Cricut Design Studio vs. SCAL

Lately, there have been a lot of questions going around about the Cricut Design Studio and SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) software and what are the differences, why someone likes one better than other, etc.

IMHO, a quick summary:

Design Studio benefits:

Allows you to use cartridges you already have to create new images - i.e. someone took the George cartridge and made up a die cut of the Cricut bug. Or you could utilize images from many different cartridges and make it into ONE die cut. Also lets you weld words together. Allows you to lay out many different things on the mat for cutting placement. So, that means, if you were cutting out a Disney character, you could arrange all the items needed for that character on the computer (which shows the mat in a WYSIWYG way), and then put your papers down on the actual mat so it cuts everything at once. This is really key with those Disney figures - like the Princesses or Mickey - where there are lots of teeny tiny parts and associated teeny tiny pieces of paper.

There are actually people on the Cricut Message Board who have never used their Expression machine without the Design Studio software because it lets them arrange all the cuts they want in advance on the computer, with the associated paper and load and cut ONE TIME.

BUT the biggest benefit, IMO, is that there are lots of very nice and generous people who are willing to share the files they've made using the Design Studio and so quickly, if you have those cartridges, you can make the same things they have made. So, for example, there are lots of people who have made some very unusual gorgeous word books and are allowing people to get a copy of their .cut file (used to make the item). Now, you don't need to redesign it. The quality of the designs is wonderful, on the whole.

SCAL Benefits:

Now, SCAL allows you to use ANY font, dingbat, etc. and either by using SCAL alone and/OR the inkscape program (download free from the internet), you can make anything you like. People are also kind in the SCAL world and share their files of the images they've made. NOTE that the SCAL files will NOT work with Design Studio and vice versa. They do not translate between programs. Also, SCAL, while needing some cartridge to be in the machine, DOES NOT use any of the cartridge images.

Upside here is infinite creativity with free fonts/dingbats/practically any image. Downside is it won't let you arrange your cartridge images for easier cutting, like the above Disney example. But it will let you arrange any other images for easier cutting.

So, what it may come down to is a couple of things:

1) Are you computer savvy and like working on the computer - adjusting things, arranging, integrating programs, etc.? You may prefer SCAL then. Although Design Studio is not simple, it is easier than working in inkscape and using SCAL (fewer new things to learn/open/deal with). SCAL alone is pretty easy, though.
2) Do you want to create your own "one of a kind" specialty item? Do you want "unlimited" creative fonts/dingbats/etc.? SCAL is for you.
3) Maybe it's easier to use all the great files already out there....well, both SCAL and Design Studio users are so very talented and kind and share their work.
4) Is cost a determining factor? If you already have a lot of cartridges, DS would be fine and is a little cheaper than SCAL when it's on sale. If you have a few cartridges, SCAL might be a better choice.
5) Do you just want to craft quickly without a lot of searching the internet for just the right shape/font/dingbat? Then go with the Design Studio and use the cartridges.

Or you could be like me, and most other people in this crazy hobby, and get both....ha ha!