Cricut Maker Machine

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All please excuse my short hi-jacking of this thread.
GreenBR
This was our notorious ginger monster, she caused quite a stir on here being ginger and female.

She also had the ability to squat where nothing got flattened. She's the one we'll never forget.

[mikem64]

I've been thinking about one of these machines for ages now. My intentions would be to offer ready made kit files for this type of machines for all my new designs.

If I understand correctly I'd print as normal then run the printed sheet once glued to card stock through this machine for cutting out. Maybe not as simple as this but that's how I understand these things.

I'm hoping it makes the card kit cutting part simpler and easier especially when cutting fine detail like window frames.

I've also been looking at laser cutters but this would mean a different approach to the kit design process as I do like the printed method, mainly because I'm a terrible painter.

So I'm busy scanning the internet for reference material on this cutting machine. Funny I should find a thread here.

I'm certainly hoping a new year brings a new approach to the card scene.

Merry Christmas everyone.
Mike

[GreenBR]

Hello Mike,
I have ony been messing with it for a few days so some of the information i have may not be completely correct, but here goes
1. This machine does not import pdfs, it does jpg svg bmp png dxf, i have been working with the png files so far.
2. Every time i import a file into Design Space it is never (so far) the correct size, for example png cones out more like n gauge than 00.
3. USA english is not UK english it is only a minor thing but i waste time trying to think like an American (not a nice feeling).
To get the scale right for A4 bearing in mind the US letter size paper is different.
As far as i can tell from my current knowledge.
1. different card thicknesses would need to be on different sheets
2. a border of approx .250" would be required
3. a scale measurement on each page would be needed ( to check resize was correct).
If you want to go down this road i am prepared to help (if you would like).
I must admit i was not planning on going down the road you are thinking of but if you would like to supply a simple building that i can work on in just black and white i am prepare to give it a go.
If you want to get somemore information try some of the American Forums, that is where i started, information for our hobby does seem to be small. I also tried 3 UK forums with little success.
For me i think it is going to be a long road, i am hoping that a few weeks will make a great deal of difference.
I hope this is of help to you.

[James109]

Hi Stephen

Been using my one for a few years now with some good results, I use tinkercad and export them file as .svg and once in cricut resize the file to suit my scale.

https://youtu.be/6UMRREZimbs

Jim

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Hi- Mikem This is my experience collected over four or five years doing it, using a Sillhouette Cameo cutter..
The different types of machine have their own alignment marks which are printed on the card with the image and the cut lines are referenced to them. There is a sequence to do but it involves the stage of applying the cut marks on the machine that will cut it. So it's best to apply the alignment marks on the machine that will cut it.
my sequence would be
- prepare a file for printing and cutting and save it in the format for the design of machine.
The image needs to avoid the areas required for the alignment marks.
- Distribute the files in this format.
- take the downloaded file and load it on the computer and machine to be used
- print the file from the cutter software with "Alignment marks" turned on
- cut the sheet with "use alignment marks" turned on.
The names of the options may vary from one type of machine and software to another. I don't know if the method of applying alignment marks is the same on different makes of machine. I don't have experience of other machines so file formats may or may not be particular to machine types. My machine can be persuaded to treat all lines of a particular type as cut lines. My machine can scan for edges and turn them into cut lines with varying degrees of success, I don't know about others. From comments in various craft sites I think there's a variance in alignment between examples of a particular machine.
Hope I'm not putting you off.
John W

[GreenBR]

I will try to keep this thread updated as best i can. After several conversations with the technical support team there is an undisclosed (at least to me) on going problem with png import files that they are looking into. I also found out that the actual cutting mat size is US Letter. I have asked if there is any chance of adding A4 and they say that it will be forwarded to the software team for consideration. I have decide to make some replica buildings of the Battlefield Line Shackerstone Station as this is the nearest place to where i live. Have taken some photos and am now trying to get my head around Inkscape, am presently working on the Doors. I must admit i was hoping it was going to be easier than this, but it is winter and not alot to do so i will be giving it a try when i have something to show i will post.

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The cut positions between two sheets done on the same machine seems to be well aligned, alignment marks are only needed on printed sheets, blank sheets with the same cutouts don't need alignment. I'd make a small ammendment to Mikem's method, that's replace the paper printed top sheet for one on copier/printer card, and perhaps one less strengthening sheet. The biggest advantage of the paper was ease of accurate cutting. You can use the same design as the top sheet for any backing sheet, the presence of the image won't make any difference during cutting.
Stephen, windows are the biggest bugbear on everything, I just put holes in the top sheet and print window frames on card of the right colour, then stick them to transparency and put them between two of the reinforcing sheets.

[James109]

made a wee how too video https://youtu.be/F2_RJ8diKVw

[GreenBR]

Thanks for posing the video, i am supprised that the Cricut Air cuts 1mm plastic. If you could post the settings that would be great. The Maker has not got a pre-defined setting for that, in fact if you use the knife blade you cannot modifiy the settings at all, i have asked support for some settings for cardstock but the reply i recieved was less than ideal. I will have to have another go at them.