heaven. I will probably have my DH try to fix her. I can't part with her. I don't use her much since I got the Explore but she was the best and most dependable Cricut I ever owned. I was one of the girls whose Expressions bit the dust after three years.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 30, 2016 19:46:02 GMT
maybe their more unique designs are getting buried under all their new home decor They need to get Nancy Kubo (who designed Create a Critter 1&2 and Create a Friend) back. Also they just got a few designs by Heidi Swapp in Design Space and they would have been smart to advertise that since she has a lot of fans but they didn't even mention it. I dislike how they have turned their back on their long time scrapbooking users and are pushing all the home decor stuff, most of the home decor stuff to me is dust collectors. Maybe I am in the minority but I joined a Facebook group and all those women do is make stuff with vinyl and that doesn't really interest me either. I would rather have cute designs I can make layouts and cards with.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 22:35:35 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2016 7:37:11 GMT
NightOwl- I wish they would get a lot of designer's back. They ran a bunch of them off when the whole Cricut fiasco happened. I am just stunned about this with Heidi Swapp. What a stupid marketing decision. They will put up the Alice in Wonderland movie designs prominently on their front page during the Johnny Depp abuse allegations even though the movie studio was sending out memo's for merchandiser's to not display these items so prominently to help minimize the financial damage from the fallout. I had to ask WalMart where the Alice display was and the manager showed me a little area in the books. I was like "Poor Helena Bonham Carter what did she do to deserve this?" It is shame that ProvoCraft didn't respect the movie studio's wishes. I know Helena is a paper crafter. Helena I am definitely seeing the movie because I adore you and it is Alice. You are the Queen. I am happy for the home decorator's they are able to find pretty design's. Yes, I definitely feel very shafted by ProvoCraft for forgetting us paper crafter's. Seriously, look at Etsy, everyone and check out the planner clips. There are a lot of Cricut design's. There is one planner clip girl and she is so popular on YouTube for her little clips. The girls go crazy over them and it is mainly Create A Critter. I told a couple of the girls it is Create A Critter that own Explore's. They honestly didn't even know. They had subscriptions. ProvoCraft is really hiding these design's. Not, that I want the planner clip girl to lose business. She is very talented. I can't remember her Etsy store at the moment. Planner girls are also making dashboards from ProvoCraft. Sticker's from ProvoCraft. Provocraft planner sticker's are hugely popular. Ebay people are still hot bidding like crazy for ProvoCraft die cuts that scrapbooker's are selling. Project Life designer's are making cute cards from the Explore. I log in Design Space and I can make a Thanksgiving centerpiece and do a print and cut of Ironman. Sorry, ProvoCraft I already bought a great sticker book of the Avenger's at WalMart. I didn't like when Silhouette released Print & Cut of DC. What did I say to you ProvoCraft when Silhouette did that? Thank you for giving us a cartridge of DC cuts. I don't want coloring pages or Print & Cut's of my license characters. I got my Avenger's coloring book too. I bought it at the Dollar Tree. NightOwl- You are definitely not in the minority. I want cute cuts. Planner girls want cute cuts. Scrapbooker's still want cute cuts. Can we say Kate's ABC's. Remember when that cart came out? How we all went gaga over it. That is why probably Etsy die cut designer's are the hottest designer's right now over both Cameo & Cricut stores. I actually do have a source for that but I am really goofy tonight. I have a fever. I know I said that in another thread too. I sound so mad at them and so bashing. I am not that mad. I do like the Explore. I am frustrated with ProvoCraft and their marketing decisions. I know they are trying to be trendy. They are starting to get stuck in trends and not branch out to other trends. I think they are so stubborn and don't listen to customer feedback.
