amy4
One Post Wonder
Posts: 1 
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Post by amy4 on Nov 20, 2016 19:15:53 GMT
This week I purchased my first electronic cutting machine. I read about "the learning curve" but thought I was pretty savvy it couldn't be THAT hard. I think I already broke it.
I received more instructions with my basic coffee pot than this machine.
Last night, I turned the release lever, then closed it again. I expected to hit a click position where it was closed, but pressed to far and too much and felt the resistance lessen. CRAP! So, now the bar has a tiny bit of wiggle in it when the lever is where I believe is at its tightest... did it have that wiggle before? I don't know. Did I break it already? maybe..
Should my cuts show up on the mat when I use the correct settings? I don't know.
Today, I feel pretty lame.
Amy
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Post by terri on Nov 20, 2016 19:31:19 GMT
First off, welcome!! There are a lot of knowledgeable Peas here and I'm sure they can offer some suggestions. Sadly I'm not one of them. I'd like to get one myself but I was worried about the learning curve.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 20, 2016 21:10:53 GMT
YouTube is your friend. Be specific with your search. It always helps me. There are also great FB groups that are very helpful.
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Post by anniefb on Nov 20, 2016 23:38:09 GMT
This week I purchased my first electronic cutting machine. I read about "the learning curve" but thought I was pretty savvy it couldn't be THAT hard. I think I already broke it. I received more instructions with my basic coffee pot than this machine. Last night, I turned the release lever, then closed it again. I expected to hit a click position where it was closed, but pressed to far and too much and felt the resistance lessen. CRAP! So, now the bar has a tiny bit of wiggle in it when the lever is where I believe is at its tightest... did it have that wiggle before? I don't know. Did I break it already? maybe.. Should my cuts show up on the mat when I use the correct settings? I don't know. Today, I feel pretty lame. Amy Do you mean seeing your cut lines showing on your screen before you send to your machine? You should see them as red lines. Just check by selecting whatever you want to cut and making sure that 'no cut' is NOT selected.
I can recommend a couple of good introductory courses. Wilna Furstenberg offers a free class which runs through the basics very well - how to use the different settings, orientation to the key aspects of the software etc. It's called Silhouette 101.
www.iheartstudio.ca/product/silhouette101workshop/
Kerri Bradford also has some good classes from beginner to more advanced. Unfortunately her website is down at the moment, but I recommend you check them out later.
Silhouette School blog has some good posts/short videos about specific issues. www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/
And there's loads of stuff on youtube if you search for specific things. Eg tracing in Silhouette Studio:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=silhoutte+studio+tracing
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Post by wendifful on Nov 20, 2016 23:50:08 GMT
Maybe this is not what you mean, but when you ask if your cuts should show up on your mat if you use the right setting, are you talking about if the mat has etchings of where you cut after you peel off your cut? If so, yes, that's completely normal! Your blade should never cut THROUGH your mat but it will cut into your mat and leave cut li nes. That's part of why you have to buy replacement mats every so often. The other reason is that they lose their tack, although there are ways to restore the tack if you want to (personally I am rather lazy and would prefer to buy replacement mats).
I'm not sure about the lever because I have the original Cameo and it's possible the 3 is different in that regard so hopefully someone else can chime in on that. But I'll second what the other two commenters have said: YouTube IS your friend! That's how I learned a lot.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Nov 21, 2016 0:24:08 GMT
I only have the original Silhouette and I can't figure out how to use it. BFF told me she would figure it out and teach me. I am not holding my breath. I have given up on electronic cutters I am afraid. I would like a new Cricut but I am not getting one...I just can't make heads or tails of it.
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Post by nitad on Nov 21, 2016 1:34:19 GMT
Oh...this is why I haven't gone down that road!! LOL!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,177
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 21, 2016 14:42:47 GMT
Release the lever again, press the bar that holds the paper down, and while holding the bar in place, tighten the lever again.
And yes, cuts will score the mat, even on the right settings. They should not, however, cut deep into the mat.
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