edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,429
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Apr 25, 2018 23:34:00 GMT
Got an email from Cricut. I dont want a new machine!
Hello,
I’m writing to you to share some news from Cricut about Cricut Craft Room, the software that supports our legacy – or pre-Explore – machines. You are extremely important to us, which is why I want to be transparent about what’s happening with Cricut Craft Room.
Cricut Craft Room (CCR) was built on Adobe Flash technology, a now outdated plug-in that has created numerous vulnerabilities in the CCR design software, including deteriorating speed and performance. We’ve continued to support it, but since Adobe has discontinued Flash support, we can’t anymore. This has brought us to the difficult decision of closing Cricut Craft Room as of July 15, 2018.
Our mission is to help you live your most creative life, and we know that this news may be frustrating to you. We would love for you to continue to craft with Cricut, and we are here to help you do that.
To encourage you to stay with us, we’d like to offer you $75 off any one of our Cricut Explore® family of machines or bundles that you can redeem on cricut.com. You can find your coupon code (one-time use for you only) at the bottom of this email.
The Explore family of Cricut machines runs on Design Space®, a robust web-based platform that you can access on your computer, phone, or tablet. You can access Design Space for free by visiting design.cricut.com and signing in with the same email and password you use for Cricut Craft Room. You’ll have access to thousands of projects and designs as well as tools to help you make any project your heart desires. You will also be able to use all of your purchased content from Cricut Craft Room in Design Space; it will automatically transfer over when you sign-in.
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Post by katiekaty on Apr 26, 2018 0:56:38 GMT
I have always been a diehard Cricut fan but this it for me. I have watch over the years as they have stopped support and abandoned everything up to the Cricut Explore and forward. I do Have a Cricut Explore, just the very first one when it first came out. I had plans to move up to the maker but I cannot continue to stand behind a company that keeps dumping machines on average of every two to three years for the "next best thing". not when they continue to still have a problem with the "robust web-based program" that even today people could not log into or was working so slow that machines would not complete cuts, my own machine quit loading as it timed out! I had to resort to my elderly out-dated Expression and cricut craft room to get the job done, which then took ten minutes!
Through the years I have: bought two baby original Cricut: gave one to my daughter, sold one, and then inherited one was given a Create purchased an Expression-wonderful machine Expression Anniversary 2 machine-cannot cut a circle to save its life, but has some nice features Two gypsies, gave one to my daughter for her birthday, was given another from a friend bought an imagine-wonderful potential by crippled by inept programming bought the Cricut Explore-great machine with crappy reliable software but when it works, it works very well bought two cake machines, gave one to my daughter as a gift, these work using just a cartridge bought the software Cricut Design Studio-an early Cricut death somewhere in there, I bought a Cricut mini-after CCR closes down this is just dead weight Purchase close to 400 cartridges-thank God I had the sense not to buy just digital from Cricut, but to actually by the physical cartridge too
After they ditch Cricut Craft Room, all of the above with the exception of the Explore is fairly useless. I doubt many others are as well off as I am, because I have cartridges and Gypsies that still wok. ANDI SCAL 2in a sealed box that I have never used because I have a always had CCR.
I am done.
My next machine will be a Brother Scan N Cut or a Silhouette instead of the Cricut Maker. I have friends who have had a Silhouette for at least 8-9 years and they are not throwing out their machines because they are no longer supported. Even Pazzles is still supported!
And if Viking/Husqvarna and Singer sewing machines which range in age 10-30 years with their built in computers and computer software for embroidering can still be updated and supported, I think that Cricut could do more to make their machines continue to work. However, they have always seemed to be about the next new machine, the next new COLOR of machine.
Cricut should learned little more about retaining the customer base by keeping their customers b supporting their products rather than researching the market to see which color of machine will sell next!
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,783
May 28, 2017 23:43:26 GMT
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Post by joyfulnana on Apr 26, 2018 1:11:47 GMT
I totally agree with katiekaty - my next machine will be a Scan N Cut or a Silhouette. I went with a Cricut because I didn't want to use a computer for scrapping. I have a baby bug, an expression and a gypsy, all still working and a ton of cartridges. After watching how quickly the Imagine and the cake machines were dumped, I was leery. I stopped scrapping for several years, and I'm just getting back into the past few months, and I had been tempted a little bit with the Cricut Air and probably would have gone that direction when my gypsy dies, but not now. I can't believe that they won't continue to support ALL their products for as long as possible.
