Here's some information I have recently sent to some other new members of our messageboard. Hope it helps.

Cricut Design Studio (DS) was PC's first design software. It works with all the Cricuts except the E2, Imagine and Cricut Mini. It works fine (I have been using it quite happily since it was released in 2007.) It does have a few limitations - there's no true grouping feature and as I said it can't be used with the newer Cricut Models. It isn't Mac compatible and the program itself isn't being updated anymore. It is what it is. :)

The new carts are still being added each month but there is no word on how long PC will continue that. DS is getting quite difficult to find these days, especially for a good price. (I did just see that's it's available again at Cricut.com for $59.99.)

Rather than do a full recode of Design Studio, PC created a totally new program - Cricut Craft Room (CCR). And they made it free!

It does nearly everything that DS can do, plus more that DS can't. I find myself going straight to CCR instead of DS these days.

You need to be online to use CCR which I find the only negative. But as I rarely craft away from home that's not a problem for me. And now that I have discovered that I can use my iPhone as a Wi-Fi hotspot I'll probably make use of that if I'm at a workshop or crop etc.

If however the PC servers are down then we are out of luck and it's back to DS I go! (I rarely use my Cricut without either CCR or DS).

CCR works with all the Cricut models.

Neither software allows you to import other graphic files eg. SVG files and cut on your Cricut. Both are strictly cartridge based. You can design with any cartridge in the Cricut library. You will need to own the actual carts used in your design to cut your project.

CCR has exclusive cartridges that you can purchase through the program. These carts can be used with CCR and also can be linked to a Cricut Gypsy if you have one. (Then if CCR is down you can use the Gypsy to design and cut with those carts).

You can link your cartridges to your Cricut.com account through CCR. Those carts then also become available on your Gypsy. Linking is not compulsory with CCR (whereas it is with the Gypsy.) If you don't wish to link your carts CCR will prompt you to insert the carts in the design into your Cricut before it cuts. Once a cart is linked to your account it cannot be unlinked. Also, once a cart has been linked to your account it cannot be linked to another CCR account.

If you have an E2, CCR allows you to cut from the E2 internal cartridges, whereas DS does not.

Please let me know if you need any more info!

Edited by user Sunday, February 19, 2012 11:16:01 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Narelle - I have a query as I was thinking of buying DS. I love CCR by the way.

"It does nearly everything that DS can do, plus more that DS can't. I find myself going straight to CCR instead of DS these days."

The reason I was thinking of buying DS is that you can make larger decals by allowing the design to sit over the edge of the mat and it will only cut whats on the mat, you know - like piecing together a large project like someone did a tree in nursery. Is this the case or can CCR do this?

Thanks

Karon

Thanks for that great reply - any chance that the gods that be may add the "hanging" off the mat feature to CCR!! Can you put a good word in for us lowly lot

are you able to use the juke-box with CCR?

Yes. But it's finicky! You will need to press the correct button on the jukebox when you get the "Wrong Cartridge" message. And you may need to remove the cart from its slot and reinsert it. As I said, it finicky.

But as I'm typing this I am cutting from 6 cartridges in my Jukebox using CCR.

To further the request, is there anyway at all that you can get software that will allow you to create your own cuts? i can create vector based graphics in Illustrator so is there a way i can convert/get them onto the Cricut?

Also when you say using CCR you have to own the cartride, does that mean i cannot borrow from a friend to cut something then give it back to them? Because once i use it it will register it to my account?

If you borrow a cartridge from a friend, you will still be able to use it in CCR by inserting it into the Cricut when prompted. If the cart hasn't been linked you will see a Link option. As it's a borrowed cart you would skip that process and just allow the project to cut without linking. (At least if you were my friend that's what I'd hope you would do.)

I am also new to this. I really want to use some cut files (.svg) what do you recommend I use for this? Or is it impossible with the cricut?

Design Studio is a far superior product than the CCR!!!!!! The only thing with it is that it will only work with the Expression, Baby Bug & I think the Cake. If PC was smart, they would revamp that program to work with the E2, Imagine & Mini! Far better product than CCR!

I have a question for those of you using CCR. I have been using it but have not been able to figure out the hide and contour feature? I used DS to make a lot of stencils using Plantin Schoolbook endcap feature..

How can I do this in CCR? everytime I try i can not hide the cut lines above the letters..

thanks
Terri

Did anyone figure out how to take those lines off. I do this all the time with Plantin Schoolbook and I went to cut out a whole banner I did and they cut the lines too. I am really bummed if I can't hid those lines since I could do it in DS.

I know how to hide things in CCR but for some reason when you got in to hide contors the lines on the top or the bottom for the endcap option on this card do not show up.

I personally like the DS better than the CCR! DS has always been a dependable program where the CCR has not been. As an Imagine owner, there was a period of time that the CCR would not work with the Imagine & I wish the DS would work with my Imagine. I also do not like the fact that I have to be connected to the internet to do what I want to do. There are times my hubby wants the computer while I am scrapping & I am dead in the water with the CCR. I feel that PC is leaving those of us out who have DS & a machine that functions with DS out by not updating it for us to incorporate the newer cartridges. I have been to several crops too that there was no internet connection & I would not be able to use CCR. I prefer my Gypsy overall, but PC has phased it out, so if mine ever dies, I am up that famous creek as all of my cartridges are linked to it & they are few & far between to find.