Honestly - you cannot get through the learning center in a day. And I know Sherri tells everyone that there is a learning curve. Sometimes coming from another machine is actually harder because you are used to doing things one way and have to "relearn" with this machine. But it will all make sense and come together in time. You are trying to accomplish a lot early on. I really suggest practicing successfully cutting simple shapes first on scraps cardstock - get used to where things will cut and how and keep track of your pressures used (you can log it right into the software) and also keep a notebook of settings and blades used. As much as I cut, I still refer to my notebook when I use a material that I don't often cut. After a while you can almost second guess the force you need and be pretty accurate.
Most people, when cutting vinyl, don't want to cut through the backing, but want to just cut the top layer and then weed it and remove the design with transfer tape. There is a clear path for how to place your mat in the silver bullet manual -
http://learn.silverbulletcutters.com/si ... ullet-mat/. That is pretty hard to miss
And as I said, trouble shooting the mat spitting out is also explained in the FAQ.
There is a whole section about SCAL in the software section of the learning center. The videos shown are using SCAL 3, but we are in the process of updating to SCAL 4 which is much easier. You don't need to trace a design unless you are doing a print and cut, but that is again addressed in the software section. And there are also tutorials on here under the webinar section that explains all of the things you are having issues with. And those are using SCAL 4. I suggest you review those as well.
If you can take pressure off yourself to "get it working today" (it is working - you are just learning to understand it) and instead make a commitment to work through the process a step at a time, I think you will feel much less frustrated and have better results in the long run.
I think you will find the webinars. Here is an introduction to SCAL
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=5717 And there are others that take you through the basics of the machine. Again, take the time to learn and you will be successful in no time.