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Post by OntarioScrapper on Jan 16, 2016 19:31:35 GMT
The most frustrating thing for me is that when the Explore first came out, it did seem that Cricut had turned a corner. They were going to listen to their customers and be helpful. And they were. They updated the DS program to make it better. Brought out the Apple App. But then things started to change on FB groups. As I said slowly groups were being taken over to just promote GOOD things about DS which frankly is their main problem. It started in the fall. Several groups have popped up where you can talk freely. I think the problem is that they can't make DS go offline and they are trying to avoid answering as to why. At first we were told there may be an offline down the road for the computer. Then they announced the offline for the Apple App. So of course many were asking about the computer. Recently, even from the CEO, the word is that DS CAN'T be off line. But they won't tell us why. It could be that DS for the computer can't be made to be offline if you choose to. If this is true and they want an offline program, it could mean they need to make a new machine. And that is something that would piss off a lot of users who have been hopeful for the offline function. Though I only got the Explore because I tried out DS on my computer first to make sure it ran smoothly. The problems I have with DS are actually DS problems even though the cheerleaders want you to think it is user error.
How is it user error when sometimes I can access fonts with no lag and at other times it can take a while? How about the plug in issue? I get it once in awhile but NOT all the time. And yes, I had read that the CEO is a techie so I honestly thought he'd know what he is doing. However DS uses Flash which is a dying program. EVERYONE knew this before DS was developed. Why in the world would you develop a new program using flash then? The plugin problems are directly related to flash. Oh double sigh!
The one FB group I am in Cricut Misfits tries to not ban people. But I think some of the admins from the cheerleading groups are abusing that. They are constantly promoting anything Cricut. On a Canadian group someone posted that Staples has some Cricut products. I checked out the link. I was floored that Staples wanted almost $80 for the cart Tags, bags, boxes and More 2. So I mentioned not even Michaels sale carts at that price anymore and on the Canadian Amazon you can get many carts for around $20 (that's where I got this cart). One of the admins came on to promote the Cricut website and it was for a totally new cartridge. I was a bit muffed because she is also Canadian and would know that with the exchange rate, it may not even be worth it!
It's too bad that the Explore can't be used offline. Because I also think it would rock everything else. The Apple App is limited and well unless you have an iPad, it's expensive to get for an expensive machine to begin with! It's too bad that they got the machine right and the software wrong.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 16, 2016 19:44:54 GMT
After my experiences with Provo Craft and various iterations of design/cutting software for my Cricut Create (which I'm still using with Sure Cuts a Lot) I just couldn't bring myself to buy another PC machine. I don't like the fact the Explore can't be used offline, or that the situation keeps changing - guess the bottom line is I just don't trust them and I'm not willing to invest hard-earned $$ for a machine which may be obsolete again in a few years. So I'm going with a Silhouette machine. I was holding out for a Cameo but now think I might just go ahead and buy a Portrait - I scrap 9x12 and make cards and don't have much need for large 3D projects, so think it will be large enough for my purposes.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 17, 2016 3:33:43 GMT
Janome has entered the cutter market? I have to know more!
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Nov 30, 2024 5:43:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2016 11:05:00 GMT
OntarioScrapper- Thank you for letting us know about the status of the Cricut Explore Offline software. That is distressing news. I am really glad to know. I appreciate you for letting us know. Yes, you are very right it's not user error due to lag or plug-in failures. Those issues definitely should not be ignored.
scrapnnana- The new Janome machine is the Artistic Edge. I have only been able to look at a couple of sewing blogs so far about it. This looks like a machine with a diverse software for quilters and paper artists alike. I am going to do a bit more research into it but it will be a while. My Mother-in-Law passed away on Friday morning. It's been a sad weekend. My DH could not have a close relationship to her. She had a substance abuse problem, bless her. You can imagine my husband is devastated all the same.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 19, 2016 3:37:45 GMT
Amayalylac, my sincere sympathies for the loss of your mother-in-law.
