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Post by kokomo on Aug 18, 2019 2:54:20 GMT
which one is easier to learn how to use. I am not very tech savvy, but I would love to download cut files Any info is appreciated. Thanks
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Post by kokomo on Aug 18, 2019 14:36:14 GMT
Come on people help me out
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Post by mom on Aug 18, 2019 14:43:10 GMT
I love my Silhouette. I've not used a Cricut in years as my Silhouette will cut any file I find that I want.
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Post by justjac on Aug 18, 2019 15:11:35 GMT
I have a Silhouette. I like it and there are plenty of online video tutorials.
I don’t know much about the newer Cricuts since mine was an original expression. I passed it on to a friend. Cricut annoyed me because I had a Gypsy (you could store cartridges and search before the online) that needed a new cord but they basically stopped supporting it. I was out of luck.
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Post by streetscrapper on Aug 18, 2019 16:05:08 GMT
I had an original Cricut years ago that I sold in order to buy an original Silhouette. The Cameo was released a few months later, I sold the Silhouette and bought the Cameo. About a year or so ago, I sold my original Cameo and bought the Cameo 3. Obviously I'm a Silhouette girl! I can't comment on the newer Cricuts, but from what I understand they have come a LONG way. Hedgehog Hollow has a Youtube video comparing them, and she opted for the Cricut... Silhouette has a couple of new machines coming out very soon. Depending on your needs, you might want to wait. I'm actually thinking about selling my Cameo 3 and buying one of the new ones when they become available.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 18, 2019 16:48:24 GMT
I love my Silhouette. I found plenty of helpful YouTube videos. For me not having to be connected to the internet to use it is crucial.
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Post by anniefb on Aug 18, 2019 18:03:04 GMT
Another happy Silhouette user.
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Post by riversong1963 on Aug 18, 2019 22:53:49 GMT
I have both a Cricut Explore Air and a Silhouette Portrait. Honestly, I think the Cricut is much easier to use straight out of the box. I find the Silhouette software more involved and not as easy to use.
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Post by fashionista on Aug 19, 2019 1:11:13 GMT
Team Silhouette here
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Post by powderhorngreen on Aug 19, 2019 1:54:59 GMT
I have both Maker and Cameo because I design and sell svg files and so need to test files on both and understand both. Bottom line - Maker is easier right out of the box BUT Cameo is so much better once you get over the learning curve because the user has much, much more control over everything and you are less tied to Provocraft and their desire/business decisions that work to keep you tied to their ecosystem. Silhouette is coming out with the Cameo 4 in a couple months and if you can wait I would definitely do so.
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Post by sunny1016 on Aug 19, 2019 1:58:58 GMT
I am a long time Silhouette user. I have the Cameo 3 now. I also just recently purchased the Cricut Explore Air 2. I do think the Cricut is easier to use. I also think it cuts intricate designs a little better. I purchased it because I needed Disney designs, and while I could get them for the Silhouette- Cricut has license rights and its just easier. I also had old cartridges I wanted to be able to use. With all that being said I love my Silhouette, if I had to choose its a definite winner. I like the software better and also the designs. *You can download the software for both and try them out without the machines. It lets you see how they work! (Cricut is online. Silhouette you dl to your computer) **Do watch Silhouette has new machines coming out in the next couple of months I believe.
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Post by kiwifarmer on Aug 19, 2019 7:36:01 GMT
I have the original Cricut, but went to the silhouette cameo...got a new cameo on preorder coming in a few months I hope !!!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,119
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 19, 2019 13:58:41 GMT
I have both a Silhouette Cameo and a Provo Craft Cricut Explore Air 2.
Cricut is easier to use for a novice, but the software is limited. It is geared towards those who want to just buy or download files. Cricut hopes you’ll just buy their designs. Most Cricut owners will end up buying some. I have bought more Cricut designs than I ever expected to buy. They do have Disney designs and other cute files.
Silhouette, while not quite as easy to use out of the box, can do so much more than Cricut IMO. There are tons of easy tutorials to help you to learn just about anything.
Cricut will cut thicker materials than Silhouette. That is why I bought my Explore, but I don’t use it very often. I prefer my Silhouette because it has better, more capable software.
Another issue is whether or not your internet connection is good. While Cricut has promised eventual offline software, they can be slow to keep promises.
Cricut users have waited years for a simple offset function to create mats for letters, words, shapes, etc. An offset function is considered basic and is one of the most used functions for cutting software, but the Cricut software doesn’t have it even though customers have requested it for years.
Silhouette has had the offset function and has never required the internet to work, other than to install the software. It does use the Cloud to store files now, but you can make back up copies of their designs. Cricut is paranoid about their designs being shared. It is a valid concern, but they take it to the extreme. When too many people are online, the software has been known to bog down, crash, or not be able to cut. Silhouette doesn’t have that issue.
If you are willing and able to watch online tutorials to learn how to use the software, I would recommend the Silhouette. If that seems too overwhelming and intimidating, or if you need to cut thick materials such as soft leather, you might prefer a Cricut.
