Customer Reviews

Cricut DesignStudio Software with Bonus Pack

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

*I am editing in that this review was published several years ago, and as of that time, the information it held was accurate and up to date. Some of the information is probably a bit dated at this point, as I know they have made a lot of software tweaks, and, as I have really not had my bug out for over a year, I can't answer many of the comments, sadly. However, I think that the majority of information presented is still accurate, and people do still seem to be finding this review helpful. I just wanted to make sure it is understood that there are likely product improvements since the review.*

Original review text is as follows:
Previously when using the cricut (I still have the baby...I really only use it on layouts and cards, and just don't need the bigger size), I found it very frustrating trying to cut images that would be randomly flipped in different directions. As a result, it could be very difficult to figure out how big an image would cut the first time you cut it. Also rather annoying having to run the mat through multiple times for a layered project. Now, using the grid on the mat as you set up your project, you can actually lay multiple papers on the mat and run it through just one time.
You can also link letter together to make a much more professional looking title.
With the multi-cut feature, I have run thin cardstock through, too (stick with easy patterns for this...it doesn't make intricate cuts well)! (A very under-publicized benefit of the DS software!!)
You can also share your .cut files with others online, which means that if you create something really beautiful, you can share it with others. I have seen some designs that look just like the KI Memories lace cardstock!
This should be the second thing you buy--right behind the cricut! It is really what you need to get the very most out of your cricut.

Now, as for the contents...it has a LIBRARY of all the cartridges, and you can even make designs using them! You cannot, however, cut the design unless you actually own the cart. I have to say that this is kinda common sense...DS is only $10 more expensive than EACH cartridge...this would mean that NO-ONE would purchase cartridges anymore!! What I have done is to create the cut files, and wait until I go in to my LSS that has all the cartridges and then cut. (I have quite a few of them, but not all--yet....haha!) It does give you a fantastic opporunity, however, to browse all the content of other carts and see what you want to get next!!

Why four stars?
1. It now approaches the versatility of the Pazzles, Wishblade, etc., but not quite, as you are limited to just the carts, and those are pricey! (Not nearly as pricey as steel dies, though, when you work out how many options you have!). On the other hand, it is WAY WAY easier to use than those other software based cutters, and the software is still very straighforward and easy to use.
2. It is still somewhat buggy, but I think they're working on that a little bit at a time, and 'fix' downloads are available frequently.

Now--for those of you who are interested, but not positive! Please go to the cricut homepage, and download the demo. You can use it to create any design, but can only cut with the George cartridge at the moment. This allows you play with the software, and see the versatility before you spend too much money and start feeling too ripped off!!
=0 )
Good luck! I know this helped my cricut change from being an occasionally used system to something that I use on most of my cards and a good number of my layouts!!

JANUARY '09 EDIT:
The newest software update for CDS, available on the cricut site, has fixed several of the bugs that were rampant in the original version.
It has also allowed a lot more versatility in the program, including the ability not to cut certain parts of a design (ie: want the little swirl of steam coming off the coffee mug on Christmas cheer, but not the mug? no problem!!). It also allows a little bit of grouping and ungrouping, so you can resize an entire image of several welded items at once. This is still imperfect, but it is getting there. The new update also apparently makes it compatible with vista!!

Also, if you want the cricut to cut true type fonts, check out the sure cuts a lot software by craftedge. It will allow TTF cutting. I have been using both the CDS and SCAL for six or seven months now, and find both are very useful and functional in their own way. I use CDS more, b/c I'm more familiar with it, and it's a little bit more user friendly, but the ability to download and cut any one of thousands of the free fonts on the internet is absolutely fantastic! It also allows you to use dingbat fonts, and create your own images for cutting using inkscape, a free downloadable software.
Between the two programs and the new deep blade assembly, I have no question that the cricut becomes nearly as versatile as the klik-n-cut or sillhouette. Big difference is, I found the learning curve to being able to cut basic shapes/letters/etc., to be much smaller than that of the bigger systems.