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Nov 30, 2024 5:43:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2016 8:10:30 GMT
scrapnnana- Thank you, that is very kind. I didn't know her very well. I am sure the times I did meet her she probably didn't really remember me. Her mind was fractured from drugs. It is very sad and tragic. I hate seeing my husband and my brother-in-law hurt so much. They are both sweet men with the kindest hearts. My husband wanted to see the Janome Artistic Edge cutter. He was really excited about it. He loves quilting and applique. What I have found so far. This machine is definitely for sewists & quilters. I also think it is for advanced die cutting artists. The software does have a huge learning curve since it's software geared to the fabric & needlework community. I think for advanced users of die cutters the software would not be hard to learn. I thought it looked easier than Cricut Explore software, lol. What I loved most about the software is that you could save your files to use in different embroidery machines. Not only is the software for die cutting it is also for machine embroidery. They did have the Scan n Cut file extension in the software. I saw PES for my Brother machine. I read the software is the basic version of a more advanced software suite for machine embroidery. The machine cuts at 750 GSM. I am leaning heavily it is a Roland cutter. You can Print & Cut. What I have seen so far it's more like P&C like the BossKut Gazelle. I didn't see registration marks like the Cricut or Cameo. I need to research some more on the Print & Cut. There might be registration marks. I couldn't see them on what I was watching and reading. The blades are the blades for the Cricut machines. Definitely Roland Carbide Blades. One review I read a lady does use the blades in her Cricut Explore & Janome Artistic. I think the machine is a cross between the Zing & the BossKut Gazelle. What I read I guess Janome was working with Silhouette and KNK Zing but decided to make their own cutter. I felt like the blade holder was the click holder for the BossKut Gazelle. If anyone can remember the click holder for the Bosskut Gazelle. Not the traditional blade holder but the one with the numbers. For preliminary reviews I think it is an excellent cutter. I think there is a learning curve. The community is not very big so not a lot of help. I haven't delved in the machine embroidery community yet. I will probably find some more things from them. I will look at the quilting community too. The Janome Artistic Edge will definitely be moving in with me & my DH.  He loved it. He was like "We have to get it now." We did not get it now, lol. He was leaning towards the Scan n Cut. My DH doesn't paper craft. He does not use my cutters. He was looking to advance his quilting designs. For me finding out that Cricut is starting to change their stance on offline software I need to find another cutter that is offline and can cut heavy materials. I am still keeping my Explore & Cameo too. I think the Artistic Edge gives me more options for the kind of crafting I do. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 19, 2016 17:09:59 GMT
Amayalylac, I appreciate all the information you included about the new Janome cutter. I have a Gazelle, so I find it interesting, that there are some similarities.
I really want to get an embroidery machine someday. Maybe I should focus on getting that before I buy another cutter.
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Deleted
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Nov 30, 2024 5:43:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2016 8:07:01 GMT
scrapnnana- Machine embroidery is a lot of fun. I have a simple embroidery machine. I went with a simple machine first so I could learn. I thought if I needed more advanced features then I could upgrade. My simple machine has been wonderful. I have owned it for eight years. I have the Disney Brother SE270D. I did not get digitizing software with my machine. That is where machine embroidery gets pricey. If it's in a budget I would look at a machine with digitizing software. I do use two freeware programs called Thredworks & SophieSews. Those programs have been good for me. If I get into digitizing in the future I am definitely going to a sewing dealer for my next machine.
I have been doing more research on the Janome. I am looking at the machine embroidery community. I am seeing a lot of those artists using the Cricut. That seems to be the most popular machine and then next the Cameo.
There is a Janome dealer in my town. His store was near where I use to live. When I get some time I am going to see him and see if he has the Artistic Edge. YouTube has videos for the software. The machine itself I am not finding very much.
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He loved it. He was like "We have to get it now." We did not get it now, lol. He was leaning towards the Scan n Cut. My DH doesn't paper craft. He does not use my cutters. He was looking to advance his quilting designs.