Pazzles Inspiration Electronic Cutter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Inspiration cuts almost any shape imaginable...and you never need to buy a cartridge. You can draw your own, clip an image from the internet or cut just about any digital image you already own. As an example, I was able to clip a 3 color college logo from the internet. I used the Inspriation software to break the logo into its respective parts, sized the logo and then cut each piece out in the appropriate color. The result was a 3D logo in the size I needed for my project. Couldn't do that with a Cricut!
It was easy to install and set up the machine and took very little time to get to know the software. The software has all the functions I was looking for to cut out images but still needs a bit of work to make it even better. Sometimes I wind up manipulating images in PSP and then moving them into Inspiration to size and cut.
As for type, it comes with many fonts and also works with all true types fonts you have loaded on your PC so your imagination is the only limit. It's so easy to meld type into groups so you don't need to deal with indivdual letters.
While the accessories (mats, blades etc) are available only from online retailers such as Amazon or Pazzles.com right now, the Cricut mats work just fine and the new Cricut deep cut blade seems to be the same as you'd purchase from Pazzles. As I understand it, Pazzles makes the Cricut's for Provo Craft.
So, far, I've only used my cutting blade but I have recently purchased the embosser tool and mat and am looking for a project to try it out on.This is a terrfic product for any scrapbooker or paper crafter and worth the money!

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Inspiration Electronic Creative Cutter. This Cutter is the most advanced paper cutting machine available and includes: Creative Cutter; Inspiration Design Software; one blade; one 12 inch x 14 inch mat; instruction manual and tutorials with 300 images! This compact cutter has a 12 inch cutting width and can cut vellum; vinyl; cardstock; poster board and more! Using your home computer you can design and create home decor bags; boxes; wearables; stamps and more! It can draw with your favorite markers and refillable bleach/ink pens. It embosses; engraves; distresses and pierces. You can design and create your own images using home photos and a scanner. Features great accessories (each sold separately) such as the Pen Tool; Embossing Tool; Engraving Tool; Cutting Tool Kit; Vinyl Sticker Material; Engraving Mat; Embossing Mat (accessories not included) and much more! You will need a PC running Windows XP ith updates or Vista and one USB port. Size: 6 inch x 21-1/2 inch x 10 inch. Weight: 12 pounds. Imported.

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QuicKutz SILHOUETTE-1 Digital Craft Cutter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own both a basic Cricut machine and a Silhouette. Each has pros and cons that I thought I would share here for anyone trying to make a decision about which one to purchase.
Silhouette--
Pros:
--You can cut ANY design in almost ANY size. You are only limited by your imagination and your computer skills. I have been having fun downloading clip art from the internet, and then using Photoshop Elements to break apart each piece that I want to do in a different paper color. You can save these pieces as .jpgs and import them into the Silhouette software. If you don't know Photoshop, you can use the pre-made electronic clip art from Quickutz or from other designers who do Silhouette files.
--Blade seems to last longer than the Cricut version
--Mat seems to last longer than the Cricut version
--Since you can use any True Type font on your computer, your titles are virtually unlimited. When I'm scrapbooking, I like being able to cut my title out of the same font that I use for journaling since it has a nice clean look. The ability to do any font on your computer makes purchasing the Silhouette a great idea.
Cons:
--I am a computer analyst and so the learning curve for me wasn't too bad on the software. But for someone who doesn't use any kind of computer, it will take a while to learn this. Typing words for titles, etc. is the easiest part.
--The machine is noisy. So much so that when I made my first cut I thought I was breaking it!
--They could improve the "depth gauges." These little pieces of plastic haven't broken yet, but they SEEM like they could break or easily get lost.
Cricut
Pros:
--so, sooooo easy to use
--a nice selection of cartridges
--blades and mats are cheaper to buy than Silhouette
Cons:
--limited to the designs made by Cricut
--limited in size of dies if you own the basic model. The Expression addresses this issue because it has a larger format, but the Expression also costs twice as much as either of these products.
I've stopped buying Cricut font carts because my Silhouette can do so much in this arena. But Cricut shapes are still worth it because, again, they are so easy to use.
Hope this helps!


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Craft enthusiasts will love this digital craft cutter--it's the perfect tool for scrapbook and school projects, making cards and invitations, paper crafting, home decor, and more. Use it to cut from a variety of materials including pattered paper, iron-on transfer paper, vinyl, magnetic paper, cardstock, wood paper, vellum, and sticker paper. By connecting the cutter to your computer, you can receive instant access to your entire digital design collection, transform designs anywhere from 1/4 inch to 8 inches tall, or cut any TrueType font on your computer. Best of all, it does not require any cartridges or CDs that can end up lost or damaged. The cutter comes pre-loaded with 50 shapes, and the Silhouette software makes it easy to log onto your account at any time and download more shapes at your convenience. The digital craft cutter measures 6 by 16 by 4-1/4 inches tall or 8-1/4 inches tall with the lid open. Though it's only 16 inches wide, it does require 18 inches of desk space to make room for the plugged-in USB and power cords. It will also need 12 inches of clearance in front and back to accommodate the cutting mat as it feeds through the Silhouette when cutting. Users will also need access to a PC with Windows 2000 or XP operating system and an Internet connection.

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