AutoCAD to Cricut Workflow (Alternate title: I'm a Cutter)

This post is dedicated to Theresa H. and the good people of Educause.

AutoCAD to Cricut Workflow:  Where Geeky Meets Crafty

Software needed:

• AutoCAD: any version, but I use 2011.
• Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) v2.0 (previous versions will not work)

Hardware needed:

• Any computer running SCAL.
• Cricut running firmware version 2.2 or higher. (These instructions will work for all cricuts - even the stupid cake one)
• USB-Printer cable to connect your PC to the Cricut.

1- Draw your thing in Autocad.

2- Export that thing as a BMP image.

3- In SCAL, go to Image Trace.

4- Browse to the BMP you exported from ACAD. And open it in the Autotrace Image dialog box.

5- Click Preview:

6- After you click OK, you will have your image in the SCAL cutting mat area.



7- Cut away!

Granted, someone with some mad printer driver hacking skills could probably get the Cricut to speak directly with AutoCAD.  As Jason says, a Cricut is really just a pen plotter with a knife.  If you know how to do this, I'd love to speak to you.

Enjoy!