scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 24, 2024 17:04:25 GMT
What machine do you have, and what is your favorite feature that the software offers?
I have a Silhouette, and I have the Business upgrade, but I’m pretty sure that my favorite feature is in the basic software: I love the ability to fill a shape with a pattern, and then print and cut the filled shape. I can adjust the size of the pattern. I can move it around to get the design so it shows best in the die cut.
I used this feature last night. I was trying to create an embellishment, and didn’t want to cut into a 12x12 sheet for a less than 4 inch die cut. I decided to use a digital pattern to fill the cut shape.
I can even scan and import a favorite patterned paper, although I don’t remember how I did it. I may need to find the tutorial again.
As frustrating as the Silhouette Design Store has been, I still love my Silhouette Cameo 4 machine and the software capabilities, and thankfully, I have a ton of patterns in my software library. It’s like having an endless supply of patterned paper.
What electronic cutter do you have, and what software feature do you love most?
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Post by Linda on Aug 24, 2024 17:12:00 GMT
I'm still using a Cricut Expression so ...
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Post by nicolecardella on Aug 24, 2024 17:23:06 GMT
I have an OLD silhouette cameo 2 I think. This was an upgrade from the silhouette I had before that even. I have never tried the fill feature. I recently bought a Cricut Joy to take to retreats for titles but I haven’t used it yet
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Post by nightnurse on Aug 24, 2024 18:30:19 GMT
I have a Cricut and love it. It has that same fill option. The print and cut feature is my favorite and what sold me on upgrading my machine years ago: I can print and cut tiny little Disney princesses without going crazy trying to cut out teeny tiny eyes. I hear the silhouette software is better but I own so many cartridges and have been using the Cricut for so long it doesn’t seem worth it to switch. I love never running out of “e” letters when cutting titles and I love being able to cut vinyl and make shirts
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Post by coloradocropper on Aug 24, 2024 19:14:16 GMT
My Cameo 1 is still a work horse. I'll be loyal to him until he dies and then I won't think twice about getting a new one.
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Post by mom on Aug 24, 2024 20:19:22 GMT
I have a Cameo 3 and use the Designer Edition software. I love the offset feature.
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scrappymeg
Full Member
Posts: 317
Sept 18, 2020 22:59:35 GMT
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Post by scrappymeg on Aug 24, 2024 20:26:48 GMT
I love crafty tools and have more die cutting machines than I am willing to admit in a public forum , but I do use them and like them all for different reasons. Of my electronic machines: Silhouette: I have the Cameo 5, and love it - I really like using the electrostatic mat and do appreciate having so many features within Silhouette's software. Also, being able to save and export my files, unlike Cricut, is great. I do almost all my papercrafting on the Silhouette. Cricut: I have a Cricut Maker which I use for my vinyl projects. I also really like using it for writing and drawing, making posters, etc. My favorite features are the automatic background remover and the "create a sticker" feature, where it is super easy to turn a design into a die-cut or kiss-cut sticker without having to mess with tracing. I also have a Joy Xtra for smaller projects and traveling. Scan N'Cut: I only use this for cutting images out of patterned paper or stamped images, even though it can do more. But that scanner is awesome and saves me so much money on dies. I also really like that you could scan and cut from the machine, without a computer or tablet. I would love to see Silhouette or Cricut come out with a machine with the scanning capability.
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 24, 2024 22:03:09 GMT
I have both a silhouette and a Cricut. I have used the SIL quite a bit, but not in a long time. I’ve only used my Cricut once. 🤪
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,503
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Aug 24, 2024 23:13:46 GMT
I have the Sil Portrait 3 and the designer software. I don't have one particular feature that I like. I've been using it recently to cut vinyl.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,584
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Aug 24, 2024 23:34:27 GMT
Being able to make letters and die cuts any size I want.
I have a Cameo 4. I had the designer software for my Portrait but lost access to it when I upgraded the machine and keep forgetting to figure out if I still "own" a copy or have to rebuy it.
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Post by marg on Aug 25, 2024 0:37:02 GMT
I have the Silhouette Portrait 3 and I only do basic things with it - cut files, and foiling, mainly. I really need to invest some time in learning the software more thoroughly.
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gingerjenny
Junior Member
Posts: 60
Aug 16, 2024 1:40:20 GMT
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Post by gingerjenny on Aug 25, 2024 0:53:08 GMT
I have a cricut and my favorite feature is the software is really easy to use. I bought a silhouette years ago and returned it because i couldn't figure out the software. Needless to say i'm not techy.
