Friday, March 7, 2014

Cricut Explore Design Space vs. Silhouette Studio - Complex Images


Happy Friday!  I am going to be busy with family visits for the next few days but I will try to make some quick posts.  

A lot of you have asked me to compare the new Cricut Explore with the Design Space online program to the Silhouette Cameo and the Silhouette Studio software (regular or Designer Edition).  In some ways this is like comparing apples and oranges since the programs are not intended to work in the same way.

The Design Space is not meant to be a create-your-own-design program.  It is intended to make crafting easier and faster. If you want to draw your own images you will probably prefer to use another software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to do this.  Anything you create in another program and save as an SVG (or other accepted file format) can be brought into the Design Space and cut with the Explore.  You can alter the images in the program to a certain extent but the focus is on helping you move from choosing the image to the cutting phase as easily as possible.

The Silhouette Studio program has drawing tools and other design tools such as offset, replicate, knife and the ability to create and release compound paths that make it great for creating original files.  I use and enjoy the Silhouette software and will continue to use it for the foreseeable future.

I want to show you what is so unique about the new Design Space...


When you want to find an image to use in a project in Design Space, you can search and browse through an array of full color, fully assembled images.  This is similar to looking through a Cricut handbook but even better since many of the older cartridge handbooks do not include full images of all of the assembled cuts.


When you click to add the image to your work area this is what you will see - the fully layered image with colors already chosen for each layer and a layers panel that breaks down the individual cuts.  In this image there are nine layers.  All you need to do is resize the image to the size you need for your project.


You can ungroup the image to see all of the individual layers.  In this case there are nine layers all set out in the layers panel and arranged in the proper order.


If you click on the Sync icon at the top right, the Color Sync panel will appear showing that the nine layers will be cut on six mats.  If you want fewer color divisions you can put layers together here by dragging and dropping.


When you click "go" the program will tell you exactly how many mats to load and which colors to use.  You can also choose to make multiples of the image and the program will calculate how many mats you will need in each color.

It is possible to move images to one mat and place papers in various areas of the mat to cut multiple colors in one pass.  You would do this while using the Sync option.

If you are using the Design Space program you can:

1. Browse and choose an image
2. Add the image to the workspace and make any changes to the layers that you want
3. Click the go button and start cutting the layers, all appropriately sized with colors suggested for you.

It takes only a minute or two to do these steps and then you will just need to load mats and assemble the final project.


Let's compare this to working in the Silhouette Studio software.  If you have purchased an image you will find it in your Library.  This is a file I purchased for a three dimensional Santa box.  The images are uniformly sized in a grid within the program so something that is as complex as this will be rather difficult to see clearly (simpler shapes are generally larger and bolder).


When you double click the item you have chosen and add it to the mat, you generally will see something like this.  All of the shapes appear in one block of red outlined shapes.  You will need to start ungrouping and regrouping in order to figure out all of the layers of the project.  You can add color but the images usually come in with no color (unless it is a print and cut file).


I have found that each designer within the Silhouette store may have a different way of arranging and organizing their files.  Sometimes you have to do multiple ungroup and regroup actions and you might also have to release and make compound paths and then fill the groups of shapes with a color to get a good visualization of your project.

Once you have figured all of this out, you will need to place groups of images that you want to cut in the same color on the mat and move everything else off the mat or turn off the cut lines on the shapes you don't want to cut at that time.  You must continue to manually change the items on the mat as you cut each color that you need for your project.  You can use smaller blocks of color and place the appropriate cuts in that block but it takes some time and some thinking to get this all organized.

Both programs and both machines can produce nicely cut multi-layered projects but the steps for using the Explore with Design Space are drastically reduced from the old Cricut system of choosing keys on an overlay and finding all of the little bits and pieces that you need.  The convenience of working with the cartridge images in the Design Space is a major improvement over the older system.  It is also much faster than trying to work your way through a group of red-lined shapes and determine what color they should be and how to arrange them on the mat in Silhouette Studio.

I have worked with Silhouette Studio for several years and I can usually take the design when it is added from the library and do the grouping, re-grouping, making and releasing of compound paths and setting up the mats to cut.  I don't mind doing it - in fact, I enjoy the challenge with some files- but it definitely is a more complicated process.  There are other features of the Silhouette program that I would like to see added to Design Space - in particular, alignment tools, a better color palette and color picker and the ability to offset or shadow and image or group of images with just a click.

My conclusion is that each of the programs has advantages that are not available in the other system.  It is a matter of personal preference as to which you find better suited to your needs. If you are looking for a way to move from image choice to cutting quickly, the Design Space takes a lot of the work out of the process and allows you to get to the assembly of your project more quickly.  The Silhouette program will allow you to do much more with the creation of your own designs but you will definitely need to work harder to get through the process of going from design to cuts ready to assemble.

