Things I forgot to mention: libcutter is free but you'll have to find it. Cricut's Design Space will not work, you'll be cutting things directly from Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL). You'll need the George cartridge that came with your machine. Design Studio will be operated in trial mode and only to update the device firmware. Most importantly, unless you are ok with your items being cut into strips, this is only for those willing to invest more money into their old Cricut. I do not know of a way to do this without SCAL.
I purchased the SCAL5 in 2020 and was able to print with no issues. I have started using it again and it freezes while printing. I have updated the firmware on my Cricut several times and only once did I see a message about "enhanced file" or something not working. Would anyone know what this is? I have sent a message to Craftedge but no response yet. Can anyone add any advice as to why it locks while printing?
beatrice, I recently got an older version of Cricut Expression 2. I was thinking to get the SCAL software, but I read I need the DesignStudio software for the firmware to make it work.
When you said you had issues with “Printing”, that means you are unable to cut anymore?
Hope you’ll get someone to help you any soon and get that issue fix, if not, without SCAL the machine won’t work for cutting my own designs.
Marie, the bad news is that the Expression 2 only works with online software that Cricut discontinued when Adobe stopped supporting Flash because of security risks. Expression 1, Cake, Cake Mini, Personal, Create, all work with SCAL once you upgrade the firmware using the demo version of Design Studio, which you can still download - you just can't authorize it. Sadly, the Expression 2 does not, nor does the Mini. Expression 2 can still work with cartridges, if you can find them. Mini is a doorstop. Blame the Cricut folks for abandoning product lines they hyped to the nines when they were new.
Not a chance, would you be willing to share where someone could find the download for the demo version of Design Studio that lets you upgrade the firmware of the Cake Mini? The software I just downloaded seems to only have firmware updates available for the Personal Cutter, Expression, and Create...
Kathy,
Cricut Design Studio was the first, desktop based, software for the original Cricut, Expression, and Cake machines.
Craft Room came next, and was web-based. It was discontinued in 2018.
Design Space is the current web-based software. It does not work with older Cricut machines, hence the need for these downloads for those who still have working legacy Cricuts.
I have a Cricut that has what looks like a printer cable outlet on it. Is this what makes my Cricut (no other name with it-just Cricut) able to connect to the internet? I was given one last year and have no idea how to use it with my laptop. I do have printer cable if that is what will make it work with the internet?
I am thinking of getting a Cricut Expession 2. It has a design studio with it, do I still need to buy the cartridges for me to use my machine for art work?
Guest, The Expression 2 ONLY works with cartridges, and to get it to print in addition to cutting, you need special cartridges that are almost impossible to find. Don't buy it.
Is it possible to do?
When you said you had issues with “Printing”, that means you are unable to cut anymore?
Hope you’ll get someone to help you any soon and get that issue fix, if not, without SCAL the machine won’t work for cutting my own designs.
Cricut Design Studio was the first, desktop based, software for the original Cricut, Expression, and Cake machines.
Craft Room came next, and was web-based. It was discontinued in 2018.
Design Space is the current web-based software. It does not work with older Cricut machines, hence the need for these downloads for those who still have working legacy Cricuts.
please follow the link http://mirror.cricut.com/cds/fontpack/CDS_10404220.exe to download this program.