Getting Started Following lots of new people asking here is a Startup Guide
Watch this tutorial - Out of the Box Tutorial http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com/2008/05/out-of-box-tutorial.htmlUpdate your Firmware and Standard Software (YES even with a new machine) - Pazzles Inspiration Firmware Update / Repair http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com/2008/08/pazzles-inspiration-firmware.html you need to do this - it fixessome issues like uneven pressure, cutting circles and updates for to use 12" x 24" mats.This is the software update download page http://www.pazzles.com/software_update.php
Look at my Cutting Guide http://cutandcreativity.co.uk/?page_id=36 many of the settings used in the USA do not work for Europe, I have tested all these and refer to this guide all the time.Then read on.......
Cutting TipsSet your Blade Depth First - Take the blade holder out of your machine. Then take a small scrap or corner of the paper you want to use and fold it in half. Put that folded piece of paper on a cutting mat. Then hold the blade holder and with the blade still inserted, try to cut your folded paper with even moderate pressure. Then unfold your paper. Ideally, you want the blade to have cut through one layer of the paper and not even scratched the second layer. If it cut through both layers or scratched the second layer, lessen your blade length and try again. If it didn’t cut through either layer, increase your blade length. Just do this a few times until you find the perfect blade length. Depending on your material it is possible that there is no setting that cuts through one layer and doesn’t scratch the second layer, in that case just pick the setting that cuts through the first layer and scratches the second layer the least.
Once you figure out your blade length it is so much easier to figure out the right settings because you don’t have to worry about your blade length anymore. You know the blade length is right, so if it still isn’t cutting then it must be the pressure. If it is not cutting through, increase your pressure. If it is pulling on corners, dragging, or tearing, decrease your pressure.
This video shows it very well http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/2010/08/10/feeling-a-little-pressure
Scoring Lines for folds - In your design change the colour of your fold lines and use the embossing tool to score your lines - in the 'Cut Panel' select the colour to score/emboss (see my cut chart) click CUT and then without removing the mat change to the blade holder and cut your design - in the 'Cut Panel' select the colour to cut click CUT.
'Cure' your mat so that it will last longer. To 'cure' it, take a credit card and go over the plastic before you remove it for the first time (if there isn't a sticker on it already that says 'this side up' then use a sharpie and write top on it) After I remove the plastic, I take may hands and 'pat' the mat all over a few times, then I take a piece of cardstock and put it down and pull it up about 10 times. I findthat this gets me the most use out of my mat.
Looking after your MatsYou can wash your mat, I wash mine with warm water and small amount of washing up liquid and a soft nylon bristle brush. This does restore quite a lot of sticky to the mat.
You can get a roll of the Pazzles sticky stuff to re sticky your mats - you need to ring Oyster Stamps to get it in the UK, it is not on their website.
You can re sticky your mat using repositionable adhesive spray and lots of people do - I do not like spray adhesives, I always get it everywhere.
I also use the ZIG blue glue pens, get the biggest marker type pen (Jumbo or Biggie) you can. Remove all the original sticky using a sticky stuff remover, then use the ZIG marker to cover your mat completely and leave it to dry for about 2 hours and then it is ready to use. Again you can wash this in the same way and it becomes sticky again. If it stops being sticky just recoat it using the ZIG Marker. I have found this the most economical way to resticky mats. Again you can get these from Oyster Stamps and need to ring them to order as it is not on their website.
Sharpening your Blades - (obviously cannot help if the points are broken off)
Cover your mat with heavy-duty aluminium foil
Put your blade into your machine as usual
set your blade depth to 1 and pressure to 1
Cut some large letter O's and K's as these are good for continuous curves and straights, cutting 4 or 5 large shapes should put the edge back on your blades.
Software TipsSaving your work - When using the software that comes with your Pazzles Inspiration make sure you save your work regularly as you go along (there is no auto save) so that if your software or PC crashes you will not lose everything.
You can set up Auto Save in the new Pazzles Inspiration Studio Pro Software its in the settings Menu.
Klo's ClassroomKlo Oxford holds free online classes for more info http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/klos-classroom
The UK times for the live classes are Monday 2am and Tuesday 7pm. These run most weeks but if Klo is away at a show sometimes she is not able to run them and you can find more info on Klo's Yahoo Group - pazzlesinspiration.
All the Classes are recorded so that you can view them at times convenient to you.
Opening .wpc filesOnce you have saved/downloaded a wpc file to a folder on your computer you can open it two ways.
Open your Pazzles Software and use the Open function and navigate to the folder where you saved your wpc file and select it and click Open. OROpen the folder you saved the wpc file into and right mouse click on the file and select Open With, select Choose Default Programme, select Browse, select Pazzles, select Pazzles Inspiration Studio, select Inspiration, left mouse click on Open, make sure it is selected and click OK and your file should open in your Inspiration Software. This sets Windows to open all files of this type with your Inspiration Software. The next time you can just double click the file and it should now automatically open in your Inspiration Software.
|
|
INSPIRATION PRESSURE GUIDE
This is a GUIDE to help you get close to the settings for cutting on the Inspiration. It is by no means hard and fast, you will have to tweek it for yourself since humidity and brands of material can make a difference. This is an ongoing project so I will add information as it becomes available. If you have settings to add please post them here, I will attempt to confirm your settings and then post them in the guide.
