Terri -
My personal suggestion to you is - I think you outta give the cameo a chance. The cameo is probably one of the easiest cutters to work with, it is very easy - and if you are having difficulty with the cameo - I honestly do not think trading up to the SB will magically solve your problems with plotters. I love my cougar, these machines are tremendous. It is much more common to have people trade up from the cameo because they find the cutting pressure limiting (i.e. can't cut thicker materials) - - rather than having problems with basic functions of the cutter. Because you are having basic functionality problems, I believe you need more experience before trading up. You should first be working with the basic software that comes with the cameo for print & cut. You need to master print and cut with the native software to the cameo first. Once you do that, then and only then you could migrate to outside the native software to do print & cut with the cameo. My experience with silhouette's cutter is that it really functions the best [insofar as print and cut is concerned] wholly inside its native software. I have the predecessor silhouette SD - and when I want to print & cut with it, I do not use .mtc or SCAL, I use the native software [I upgraded to the designer version to allow .svg functionality when it was on sale last year]. For regular non-pnc cutting, the silhouette performs well inside either .mtc or scal. It is only when you try to pnc - - that it really needs it own native software.
My next suggestion is to look at your printer's driver - are you printing in draft (economy) mode? If so, you need to change that setting to the best quality mode. The laser eye of the cameo functions best when the ink from the printer is delivered in best quality. Next, this cutter really needs precision when it comes to initial paper placement into the cutter [especially for pnc cutting]. On the SD (not sure about cameo), on the left hand side there are two lines in the paper path base. You sort of align the mat with that base guide [I know I am not explaining well]. On the cameo, look for those special guidelines on the base - possibly towards the left hand side. I am not sure whether or not this has changed on the cameo, if those guidelines are there, that is a tip as to how the mat and paper is to be inserted.
I know this may not be what you want to hear. But, believe me, I believe it is in your best interests to try more with the cameo. I am not sure I could have made my own transition to the cougar without the full year and half prior experience with 2 different cutters [first cricut, then gazelle]. In addition, silhouette support is pretty good, get them on the phone and have them go through everything with you. Until you have exhausted all means of support, and if it appears your printer just isn't compatible with the laser eye of the cameo (which could happen), and if you are still that unhappy with the cameo, then of course trade up. Vector cutting isn't 1.2.3... easy peasy, it doesn't come automatically and often takes experience to really get it under one's belt. Some people (like Rachellann) are just naturally talented at it, but for most of us normal ones, it takes time, patience and experience to learn.
Pat
UPDATE: I took a quickie look at the silhouette cameo video to see if I could view any tips for paper placement for pnc cutting.
If you look closely at their product video - at around 2:11 spot, you will see that the paper is aligned with the second bar [from the left] on the base of the cutter. That is a tip and give-away as to where the paper should be placed for a pnc job.
You can see the vid at:
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/?page=shop&cat=1I hope this helps and if I totally have your situation wrong, just tell me ))::
New owner of an 18" cougar and the gazelle...still a newbie at the cougar and will soon explore it............