With the Cricut Explore Air + its Design Space software, we can easily import images and convert them into cuttable shapes.
You’ll need to click here and download SCAL5. If you have a Cricut Explore Air or Cricut Maker it’s your lucky day: you can skip most of this tutorial! If you’re looking for a comparison of Cricut vs Silhouette, I’ve reviewed those as well.) Using Sure Cuts A Lot with a Cricut Explore Air (or Explore Air 2) (If you’re not sure which Cricut to buy, I have an article reviewing my favorite new machine, the Cricut Maker. I’ll cover all of the common issues which might come up.
In this tutorial, I’ll go over how to use Sure Cuts A Lot with any Cricut machine (even the Expression). If you want the newer features of SCAL 3/4/5 available to your Cricut Expression, Maker, or Explore Air 2, fear not, I have two easy solutions for getting it to work. That’s why a lot of crafters have relied on SCAL over the years. Not only do you need an active internet connection to cut from Design Space, you also need that connection to even design. One of the big advantages it has over Design Space is that you can use it even offline.
The latest version, SCAL 5, brings new effects including a stencil tool so that you can easily create stencil bridges. You can combine fonts, pre-existing shapes/artwork, or draw your own. Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) is a beginner-friendly program for cutting pretty much any font or shape with an electronic cutting machine.
We also offer a separate exclusive version ( eCAL) that works with the Sizzix eclips™.
You can only use Sure Cuts A Lot to create your design and then export as a compatible file format to use in Cricut Design Space or a USB drive for the Brother ScanNCut. * Sure Cuts a Lot cannot directly cut with the Cricut Explore/Maker or Brother ScanNCut. If you previously purchased Sure Cuts A Lot 2, you can use Sure Cuts A Lot 5 to make your designs and then send it to Sure Cuts A Lot 2 for cutting with your Cricut Personal/Expression/Create/Cake machine.
Important: Sure Cuts A Lot v5 PRO does not cut with the Cricut™ Personal/Expression/Create/Cake machines.