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Post by wordfish on Aug 25, 2024 12:16:21 GMT
I have a Silhouette Cameo--an older one, maybe the third or fourth iteration? I have never used it. It was a replacement for an even earlier version that I used once, maybe twice. I have a Cricut Expression 2 as well and I have used that for several projects recently. I have to say that I don't understand its functionality well enough to pick a favorite software function, which is sad but the complete truth. If I had to pick something, it would be this: I got it to work without too much angst.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,011
Location: Northern Virginia
Aug 7, 2014 22:09:44 GMT
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Aug 25, 2024 22:54:28 GMT
I have a Silhouette Cameo 3 and I don't think I have a favorite feature per se...just the ability to make custom titles in any size, out of any paper is probably my most-used feature. I also love print & cut, and the ability to re-color a P&C as I so choose is a nice plus! I am thinking of upgrading the machine at some point, but for my basic needs I really love my current workhorse of a machine.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 26, 2024 13:55:26 GMT
I have both a silhouette and a Cricut. I have used the SIL quite a bit, but not in a long time. I’ve only used my Cricut once. 🤪 I think we all go through phases where we use certain tools, including machines.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 26, 2024 13:57:31 GMT
Being able to make letters and die cuts any size I want. I have a Cameo 4. I had the designer software for my Portrait but lost access to it when I upgraded the machine and keep forgetting to figure out if I still "own" a copy or have to rebuy it. You should still have the designer software. It’s a one time purchase. I’ve upgraded both software and machines. If you are signed in, it should show that you have the designer software.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 26, 2024 13:58:56 GMT
I have a cricut and my favorite feature is the software is really easy to use. I bought a silhouette years ago and returned it because i couldn't figure out the software. Needless to say i'm not techy. I didn’t used to be techy. My DH dragged me kicking and protesting into it years ago. I’m glad that he did.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 26, 2024 14:00:52 GMT
I have a Silhouette Cameo 3 and I don't think I have a favorite feature per se...just the ability to make custom titles in any size, out of any paper is probably my most-used feature. I also love print & cut, and the ability to re-color a P&C as I so choose is a nice plus! I am thinking of upgrading the machine at some point, but for my basic needs I really love my current workhorse of a machine. Wait…..you can change the colors on a print and cut? I have never tried that, so thanks for sharing that!
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knitnmomma
Junior Member
Posts: 74
Jul 13, 2014 2:57:03 GMT
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Post by knitnmomma on Aug 26, 2024 14:10:41 GMT
I have a Silhouette Cameo 5 and the Cameo 1. I love my 5, I use it to make all my cards and I use it on practically all my scrapbook pages. My favorite feature is the ability to use all kinds of pens in the adaptors to write out my journaling in any font I choose.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,011
Location: Northern Virginia
Aug 7, 2014 22:09:44 GMT
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Aug 27, 2024 2:42:46 GMT
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Post by riversong1963 on Aug 27, 2024 10:48:18 GMT
I have a Cricut Maker and a Silhouette Portrait 2. I love my Cricut, and I use it very often. I really like my Portrait for cutting out stamped images. I also use it with SCAL to cut sometimes. I'm not a big fan of the Silhouette software. I'm a pretty techy person, but I don't find that software to be very user friendly.
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Post by mrssch on Aug 27, 2024 14:42:33 GMT
i have a cameo 4. i love being able to download images from the internet and convert them to cut files. t was a game changer for me.
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Post by whipea on Aug 27, 2024 21:52:27 GMT
i have a cameo 4. i love being able to download images from the internet and convert them to cut files. t was a game changer for me. Same. Never buy or subscribe. I can find and simply covert any image I ever needed.
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Post by katlady on Aug 27, 2024 22:57:49 GMT
So can all 3 brands do basically the same thing, just maybe different ways to accomplish the same thing? I know the Scan-N-Cut is the only one with a built in scanner, but are they all pretty much the same?
ETA - I am basically looking to cut vinyl with my own files from Photoshop/Illustrator.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Aug 27, 2024 22:59:19 GMT
I can’t believe I’ve still never bought an embosser or cutter. I’m always in awe of what people do on them, I just can’t make myself dedicate the space.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Aug 29, 2024 18:52:29 GMT
I have the original Scan n Cut, but really found it unintuitive. I used it that year to make an advent calendar and a scrapbook I made for my boss's daughter, but not much beyond that. I haven't used it in probably 8-10 years. I also don't have space for a large cutter.
I bought a Cricut Joy in 2022 because it's so small (my space is severely limited) and it's portable. It's been a great option for page titles and some icons and is more than enough for the way I scrap and make cards.
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Post by disneypal on Aug 29, 2024 20:55:47 GMT
I have a Cricut Explore Air and a Cricut Joy (small and portable). I like the Design Space software because there are thousands and thousands of images available and I can always find exactly what I need. If for some reason I need something more personalized, I can upload my own design, converted to an SVG and cut it myself. Very easy to use IMO
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Post by Texas Scrap on Aug 29, 2024 21:35:16 GMT
I think I have a Cameo 3? What is this designer software?? There are definitely things I see people do - like print/scan/cut a PDF of digital die cuts that I have no idea how to do with my machine - maybe that is something I need design software to do? I typically use the cameo annually during December daily as people do all kinds of creative things with cut files so I have to relearn each year . I also used it for making school related albums for my kids. I like the ability to turn digital files into cut files - like the Dec Daily Die Cut Inserts for example. I also like being able to cut out letters from any font in any size (again I have to re-learn this each time . I also like the off set feature.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,088
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Aug 30, 2024 1:03:42 GMT
I would love to see Silhouette or Cricut come out with a machine with the scanning capability. I do scan and cut with my Silhouette, it's a little more work than the Scan N Cut but it has worked for me. You have to have the PicScan matte and then you take a photo of the image on the matte and upload it through the silhouette software. I have the original Portrait and I like it a lot. I don't use it as much as I should but it does everything I need it to so far.
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scrappymeg
Full Member
Posts: 317
Sept 18, 2020 22:59:35 GMT
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Post by scrappymeg on Aug 30, 2024 2:05:35 GMT
I would love to see Silhouette or Cricut come out with a machine with the scanning capability. I do scan and cut with my Silhouette, it's a little more work than the Scan N Cut but it has worked for me. You have to have the PicScan matte and then you take a photo of the image on the matte and upload it through the silhouette software. I have the original Portrait and I like it a lot. I don't use it as much as I should but it does everything I need it to so far. PixScan did not work for me. I managed to successfully calibrate it one time and did a successful cut, but when I got a new laptop and reinstalled the Silhouette software on there and had to do it again, it would not calibrate at all, no matter how many times I tried. But I'm glad it works for you, it certainly is far less expensive than a ScanN'Cut!
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