Which program works with which Cricut?

Confused about which software program will work with your Cricut? Maybe this diagram will help. ☺

Click the image to enlarge.

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: Cutting layered single CCR images

You may have seen that there are now single images available to purchase for use in CCR. There's lots to choose from.

Some of them however, have been layered ready for printing and cutting as one image on the Imagine. So far you'll find Imagine ready images from Cindy Loo, Create A Critter and the mascots from Team Spirit. There's lots of other single images available on CCR now, but most of them haven't had the layering done to automatically print and cut on the Imagine.

To tell if an image is "Imagine Ready" look at the CCR keypad. If the image preview appears in colour then it can be printed and cut on the Imagine. You'll notice it also has a tab titled Layered Images. That's a pretty big clue too! :)

If the preview appears in black and white then it won't be ready to print on the Imagine until you fill it with a colour or pattern from one of the Imagine carts.

So what do you need to do to print and cut the coloured single images? If you have an Imagine, simply place the image on your CCR mat, resize it if necessary and send it off to your Imagine. It will be printed and cut as one image. (Meaning that the layers won't be separated into separate objects.)

But what if you want to have some dimension for your image and cut each layer separately? No problem! Let's use Create A Critter -50 as an example.....

• First up, to cut that image you will need to purchase it from Cricut.com. Click on the Buy button below the image.

You will be taken to the Cricut.com shopping site where you can purchase that image (and any others you want to purchase.)

• Once your purchase is complete come back to CCR and log out. When you log back in the images you purchased will now appear in bold in the list of cartridges. They will also be added to your My Cartridges library.

• Select the image from the library and either single click to add it to the mat, or drag it from the keypad to your mat. The first picture below is what the image will look like if the Imagine is selected as the Default Machine in the Machine & Mat menu. The second picture is how the image will look if any other Cricut is selected as the default machine.
  

The next step is to separate the layers on the image.

• With the image on your mat selected, press the Edit Group Button.

In the top right corner you will see the Combine/Separate boxes.

•  Click the brown Separate button

The layers will be separated.

• Press the Exit button to return back to the main CCR screen.

I have found that once the layers are separated they seem to be slightly squashed together but they cut out just fine.

The images are now ready for you to send to your Imagine to be printed and cut as individual objects. Be aware that each of the layers will have a light brown border around them as in the top row of images in the picture below.

If you don't want the border to print...

• Select the object on the mat and click the Ungroup button on the Toolbar.

When you cut them out they will look like the bottom row of images in the picture above. Notice that the mouth and some of the other feature lines didn't print. Something to keep in mind.... For a good result, make sure you calibration is spot on!!

But "hang on" you say... "I don't have an Imagine!!!" The good news is once you've separated and ungrouped these images you can cut them on all the other Cricuts with just a few more steps. 

Because these are Imagine images CCR is looking for an Imagine when it goes to cut. When it sees that there's an E2 selected it doesn't cut. (Nothing happens when you click on the Cut button.) So you just need to trick it into thinking you have an Imagine....

• From the Machine & Mat menu select the Cricut that you will actually be cutting from. This makes it easier if you are using the Personal, Create or Mini because you don't have to guess where to place your images.

• Separate your layers as shown in the tutorial above and press the Exit button to return to the mat.

•  Click anywhere on the group of images to select them then press the Ungroup button on the top toolbar.

• Click anywhere on the mat to deselect the images. You can now move each separate piece around on the mat.

If you're using just one CCR mat move your images around so that you can easily load your cutting mat with each of the different colour cardstock.  If you want to cut multiples of each layer you might want to create multiple mats at this stage and cut and paste each layer to its own mat.  Then you can use the Autofill option to fill your mat or Image Quantity option to set how many of each shape you want. In the picture below you can see that I have used multiple mats as each layer is a different preview colour.

• Go to the Machine & Mat menu and select the Imagine as the default machine. (It doesn't matter that you don't have one....)

The images will change to the Imagine colours and the Cut button will change to a Go button.

• Make sure your Cricut is powered on and connected to your computer. 

•  Press the green Go button 

Nothing will happen! (Other than the preview mat will change to the next mat if you have more than one. If that happened press the green arrow below the mat to go back to the first preview mat.)

• From the Cricut Mode menu select Cut. If you forget to select Cut from this menu you'll get this error. If that's the case, press Cancel and go back and change the Cricut Mode to Cut.
• 
  

• Then press the Go button 

You'll see this message:

If you haven't loaded your mat when you press the Go button you'll then see this message:

• Load your mat and press Continue

Then it should start to cut!

• Continue pressing the Go button until all your layers are cut swapping out your mats if necessary.)

I've tested this on my E2 and my Personal... and it works!!! Let me know how it works for you!!!

Happy crafting!  ♥

CRICUT: CCR - Copying objects to a new mat layer

Do you want to copy or move images from one mat layer and place them on a different mat layer? Well here's how you do it.

