Help - I'm New!!

[traceyb]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I seem to be a bit stupid this am, can't work out where to post new message and what to do!
I have read some of the postings re: c/robo vs silhouette (yes I can spell it now too!) and still can't make up mind as it is the same machine. However, can anyone tell me if the silhouette has the same cutting power as the new CR and does Bazzill go thru both ok? Also can you access the quickutz shapes and buy on site with their cards if you have a CR and do they get downloaded to your computer anyway so doesn't matter where purchased from? I have tried to search - in vain - for images available for CR but can't access anything, I want to compare as I really like the Silhouette images and that is currently swaying me in that direction (and it is slightly cheaper at moment). Hope that makes sense, please help - anyone. Have a good day all. MANY THANKS, Tracey.X:blink:

[cw18]

no you can't download QK shapes for using on the CR :(

[Susie.A]

Hope I'm doing this right as I've never posted on a forum before. Just bought the Silhouette from QVC and it is fantastic. Scary at first as I kept cutting into my cutting mat but it is worth sticking at it. The $200 download card is such a bonus and I am resisting temptation to go mad and buy, buy, buy, but it is burning a hole in my pocket. I did have moan to QVC as I thought they made it look easier than it actually is, especially if you've never used a die cutting machine before. The QK website answers most questions and I've just e-mailed them regarding converting pounds weight into gsm and they answered in no time. This is a great machine and lots of fun - now if only it did the housework.

[Wishful Thinking]

Another newbie here. I have a Silhouette and have found the QuicKutz team in the USA really helpful. They email back very quickly indeed. Allowing for the time difference, they normally get back within 2 hours. I also spent an hour speaking to them on the help line (using a 2p minute cheap rate line) as I could not get the registration marks to work (something I particularly wanted as I am interested in the cut and print facility). It still won't cut automatically and I have to set the machine manually. Where the cutter head is placed is critical (not just in the green box) and apparently each machine can differ! This is only a problem if you want to print and cut. As Susie says they will send you a link to download pounds to gsm and I have found this very useful.

I also had an answer to a specific question about updated/new software and this was their reply "We are unfortunately unable to answer your question regarding new software at this time. We are presently working to include certain updated capabilities with the "ROBO Master" software, but are unable to relay what updates these might be, whether this would mean a change to "Design Master" instead of "ROBO Master", or what the time-frame might be for to provide such an update."

The guy I spoke to did say that they are producing a longer "more in depth" manual. I got the feeling that they were not expecting us scrappers to want to design our own work, but more to use QuicKutz ready-made designs that can be bought quite readily from their site.

I am having great fun with the machine and have managed to design my first lattice with the Silhouette, though I have to confess the first attempt turned into confetti!

[Susie.A]

You are way ahead of me, I've only got as far as welding words which is brilliant. I think I need a better programme for designing has anyone any suggestions, what about Inkscape, I've seen that mentioned quite a lot?


Sue.

[Wishful Thinking]

I have noticed that many of the more able designers here use Inkscape and I downloaded it (free) from the web. At the moment I am struggling with the terminology. I use Microsoft Publisher (really easy to understand but not so powerful) and save the design as a jpg rather than a pub file. I then import it into Photoshop and save as a jpg there as the blue design boundary clips the Photoshop picture tightly whereas if left in Publisher one ends up with a large blue boundary that is too big for the space available on the Silhouette. Sorry, I don't know all the technical names yet. Oh for a course in Inkscape as I feel it would be really useful. I have searched our local FE Colleges etc but haven't found any yet. I have ordered DesignMaster in the interim in the hope that it will help me along the way.

[Lucille]

You would get some help if you posted in the CR chat forum there is a thread there for Silhouette users.