Today I downloaded the trial version of Sure Cuts A Lot Version 2 (SCAL V2). I was excited to try it out with my Cricut Expression machine since the creators advertised that the software can use any font on your computer to cut! No more font cartridges!
I downloaded the trial software from a website called mycuttingbuddy.com. The process was easy, click on the version you need for your computer, PC or Mac, then add the free trial version to your cart. You will have to do the entire check out process even though you are paying nothing. No credit card is required. Then after you complete the process, you get to download the software. It installed pretty quickly on my mac.
Like any new program, it took a few minutes to figure out where everything is. It starts you off with the pointer so you can add objects, you have to click on the text button to add text. Then on the side (for my computer it was on the right side) there is a panel with all the fonts, sizes, and all the speciality buttons just like your Cricut or Gypsy! You can flip your words, black them out, move them closer together, just to name a few things. You can also change your mat size, zoom in and out, move around on the mat, etc! I am a little sad that the cartidges don't work with the program but that was to be expected since it's not a ProvoCraft product.
I started simple so far, I have cut a "T" for my first name. I chose my font, size, position on the mat, and it looked great. I was ready to cut.
Here are a few things I learned right away: 1. You have to have a cartridge in the Cricut, otherwise, it won't cut. The mat for the buttons is helpful too if you are like me and have been relying on the gypsy and forgotten where the load & unload buttons are! 2. You need the cable to connect to your computer (same cable as my printer used). 3. There will be one or more horizontal lines cut through your image since this is a trial version, I read that the full version will not do this (phew!)
I was quite happy with the design after it finished cutting. Everything cut all the way through, the size was what I had wanted, it cut exactly where it was laid out to cut and I think the image looked great. I can't wait to try a few more things on it!
I was trying to make an image into an SVG file and it worked! It was really simple and fun! I can't wait to explore this option more! For now, I'm going to find more fonts that I love and maybe looking into downloading some free SVG files! woohoo! I'm having so much fun Creating like Crazy!