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Oct 31, 2016 8:13:20 GMT
Kate's ABC's. Remember when that cart came out? I remember, my husband bought me Kate's ABC's, Baby Steps, and Once Upon A Princess for Christmas 2010 and I was in heaven because I loved all those cartridges. I wish they made more cute designs like that I could get excited about. I love the cartridges like Create A Critter where they made the layering easy so you didn't have to deal with gluing on tiny eyes, ears, and mouths. That's why I was so happy when Doodlebug came out with SVG cutting files because they are my style. When I saw they were first only in the Silhouette store I was so bummed because Doodlebug used to design for Cricut and it seems like all the designers and companies I like are going to Silhouette versus Cricut. I have had the baby bug, Expression, and an Explore Air and I haven't had any problems with them so I am not totally bashing Cricut, I just wish they would get back to the cute designs they started with. It's understandable that Cricut is trying to branch out and get new users, but they should also be trying to keep their long time paper crafters happy too.
|
|
scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,116
Member is Online
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
|
Post by scrapnnana on Nov 1, 2016 1:53:06 GMT
I have the original Expression, and the Expression 2. I also have 105 cartridges and a Gypsy, which still works, and which I love.
So, I take it that the Explore does not work with the Gypsy? That the only way to use the Explore is with the Design Space software online?
I got the email from Michaels today that showed the Explore Air 2 in blue. I am sorely tempted. I almost bought the Explore Air a year ago, but we were getting ready to move, and I decided that was not the time to try to learn how to use a new machine. We are finally in our new home, although I have plenty of unpacking still to do.
I have read the three pages of this thread, and I gather that the machine cuts beautifully, but the software still stinks.
How easy is it to design in another program like Illustrator (I have CS2, and am very adept at using it), then save the file in SVG format, import it into the Design Space software and cut?
I have my carts loaded into my Gypsy. It sounds like I can take pictures of the carts (I do have them all) for Provo Craft to load them for me, or I can import them into the Cricut Craft Room with the Gypsy, then somehow transfer them to Design Space? There is no other way to use them? It sounds like a huge pain. I am trying to decide if it is worth it. I have not bought the Explore, because of that. My iPad is slowly dying, so I'm not sure the wireless ability matters that much. I just want the better cutting ability, and I want to be able to cut with my cartridges.
Got any advice for me? Any suggestions that will help me figure out whether to buy the machine or stick with my Expression?
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Nov 1, 2016 4:44:08 GMT
I gather that the machine cuts beautifully, but the software still stinks. That sums it up! I saw somebody on a Cricut Facebook page selling a new version of Sure Cuts A Lot, maybe you can use that to work offline and then import it to Design Space? That would make it appealing to me. It must be okay to use with the Explore because this Facebook page is heavily moderated by Cricut employees and they would have yanked the posts if it was a no no. I also have a Gypsy but I had only linked 2 cartridges to it, I just recently got the Explore Air and haven't messed around with having those carts moved to Design Space yet because it does sound like a hassle.
|
|
scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,116
Member is Online
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
|
Post by scrapnnana on Nov 2, 2016 14:14:18 GMT
I gather that the machine cuts beautifully, but the software still stinks. That sums it up! I saw somebody on a Cricut Facebook page selling a new version of Sure Cuts A Lot, maybe you can use that to work offline and then import it to Design Space? Does it matter which program you use to create your own designs? Don't files you design just need to be in the SVG format? While designing files is something I would need to do, I also want to use my cartridges, so that hassle is something I am considering in whether or not to buy the machine. It sounds like some people are having issues with the Provo Craft servers, and others aren't. Is it based on the time of day they want to cut something? If so, what times of day have worked well for people? It also sounds like one or two people somehow are able to cut their project using an iPod or iPad while not online? Clarify, please? What do you do? I really do appreciate any and all comments. I am trying to decide whether to buy the Explore or not. I guess the most important question is this: does the software & online issue make it hard to use your machine when you want to? If so, how often has it been a problem?
