using a tablet with a die cut machine

mamatoa
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using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 4, 2018 16:53:22 GMT

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Post by mamatoa on Apr 4, 2018 16:53:22 GMT

OK, so I have an electronic die cutting machine. I have an old Sizzix Eclips. I love the machine but I seriously never ever use it. Updating the software is a pain and I hate lugging my laptop upstairs just to cut a stupid circle.

It looks like maybe the Cricut Air 2 lets you use a tablet to cut designs. Is that the case? People complain about the cricut design studio all the time. Is that going to make me crazy?

Also, am I right assuming that I have to purchase all the designs I cut? I can't just use a regular svg file right?

Last Edit: Apr 4, 2018 17:10:22 GMT by mamatoa

mikklynn
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using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 4, 2018 17:43:42 GMT

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Post by mikklynn on Apr 4, 2018 17:43:42 GMT

I find the tablet too small to really work with on my Cricut Explore Air 2, except for very basic things like a circle or title. I prefer the bigger screen of my laptop.

I think you can use a .svg file, but I haven't tried it.

I have linked all my Cricut cartridges, so I have only purchased one image for 99 cents.

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scrapnnana
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using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 4, 2018 18:35:00 GMT mamatoa likes this

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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 4, 2018 18:35:00 GMT

I hate their software. It's slow, awkward, and seriously deficient when compared to the Silhouette software.

But it will import SVG files.

Edited to add:

The Explore Air 2 is a very good cutter. I just avoid using it because of the software. However, the software is fairly easy to use for people who don't use more complicated graphic software. It's just so basic. You also HAVE to be online to use it. If you have spotty internet, that could be an issue. Recently, a lightning strike close to our home blew our router. We could not tie into our internet for a few days, but I could still use my Cameo. I just could not use my Explore Air 2. I don't use my Explore unless I am cutting one of my purchased Cricut files, or if I need to cut leather (the reason I bought the machine).

There have been limitations for the tablet version of the software. I think you have to have your design uploaded and ready in the software BEFORE you can use your tablet to get the machine to cut. So you could use your laptop wherever you normally prefer, to import your SVG into the software, and convert it so the Explore will cut it. Then you can use your tablet to actually do the cutting. I hope that makes sense. They may have changed that limitation in the tablet software, but I don't know.

I use my laptop, not my tablet, when I want to use my Explore. I don't like having to go back and forth. I just keep my laptop upstairs most of the time. I use the laptop with my Cameo, anyway, and I use my Cameo a lot (far more than my Explore). The Explore is capable of cutting materials that would be difficult or impossible for the Cameo to cut. And because I have the business version of the Silhouette software, I can create my own designs, export them as SVG, and cut them with the Explore. I really only need to do that if I am cutting leather. Otherwise, I can use my Cameo for most things. I did recently buy the Scan N Cut for fussy cutting stamped images, but I prefer my Cameo for most things, mainly because it has better software.

Last Edit: Apr 5, 2018 0:49:10 GMT by scrapnnana

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garagesaler Full Member Posts: 381 Jun 26, 2014 0:22:41 GMT	using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 5, 2018 9:16:12 GMT mamatoa likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by garagesaler on Apr 5, 2018 9:16:12 GMT I have an Explore Air 2 and love using it with my IPad. So much easier for me to use it that way than to fight with my laptop. My laptop has had a flashing screen since the last Windows Updates.
	Last Edit: Apr 5, 2018 9:16:27 GMT by garagesaler

riversong1963
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using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 5, 2018 15:27:50 GMT

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Post by riversong1963 on Apr 5, 2018 15:27:50 GMT

I sometimes use my iPad with my Explore Air, and it works very well. They have really improved the software, so it's more user friendly and easier to use. It doesn't seem to get hung up anymore. You can use SVG files. You have to import them into Design Space first. I don't like the Silhouette software. I find it to be user-unfriendly. Why can't they just put the names on the buttons so that I don't have to hover over everything?