EDIT: It has been roughly 1 year since I posted this review, and I still use both CDS and SCAL plenty! SCAL is most helpful (to me--I'm not patient enough to do the massive layered cuts that look so awesome with SCAL) with titles and text related cuts, and I find myself turning to the CDS over and over for shapes.
CDS has released a few updates that are addressing a lot of the issues I used to have with it--YAY!! But it remains a little bit buggy.
I have used these programs to make custom vinyl stickers for my iPhone case, for my friend's motorcycle helmet, and the walls in my home. I have created background pages with large die cuts similar to the laser paper you can get from KI Memories and others (beware, the ware of the blade and mat means this is NOT cheaper--just more customized!), made glass etching stencils, and so much more!
With the use of the deep blade assembly arm, I have also created stencils for inking, chipboard titles and letters, etc.
I never turn on my cricut unless it is attached to my computer and design studio. To be honest, I brought just the cricut to a crop, and couldn't even remember how to set it for the size of the paper!

I spent about 45 minutes in the store reading what information was available before buying the Cricut Expressions and the Cricut Design Studio. The Cricut Design Studio clearly says, "Using an on-screen cutting mat, this program allows you to explore, design, and cut the complete Cricut Cartridge Library." Page 6 of the manual tells how to register your software with Cricut. Page 25 (of 26 English pages) says, "Remember, you can view all content, and even design layouts with all content, but you can only cut characters from the cartridges you own. Hopefully, this feature will be useful..." I chose to buy the Cricut Expression based on what I could do with it with the Cricut Design Studio Software. Together, they were a major investment and Provo Craft misrespresented the Design Studio's real cost. Now to do what I thought I had bought for about $500, I'll have to spend over $3,000 more for the cartidges.

Does the softward do what it says it does? Yes. It was easy to install and worked well with my Windows XP machine. The designs are as small on the screen as they are on the machine keypad overlay. I had to have the cartridge books with me to see the designs, which doesn't work for cartridges that are not in your possession. This software would be a blast for an avid Cricut user. It's escpecially nice for scrapbookers who want to cut an entire 12 x 12 page layout with words and photo frames to lay over the photos.

If you already have the machine and cartridges, the $60-$90 price is a reasonable addition to what you can do with your Cricut collection.

This software has great features to expand the options of your cricut cartridges. You need to know that this does NOT replace purchasing the cartridges, but only gives you more options using them.
I installed the software on my Dell laptop, Vista 32 bit system, and have gotten an error message. After three weeks of trying EVERY thing to repair it, I still cannot use it on this laptop. Cricut customer service is awful! They are too busy with all of the other people having software problems. If you call, you speak with an employee who knows nothing, but tries to get her techs to give you basic things to try. Eventually, you might get to speak with the head tech, but he had never heard of the problem I was having, and I haven't heard back now in two weeks, despite calls and emails. Their hours are "bankers hours", and the one person who know anything doesn't always work. Forget about getting help in the evenings/weekends. Now I am trying to get Cricut to give me another registration number so I can use the software on a different laptop.
BEWARE: You can only install this on one computer per purchase!
If you are lucky enough to have a system the software works on, I recommend the program. TRY THE DEMO ON YOUR SPECIFIC SYSTEM BEFORE YOU BUY THIS SOFTWARE!!!!! That way you will know whether it works. The demo only uses one font, so buying the software lets you use all of your cartridges.

I don't use my Expressions machine without the Design Studio. I absolutely love it. I like it because you can see they layout before you cut and you can also weld (attach) letter together. You can twist and turn or resize everything.

In my opinion, this is essential to getting the full potential/use out of your cricut machine!! I know exactly what I'm cutting, how big it's going to be, I can alter the size, slant, angle, etc. of the image before I cut. I don't wast hardly any paper anymore, and it makes it so much easier to pre-plan exactly what I want, so I can cut it all at the same time. = saves lots of time!