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Nov 2, 2016 21:00:17 GMT
Heidi Swapp is coming out with a Cricut cartridge. They already have some of her stuff in Design Space. So maybe that's why they waited to advertise for her. I am trying to decide whether to buy the Explore or not Hope you get some more replies about the Explore. I just recently got my Explore Air and when the Air 2 came out Design Space was hard to get into from 8-11 pm which is when I wanted to work on things, but hopefully that will get better. I wanted the dual pen & blade but for people that don't care about that, the Explore One is going for $139 which is a good price.
|
|
|
Post by janesays on Nov 2, 2016 22:04:22 GMT
Hello! I am impatiently waiting for my HSN Air 2 to be delivered. I had an Expression and many cartridges years ago and ditched them all for a Cameo. I've been happy with my Cameo for several years and a friend got an Explore last summer and when I saw it I was just so impressed. It just had so many more updates than my Cameo and I was so sad! Anyways, I'm excited to be cutting with a Cricut again but I have to admit I am a little worried about learning this software that sounds terrible! And I have been on the Cricut website and I just do not understand the difference between Design Space (which I get a free year of) and Cricut Access. Anyone care to explain that to silly me? And can you recommend a good FB group? SaveSave
|
|
|
Post by nightnurse on Nov 3, 2016 13:23:47 GMT
It's super easy to upload SVGs. Lots of people are using Inkscape to create their designs, saving as SVG and importing to Design Soace. I'm not computer savvy and I have had Inkscape for years and am just now learning how to use it. Yes, DS software is limited but the ability to upload SVGs mitigates that. I have almost three hundred cartridges from the past 10 years or so and so I didn't want to start over with a new machine. I absolutely love the way the Explore cuts and how easy it is to use. But even for someone like me, who isn't really computer savvy, the software is frustratingly limited. For welding words and simple designs it's fine.
|
|
|
Post by riversong1963 on Nov 3, 2016 14:17:41 GMT
Hello! I am impatiently waiting for my HSN Air 2 to be delivered. I had an Expression and many cartridges years ago and ditched them all for a Cameo. I've been happy with my Cameo for several years and a friend got an Explore last summer and when I saw it I was just so impressed. It just had so many more updates than my Cameo and I was so sad! Anyways, I'm excited to be cutting with a Cricut again but I have to admit I am a little worried about learning this software that sounds terrible! And I have been on the Cricut website and I just do not understand the difference between Design Space (which I get a free year of) and Cricut Access. Anyone care to explain that to silly me? And can you recommend a good FB group? SaveSaveSure. Design Space is the software that works with the Explore machines, and Access is a subscription to the images/designs in Design Space.
|
|
|
Post by OntarioScrapper on Nov 5, 2016 22:42:19 GMT
Apparently there's an increase of crafters because, Design Space is acing up for many users. I recently joined a Cricut Facebook group which I notice is heavily moderated. Recently when Design Space was slow from the influx of new Cricut owners when people would post about DS being slow I noticed the moderators would jump in and either say that they weren't having problems themselves with DS or they would imply the trouble was on the user's end and not from DS. I read that some of them work for Cricut so I assume they have been told to downplay any problems with Design Space and nip in the bud any complaints about it. Yep, that's what I noticed in some of my groups. And some of the mods even claim they don't get kick backs so what they say MUST be true. Sure they don't. All I know is since last spring's update to DS, it's gotten worse for me. I really need to learn to use Inkscape for complicated designs. Because that's the problem with DS, it just can not handle complicated designs. I remember when the Explore first came and the advertising was how easy it was and that they had lots of premade designs for you to use. Well if you subscribe to their library! I think they missed the mark on that not realising how many of their crafters like to make their OWN stuff. That was the whole appeal of the Explore for me! Better cuts and I could bring in other designs and fonts. dorks. Since Flash is leaving us, they have claimed to be working on redesigning DS. They better or else none of us will be able to use our machines!
