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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 1, 2014 19:26:03 GMT
I'm ready to purchase my first electronic die cutting machine but....I'm having difficulty determining if there is a machine and software that is *really* Mac compatible or not.
I really, really don't want a Cricut. The browser/cloud based use of the Cricut is a deal-killer for me, so I've been investigating the Silhouette Cameo 2, Pazzle and Zing Air.
I would like a machine that cuts thicker material than the Silhouette, but the Pazzle and Zing Air software are not MAC compatible. GAH. ( I take it back, the Zing software has a Beta version - a glitchy, unreliable Beta version)
Help!
Is anyone successfully using any cutting machine using a MacBook?
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Post by annchristine on Dec 1, 2014 22:11:41 GMT
I have a Cameo. LOVE it, but I'm primarily a scrapper so cutting paper and cardstock is all I've used it for. I love, love, love it. No software compatibility issues ever.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 1, 2014 22:23:10 GMT
I have a Cameo. LOVE it, but I'm primarily a scrapper so cutting paper and cardstock is all I've used it for. I love, love, love it. No software compatibility issues ever. That's good to hear! I'll go back and look at the Cameo again. Thanks! |
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Dec 1, 2014 23:30:05 GMT
I have the Sizzix Eclips and it cuts through chipboard (.022 thickness - think cereal box thickness) w/ ease. eCAL is compatible w/ Mac's. I know earlier this year I read Sizzix was releasing an Eclips 2. Not sure if it's out already but I think it's wireless.
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Post by anniefb on Dec 2, 2014 1:18:27 GMT
Restless Spirit if there's a machine you're particularly interested in that is pc software only, you could run it on bootcamp/Parallels. That's what I do with the pc version of sure cuts a lot software for my cricut (because newer versions of SCAL don't work with the cricut any more). I also have the Mac version of the Silhouette software because my long term plan is to get a cameo. There are plenty of Silhouette Mac users as far as I can see.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Dec 2, 2014 1:28:06 GMT
I'm a Mac girl and I have a Silhouette Cameo. Love, love, LOVE it!! No software issues ever! I cut primarily paper and fabric and it works like a dream every time.  |
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oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,167 
Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Dec 2, 2014 1:49:13 GMT
I have the original Silhouette and have always used it on a Mac. As I recall, when I first got it I had to download a driver, but it has always worked just fine. When I recently transferred it to another Mac, I just downloaded the Silhouette software, no special driver, and it was up and running easily. I love that I can use all of the fonts that are on the computer.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 2, 2014 4:56:59 GMT
Look into the Silver Bullet cutters. They are both Mac and PC compatible without needing Parallels or Bootcamp. All of the Silver Bullet cutters will cut heavier materials such as thicker chipboard, thin acrylic, thin metals, felt, foam, etc., there is a whole list of materials it will cut on their website. If you search YouTube you will find many videos showing how to cut many of these materials. It's more expensive than a Silhouette, but it will do a LOT more.
Silver Bullet Cutters |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 2, 2014 12:04:10 GMT
Thanks everyone! Lots of good ideas. Boot camp is certainly an option, but I do like the Silver Bullet cutters, too.
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Post by mzza111 on Dec 2, 2014 18:06:15 GMT
I have a MacBook Pro and a Cameo. I've never had any compatibility issues. I should also mention, I have not updated my Cameo software to the newest version. I bet my version is over a year old.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 3, 2014 0:57:29 GMT
What thicker materials are you interested in cutting? The Cameo is supposed to cut thin chipboard, and I have even seen a tutorial for how to cut one type of leather, which surprised me. I am not really a chipboard gal, and I haven't tried using it for anything thicker than Bazzill, so I can't really say what it can handle based on my own experience. I use my Cameo for paper, cardstock, stencils, and vinyl. It does great with them all, so it meets my needs just fine so far.
If I were going to use an electronic cutter for a business, and needed to cut thicker materials than the Cameo can handle, I would buy the Silver Bullet in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I can't justify spending the money for the kind of crafting that I do. Maybe someday.
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 3, 2014 1:34:54 GMT
I've cut thin chipboard with my Cameo and it works beautifully. I've done some promotional signs and bulletin boards for the drama department at school and often use tag board and the 12x24 mat. The tag board cuts beautifully on the Cameo--almost cleaner than cardstock.