I also just found a new program - not put out by Provo Craft - that is somewhat similar, but you can cut ANY true type font or image you want - without having to buy cartridges! Awesome!
The Company is Craft Edge
[...]

Considering the price I paid for this product ($40) versus the cost of plain cartridges ($30-100) I think it's a great tool for getting more out of your cricut. You can only use the cartridges that you own, but that is entirely understandable considering it's so inexpensive in comparison. I always hated having to scrape off and glue individual little letters each time I wanted to make words, but with the design studio I don't have to! The welding function is really the key to this program in my opinion. It took a little while to get a hang of it. To weld separate groups/images together you have to click welding for both and make sure that they are close enough for the program to consider welding them which at first seemed kind of like a "sweet spot" thing. There are only two drawbacks I have noticed:
1) When cutting straight from the program, it cuts a lot less smoothly. It still makes the curves but it cuts more like in small dashes so at first I was alarmed. The shapes turned out fine though.
2) The mat on the screen didn't exactly match what it exactly cut, the whole thing was about 1/8 of an inch off to the right, but that wasn't a big deal for me either.
I think it has room for improvement with more options, but it is definitely worth the money to be able to weld, reverse, shear and rotate the images. I would also like to be able to use the cricut colors to design something on the screen and be able to switch out the colors as it works just like you switched out the cartridges... if that functionality is there, I haven't seen it.

I bought this software on the internet. I only own 5 cricut cartriges, and was interested in the 'welding' option that you can use when working with fonts. After many attempts at installation and updating, and 2 calls to the cricut hotline I finally installed the program and began using it. I found that the characters, while you can weld them together on your screen are still cut apart when you send the design to the cricut to cut. I am very dissapointed in this software as well as in the instruction manual and the sarcastic customer service reps. while I love my machine and the cartriges, I do not feel that I am gaining any special or very useable features with this software.

I bought this and at first I did not know how to use it but I'm getting the hang of it now. Cricut.com and YouTube and messing around helped a lot with my tuition.These are the reasons why I love my CDS:-

1. If you have a jukebox to hold all your cartridges you can cut from the different ones in the jukebox at the same time

2. I can go through each cartridge looking at all the designs with shift or not, plus see all the different options

3. All the pictures are not that big on the booklet, I can put it on my mat in DS and see it in big with all the detail.

4. You can still mix and match in DS

5. I can stick everything close together by nudging and not waste paper.

6. I can organize it on the bigger mat, stick two different sheets of paper on it and do one set of cutting instead of having to load two mats and the DS shows the exact center so you know not to put any designs where the paper meets in the middle.

7. I can pick out my designs, place it on the mat and save it to cut out another day and reuse the saved data for another time.

8. Best of all all those scraps of paper can be used! Just stick it on your mat and look at the mat on CDS and place your designs exactly on the spot the paper is positioned and voila! All designs are cut out from a little scrap of paper. You can stick different scraps all over the mat and cut out multiple things in different colors all in one go.

9. I can weld letters together by nudging to make whole words, you can do it with pictures too.

This program is updated all the time and you just go on their website and update it, plus they update their cartridges as well so it has a lot more than what the cd has but you need the cd to register to be able to get all the updates.
ITS AWESOME!

Contrary to Provo Craft's claim, this software is not compatible with Windows 7. The program freezes after a few seconds and it's impossible to finish a project. It's too bad, because this program would be a perfect accessory for my Cricut Expression. If only it would work. It is a waste of $25 and I do intend to let Provo Craft know as much.

Download the trial from[..]and see for yourself. You can't go back to "winging it" and wasting paper once you are used to seeing a preview of your cuts. The software is very easy to use, and I especially like being able to browse all Cricut cartridges in detail before buying them. They are not inexpensive, about the same price as this software, so why would anyone expect to get all the content from all 60-something cartridges with the purchase of the software?