Based on recent site analytics, we're seeing an increase in the number of Cricut users wanting the ability to cut SVG files with their machines! Did you know that it was once possible to purchase software that gave Cricut users the ability to do just that? Sure Cuts A Lot 2 and Make The Cut software were available for purchase and compatible with the Cricut Personal, Cricut Cake (12x12 and 6x12), Cricut Expression and original Cricut cutting machines. LawsuitsInitially, ProvoCraft filed a lawsuit against Make The Cut, a few months later the case was settled out of court and Make The Cut stopped selling the Cricut compatible version of their software. The software is still available and works with a variety of cutting machines (Pazzles Inspiration, eCraft from Craftwell, Boss Kut Gazelle etc), but no longer supports Cricut Machines. A few months later, Craft Edge (the maker of Sure Cuts A Lot 2) was also hit with a lawsuit. Sure Cuts A Lot 2 was taken off of the market and was replaced by Sure Cuts A Lot 3, which no longer supports Cricut machines.
Cutting SVG Files With Cricut Craft RoomIn the spring of 2011, Cricut posted a statement (see the image at the top of this post) that explained and defended their actions. We agree with their statement and understand how important it is to protect intellectual property and prosecute those that illegally circumvent security measures for one's own financial gain. Would ProvoCraft have been open to creating an approved version of Sure Cuts A Lot for the Cricut? We'll never know, but what we do know is that they realize the importance of creative freedom and stated that they would ' provide their customers the ability to cut some of their own images in Cricut Craft Room in the future'.
When Will I Be Able To Cut SVG Files In Cricut Craft Room?We're not sure! We've contacted ProvoCraft support and asked them just that, but they didn't have any information on when the feature would be available. We suggest that you contact ProvoCraft and ask them! It would also be a great idea to express that you specifically want support for SVG files! Here are some of the ways you can contact them.You can email:You can call: 801.932.1144 or 877.7CRICUTFacebook:faq id='22' NOTE: Comments below are user-submitted and are not the opinion of SVGCuts.com. Somehow PC suing people who make excellent software while PC’s software fails by comparison does not sound like they are putting their customers first.
I believe the motive behind these lawsuits had a lot more to do with cartridge sales and limiting crafters than protecting intellectual property. The whole thing just did not seem to be in the best interest of their customers and ultimately PC as this caused many people to discontinue using their products. Perhaps that is why they may someday allow people to cut their own images. But if you know PC they are not quick to do anything.
And what exactly does it mean to say “some of their own images”? Sounds pretty wishy washy to me! Just my humble opinion. I purchased a Sizzix Eclips about 5 months ago and within the first hour using it I realized I would never use my Cricut again. My Cricut was only 2 years old and was a gift from my husband. With his permission I put it on Craigs list(along with a few cartridges and the Gypsy I got on closeout at Michaels) and the same day had more cash than my Sizzix and SCal software costs. Why waste the energy struggling with a company that doesn’t put customers first?
Cut your losses and get an Eclips!In the 5 months I have owned my Eclips I have used it far more than the entire 2 years I owned a Cricut. I would like to join i have a cricket expression and sure cuts alot 2. I got them right before the law suit.
I wont up grade for the fact that i will lose my svg files. I love the fact i don’t have to buy the cartridges that are way out of my budget now. Im on a fixed budget and very low income and so now i cant afford the cartridges. I love making the 3D items like the houses and flowers and you cant get them on the cartridges. I dont wish anyone bad luck but karma will get you later on and PC will lose in the long run. Jemma,is there anyway I can get my hands on a copy of the sure cuts a lot?? If so please tell me how!
I would love not to have to spend what some of them are going for on ebay, plus I contacted a lady (I’m assuming lol) by email about it like she asked and my email account got hacked after she sent me an attachment she stated was the instructions for installation. I downloaded the attachment and my email account went nuts and started sending all types of links to every email contact and took me forever to regain control of my accounts, so now I’m a little leery of eBay lol Needless to say tho I really need a copy of it to make custom cuts for an autism group I help with!!! SO someone please help!! I finally decided to sell both of my Cricuts And have an interested buyer (even though I explained why I wouldn’t get another Cricut if it was me). It’s been more than a year since I used any of their cartridges. I always use Sure Cuts A Lot and create my own stuff or use SVGs.
It makes me so upset that Cricut wants to limit people’s creativity so they can make more money. I would rather spend my money on companies who promote and encourage creative uses of their products.Once I sell my Cricut will I be able to sell my copy of SCAL 2?
