What are SVG's ?

What is an SVG cut file and what do I need to use it?

Well I am certainly not the end-all-be-all on the subject, but I am glad to share what I know about SVG's. If any other crafters notice something I have left out, please comment and let us know.

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphic. It is basically a certain type of graphic file that digital artist and cut file programs use. 

There are a few different software programs that use SVG files to tell digital die cutting machines what to cut. The most popular programs presently out there are Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL or sometimes SCUT) and Make The Cut (MTC) You can open an SVG file in these programs and tell your machine to cut the shapes out. You can also open picture files and PDF files in these programs and convert them to SVGs. (sometimes that is easy and sometimes it is not) These programs also allow you to bring in any True Type font or Dingbat and tell your machine to cut out the letters or images.

When crafters first started realizing they could make their own cut file images and cut them out, most of us fell in love with the freedom and creativity it gave us. It opened up a brand new world of possibilities for us to create fun papercrafts such al scrapbooks, cards, and decorations. Most of us cut file gals found that we did not have to rely on just using someone else's images on an expensive cartridge. 

Most of us started out with Cricuts then bought the SCAL or MTC programs to use with it. We loved it. Now I know this is a hot topic for many crafters, and I am not trying to start a debate or to bash Provo Craft. The simple fact is that Cricut sued MTC and then SCAL for bypassing their cartridges and coping their product funtions. They won. Now any new SCAL or MTC programs will not work with Cricut machines. If you happen to have or can get your hands on an older version of the software from before the lawsuit AND you have not updated your software, it is still possible to use the programs with a Cricut machine. (I am not saying you "should" because I do not want Provo Craft to come after me next LOL)

Free SVG's

Click here to go to a discussion group where I listed several sites that offer free files. (pleas remember that it takes time and energy to to make these files. It is always appreciated when you leave a comment on the blog of the person giving away the file. :)

Digital Die Cutting Machines

Click here to go to a list of digital cutters and price range.