Sure Cuts a Lot 2 Cricut Software - Product Review

Sure Cuts a Lot, or SCAL, from Craftedge allows you to connect your Cricut to your PC or Mac to design and cut fonts or Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). Fonts are not only alphanumeric, but also can include images and pictures. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination! SCAL 2 is a WYSIWYG program. The user simply creates their graphics or words on the virtual mats, clicks cut, and watch your Cricut cut it out.

Sure Cuts a Lot 2 works by installing a program on your PC or Mac. It includes settings for 6x12, 12x12 and 12x24 mats. It will work with the Cricut personal machine, Expression or Create. There is also a version for Mac, but your Cricut firmware will have to be updated using a PC. The program has a virtual cutting mat and you can enter your text or graphics. You can select any font or dingbat font that is installed on your computer and use the keyboard to type the words. You can then manipulate the letters by resizing, flipping or rotating. There is an option to weld, or join together, letters and/or graphics.

You can also import an SVG file. SVG files are generally made in Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator. They are outlines of images to create silhouettes for a die cut. You can also "break apart" the SVG file into separate layers to create a paper pieced die cut. The different layers cut in different colors creates a very detailed die cut.

New SCAL 2 is the ability to open a .jpg or .gif file and trace the graphic within SCAL 2 to create a SVG file. For users who are intimidated by Inkscape or don't want to take the time to learn or use Inkscape, this can be a time saver and reduce a lot of frustration.

SCAL 2 does not require any cartridges to work, however you will need any cartridge in the Cricut machine to load the mat. It does not have to George or Accent Essentials, any cartridge will work.

I have been using Sure Cuts a Lot since it was first released. I have been very pleased with the product and upgraded to this version as soon as it came out. The owner of the company has been very responsive about adding new features and tweaking the program to suit the needs of the crafters. He has listened and create features we wanted. He is also quick to respond to help emails.

I am very comfortable on the computer and find SCAL 2 easy to use. It has only a slight learning curve and is fairly easy to pick up and get started. The interface is easy and commands are right where you think they should be. I like the ability to move the command boxes around on the screen to customize the look. This program performs exactly as promised for me and I'm very satisfied with it.

The only complaint I do have is that it does crash sometimes when resizing an object. I have to shut down the program and restart it. It has an auto save and it will open up with my previous session. Because of the auto save this doesn't bother me as much since my work is still there. It is an inconvenience, but for all that this program does I am willing to ignore this.

Sure Cuts a Lot 2 has allowed me to make vinyl wall quotes by either purchasing SVG files and some I've created myself. I've also etch glass and painted plates using stencils I've made with contact paper and SCAL 2. SCAL 2 allows me to create very personalized scrapbook pages and I have access to hundreds of free fonts and hundreds of graphics available for free or a nominal price.