I hate to see it sit unused when so many people are looking for it. I did not buy the CD copy, just the download version. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot! If PC’s customers were 100% satisfied with the product, there wouldn’t be a need for sites like SVGCuts to exist. Do they not understand that more people would likely buy their machines over a competitor’s if they worked with third party developers?
I agree with Cindy in that they’re more likely concerned with how the availability of SVG files would impact their cartridge sales. It does make me wonder if they had never considered how a business partnership – ie, offering limited edition SVG image sets with a purchase of a cartridge, etc. Through sites like SVGCuts – may open more doors for them? I guess innovation is threat to companies like ProvoCraft who truly do not understand what their customers would spend money on. You alienated a very large base of potential customers when you made it impossible to use the Cricut Expression to make our own.svg files.
I am a machine embroiderer and so many of us were very excited that we could buy a machine that would allow us to pre-cut our fabric pieces for applique. Sadly, we did not find out about this machine until just about the time you decided to make it impossible for us to use. I am in one group that has over 1500 members and while several bought the Cricut Expression (just before the change came about), your subsequent actions removed it from consideration for any that had not yet purchased it.Most of us spend a lot of money on this hobby/business and the cost of a Cricut was very affordable for us and would have been a major additon to our arsenal of tools. I don’t think anyone I know will ever trust ProvoCraft enough to spend any money with your company.
The ability to cut what WE want instead of what some company rep thinks we should be cutting is paramount to any creative process. I really think you dropped the ball with this decision. This has been posted on many embroidery boards and ProvoCraft is considered a company to steer clear of. I am a retired Art Educator and I was thrilled to think there was a system that would allow me to draw my own designs instead of being limited to the Cricut Cartridges which I did buy. After they blocked artists and individuals from using Provocraft/Cricut I quit buying their cartridges.
I enjoyed a lot of what they did but in all honesty there were many things I could draw better. I didn’t realize they could also be used for embroidery. It is sad when innovation and creativity can be blocked by a company. I think their methods were totally not in the interests of the individuals who bought the Cricut. In the long range it hurt them.
I don’t buy any more cartridges. I’m kinda surprised this is still going on.
It’s been a long time now since this happened. I’m still using my 2 Cricut machines and I love my SCAL software.
Everytime I use it I get all excited and am thankful for my software, then I look at my Cricut and it almost makes me feel sick. When I first heard about this I knew I got in on the tail end of that oppuntunity, I know I was lucky. I decided right then that I wouldn’t keep my Cricuts until they die, but I won’t be buying another. I will look into another machine for sure.
I’m agreeing with you all, they shot themselves in the foot when they did this. I wouldn’t have even bought the Cricut to begin with if the software wasn’t available, I’ve never bought a cartridge and only have the ones that came with my machines. I bought the original Cricuit and then SCAL and also a bunch of cartridges. I was really upset when PC said we could no longer use SCAL.
I kept the Version I had on both. So I can still use it.
I would like to ask if it will run on a Windows 7 computer. My husband is going to get me a new one but if the programs won’t run then I will tell him not to get it unless he gets Windows 7 Professional that will work with XP programs. I have to have my SCAL and Cricuit. Can’t afford a new machine but wish I could.
Hate PC for doing this and refuse to get another cartridge. I FOUND THIS POST ON CRICUT.COM:You can try to reset the expression.HTHTECH SUPPORT NOOK – Reset ProcessIf your machine freezes, experiences power problems, cutting issues, or anything out of the realm of normal Cricut behavior, this reset procedure is a good place to start the troubleshooting process. Nine times out of ten, this will resolve the issue:– First, turn your machine on with no cartridge loaded. Then you are going to roll all your gray dials (the two on the left and the one on the right) down to their lowest setting.– Then you will want to grasp the green/gold cylinder blade assembly and use it to pull the entire gray carriage car unit (the one with the Cricut bug on it) along its track to the other side of the machine. Back in the cave where the gray carriage car usually sits there is a red button.
Press that button and hold it down for about three seconds. Let go and then move the gray carriage car back into place.– This next step will sound a bit odd, but many times it can fix your little “bug”. You’re going to roll all your dials all the way up and all the way down three times–three times for each dial.– Then you are going to hit the “Cut” button and turn the machine off.
Let the machine sit for a few minutes (15-20), load a cartridge, turn it on, and try a practice cut.If this does not solve your problem, give us a call toll free at 1-877-727-4288 7am to 6pm MST Mon-Fri (make sure you are by your machine) and someone here will walk you through some troubleshooting tips and determine if a replacement machine is needed. I called Cricut Customer Support a few moments ago to ask when Cricut Craft Room would be updated to allow customers to use their own SVGs. I was initially told that there were no plans to allow this because the company’s products were based on a cartrige system. The customer service person the I spoke with indicated that she was not aware of Cricut ever promising to eventually permit customers to use their own designs.