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,429
Jun 26, 2014 1:03:18 GMT
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Post by edie3 on Apr 26, 2018 1:40:59 GMT
I just went and chatted with them, just to let them know my displeasure. Well, let me rephrase that, I am still in the queue.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2018 5:20:43 GMT
The smart thing for them to do would be to offer a program that works offline for the older machines, that does what the gypsy can do.
However, I don't expect them to ever provide software that can be downloaded to your computer and used offline.
I have made it no secret that I feel Design Space is rather poor software when compared to Silhouette.
I have an older expression, the newer Expression, a Gypsy, and a Cricut Explore Air 2, along with over 100 cartridges. This move on their part will not keep me from eventually buying the Cricut Maker IF I decide that I need to cut fabric or balsa wood. My Explore Air 2 already cuts leather. However, hearing that users had issues with Design Space AGAIN today might eliminate any interest I have in the Cricut Maker.
I have the Cameo 2, which does most of what I need, and I also have the Brother Scan N Cut for cutting out stamped images. I much prefer the Silhouette software. I can work offline and not have to worry about whether lots of users are causing Design Space to crash.
Because of the Design Space software issues, I use my Cameo the vast majority of the time.
Cricut is just being stupid. The Explore is a good machine. I would use it a lot more if it had decent software which could be used offline. Instead, I use my Cameo.
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Post by corinne11 on Apr 26, 2018 6:40:14 GMT
I have a Cricut and I was not computer savvy enough at the time to get a Gypsy or sign up for Craft room. Just recently I have thought about using it again, so I am glad I didn't go down that road after all! I have a Silhouette and love that but I still haven't used my Cricut cartridges as much as I would have liked so I am going to make the effort to get them out and working. Now, if only I could find a magical electrician to get my Slice working again I would be very happy- still love the MM fonts and would happily cut them out one letter at a time. I didn't use it for a while and now it won't start. Corinne
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Apr 26, 2018 8:40:48 GMT
How interesting. I'm a Silhouette gal - have been for years, since CraftRobo days, but just a couple of days ago I read about the Cricut Maker here and felt so impressed with (and envious of) the rotary blade and fabric cutting abilities that I was going to pose a question here about it. When I saw the header, I thought that someone had been reading my mind! Having read these messages though, I think I'll stick with my Silhouette and keep my fingers crossed that they too will launch a rotary blade before too long. In the meantime, I'll keep managing!! Thanks for the heads up. Sorry for all the disappointment.
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 26, 2018 13:13:37 GMT
That does stink.
We have phased out using Adobe at work, too. I do think they should have come up with an alternative to support their customers.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 1:57:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 13:43:11 GMT
I know they need to get rid of Flash. Flash has to go. To not provide alternative software for Expression users is a thumbs down. I know somebody will say- Technology is always changing, Cricut is keeping up with the times, and all the other etc, etc, etc, etc, etc....they make excuses with this company for. Silhouette Studio works with all Graphtec machines. It does not matter if you have the very old blue Wishblade, the Xyron pink Wishblade, Silhouette before they became big Silhouette. It doesn't matter. You can have a off brand Graphtec machine and Silhouette Studio works. I was soooo close to getting a Cricut Maker until I heard about the iPad problem. Nope, now that is not happening. Cricut when they have a major freaking problem it never gets fixed. Hold up your hand if your an original Cricut user and still waiting for problems to get fixed. My favorite is when they gave me an actual date for us to unlink cartridges on the Gypsy. Do you know that date has long passed, ROFL! I did have a feeling there would be a notice this year they are phasing out CCR but to offer a coupon for a new machine just seems tacky. I do like the Cricut. This online software has gotten out of hand. Brother ScannCut just released offline software. You can either do Cloud or offline. It is called a choice, ProvoCraft! I love, love, love my ScannCut. I do think that Brother or Silhouette will be offering different blades soon. This is very geeky, I know. I noticed when there is rumors of new gaming systems come out that the electronic cutters update. I definitely think it is a probably a tech cycle for these companies and their investors. I wouldn't be surprised to hear all sorts of exciting things coming up this Fall or next whatever we call CHA now. corinne11 Here you go. I hope that might help with your Slice- www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgJePH89OC8
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2018 14:42:04 GMT
To choose NOT to provide an alternative software option for the older machines is definitely a thumbs down, and it is the heart of the issue: the pattern of broken promises by Provo Craft (Cricut) and their constantly coming out with new machines while leaving behind the earlier customers.