Download a PDF of  this tutorial from here: 

https://www.box.com/s/z77t7d08meyhsiu77m24

• Place your image on the mat

• Click the + button next to the Layer 1 tab.

A new layer (Layer2) will be added to your project.

• Click on your first image to make sure it's selected then press the Copy button on the toolbar

The image will be copied to the clipboard.

• Click on the tab for Layer2 to make it active. (It will turn light grey.)
• From the toolbar click the Paste button 

 
The image will be pasted to Layer 2.

You can see that it worked because the pasted object is a different colour to the original and matches the coloured dot beside the layer name.

If you want to move your image from one layer to another instead of copying it, you can follow the instructions above and simply press the Cut button at instead of the Copy button.

Or.... 

You can follow the instructions above (Copy and Paste) then just go back and delete the image from the first layer after you have pasted it to the second layer.

Copying multiple images 
You can use the same process to copy multiple objects. Just select them all before you click the Copy button. (There's no need to group them.) This even works for images that are on different mats! 

Having problems getting it to work? Keep the following in mind....

• Before you select the Paste button ensure that the correct layer tab is active (light grey)

• Make sure the layer you are pasting to is visible. The eye next to your layer name should be green. (Like the picture above). If the eye is grey your layer is hidden and you won't see your pasted object.  Click the eye to make the layer visible. Once you make the layer visible the pasted image should appear.

Got any questions? Just ask!!

CRICUT: Linking your cartridges

Here's some instructions on linking your carts to your Cricut account.

This tutorial originally published 25/1/2013 on my previous blog: http://www.cricutcraftroomblog.blogspot.com.au/. 

That blog is no longer being updated so please follow me here for any new Cricut Craft Room tutorials.

 

Keep in mind the following:

• Once you have linked a cart to your account you can't unlink it.

• You can only link your carts to one CCR account.

• You don't have to link your carts to cut from CCR.

• Carts that you have already linked to your Gypsy can also be linked to your CCR account. Log in to your CCR account then select Gypsy Link from the Options menu. Follow the instructions from there.

• Your carts don't have to be registered to enable you to link them.

• Your carts don't have to be bookmarked for you to link them.  

• If you purchase a Digital cartridge from Cricut.com it will automatically be linked to your account. 

• If you're using the Imagine, the E2 or the Mini first make sure it is up to date by connecting it to your compute; powering it on and opening Cricut Sync. 

• If you see this message when you are linking a cart, it means it has already been linked to a Gypsy and can't be linked to CCR yet, or it has been linked to another CCR account.

Linking instructions:

• Insert the cartridge you wish to link into your Cricut.
• Highlight the cart you wish to link from the All Cartridges library then click on the Link button 

• Click on the Cricut you are using, then click the Select Device button (or double click the device name)

• Once your cartridge is detected, click the Link Cartridge button.

• You will need to accept the End User License Agreement to proceed. If you don't wish to proceed press the Cancel button.  

Your cartridge won't be linked and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. Remember, you can still cut with your cartridge without linking it! If you do wish to proceed, click the I Accept, Link Cartridge button

• The linking process will begin

• Once the linking is complete you will see this. Press the Okay button

 

• You will be returned to the main CCR screen. To link another cartridge repeat from the first step.

Your cart is now linked to your Cricut account and you won't have to insert it into your Cricut again to cut when using your CCR account! 

You will still need them if you're cutting directly from your Cricut, so don't give them away or sell them! (That's what you were agreeing to in step 5 above....)

Once you have linked your carts using CCR they will automatically be also linked to your Gypsy the next time you sync it using Cricut Sync. (This only applies once the cartridges have been added to the Gypsy cartridge library after each Hello Thursday content update.) 

Some Digital carts (eg. the single Imagine images) won't be able to be linked to a Gypsy.

CRICUT - CCR Cartridge libraries

Originally published 25 Jan 2013 on my previous blog:  http://cricutcraftroomblog.blogspot.com.au/


There are many different menu options in the CCR Cartridge filter.

So what are they all? Some are fairly self explanatory (eg Cricut Lite) but here's what you'll find in each of those categories.

My Cartridges: The My cartridges library will contain any cartridges that you have physically linked to your Cricut account using CCR, any digital cartridges you have purchased from Cricut.com and the "Cut it for free" cartridges that Cricut.com release weekly. Those free cartridges change each week. When the new free cartridges is added, the old one is generally removed. 

Now that the Gypsy Link process has been released the cartridges that are linked to your Gypsy will also appear in the My Cartridges library. You will first need to run the Link Gypsy program from the Options menu in CCR.   

All Cartridges: Every available cartridge including the Digital cartridges are found in this library. If you don't see any of the Imagine cartridges check the "Show Cricut Imagine cartridges" below the Cartridge filter list.

Cricut Craft Room Exclusives: This will contain all the CCR exclusive Digital cartridges. Digital versions of the regular cartridges won't be found here. They will be found in All Cartridges.  Most of the cartridges in this library can also be linked to your Gypsy. However there are some exceptions eg. the single images. Update your Gypsy and check the All Cartridges library. If a cartridge doesn't appear in the All Cartridges library then it can't be linked to the Gypsy.