When I directed her to this website and the Cricut statement appearing above, she asked to put me on hold so that she could get some additional information. I was on hold for a good amount of time before she came back and said she was still looking into it and would have to call me back sometime later. I would really not like having to purchase another non-Cricut machine but it is sounding like I will have to if it is true that there has been little if any movement in the direction of allowing the use of SVGs. I have been working with my cricut and the software for some time, and it was fine. Then i got silly, and thought i wanted a couple of the free craftroom files a week ago. I saw that it was doing something.and quickly unplugged itbut now it is cutting wonky–sometimes my designs are not cutting in the places on the mat that they are placed on the screen in the software, and it is is making tiny little cuts and stopping to think and taking forever to cut–also quality of cuts is reduced, even with new mat and blade:(i was running firmware 2.34, and was wondering if i were to update with DS would i get that version or a different one.
This is pretty bad, but i am still limping alongi dont want to jump into a change that completely shuts me down:(i love the cricut ease of use (although for the first year i hated it because it is was the pink E and came with a faulty blade housing made of plastic). I wish they had not been so crazy. I am 90% sure that there is a new cutter NONPC under the tree!!! But i have all of these gifts to make b4 i get it!!!!!! It is killing me. Guess he wants me to be REALLY grateful LOL!!!please help methanks.
I have a Cricut Imagine that I finally figured out would not cut SVG cuts and Cricut cartrdiges or anything out of the Craft Room if I left my Sure Cuts A Lot 2 on my computer. So, thankfully I had an old laptop I transferred all my SVG files to and my old Cricut Expressions and can run those together.
And then run the CRicut Imagine with the Cricut Craft Room. Thank goodness I have lots of craft space but sometimes I feel like an IT person going back and forth and troubleshooting. I had trouble getting my Imagine to cut for a while after I did all this and found that Cricut Craft Room V 2.31 would allow cutting, otherwise I would have to wipe out the registry for the Cricut and start over. I will never buy another Cricut nor recommend it but am scared to death to buy another cutting machine because I have so much invested in these two machines. What a nightmare! Debra,I am new, very new to cricut and have purchased an imagine, was new in box off craigslist about two months ago.
For a really good price. And then I also bought a few cartridges. They are expensive.
I purchased because I love scrapping and have several great programs. When I heard what the imagine could do was amazed. Needless to say after many re installs and changed to our best computer, I finally got it to work very well. However I too would like to be able to use my own artwork.
Can you provide me with any insight? Would greatly appreciate any infoSincerely Kim J. Marianne, I, unfortunately, just received the same response.“Cricut – The Official Page!
Tira, the mini and the cake have always been a Cricut based cutting system that uses only the cartidges or images from the craftroom. There are no current plans for cutting images outside of the cartidges and craicut craftroom.about an hour ago”Sucks. My husband bought both the Mini and Cake for me for Christmas with the understanding from the salesperson (who was obviously misinformed) that I could use the machines to cut custom designs through additional software. I asked about the Official Statement above on their FB page, which seems to be only filled with positive comments hmmm?, and got the quoted reply above. Hello There,I ordered a Cricut Expression from Amazon and it arrived yesterday, I downloaded SCAL and MTC software and used it last night on the device right out of the box, and it worked flawlessly.The firmware on the Cricut Expression was 2.35 or 2.45 (Can’t remember exactly).
I am a graphic designer/illustrator so to be able to design in Adobe Illustrator, export to SVG and get my Cricut expression to cut the designs is awesome!Just wanted to give you an update for those of you who want to be able to do this still.Thanks,Drew Johnston. I am certainly willing to join a class action lawsuit. I have the small Cricut, and purchased SCAL, almost 3 years ago, just to be able to use my own drawings.I liken the purchase and use of my Cricut cutting machine exactly the same way as the Brother sewing machine I bought.
The machine is MINE, and I sew any damn thing I want to. Can you imagine if Brother came out and said, “You can only sew patterns that we provide.” It’s just ludicrous for a manufacturer to demand totalitarian use of a product after its purchase.I can think of NO OTHER manufacturer that demands the right to control the use of a product after it is sold. I have a cricut expression firmware is version 2.34. I had never updated the firmware.
I also had purchased MTC back in 2010 and also SCAL v 2.0. I was not aware of the lawsuit and that cricuts were no longer supported. I installed MTC from a copy I had created from my laptop where it was previously installed and installed it on my HP desktop activated it with my serial number and at first it was saying it needed the drivers. At the top of make the cut menu under Help then Advanced.you will see download and install cricut drivers.