$75 off on a new machine is not a great offer. Half off might get more takers, but a software replacement would be better. Not everyone can afford a new machine.
I do have a suggestion, for which I may get some flack, but it is something I have considered doing:
Since the older machines do not need anything but the cartridges to cut the designs, use the machines to cut all the designs you want to be able to save, weld, tweak, or whatever you normally do with them in Craft Room. CUT THEM FROM BLACK PAPER OR CARDSTOCK. Make sure you use a new blade so you get clean edges. Then scan them, and save them as a jpg file.
As long as you purchased the cartridge or design, you have the right to continue to use it. You do NOT have the right to share it with others, but you can cut it on ANY cutter as long as you can scan and trace it. You are NOT legally limited to just cutting it on your Cricut.
Buy either the Silhouette Cameo or the Brother Scan N Cut. Scan your cut designs into your new machine, and do a trace, then save the designs. By cutting them from black paper or cardstock, you have an excellent contrast which should trace easily. You may or may not need to do any clean up for the traced image. If I were to have to do any clean up or tweaking, I would prefer the Silhouette software, but I have not used the Scan N Cut with its software, so I don't know how it compares.
AS LONG AS YOU OWN those cartridges, you can legally cut the designs. The machine you use is irrelevant. If you sell (or have sold) the cartridges to someone else, you would no longer have the legal right, but if you have kept the cartridges, you do.
Even though I bought the Explore, I kept my older Cricut machines as back ups, so I could cut the designs I had bought without having to use the internet. If I needed to tweak or weld a design, though, I would do what I just suggested. Sometimes I am tempted to do it, anyway, just because I detest Design Space software. It is so slow and pathetic. I also hate having to use Design Space only online.
I am sure that Provo Craft would be livid at my suggestion. However, if they would just offer more capable software that we could use offline, I would never have suggested it. My Explore Air 2 is a great machine, but their software is definitely sub-standard, and not everyone wants to be online. Even when the internet software is working well, during peak user times, it slows it down for everyone.
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Post by justjac on Apr 26, 2018 16:40:47 GMT
I haven’t used my Cricut for a long time. I started questioning their customer support when my Gypsy stopped working. All I needed was a replacement cord and I could not get one anywhere. Then I stopped looking because I had CCR and was able to borrow a cord to link all my cartridges on my Gypsy. Now I’m out of luck again. I have the original expression and my cartridges but it was so nice to have the search function and the 12x12 canvas to work on.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 26, 2018 18:15:55 GMT
I think I was very fortunate to buy the SCAL software before Provo Craft won their lawsuit. It will be a sad day when my Cricut Expression dies. I will definitely switch to Silhouette. I have had some people ask me over the years what is better and I always tell them to stay away from Cricut.
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Post by Mel on Apr 26, 2018 18:34:05 GMT
To choose NOT to provide an alternative software option for the older machines is definitely a thumbs down, and it is the heart of the issue: the pattern of broken promises by Provo Craft (Cricut) and their constantly coming out with new machines while leaving behind the earlier customers. $75 off on a new machine is not a great offer. Half off might get more takers, but a software replacement would be better. Not everyone can afford a new machine. I do have a suggestion, for which I may get some flack, but it is something I have considered doing: Since the older machines do not need anything but the cartridges to cut the designs, use the machines to cut all the designs you want to be able to save, weld, tweak, or whatever you normally do with them in Craft Room. CUT THEM FROM BLACK PAPER OR CARDSTOCK. Make sure you use a new blade so you get clean edges. Then scan them, and save them as a jpg file. As long as you purchased the cartridge or design, you have the right to continue to use it. You do NOT have the right to share it with others, but you can cut it on ANY cutter as long as you can scan and trace it. You are NOT legally limited to just cutting it on your Cricut. Buy either the Silhouette Cameo or the Brother Scan N Cut. Scan your cut designs into your new machine, and do a trace, then save the designs. By cutting them from black paper or cardstock, you have an excellent contrast which should trace easily. You may or may not need to do any clean up for the traced image. If I were to have to do any clean up or tweaking, I would prefer the Silhouette software, but I have not used the Scan N Cut with its software, so I don't know how it compares. AS LONG AS YOU OWN those cartridges, you can legally cut the designs. The machine you use is irrelevant. If you sell (or have sold) the cartridges to someone else, you would no longer have the legal right, but if you have kept the cartridges, you do. Even though I bought the Explore, I kept my older Cricut machines as back ups, so I could cut the designs I had bought without having to use the internet. If I needed to tweak or weld a design, though, I would do what I just suggested. Sometimes I am tempted to do it, anyway, just because I detest Design Space software. It is so slow and pathetic. I also hate having to use Design Space only online. I am sure that Provo Craft would be livid at my suggestion. However, if they would just offer more capable software that we could use offline, I would never have suggested it. My Explore Air 2 is a great machine, but their software is definitely sub-standard, and not everyone wants to be online. Even when the internet software is working well, during peak user times, it slows it down for everyone. This is a VERY good solution!! It would take a lot of time, but you could do it as you find things you want/need.
