The scan n cut, is an electronic cutting machine and you can only cut one layer of fabric at a time, but you can cut multiple items at one time, they even make a 12 x 24 mat you can use in it, if you don't want the ability to cut what ever you want and don't care about using the limits of dies ( big shot, and aququilt) then this machine is not for you, someone mentioned software like sure cut a lot and makes the cut, provocraft - the company that make the circuit machine stopped those companies from makeing the software to use with the circuit, my biggest issue with the circuit, is it does not cut fabric as advertised and from my many tests the brother scan cut does, I have done appliqué quilts for lots of things and can not wait to start on my next one, don't do appliqué on everything but it works for t-shirts and small projects, it was worth every penny I spent on it and I am a very happy customer.