I did that and it activated and works with my cricut beautifully. Also I purchased of copy of SCAL v 2.0 because I couldn’t find the previous install on my laptop.
I installed it and used my serial number from the prior purchased and installation and YEP it works beautifully. I don’t know if the info about getting the drivers and installing them will help you but that was my issue.
Hi Martha,Sad news is, MTC will no longer work with any Cricut machine, especially if you updated the firmware in your Cricut. If you have MTC version 4.0 or earlier (I think those numbers are correct.) then you can still use it.
Otherwise you cannot get an older version to work with the Cricut. You can thank Provo Craft for that!
Sure Cuts A Lot Serial Number Mac Adobe Flash
They sued MTC not once but two times for trying to help owners of MTC and Cricuts get their machines to be compatible with MTC. I recently got so tired of PC’s antics that I sold my Expression and 120 cartridges on eBay for close to $3000. I bought a new Zing cutter that was designed specifically to work with MTC and I have NEVER looked back or missed my Cricut machine. That was the most liberating thing I have ever done in my crafting life:)Good luck! I haven’t bought a cartridge for my Cricut since they stopped me using SCAL (which is THE most brilliant software!) and will never buy another one until they review their customer service and allowing us to use OUR machines as we wish, I bought the machine and was very happy with it, then I got SCAL and it opened up a whole new world to me, I will NEVER buy another PC machine on principle because I don’t like their policies, I do by the way still use SCAL with my Cricut as I never updated it and when that changes it can go in the bin!
I only hope its cost them a fortune in lost cartridge sales! In short put me down for the action suit!kind regardsSandie. I brought a cricut mini so wish i hadn’t, as the software could be provided to use svg files,i feel provocraft could team up and charge for this, and put its customers first.i understand they are cartridge based, but a company who publicly puts its customers last will disappear quickly, how many buy a cricut,only to purchase a cutting machine that will cut their own images, and then dont use cricut.machineswake up provocraft customers walk with their feet.
Every dissatisfied customer will pass their disappointment on, i purchased my machine and you feel you then dictate what i do with it, shame on you. The way I look at it is, do you buy a dishwasher and have to use only the type of laundry detergent that the manufacturer tells you to? Do you buy a table saw and the are restricted to using only the manufacturer’s wood. For that matter, when you buy a pair of hand scissors, are you restricted to what you can cut with them? I agree with the lot of you. When you purchase a machine, it is your machine, to use as you please.I understand where PC is coming from.
It is totally cart sales driven. They sell their product inexpensively, and then you have to and want to purchase the expensive carts.
What they do not see is that their customers are not ignorant. We are more creative, and want to be able to cut whatever we choose. This makes companies like SVG Cuts strive to make products that will appeal to more of us, and we, in turn, are thrilled to purchase more interesting cut files, and then even to put our own twist on them. The creative freedom to cut what we choose without restrictions is mandatory. And, we crafters are seeing the light and coming around in masses.And, this is coming full circle if you read Leo’s most recent blog on the subject where PC is now possibly in development with new software that would open the door they closed a couple of years ago. Can’t wait to see where that goes.
However, in the end, they have lost many customers. Also, it has been realized that their cutting machines do not cut to the caliber of the cutters on the market today, so their products will not be the first choice for anyone once they open those doors.Thank you, and good night.:-). I think if a machine is capable then it’s up to me. These silly comparisons with a dishwasher don’t mean a thing. A dishwasher is not CAPABLE of cooking even with software added but a cricut machine IS capable with software. It is my machine, I paid for it, and I should be able to add whatever I want to it to do anything it is capable of. Why on earth didn’t they choose to sell scal under their name and as an accessory to the cricut machines?
I’d have bought it without a thought along with their cartridges for instant cuts. A win win for everyone. I have scal2 and cricut expression and cartridges and love it all. I’m sad I can’t use cricut craft room but hey Ho, I’ll not update my firmware to disable scal, no way. I have more creative freedom with the scal software so win some lose some. When it breaks provocraft will not get my business again, I’ll enjoy it while it all works together. Trackbacks/Pingbacks.August 25, 2013 svg files in Cricut Craft Room – I'm not sure if that would help you but if so, see the details on this page (scroll down to 'when will I be able to cut SVG files in Cricut Craftroom').May 29, 2014 had a few people asked about using these with the Cricut and I’ve done some research and the best info I found can be found here.
It looks like in the near future Cricut will be making some upgrades that will allow the use of.