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Post by anniefb on Apr 26, 2018 19:45:51 GMT
I also got fed up with Provo Craft’s broken promises several years ago and switched to SCAL with my old Cricut machine. 2 years ago I got my Cameo and have never looked back.
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nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,431
Jun 28, 2014 14:59:59 GMT
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Post by nylene on Apr 26, 2018 20:54:40 GMT
I think I was very fortunate to buy the SCAL software before Provo Craft won their lawsuit. It will be a sad day when my Cricut Expression dies. I will definitely switch to Silhouette. I have had some people ask me over the years what is better and I always tell them to stay away from Cricut. This exactly, but my Expression bit the dust 2 years ago. I bought the Silhouette and never looked back. I've had all I can stand from Provo Craft.
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Post by warrior1991 on Apr 26, 2018 20:59:34 GMT
I have the Cricut Create (little bug, but with more features than the original). I bought the Cameo 2 back in 2014 and LOVE it. It does 90% of my complicated cutting. But I like the Cricut for quick cuts. Pop the cartridge in, press a few buttons, and it cuts. I like that I don't have to use the computer to work directly from the cartridge/overlay. I see the Explore doesn't do that. I don't cut anything but paper and cardstock, so I don't need the fancy machine or blades.
Maybe this will be the time I walk away from Cricut.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2018 22:01:49 GMT
Mel, you are right. It could take a lot of time, especially for those of us who have a lot of cartridges. However, every time you cut a shape with your Cricut, you could just cut one extra from black. Or fill a black sheet with favorite shapes from a cartridge.
I unmounted and converted over 2,000 wood mounted rubber stamps prior to moving, just by doing 10 to 20 at a time, spread out over a few months.
I would only cut, scan, and trace the Cricut shapes that I really like or think I may still use at some point. I bought some cartridges even though I only liked 5 of the designs. It was still cheaper than buying dies, and I could choose what size to cut each shape, unlike dies.
If I want to cut a Cricut shape when Design Space is down, that would definitely be a good time to use my Expression to cut the shape out; then I would scan it, import it, and trace the shape in my Silhouette software. It wouldn't actually take as long as it sounds, and I could tweak it, weld it, or whatever.
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Post by queenbeeof3 on Apr 27, 2018 4:19:52 GMT
I am at a loss about what to do. I have an Expression that I have had for 10 years and really enjoy using the Circuit Craft Room. I own a little over 100 carts and a Gypsy that is still going strong. I also have a 2 year old Silhouette that doesn't get used as much as my Circuit. I like the Craft Room because it is very easy to create layers and this makes cutting a breeze. Soooo.....either I buy yet another Circuit or do I educate myself on getting more use out of my Shilhouette? I own a limited amount of digital content for the Shilhouette so I would be spending money on new content. I am so disappointed in Provo Craft.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 27, 2018 5:19:04 GMT
I am at a loss about what to do. I have an Expression that I have had for 10 years and really enjoy using the Circuit Craft Room. I own a little over 100 carts and a Gypsy that is still going strong. I also have a 2 year old Silhouette that doesn't get used as much as my Circuit. I like the Craft Room because it is very easy to create layers and this makes cutting a breeze. Soooo.....either I buy yet another Circuit or do I educate myself on getting more use out of my Shilhouette? I own a limited amount of digital content for the Shilhouette so I would be spending money on new content. I am so disappointed in Provo Craft. You can create layers in the Silhouette software, too. Since you already own it, I suggest you learn to use the Silhouette better first, before you make a decision on whether or not to buy a new Cricut machine. I also suggest you play around with Cricut Design Space. While most of us have favorites, the fact is that no machine is perfect for every crafter. We have different needs and preferences. As for what you have invested into cartridges, I suggested in an earlier post in this thread how you can convert them to be able to cut them on your Silhouette. If you get to the point that you enjoy your Silhouette more than you expected, you may simply want to convert the Cricut designs to cut on your Cameo. If you give the Silhouette a chance, but decide you prefer the Cricut Design Space software, at least you will have tried to get more comfortable using the Silhouette before making the decision to buy a newer Cricut machine.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 1:57:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 6:56:39 GMT