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mamatoa Full Member Posts: 271 Jun 26, 2014 2:07:59 GMT	using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 7, 2018 15:48:39 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mamatoa on Apr 7, 2018 15:48:39 GMT Well I thought I had decided on Cricut but now the Cameo is on sale at woot today. And it says you can use an iPad and Bluetooth. So can I cut with my iPad on the cameo too? This is why I use my big shot

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using a tablet with a die cut machine Apr 8, 2018 8:51:50 GMT mamatoa likes this

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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 8:51:50 GMT

The big thing here is if you have an iPad or an Android. Android users are going to have a frustrating experience using all the cutting apps with their tablet. It is really hard to write a native cutting app, at this time, for Android since there are so many flavors of Android on the market. Ipad's architecture is native and all Apple products will work cross board easily.

I went through this same exact conundrum too. I bought a ScannCut. I don't have to use my laptop to cut a circle.

The circle is programmed on the ScannCut. I have all three machines being discussed, so I know all about this iPad hassles and laptop hassles, lol. I only have the Cameo 2 not the 3. My iPad knowledge is a bit limited for Cameo 3.

You can use the Cricut/iPad to cut an SVG. The software has since been upgraded you can bring an SVG into the Design Space software if it is on your iPad. If it is not, then you will need to use your laptop and download the file for offline use. This is the only way you can use Design Space offline is through an iPad.

I am one that does not like Design Space. It does drive me batty, lol. Really, the software isn't bad. I have advanced skills with design. I get in Design Space and I am looking for features that are just not there. That is my biggest problem. My other problem is no native offset/inset. That is a huge feature for all of us who do paper crafting and scrapbooking. If you need to make mats you will have to do one of the complicated workarounds because this feature is not native. I think that is a huge thumbs down for Cricut. Print & Cut is only 300DPI and you can not do full page printing unless you do another third party workaround.

Silhouette Cameo 3, Portrait & Curio- There is an app. It is very limited. To be honest I think Design Space would have more features. I also heard Cameo's app is hit and miss. IMO it is the most advanced cutter with the most features. There are other cutters that are much more advanced. I am going right now on the big three that are the most popular. To get these advanced features are all software based so you will need your laptop. I know a lot of iPad users are using ProCreate to go along with Cameo. That might be something you would want to research through YouTube. Also there are Cricut users doing the same with Design Space.

Brother ScannCut- I just got this machine. I did a lot of research before I got it. I know many of the girls can shake their head yes to that, probably not in a good way, ROFL!

I heard you can use the Canvas software with an iPad. It is web based and now offline too. I don't know if you can cut with it through an iPad. What you can do with the ScannCut is use all your designs with a memory stick. You can create at your computer and take the design to transfer to ScannCut. You can probably design in Canvas on your Ipad and transfer the files wirelessly if you buy the wireless adapter or get the 650 version of ScannCut. I am still learning this machine. I haven't hacked all it's capabilities yet.

You mentioned you have a Sizzix Eclips. SCAL 3 does have an iPad/Android app. You will have to use a Bridge to cut- www.craftedge.com/tutorials/tablet_connection/tablet_connection.html. The software is limited. I wanted to add this option in case it could help anyone. Here's the app- www.craftedge.com/products/products_scalipad.html

In order of best machine for Ipad or no computer cutting-
Cricut Explore family
Brother ScannCut (ScannCut #1 for no computer/tablet cutting)

Best machine for computer cutting and designing-
Silhouette family of cutters- Curio, Cameo, Portrait. I will be sweet and include the Mint.

garagesaler - Thanks for the heads up on the latest Windows Update. I haven't downloaded mine because I heard it is crazy. I thought about doing the update tomorrow. Last time I did the major update they electrocuted my computer. I had to call them up and they were like "Yes, we knew that could happen." I was like "You better fix it!" Luckily I got it fixed. Everyone don't go calling them to fix your computer, lol. I do freelance work with them for design and developing.

Everyone- If I made any mistakes please correct them. I am a bit tired and frazzled working on my home.

Last Edit: Apr 8, 2018 8:54:07 GMT by Deleted

using a tablet with a die cut machine

Post by mamatoa on Apr 4, 2018 16:53:22 GMT

Post by mikklynn on Apr 4, 2018 17:43:42 GMT

Post by scrapnnana on Apr 4, 2018 18:35:00 GMT

Post by garagesaler on Apr 5, 2018 9:16:12 GMT

Post by riversong1963 on Apr 5, 2018 15:27:50 GMT

Post by mamatoa on Apr 7, 2018 15:48:39 GMT

Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 8:51:50 GMT