I second the suggestion to download the software for both. Watch some tutorials for each. You can use both softwares to do everything but actually cut, so you can see which you prefer.
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Post by infochick on Aug 19, 2019 15:00:40 GMT
I don't have a newer Cricut, so I cant speak to its capabilities or advantages, but I do love my Silhouette. I got a basic class from the LSS where I bought mine, so that helped me get started. I would recommend a class or tutorial, even if it is just something online. I still have an early version of the Cameo, and it is working great. I have used it far more than I ever thought I would and I still love it.
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Post by garagesaler on Aug 20, 2019 1:53:05 GMT
I always found the Cameo harder to use. I like that they have new images all of the time. I just did not like having to use a computer with it all of the time. They have an app but I can’t get it to do anything. I like the Cricuts better, either Maker or Explore. More user friendly, in my opinion. You do need fast internet and you need to be online to use it. I use it with my IPad. I love not having to use my computer with it. I like the Maker better than the Cameo. Just my opinion.
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Post by Embri on Aug 20, 2019 3:59:18 GMT
Another issue is whether or not your internet connection is good. While Cricut has promised eventual offline software, they can be slow to keep promises. This is a major red flag when it comes to tools. It means if at any point in the future Cricut decides its not in their best interests to support your plotter-cutter, *poof* it's now an expensive paperweight.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 29, 2024 20:02:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2019 9:17:32 GMT
I have done extensive reviews on the cutters. If you search you can find my threads.
I am going to touch base on a few points the ladies have made.
My big advice, this is the biggest advice and most important you need to feel comfortable using the software. Both Cricut & Silhouette software is free. Try them both out and see what feels best for you. You will spend all your time using the software for your choice machine.
You can cut thicker material on the Silhouette. I do all the time. You can cut leather on the Cameo and it cuts nicely. You do not need to buy a Cricut to cut out heavier material. Yes, the Maker & the new Cameo 4 coming out are a different type of machine for heavy duty cutting. The Explore and Cameo 2-3 lines do just fine cutting out heavier material. Don't get that in your mental space that you need to pick one machine over the other to work with heavier material. Cameo will need to do more passes for cutting. That is not a bad thing or deal breaker.
For years I carried two machines just so I could have one to cut out heavy materials. I even reviewed them like that. That is now outdated info. The software improvements in the Cameo allow for heavy cutting. It is cheaper to buy a deep cut blade for your Cameo than a seperate machine.
Cricut will be releasing offline software in the next couple of months. You will be able to work offline on your iPad and your computer.
Which one do I choose? My Brother ScannCut, lol. It fits my needs. At my experience level I can make it do everything the Cameo can. I retired my Cameo to my DH's garage.
I also have a Cricut Explore Air. I don't use it much. It really has nothing to with any Cricut cons. I just use my ScannCut more. I do love my Cricut for paper piecing. That is a personal preference. All the machines do paper piecing wonderfully. I am just use to Cricut since I have used it for years to make my layered files.
I do like it for Print & Cut. This was another thing I gave harsh reviews on when Cricut came out. The Print & Cut has improved. I know how to back door a lot of things when I need my special things for printing.
I use to say the Cameo was my sticker machine. If you love to make stickers. Then Cameo really does shine. With the recent improvements with Cricut it has become my new sticker machine. One again personal preference and expertise level.
Cameo & Cricut are both good machines. They have their strong and weak points. The big thing is the software and your comfort level using it.
Also you can use Silhouette store files with your Cricut. You need to buy it in SVG format.
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Post by riversong1963 on Aug 20, 2019 12:33:46 GMT
Another thing that I forgot to mention about the Cricut is that you can use SVG files without having to convert them, and you don't need to buy an upgraded version of the software like you do with the Silhouette. That was very important to me.
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Post by hockeyfan06 on Aug 20, 2019 15:56:01 GMT
I have both Maker and Cameo because I design and sell svg files and so need to test files on both and understand both. Bottom line - Maker is easier right out of the box BUT Cameo is so much better once you get over the learning curve because the user has much, much more control over everything and you are less tied to Provocraft and their desire/business decisions that work to keep you tied to their ecosystem. Silhouette is coming out with the Cameo 4 in a couple months and if you can wait I would definitely do so. This is what I'm trying to do is wait for the C4.
Could you tell me in your opinion what you are looking forward to the most in the new model? thanks!
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Post by disneyer on Aug 20, 2019 21:33:19 GMT
I still love my Cricut Explore. I have a ton of cartridges and prefer that method. I do however have SCAL and use that on occasion for the font variety. I only wish I had not purchased so many cartridges I really only needed my CTMH ones and my Disney ones. I know that both the SIlhouette and Cricut have both come a long way. I am currently happy and do not wish to purchase a new machine. If mine quit I would think long and hard on which one I would purchase. Sorry that doesn't help.
If I was looking today for my first machine I would ask around to see who would be interested in selling. I know many people have moved on from their cutting machines.
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Ohno
Junior Member
Posts: 82
Jun 26, 2014 3:57:22 GMT
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Post by Ohno on Aug 23, 2019 23:52:06 GMT
Have both. LOVE Cricut. The iPad app was s amazing.
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