scrapnnana The new ScannCut is pretty basic. I think it is a lot like MTC with a few less features. It is definitely not as powerful as Silhouette Studio. It gets the job done in a fast, easy, efficient manner. I can say when I use Cricut Design Space I don't get anything done in an efficient way, lol. I know some users do. Let ProvoCraft be livid with your suggestion. They only have themselves to blame, at this point, for how long they have let this mess go on? Silhouette files our own. You know what I have noticed people don't go around sharing files from Silhouette all over the place. Do we ever hear any scandals of this? No, we don't. I think ProvoCraft needs to remember it was an ex employee who sold those SVG files all those years ago. It was not their loyal customers. We are the ones being punished. warrior1991 That is why I got the ScannCut. I just wanted to load my paper and cut something. No fuss. I like complicated. Honestly, my Cameo is good for complications. You all know I just packed away my Cameo right? ROFL! I guess I will be unpacking. I was planning to unpack anyway because Bella Carta made me do it. queenbeeof3 I am sorry. I liked CCR too. It was so easy. Cricut Expressions can be bought for such a cheap price now. You could always have an Expression on hand if you need to. I agree with scrapnnana try CDS. Your cartridges are already linked so you can play easily. You might love it. We both can be severely hard on the software. That is because we both have extensive knowledge of die cutting software. CDS does have a nice layering function. Hiding contours is a lot easier now. I do enjoy working with layers in CDS. I only have the free version of Silhouette software. It doesn't have layers. I would try Silhouette's software too. Do you all know I just got rid of all my cartridges and old Expression? I feel a bit dorky right now. My Gypsy is still going strong though. I did keep that. In case I needed to fight with Cricut. So far, so good. That got me thinking about something. For those of us who have a Gypsy that might be buying a new Explore. You need CCR to transfer your cartridges to CDS using the Gypsy. Wow! ProvoCraft didn't seem to think of that when they offered their measly $75 coupon. PcCrafter HugSisters who might be lurking how many of you felt like me today and just got a bit upset about this? For everyone else PcCrafter was shut down to make room for CCR servers. That was their exact reason. I said earlier I know Flash has to go. PC was sloppy about this. It is not like they didn't have time to make a transition plan.
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Post by riversong1963 on Apr 27, 2018 13:46:30 GMT
This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but here it is anyway. I'm not surprised this has happened. I have a 4th generation iPad that is now "obsolete." I can't update past iOS X, so it will eventually stop working. I had to buy a new laptop 2 years ago because it was a model that wouldn't upgrade to Windows 10 and was slowing to a crawl. I could go on and on with examples. Unfortunately, it's the way of electronics. The companies drop the old to make way for the new. It's frustrating and does seem unfair to the consumer.
I think that sometimes we expect companies that make craft products to behave differently. Maybe they should - I don't know - but I don't expect them to. I do agree that PC has made many promises in the past that they haven't fulfilled, and that is disappointing and has made many people turn away from them. I can understand that too. But as far as phasing out old software (and probably machines too), I don't expect them to support these forever.
I'm hoping that I don't sound like a PC cheerleader, because I'm not. They've made a lot of mistakes. I just can't fault them for doing this. I'm glad my SCAL 2 will still work with my old machines, and SCAL 3 works with my Silhouette Portrait (I don't like the Silhouette software much). I really like my Explore Air, but someday that will probably be obsolete too.
