Quick tip #1

What cartridges can you cut with the Design Studio Trial version?

Depending on where you purchased your Cricut it may have come with different cartridges to what came with someone elses Cricut that they purchased elsewhere.

However, regardless of what cartridges came with YOUR cricut, there seems to be a "standard" cricut package and the carts that came with that package are the only ones that can be used with the DS trial version. They are:

Cricut Personal - George & Basic Shapes (that's one cart - not two).
Cricut Create - Don Juan
Cricut Expressions - Plantin Schoolbook AND Accent Essentials.

Updated info here: Cutting with the trial version

Where can I download the trial version of the software and what does it cost?

You can download a FREE trial version of Design Studio from here:

http://www.cricut.com/cds/DesignStudioTrial1.aspx

This is a fully functional version of the software. However you will only be able to cut designs from the cartridge/s that came with your Cricut. (George/Basic Shapes for the original Cricut and Plantin Schoolbook and Accent Essentials for the Expression).

You can still design with all the other available cartridges - you just won't be able to cut your design.

What if I buy the full version of the software? Do I have to uninstall the trial version and install the paid version?

No! All you need to do is activate your software. Open Design Studio and instead of clicking the Trial button, insert the serial number off your CD (or the email you received when you downloaded the real version) in the correct field.