Cricut Cake: This library contains the Martha Stewart Cake cartridges and the Cricut Cake cartridges.

Cricut Events: This library contains any cartridge that has been branded an Event cartridge. Eg. Baby Shower and Bridal Shower. Look for the Events label on the cartridge.

Cricut Everyday: This library contains the majority of the Cricut cartriges. Anything that doesn't fit into any of the other categories will be found here.

Cricut Famous Friends: Here you'll find cartridges from Close To My Heart, Creative Memories, DC Comics, Disney, Disney/Pixar, Nickelodeon, Sanrio and Sesame Street.

Cricut Imagine: Yes.... you'll find all the Imagine cartridges here!

Cricut Lite: Here you'll find all the exclusive to Walmart and Cricut.com Lite cartridges. 

Cricut Projects: Any carts branded as Project carts will be found here. Carts such as Giant Flowers and Frame of Mind.

Cricut Seasonals: If you're looking for something for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Spring, Summer etc you'll probably find it here.

Font Cartridges: Any cartridge that Cricut have identified as having a font on it will be found here.

Bookmarks: Here you will find any cartridges that you have bookmarked. Bookmarking is different to Linking. Bookmarking is merely a convenient way of identifying which carts you own. If you haven't Linked those carts you will still need to insert them into the Cricut if you wish to cut from them.

To add to or edit your Bookmarks click on the Bookmarks filter then click the Edit Bookmarks button.

To Add a bookmark scroll through the list of cartridges and click the green Add button beside the cartridge name.

To remove a bookmark scroll through the list of cartridges and click the brown Remove button beside the cartridge name.

When you have finished click the Continue button and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. 

Your newly bookmarked cartridges will now appear in the Bookmarks filter. 

Wish List: Got a hankering for some new cartridges but aren't ready to purchase them? You can add them to a Wish list so you don't forget. 

Select Wish List from the Cartridge filter then click the Edit Wish List button.

To Add a cartridge to the Wish List scroll through the list of cartridges and click the green Add button beside the cartridge name. You will see every cartridge listed here, even ones you already own and have linked to your account. (You never know when you might want to buy a cartridge for someone else, right???)

To remove a cartridge from the Wish List scroll through the list of cartridges and click the brown Remove button beside the cartridge name.

If you would like to print your Wish List click the Print Wish List button and select your printer. When you have finished click the Continue button and you'll be returned to the main CCR screen. 

CRICUT - Quick CCR cutting tip

Originally published on my "Cricut CraftRoom Blog" 2nd Feb 2013

Here's something that I regularly do when I have a mat full of objects and I only want to cut some of them... Let's say my mat looks like this:

There's shapes and text from several carts on the mat. But say I only want to cut "celebrate" and one of the hearts.... ...

I could create another mat layer in my project and cut and paste the other images to the new mat. ...

Or I could select the ones I don't want to cut and delete them.

Or..... what I do is move the images I don't want to cut away from the cutting area of the mat.

You may know by now that any images that go outside the yellow border around the mat won't cut. While that's annoying when I want to cut a large image in sections I can at least use that to my advantage.

Click the Zoom Out button on the toolbar so that you can see the white area to the right of the mat.

Now drag the images that you don't want to cut over to the white area beside the mat.

Move your other images to where you want them to cut. (You don't even have to move them right off the mat. If even part of the image goes over the yellow line it won't cut.)

Click Cut/Go to send your project to the Cricut. After it has cut the two shapes that are on the mat you will see this message:

Press the OK button to return to the cutting screen then press Done. Easy right????

If you want to cut some of the other shapes, just move them back onto the mat and move the others off if necessary. Then cut your project again.

There's no problem saving your project with the images off the mat. Just remember next time you open it your mat will probably be zoomed in and you may not see those images until you zoom out again.

 

CRICUT: Importing .ccr and .gypsy files into Cricut Craft Room

I can’t believe I haven’t done a tutorial on this by now….. Better late than never I suppose…
Importing .ccr files and .gypsy files into CCR are done the same way…

First you’ll need to download/save the file to your computer. I’m using a file from my Facebook group but the steps are basically the same regardless of where the file resides.

• Click on the Facebook groups title then click on the Files option

 

•  Click on the Download button next to the file you want to save

 

• Make sure the Save File option is selected and click OK

 

•  Select the location of where you want to save the file.

You can save it to your Desktop, to your Downloads directory or to a specific directory of your choice. I created and save my files to My Document/Cricut/Projects 

• Once your file has been saved open Cricut Craft Room
• Click the My Projects icon on the toolbar

• Click the Import button

• Locate the file that you saved to your computer and click Open

The file will be imported and will appear at the top of your list of Projects

• Highlight the file and click Open

The file will open ready for you to edit/cut

Note: If you have trouble importing a file into CCR it may be because the file size is too big.