I really wish that Apple had offered me a discount on a new iPad, and that Microsoft had offered me one for a new laptop.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,992
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Apr 27, 2018 15:09:02 GMT
The smart thing for them to do would be to offer a program that works offline for the older machines, that does what the gypsy can do. However, I don't expect them to ever provide software that can be downloaded to your computer and used offline. I have made it no secret that I feel Design Space is rather poor software when compared to Silhouette. I have an older expression, the newer Expression, a Gypsy, and a Cricut Explore Air 2, along with over 100 cartridges. This move on their part will not keep me from eventually buying the Cricut Maker IF I decide that I need to cut fabric or balsa wood. My Explore Air 2 already cuts leather. However, hearing that users had issues with Design Space AGAIN today might eliminate any interest I have in the Cricut Maker. I have the Cameo 2, which does most of what I need, and I also have the Brother Scan N Cut for cutting out stamped images. I much prefer the Silhouette software. I can work offline and not have to worry about whether lots of users are causing Design Space to crash. Because of the Design Space software issues, I use my Cameo the vast majority of the time. Cricut is just being stupid. The Explore is a good machine. I would use it a lot more if it had decent software which could be used offline. Instead, I use my Cameo. It’s not this simple — even if they provided software for older machines, they would still have to support it and continue to update it. Software becomes outdated often because the operating system updates. So Cricut would have to continue to update the software to align with new Windows and IOS releases, even if it’s a legacy software. As an example, I have Adobe CS5, one of the last few downloadable Creative Suites, still on my computer. I can no longer use it anymore because my IOS is too advanced. There are too many errors and plugin requirements that CS5 isn’t able to adapt to.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 27, 2018 16:25:15 GMT
Amaylylac, I have had the designer edition of the Silhouette software for a long time, and recently I upgraded to the business edition. I did not remember that the layers option was not available in the free version of the software. Thank you for that clarification.
You also bring up the good point that for those who do want simple options, the Scan N Cut may be a good choice. They can cut their Cricut designs from black cardstock, scan them directly into the Scan N Cut, and save the cutting file. Easy peasy. It would actually be easier than getting the Cricut files into the Silhouette software.
I like my Scan N Cut, too. I also just like what I can do with Silhouette software, and I have not used the Scan N Cut's online software. I have read that the Scan N Cut software is not as good as Silhouette's, but potential customers should download and play around with the software for any machine they might consider buying. They just won't be able to cut without the machine that the software controls.
I got the Scan N Cut for cutting out stamped images, but I may also use it for scanning the cuts of my Cricut designs, since it would be faster. Or maybe I will scan them into both machines for my favorite Cricut designs. I like options, lol, and being able to combine designs from different companies might be useful at times.
I did not remember that a former Provo Craft employee sold their designs years ago. That explains their paranoia a little better, but it still punishes the majority for the actions of one person. That mentality can alienate customers.
I also did not remember that for those with a Gypsy who want to move their designs to Design Space, that they have to be uploaded to CCR first. Their customer service can upload the cartridges for people who had a Gypsy that died, but the customers have to provide proof that they still own the cartridges. I had to take photos of the physical cartridges and emailed the photos to them, to prove that I owned them. It took customer service a few weeks to get it done, so they were not available immediately.
I really think that Provo Craft has blinders on sometimes. They can be so short sighted. Both Silhouette and Scan N Cut now have their machines in the craft stores, so Cricut no longer has a complete monopoly there. Potential customers can see they have options, even at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
Some Expression, Create, and Baby Bug owners are going to have to seriously think about whether they can live with their cutter as a stand alone machine or if they want to buy a new electronic cutter. If Provo Craft is assuming people have too much invested in cartridges to consider a competitor's cutter, they may be disappointed. This move could upset some people enough to simply buy a machine from a different company. Because the older machines are stand alone, customers can keep using them. They just won't be able to use the online software. It hurts, but it's not quite like the Wishblade, which ended up a paper weight (although those packrats who did not junk the machine can now use it again with Silhouette software).
Since those stand alone Cricut cutters will still cut, customers DO have the option to cut the designs, scan them, and convert them to files that can be used in competitors' machines. It can be time consuming, but it does eliminate the "I have too much invested in cartridges" for at least some folks, so they are free to consider buying Cameo or a Scan N Cut. I don't know if Cricut is still the top dog in the cutter market, but sometimes small mistakes can shift the balance, and this was definitely a mistake on their part, to just eliminate CCR without providing another software option.
One thing I do want to make clear and re-emphasize, though, for those who might misunderstand: by recommending that customers who have bought cartrides or purchased Cricut designs, who also want to scan the cuts and import them for using with other machines, you can only do this legally if you still own the cartridge or have bought the cutting file. It is NOT legal to share the designs with others or to do this with designs from a friend's cartridge that you do not own. I am only suggesting the scanning option for Cricut owners who decide to buy a Silhouette or Scan N Cut (or some other electronic cutter), and who are willing to keep the cartridges so they can use the designs they have bought on a different company's cutter. If you sell your cartridges, you are giving up your legal rights to use the images on any cartridges that you sell.