|
|
|
Post by OntarioScrapper on Nov 5, 2016 22:49:01 GMT
NightOwl- This is very true what you said about ProvoCraft. They always moderate their FB groups to the point of stalking obsession. They do not want any bad feedback from the Explore. I just found out from a ProvoCraft employee they also still sending employees to the other non-Facebook message boards and newsgroups posing as Cricut Explore users who have complaints about Facebook or the Explore. If it is not an employee it will be a trusted Facebook user who in turn will receive free Cricut products for doing this. Then when we jump on the complaint they start making damage control such as contradicting what we are posting. That made me growl. I found this out because I was just browsing Reddit and typed in Cricut. I found a board that seemed to be very Cricut employee based on answering questions. My friend told me it was not. They had an employee over there trying to prevent bad feedback. Um, there was no bad feedback. People were asking questions. Since I found this out I think all of that is very freaky. I really don't understand why they are doing this? You can only get better and have customer loyalty if you have feedback. If any of us have valid issues ProvoCraft does not want to address them. They only want our money. This is why the group Cricut Misfits I am in has become secret. We kept getting these annoying moles! I don't know if they will ever open up to members again because they did change the group and we got an influx of moles again. So back to being a Secret Group. And honestly they are so much more helpful when DS is giving you problems. You don't have to worry about what you actually say. You will notice the groups that say they want "drama free" and to direct any negative comments about DS to Cricut themselves, are the ones you just can't say anything. I keep my mouth shut on those groups because I'm looking for inspiration and post my stuff. One of these groups recently had a mod post a post about how to report negative posts because they needed help. I'm guessing too many are complaining and considering how quick FB is, they can't catch them all!
|
|
|
Post by OntarioScrapper on Nov 5, 2016 23:08:58 GMT
I have the original Expression, and the Expression 2. I also have 105 cartridges and a Gypsy, which still works, and which I love. So, I take it that the Explore does not work with the Gypsy? That the only way to use the Explore is with the Design Space software online? I got the email from Michaels today that showed the Explore Air 2 in blue. I am sorely tempted. I almost bought the Explore Air a year ago, but we were getting ready to move, and I decided that was not the time to try to learn how to use a new machine. We are finally in our new home, although I have plenty of unpacking still to do. I have read the three pages of this thread, and I gather that the machine cuts beautifully, but the software still stinks. How easy is it to design in another program like Illustrator (I have CS2, and am very adept at using it), then save the file in SVG format, import it into the Design Space software and cut? I have my carts loaded into my Gypsy. It sounds like I can take pictures of the carts (I do have them all) for Provo Craft to load them for me, or I can import them into the Cricut Craft Room with the Gypsy, then somehow transfer them to Design Space? There is no other way to use them? It sounds like a huge pain. I am trying to decide if it is worth it. I have not bought the Explore, because of that. My iPad is slowly dying, so I'm not sure the wireless ability matters that much. I just want the better cutting ability, and I want to be able to cut with my cartridges. Got any advice for me? Any suggestions that will help me figure out whether to buy the machine or stick with my Expression? Explore only cuts through Design Space. You can use another design program with other images to import into DS if you want. Inkscape is a free version. As for your Cartridges, they can only be used in DS. You can only link your Gypsy through Craft Room. You Cricut log needs to be the same for Craft Room and Design Space. Once you link your Gypsy to Craft room, you carts will show up in BOTH programs. There are some Carts that don't transfer easily to DS. So you need to look at your list to see if any are missing. Cricut will want pictures of the front and back of the carts that won't link and can add them manually. Big plus of the Explore, you can use your computer FONTS and bring in outside images. Cuts the best. Big Minus, Design Space can be glitchy as hell. If you have very fast internet, that will help. Lots of extra RAM on your computer too. But since DS is cloud based, projects can go missing and weird things happen when you are designing. One thing I have noticed is NEVER be in DS for long amounts of time with no cutting. For some reason DS thinks you are being inactive and all of a sudden you can't save your design or cut. So saving constantly is a must. There are limitations with the software. Doesn't like complicated designs or too many images in one project. I've had to split projects into 2 different files because of this. Cricut is working on a DS not based on Flash since Flash is just no longer going to be supported (frankly it was dumb of them to make it based on Flash to begin with considering the tech world at the time said flash was too glitchy and on it's way out). So hopefully that will solve some of the problems. If you are working on an iPad/iPhone, the DS app does not have all the glitches though it is more limited of what you can do.
|
|