As we used to tell our kids when we were moving from country to country overseas and trying to learn the local customs, "it's not good, it's not bad, it's just different!"

I hope that helped - please leave comments with any questions and I will try to pop in and answer them as time permits.

Have a great weekend!

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41 comments:

  1. I would really like to know how well the software welds! Since this doesn't work well in CCR, this is my deciding factor in purchasing the new Cricut! Thanks in advance!

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    1. Hi Clare. This program allows you to weld shapes and letters. I have read that some people think it is easier in CCR. Is there a specific problem that you have in CCR - shapes should be welding as soon as they touch together unless you check the "don't weld" box. Please let me know if I can help figure out a design that isn't welding for you.

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  2. This is so helpful and informative! Thank you for writing such an honest and balanced opinion. I think you have definitely pushed me in the direction of an Explore, if I decide to buy another machine. I have an E1, an Imagine, a Gypsy, and just received an E2 for Christmas, so space is becoming limited! i think the Silhouette will be too complicated and time-consuming for me, but just fine for others. Again, thank you for your time in sharing this information. BethAnn M.

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    1. Beth Ann - I am not trying to push you one way or the other but rather trying to make sure you know enough to make an informed choice. If you are looking for fast and easy, the Explore is probably the right choice (as long as you have a good internet connection and don't mind controlling the machine from a computer). Good luck and please send me any more questions that I might be able to answer for you.

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    2. Thank you, Diane! I didn't really mean push in the literal sense; I meant that you explained a lot of my concerns about the Silhouette. If I do go with a new machine, I think it will be Explore.

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  3. This helped a great deal! I was nervous about purchasing the Explore from HSN, hoping it was going to be a good decision. I am still awaiting it's arrival. It should be here in the next week or so. After reading your post, I feel I made a good decision! Thank you so much for the valuable information!

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    1. I hope you love your Explore - it is very different than other machines with some really exciting new features. Have fun with it!

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  4. Thanks for sharing this info. I am pressed for time in my crafting as I still work a very demanding job full time so as much as I like what the Silhouette does I believe the Explore is more of what I will upgrade to.

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    1. Jan Lynn - the aim of the Explore is to make it easier and faster for you to get to your actual project (so much of the "figuring out" is done for you). I love my Silhouette and will continue to use both but if you are pressed for time and have lots of cartridges already I think you will like the Explore. The cutting on the two machines is very comparable with a slight edge to the Explore for the ease of the "Smart Set" dial - I have had almost everything cut perfectly the first time. Let me know if you have more questions and good luck deciding!

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  5. I so appreciate that the information you post about the Explore is not merely a rah-rah endorsement, but a detailed explanation of its abilities and inabilities. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. It is so helpful!

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    1. Thanks Cheryl - I am happy that you find this helpful!

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  6. Nice review of these products! Thank you. I think the Explore would be for me. I like the idea of things being less complicated.
    OH, BTW! I got my goodie box yesterday! Oh my! Love it!
    Marilyn

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! Good luck with your decision - there are a lot of factors to consider.
      I am so happy that your box arrived safely and that you are enjoying the contents - they were pretty jam-packed this year! Have a great time using everything!

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  7. Excellent review ...fair and unbiased. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  8. Thanks for a great review but I have a question. Can you move stuff around on the mat so that it doesn't wear in the same place on every cut?

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    1. Hi Linda - thanks!
      Yes, you can move things around when you are on the Mat Preview screen before cutting to prevent wearing out the top left corner of the mat. It is easy to do - just click the image and drag it to another spot on the mat.

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  9. Very good review thank-you for sharing!!!

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  10. Very informative! I'm kind of glad I don't have to make the decision, as I bought a Cameo right before the Explore was introduced, and I still use my E2 with my Gypsy and cartridges. I have only cut a few designs so far with my Cameo, and nothing too complicated. I'm having a hard time visualizing what creating and releasing compound paths means and when to do it? Any suggestions on where to find a clear, simple explanation?

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    1. I hope you are having fun with your Cameo. I will do a post explaining what compound paths are and why you create and release them but it will need some screen shots or maybe a video - more than I can put in a reply to a comment. Silhouette has a series of videos on their You Tube channel that explain most things but I couldn't find one about compound paths... You should watch their video series 101 and 102 and you will learn a lot! I will try to do a post about this soon but it will probably take at least a week or so...

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  11. Thank you so much for your description of the two programs. What you described about the Silhouette Studio is exactly why I have missed my Cricut. It sure sounds like this is what I wish I had ! Oh well. Maybe next year ! :)
    Anna N.