I don't hate Provo Craft. I do think they have made some poor business decisions, and this latest one is upsetting. I went to dinner with another crafty friend last night. She is interested in getting an electronic cutter. She asked about the Cricut at the end of our dinner conversation, and I gave her my honest opinion, which was definitely influenced by this latest decison of Provo Craft. She is now going to buy a Silhouette. Had she asked me a few days ago, I would have told her what I liked about the Cricut Explore as well as the Silhouette Cameo.
Provo Craft just lost a sale because of this. It probably won't be the last potential customer that I steer to one of their competitors, either. I cannot honestly recommend Cricut to any potential customer at this point. Provo Craft has done stupid things just too many times.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,090
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 27, 2018 16:39:27 GMT
Riversong and Pancakes, you both make good points. However, Silhouette continues to update their software that supports their older machines. Will they do the same for the Curio and Mint if something changes? Possibly not, but those are specialty machines, and they are far less popular. Their basic electronic cutters continue to be supported, even the older versions.
Provo Craft may not have that option, depending on what technology the older cutters use vs. the newer ones, and developing software to support the older machines could be expensive. Whatever the case, they have broken so many past promises to customers, that it's just one more thing to upset customers. It will result in some people choosing to buy a machine from a different company.
I have had three businesses over the years. Two were closed due to family changes and needs. However, one of them I closed solely because of cutthroat competition, and I was the loser. Customer needs and wants cannot be overlooked or ignored, and customers will walk away if they think the competition will take better care of them. They won't care about the reason Provo Craft is not meeting their needs. They will just go to the competitor that does offer a better product or better customer service, or whatever their reason may be.
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thriftyjenny
Junior Member
Posts: 63
Jun 15, 2017 15:22:57 GMT
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Post by thriftyjenny on Apr 27, 2018 17:23:33 GMT
I'm considering an electronic cutter and this has definitely made Cricut my last place contender.
I will give some benefit of the doubt to them though. If the hardware and firmware in the actual Cricut machine phsycLly sitting on your desk right now (or whatever) are flash-based, it makes some sense that they can't just replace the old software with new non-flash based software. The machine would not be able to process information without flash-based coding! Physical updates to your actual machine would need to be made to even make it possible to support new systems. But this is also speculation and they could just be doing the lazy thing.
On the other hand, a possible solution they *could have* tried was to make a version of the software that is offline, but can at least run the files you purchased. Of course, this solution doesn't earn them By money since you can't buy new stuff.
That said, brands that are a decade+ Old and still going strong with old software (which looks to be due to their functional offline capability ). So, while I get it may not be feasible for Provo Craft to create a solution for old machines, their inability consider the future when designing products is a pretty unappealing quality to consumers.
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Post by warrior1991 on Apr 27, 2018 17:33:10 GMT
When I first got the email from Cricut, I was leaning toward getting the basic Explore machine. But this discussion here has convinced me to walk away. I will keep my Create and cartridges, continue to use them, but when the machine dies, I will not replace it.
I can do so much more with my Silhouette, and have in the past. Just need to refresh my memory again on how.
