Sure Cuts a Lot & eCAL Help

Common FAQs

How do I unzip files in Windows 10?

The ZIP file contains all the SVG designs in a compressed format. You need to unzip or extract the file contents to be able to use the files. Windows has a built-in capability to unzip (or extract) files from a compressed ZIP folder. No additional software is required.

Open File Explorer and browse to the saved ZIP file.
Simply right-click on ZIP file folder and select Extract All...from the menu.
Select a location to extract the file to, if you would like to extract files to a different location. Otherwise, the folder with extracted files will be located in the same location as the ZIP file. Folder name will default to ZIP file name.
Once extracted, navigate to file location in File Explorer to view the SVG files in the newly created folder.

How do I unzip files in Windows 10?

Open File Explorer and browse to the saved ZIP file.
Simply right-click on ZIP file folder and select Extract All...from the menu.
Select a location to extract the file to, if you would like to extract files to a different location. Otherwise, the folder with extracted files will be located in the same location as the ZIP file. Folder name will default to ZIP file name.
Once extracted, navigate to file location in File Explorer to view the SVG files in the newly created folder.

How do I Import SVG files into eCAL 2 and Sure Cuts A Lot?

There are multiple ways to import files into eCAL 2 and Sure Cuts a Lot 4. The methods for both software packages are identical, but video shows the process within eCAL 2. Video covers how to import SVGS with the following methods: 1) Drag and Drop 2) My Library folder link 3) File, Import menu option After all SVG files are imported, cut away!

Sure Cuts a Lot 2: File is not the correct size

If you are one of the several crafters that still use Sure Cuts a Lot 2, files may not import at the correct size. The technical specifications of SVG files has changed a bit over the years.

To make sure it cuts at the correct size, check the size of the files after you open them in Sure Cuts a Lot 2 (SCAL 2). Correct file sizes can be found in the included PDF reference.

TO RESIZE:

Resize each imported SVG file to the width shown in the PDF file. Select the file and resize each SVG file that was imported by changing the width only, making sure that “Keep Proportions” is checked.

Other FAQs & Tips

How do I use solid scoreline versions of our SVG files in eCAL 2?

The files located in the solid_scorelines folder are the same files within the SVG Files folder with dashed scorelines, but they are just solid. Every file that has dashed scorelines will have a solid scoreline equivalent in the solid_scorelines folder. The solid scorelines are just much cleaner looking than the dashed cut lines. I know I prefer them to the dashed lines. For Sizzix eClips2 users, you can use the true scoring features in eCAL 2 to use the solid scorelines. Change the Cut Line Type of the solid scorelines lines to “Score” instead of cut within eCal2. If you prefer cutting the scorelines, go ahead and use the dashed scorelines version and keep it on cut.

How do I use the Print-2-Cut feature within eCAL 2?

This video shows how to use the Print-2-Cut feature within eCAL 2. This will show how to setup, print and cut files to the Sizzix eClips die cutting machine. Video includes examples with a SVG cut file, PNG file and cut file using eCAL shapes from the library.

eCAL 2 Keyboard Shortcut Reference

Here is the our eCAL 2 Keyboard Shortcut Reference for Sizzix eClips This is a one page reference only. There are other shortcuts, but these are the most common. They have helped me optimize my time within the eCAL 2 software and I hope others find it helpful too!

Helpful Links

Helpful SCAL and eCAL Links

Sure Cuts a Lot Support on Digital Die Cutting with Sandy McCauley There are detailed manuals and tutorial for Sure Cuts a Lot 4 & 5. These are some of the best I have seen. Since eCAL is very similar to SCAL, it is helpful for eCAL 2 users too.
Craft Edge SCAL and eCAL Tutorials and Tips There are many tutorials available on their website. Again, many of the SCAL tutorials are valid for eCAL.

Helpful Facebook SCAL & eCAL Groups

Here are a few of my favorite eCAL/SCAL and general crafting Facebook groups, which are great resources for ideas and help! ECAL & SCAL Facebook Groups

General Facebook Groups