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    1. Hi Anna - It really is a matter of personal preferences. Some people want simplicity and some like to do more complicated things with a program that has advanced tools. Both are good. It is a good idea to read as much as you can to be sure that the machine you choose is best for your needs! If you can't get it right away, it will probably have even more functionality by the time you are ready to buy - and most problems will have been worked out!

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  12. Once again you have simplified the Explore. Thanks for all the tutorials. I KNOW this will be a lot easier the Cameo. Now I have to figure how to get rid of all the other machines ,lol. Im still loading my cartridges into my Gypsy. Then I will have to sync them to CCR (YIKES). Thanks again. DawnRI

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    1. I am glad this helped you. You don't have to load more carts to the Gypsy - you can link them to your account through the cartridge port on the Explore. If you had cartridges on your Gypsy already before the CCR you will need to sync them but any new cartridges or unlinked ones can be done on the machine. It will work either way

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  13. I love how honest you are about the machines. I would love to see how to use your computer fonts with the Explorer.
    I'll be sending some pics of opening my box of treasures that did arrive yesterday.
    Thank you I love everything in the box.
    Linda in Stanwood

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    1. Linda - I will try to do a post about using computer fonts soon - I am busy with family for the next few days. So glad to hear that your box arrived safely - I hope you are having a lot of fun!

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  14. Love your reviews! I no I made the correct decision

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    1. Thanks Gerrie - I am glad you are happy with your choice! Crafting should be fun!

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  15. Thank you ! Love your detail. Are you going to put your suggestions into Provo Craft? I think I would like to have those features as well.

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    1. Hi Sue - thanks! Yes I have sent in some suggestions to Provo Craft and I know that they are working on getting the program to be as helpful as possible. I hope that some or all of the things will be added. I am enjoying things the way they are but more features would be even better!

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  16. Good job on the comparison and for being partial to both. I have the Silhouette too and you explained it well for people who are choosing

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    1. Thanks Tina! They are both good for different reasons and each is better suited to certain people and their style of crafting. Of course, some have to have the best of both worlds (that would include me!)

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  17. That's exactly why I do not use My Silhouette Cameo - it is too complicated! I have had my Cameo for almost a year and have cut two images compared to my Cricut Explore which I received February 28 and have used it every day - I love that machine! Can you suggest any tutorials I can follow for the Cameo? I think PC have been making some changes to the software because I tried to alter an image and an orange message popped up saying I was not performing it correctly. Thanks for the honest review of both machines. TFS

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    1. The Cameo is a little more complicated to understand - particularly when the file is for a large, complex item. For simple words or shapes it is similar to the Explore software but without the colors showing automatically (you can add them once the items are on the mat). I am glad you are doing so much with your Explore - I think they really met the goal of making it fast and easy to get from the idea to the cutting of the project.
      Tutorials for the Cameo? Have you checked out the Silhouette company videos on You Tube? They have a good series that walks you through many of the common steps and shows how to use all of the tools.
      The orange message you got fo the Explore may have been because you were trying to weld or attach items that were grouped? You have to ungroup first. Also, there are some things you can't do such as hiding a contour (line) in a grouped or welded shape. If it happens again, take note of the specific issue - some can be fixed by ungrouping or detaching and trying again and some can't. Have fun creating!

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  18. Thanks for the information. I will check the Silhouette website and try to follow their tutorials as well as You Tube. I usually watch You Tube on my Smart TV because the screen is so much larger than my Desktop. TFS

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    1. That sounds like a great idea - I'll have to start watching You Tube on the TV while I am working on other things on my computer!

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  19. Can you tell DS where on the mat you want it to cut? I have tried to find a way with no success :(

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    1. Hi Kim,
      If you want to move things on the mat to be more efficient in cutting you can do that at the preview stage - just drag items around on the mat. If you want to set things up to cut in the exact position you have them in while working on the canvas, be sure to select all of them items and "attach" them. I hope that helps - let me know if you have more questions.

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  20. Can the Cricut cartridges..that I use in my Expression 2 machine, also be used in the new Cricut Explore? Or can you only cut using SCG's etc. Trying to figure out if I could sell my Expression 2 to help pay for the new Explore. Thanks

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    1. Hi Lynn,
      You don't use the physical cartridge in the Explore. All of the digital images and cartridges that you have linked to your account at Cricut.com will be available for you to cut. There is a place to insert a cartridge on the Explore but it is only for linking the cartridge to your account. The ability to cut SVGs is a new feature which gives you a lot more choices for images. Some people keep an older Cricut machine as a backup in case they want to cut things when they don't have an internet connection. If you are not worried about the fact that you must be online to use the Explore, you could sell your E2. The price of the Explore is starting to get lower with some good sale prices now that it has been out for a while. Good Luck - I think you will love the Explore if you get it!

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