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thriftyjenny
Junior Member
Posts: 63
Jun 15, 2017 15:22:57 GMT
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Post by thriftyjenny on Apr 28, 2018 4:15:59 GMT
For those considering the upgrade, I just want to share the system requirements for the explore software in case your computer isn't up to snuff. I know not everyone here is especially tech savvy so I'd hate for you to upgrade your cutting machine and find you don't have the right equipment to operate it The main things are your computer must be running Windows 8 operating systems and either Firefox, Chrome, or Edge internet browsers it looks like Internet Explorer will not work. At the bottom I posted the other requirements which you should check, but I suspect these are the two most prominent roadblocks. If you don't have a recent enough operating system, you may have to upgrade that or your whole computer to use the new ones. As a point of clarification, Windows 8 and Windows 10 are the only 2 that will run it (not Windows SO, Vista, or 7). You may be able to skip a computer entirely if you have an android or Apple phone, but I can't speak that myself as I don't have any of the cutters. Luckily, getting a different internet browser is free. If you aren't especially savy, but know somone who is, try to see if they will do it. Dont corget to at least pay them in baked goods if not a few bucks! If you are going to do it yourself, I'd suggest chrome for the sake of web safety, I'd suggest using Google, and I specifically mean Google.com (not bing, msn, ask, or any other search engine) to search for Google chrome, because it is Google's own software or should be among the top search or even ad results since they want to make sure you get their software (the other search engines may be a little more risky). As a note, when you follow a link, you should double check the web address is in fact google.com, not Google.[whateveractualwebsite].com or like google2.com or Google.bizzzz or whatever. If you are more interested in Microsoft Edge, I'd try the same thing, except replace Google with Bing for search engine and probably replace Google with Microsoft for the link you click, if that makes sense. If you plan on upgrading to a Windows 8 or 10 computer for the occasion, then you will automatically have Microsoft Edge installed so you don't have to worry about a different browser if you don't want to. help.cricut.com/help/system-requirements-design-space
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Post by Night Owl on Apr 28, 2018 5:27:41 GMT
I keep posting to Cricut asking for an offset feature, they don't respond.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 1:57:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2018 10:49:02 GMT
riversong1963 You have made some good points. I agree with some of them. I knew CCR was getting phased out. The old legacy Cricut's are antiques now. I don't like the way ProvoCraft has handled this for their customers. They could have provided a better transition time. Eased their customers into it and not just dropped it into their laps. Remember everyone a lot of ProvoCraft customers are not tech savvy. Easing should always be done. Apple & Microsoft do this by giving end dates for their products. No, you can't update certain Apple products to the new OS but Apple did provide an end date for that within a year. Apple is doing a trade in program now. No, I don't expect Microsoft to provide a trade-in for computers because that is the operating system. Some computer mfg. do provide trade ins. ProvoCraft had a couple of years to ease their customers into buying an upgrade to their machine by giving gentle reminders that CCR would be closing when everyone opened up CCR to start designing. I know everyone says "Oh technology changes and things end!" I work in this industry. Technology evolves it does not end. There are only end dates. Sure you can still use Windows 2000 but you can't log into your bank to pay your mortgage. It is a security risk. You can still use it. I have an old Windows phone I use for an Mp3 player. My old iPad is now an eBook reader. Wishblade, and old Silhouette machines can use a printer plotter to be standalone from Silhouette's software. You can cut directly from Inkscape and use Linux. Have an old computer you can turn it into a server or upgrade to Linux and have a faster and safe system. Old electronics have an end date but they still have life. Cricut Expression users will still be able to use their cartridges. They can use Gypsy. It is not dead. ProvoCraft not easing their customer's into this is my problem. They want to be considered a tech company but still so effing craft mentality that will never happen. Silhouette is a tech company. It is considered a tech company in many of the tech circle. You say ProvoCraft and I hear "Isn't that what homemaker's from Iowa use?" It is true everyone. The legacy Cricut's would not be able to handle an upgraded HTML5 software. The firmware update would not work on the legacy motherboard. The motherboards were not made for that technology. I wish they didn't drop it in your lap like this. I am sure a lot of you didn't know that Flash was being phased out. I don't expect anyone to know that working in this industry. My job is to provide a safe secure way for technology to move. Not expect you all to do it. Provocraft should have gave you the same respect. If I could give one piece of advice on a cutter. Girls, I beg you to start looking at these cutters as a tech product and not a craft product. Look for a cutter that is going to transition you with latest technology. I do see a lot of mindset that "Cutters are a craft product!" No, cutters are not. They are plotters and it is a tech product. Please shop with the idea you are buying a tech product. I can promise you that will help a lot in making a decision. Think of it like a printer. Your printer is not a craft product. It is a tech product. Plotters are printers with blades. Night Owl That is a huge thing with me too is that offset. I guess everyone knows that since I bark about it all the time, ROFL. I can't understand why Cricut can't give out basic functions. The other cutters that is considered a basic function.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 30, 2018 2:51:17 GMT
All I can say is after reading all this, I’m still running my trusty old Pazzles Pro that I bought in 2003. It cost $2500 back in the day, but it was worth every penny and after all these years of hard commercial use, it honestly owes me nothing. I can’t believe I’ve had it for sixteen years! Yes, I’ve updated the Funtime software a couple times over the years, but the version I’m using now is eight years old and it works just fine on my newish HP laptop running Windows 10. I have a Silver Bullet Cutter that I bought a few years ago to replace the Pazzles when or if it goes belly up, but so far it just lives in a bag under my work tables because the Pazzles is still going strong.
I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be for some of you to have bought system after system over the years and end up having spent all that money on something that you can’t use at all.
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