INSPIRATION PRESSURE GUIDE
(in Alphabetical Order)
Acrylic: .02mm thick
Passes: 3-4
Blade Length: 3, 4 ½, 6
Pressure: 35
Speed: 2
Bazzil Textured Cardstock
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 2.0
Pressure: 18
Speed: 3
Cardstock Medium Weight Smooth: (tested on Worldwin Colormates)
Passes: 1
Blade length: 2
Pressure: 18
Speed: 3
Cardstock Medium to Heavy Textured: (tested on Worldwin Treasures)
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 2 ½
Pressure: 18
Speed: 3
Core'dinations Cardstock
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 2.5
Pressure: 15
Speed: 3
Chipboard: 2mm thick
Passes: 3-4
Blade Length: 3, 4 ½, 6
Pressure: 35
Speed: 2
Mat: Cutting mat with Magic tape on edges
Paper Lightweight: (tested on K&Company Patterned Paper)
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 2
Pressure: 12
Speed: 3
Felt: 1.75mm thick
Passes: 1
Pressure: 40
Blade Length: 5
Speed: 2
Mat: Fabric Mat
Stamp Material by Pazzles:
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 3 1/2 for thick material 2 1/2 for thin material
Pressure: 35
Speed: 3
Stencil Plastic: (tested on Pazzles Stencil Plastic)
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 2
Pressure: 30
Speed: 2
Sticker Paper: (tested on Pazzles Sticker Paper)
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 1 ½
Pressure: 15
Speed: 4
Transparency Plastic
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 1.5
Pressure: 25
Speed: 1 - 3 depending on image
Vinyl
Passes: 1
Blade Length: 1 ½
Pressure: 13
Speed: 3
|
|
Caring for your Mats
Properly caring for the adhesive mat will make it last longer and result in better cutting. Here are some hints for taking care of your mats . Before you use a mat for the first time be sure to use a permanent marker to write the word TOP on the plastic covering. You cannot not see the difference but there is a right and wrong side to the clear plastic. Placing the plastic on the mat wrong side down can damage the adhesive. Never leave paper on the mat for extended periods of time and definitely not overnight. The adhesive will bond to the paper and could pull away from the mat when you remove the paper. Always remove all paper scraps no matter how tiny. Little scrap can result in poorer quality cutting. Use a lint roller or rolled up tape to get rid of lint and dust. These will clog up the adhesive causing poor adhesion to the paper. Always cover your mat with the plastic cover when not using it. This will prevent dust, pet hairs and lint from sticking to it. It will also keep the adhesive from drying out.
THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE CRICUT MATS
|
|
Centring
Have you ever tried to center an object exactly in the center of your page? It can be frustrating, you shift and measure and it can still be off. The justification tool can help you center an object to the page or inside of another object. The icon looks like a series of lines with a question mark on your tool bar. Click on the icon and another tool bar will appear at the top of your screen with several options. The ones I use the most are the Center Horizontal and Vertical, and Center to Page. They both look similar, 2 squares with a small circle inside. To center on a page, select your design and click on the red “Center to Page” icon. The design will move to the exact center of the page. HINT: First, be sure to group (Shape menu) the design you want to center! If you want to center a design inside of another design, for a frame or card for instance, choose both objects and click on the black Center Horizontal and Vertical button. The objects will be centered to each other. Easy!!
|
|
Links To help you with the pazzles
Links To help you with the pazzles
http://www.scrappingklo.blogspot.com Free Tutorials and Files
http://www.mogulus.com/scrappingklo Free Sunday Night Classes 8pm CST
www.cutandcreativity.co.uk
|
|
Fabric Cutting
Fabric Cutting
This is a question that pops up every now and again
Here's a tutorial done I found on Pazzles site it is a Really a great read if you are diving in to cutting fabric for the first time (the project is adorable too!)
http://hsladybugpazzlestips.blogspot.com/2008/08/pumpkin-card-using-fabric.html
I use GOOD fabric, starch it twice, apply a good brand of iron-on-adhesive. It will sometimes not bond to the fabric so you have to check to make sure it stuck, usually on the edges is where it will lift off. Place the fabric with the adhesive up.
Have had success on these settings;
Lightweight fabric, pressure 15, speed 3 (good blade, dull ones will actually pull the fabric).
Sometimes you will have to cut twice, this works better than increasing the pressure. I also use the standard mat, a little bit of spray adhesive (on the edges, because it will be face down and you don't want to gunch up the fabric), smooth the fabric on the mat to make sure it is not loose. So far this has worked for me.
|
|
Tip of the Month!
Tip of the Month!
By Chris Vander Woude
I can remember “way back when” I learned special shortcuts or combinations of keys to add symbols and smilies to my documents. I printed that little list out and taped it to my computer so I could learn them. Instead of searching for the location of the copyright symbol, I could type the shortcut and it magically appeared. Those shortcuts saved me so much time!
I also use shortcuts with my Inspiration software. Most of the tools I use are easily located on the workspace but there are a few that take a little more navigating to find. The associated shortcuts make it so much easier to use those tools. I recommend you print this little list out and tape it to your computer. I’m sure you will find them very handy!
Ctrl + O Open a file
Ctrl + N New Page
Ctrl + Save
Ctrl + A Select All
(Selects all of the elements on the page.)
Ctrl + I Import
Ctrl + E Export
Ctrl + C Copy
Ctrl + X Cut (delete)
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + V Paste
Ctrl + K Distortion Window
Ctrl + G` Group
Ctrl + U Un-Group
M Transformation
Window
Alt + D Duplicate selected
|
|
|
