If you want to try making a prototype of a 3D object at home you should consider Cricut machines. Cricut is a brand of machinery from Provo Craft & Novelty that makes computer-controlled cutting machines, designed for home crafters. The age of 2D printouts are gone, 3D printouts are now captivating the crowd. 3D printouts of your favorite action figures from Marvel and DC can be printed out if you have a 3D printer. These printers are quite handy if you want a copy of any object, like an action figure, that you want to own. This is also a budget-friendly method as you don’t have to keep buying new things, instead, you can just take a 3D printout.
There are several machines under the Cricut brand like Cricut Explore One and Cricut Explore Air 2.
What is a Cricut Machine?
You can use these machines for a wide variety of purposes like card making, home decor, etc. If you love art and craft, this is a great machine to own. It can make all DIY things easier as well. A Cricut machine is used to create art projects with accuracy that is usually not possible with manual work.
To make something artistic out of paper or other material, you would need to make some cuttings thorough the material, you might need to paste objects together and several other things to see the artwork completed. Here is where the Cricut machine comes in handy. Cricut machine eliminates manual labor and mechanizes processes like cutting and pasting.
Therefore, these processes handled by the machine are accurate and also give a better outcome than manually created artwork. For eg: Consider you are throwing a Christmas party at your house. If you are a creative person and want to do the home decor by yourself, a Cricut machine can make things easy for you. The shapes that you want to make for hanging from your ceiling or even on the Christmas tree will be done by the Cricut machine following your command.
How Does a Cricut Machine Work?
Cricut has an online design software called Cricut Design Space. You can choose any text or shape from the design library and send it to your Cricut machine to be cut out. You can also upload your own designs as well. As mentioned earlier there are several models under the Cricut bbrands and each has its own unique functionalities.
Let’s explore how the Explore series of Cricut machines work. Similar to physical cartridges, the Explore series of Cricut machines allows you to access a huge digital library of cartridges. The Cricut Explore Air can cut materials up to 12 inches wide employing a small cutting blade placed inside the machine.
If you want a cutout, load the material onto a sticky mat and load the mat into the machine (Sticky mats are special Cricut mats that are built to cut different materials easily. Each mat has a different grip or stickiness and also is demarcated by color to differentiate between different types of mats). Cricut blade passes over the material and cuts it while the sticky mat holds the material in place. When it finishes making the prototype, you will have to unload the mat from the machine and peel your artwork off the sticky mat.
How to Connect the Cricut Machine to Your Computer?
If you complete the machine setup it automatically registers the machine to your account. To connect your Cricut Explore, Explore One, Explore Air, Explore Air 2, or Cricut Maker machine to Windows or Mac follow these instructions.
Step 1: Plug in your Cricut machine and switch it on.
Step 2: Connect the machine to your computer with the USB cord.
Step 3: Go to design.cricut.com/setup in your browser.
Step 4: A list of instructions will be displayed on the screen. Follow these instructions to sign in or create your Cricut ID.
Step 5: After the creation of an ID you will be prompted to download and install the Design Space plugin.
Step 6: Once you install the Design Space plugin, you will be prompted to make your first project.
If you want to pair your machine wirelessly with the help of Bluetooth follow these instructions.
Step 1: Power on your Cricut machine and place it within 10-15 feet of your computer. If you have a Cricut Explore or Cricut Explore One, make sure that your wireless Bluetooth adapter is inserted.
Step 2: Switch on the Bluetooth on your Computer from Settings.
Step 3: After switching on the Bluetooth click on the ‘add a Bluetooth device’ option from the same page.
Step 4: Wait for the computer to detect your Cricut machine. Once the name of the machine appears on the list, click on it.
Step 5: If you are prompted to enter a PIN, enter 0000.
Step 6: After you have entered the PIN click on connect.
Cricut machines are useful for people who are artists, who are jewelry designers, home decor creators, sculptors, etc. While these machines are convenient, they are also expensive. Lower-priced machines selling under $100 die cuts and emboss paper, vellum, tissue paper, foils, thin leather, and acetate ribbon. Mid-range machines priced anywhere between $200 and $300 have the same functionalities but accompanies accessory bundles that include different cutting materials, pens, and idea books for projects. Higher priced machines above $300, are capable of cutting fabric, felt, leather, wood, and some thin metals.
Every person will have different purposes for a Cricut machine. Besides, Cricut machines make for great gifts as well. Labeling things around your house, designing a t-shirt, making a monogram pillow, and making jewelry has never been easier.
Owning a Cricut machine will be a great investment if you are an artist or someone with a creative side.
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