I have the Silhouette software on both a Dell laptop and my Mac. I by far prefer to use the Mac. I like how easy it is to slide the cursor around and it just seems more intuitive to me. When I got my Mac in February, I just installed the Silhouette software--no extra downloads or anything. I find designing easy on the Silhouette and there are few things that I haven't been able to figure out. Kerri Bradford has great classes on her website and I used them a lot in the beginning. Just the other day, I went back to refresh my mind on how to wrap a word around a circle. It was easy to find that tutorial because her classes are broken up into 5-10 minute segments. You don't need to watch an hour long video to find a 5 minute segment. Love that!
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Post by penny on Dec 3, 2014 2:47:00 GMT
I have a Silhouette and it runs great with my Mac... Both the free software and the designer upgrade/edition...
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Dec 3, 2014 3:23:39 GMT
I have a Silhouette Portrait and cut Silhouette Chipboard quite a bit. It's not thick chipboard so I layer it. It works great for me. I get my Sil Chipboard at Hobby Lobby witth a coupon. I don't have a Mac yet, but that's next on my purchase list and I look forward to using it with my Portrait.
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Post by penny on Dec 3, 2014 4:09:19 GMT
I have a Silhouette Portrait and cut Silhouette Chipboard quite a bit. It's not thick chipboard so I layer it. It works great for me. I get my Sil Chipboard at Hobby Lobby witth a coupon. I don't have a Mac yet, but that's next on my purchase list and I look forward to using it with my Portrait. That's one of those why didn't I think of that ideas!! Ugh - I do it with cardstock to make my own Thicker-like titles... Considering this is a creative hobby I'm amazed at how unimaginative I am at times...lol |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 3, 2014 12:35:29 GMT
You all are really giving me a lot to think about.
I would really like to be able to cut thin metal and something like balsa wood. But since this is my first cutting machine I'm thinking maybe I should start with the less expensive silhouette and upgrade to a better machine at a later date.
Have any of you cut vinyl with the silhouette? Would this be a good machine to cut vinyl? I would love to be able to do that.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 3, 2014 12:53:46 GMT
The Silhouette cuts vinyl like butter. I use my Cameo all the time for cutting vinyl.
I think you are right that it would be best to first start with a less expensive machine, then get the Silver Bullet or something else later.
FWIW, steel rule dies, such as those made by Accu-Cut can cut thin metal and probably balsa. You can send them designs for custom made dies if you are going to use a particular shape over and over (like for a commercial business), and if you can't find anything similar in their catalog. The custom dies are pricey, but that is an option, too. Also, the Sizzix dies are steel-rule and not as expensive. The Big Shot and Big Kick are both fairly affordable, especially if you use a coupon at a big box store.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 3, 2014 16:10:14 GMT
The Silhouette cuts vinyl like butter. I use my Cameo all the time for cutting vinyl. I think you are right that it would be best to first start with a less expensive machine, then get the Silver Bullet or something else later. FWIW, steel rule dies, such as those made by Accu-Cut can cut thin metal and probably balsa. You can send them designs for custom made dies if you are going to use a particular shape over and over (like for a commercial business), and if you can't find anything similar in their catalog. The custom dies are pricey, but that is an option, too. Also, the Sizzix dies are steel-rule and not as expensive. The Big Shot and Big Kick are both fairly affordable, especially if you use a coupon at a big box store. Thank you so much, Scrapnnana! I actually do have a Sizzix Vintaj Big Kick (still packed up from when I moved - 4 yrs ago!) I need to dig it out and try it with some of my dies and some craft metal I have. How fun to know about that. I thank each and every one who took the time to answer. I really do appreciate it. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 4, 2014 9:14:32 GMT
Yes, the Silhouettes cut vinyl beautifully. I've tried a few brands and they all cut nicely. Nicer than CS, I think. I've cut miles (it seems!) of vinyl and seldom have an error. Iron on material, too.
I don't know that I would try balsa wood in either Silhouette model. The gap between the cutting surface and the bar that holds the mat/vinyl down isn't that deep--probably about 1/8". But it may work with thin metal, like a soda can that you have cut up. I've done that with my wafter thin dies and it cuts well. I just cut the top and bottom off of the cans and flatten the metal under a book. I would worry about ruining a blade, but otherwise it would probably work. You can also cut fabric, contact paper and stencils.
And yes, layering the thin chipboard is the way to go if you have a Silhouette machine. It works well and you can get those dimensional looks that are so popular.
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