Carts with Fonts list

My Cricut Fonts list can now be found on my new blog here:

http://thenon-craftycrafter.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/cricut-carts-containing-fonts-with.html

For updates please follow/subscribe over there. :)

A quick CCR cutting tip

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.

 

Layering in CCR

Layering is a breeze in CCR. You just need to follow a few simple steps....

The most important thing to remember is that you must have Relative size selected. Otherwise each layer will be exactly the size that you have set as the Default Height. Using Relative size means that each of t-he layers of the image will be cut in proportion to the main image. (In this case the main image is the one on the Basic tab.)

You will find the Relative size button below the CCR keypad. If the button is green, it is active.

You also need to remember not to resize individual layers. You should select all the layers on your mat and resize them at the same time. More on that later!

Here's an example using the Raccoon from Create A Critter.

The picture below shows you the page from the handbook that has the raccoon on it.

In this cartridge each of the layers is on its own tab.

Some cartridges though will have some of the layers on the <Shift>  of the image keys.

I have circled the images that I will be using. Note that each layer is on the <Non Shift> keys.
I'll be using the Base (Basic) layer, Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3. I'll also use the Shadow layer. And because I have no idea what colour a Raccoon is supposed to be I'll use the colours that are in the handbook!  There's no Raccoons where I come from!!! :)

Now let's take a look at the CCR keypad for Create A Critter with the Raccoon circled.

You'll see the layer tabs above the image keys.

 

Don't forget you can zoom the keypad icons in and out by clicking on the - and + icons below the keypad. This makes it much easier to find the shape you are looking for. You should also see the name of the shape appear as you hover over the keys.

I want my finished shaped to be 2.5" in height. So I set that size in the Default Height box below the keypad.

Now I'll start adding the layers to my mat. Here is where you have a couple of options. You can place all the different layers on one mat (spreading them out over the mat so you can position the different colours of cardstock needed) and cut everything at the same time.

Or you can create a new mat for each layer and send each layer to the Cricut one at a time. For this example I'm going to use a different mat for each layer.

I'm going to add the Shadow layer to the mat first because that will be the bottom layer. Each time you add a new mat it will automatically be added on top of the previous mat. (That is until you start moving your mats around.... then things get a bit messier.)

• Click on the Shadow tab, then click on the Raccoon key. 

Because this is a new file the shape will automatically be placed in the top left corner of the mat. (No need to drag it there...)

I'm going to change the preview colour of this layer to black.

Remember... changing the Preview colour is different to using the Auto-fill feature. The preview colours don't print and are merely here as an aid to see what your finished project will look like. It's a great feature because you can play with different colours on the screen instead of wasting your precious card stock!

• Click on the red dot on the layer tab.

• Drag the arrow on the slider down to the bottom to change the colour to black. (That's the quickest way to get black.) 

Or you can type 0, 0, 0 in the RGB boxes

• Press the Apply button and the preview will now appear in black

• To add a new mat for the next layer click on the + button next to the Layer 1 tab.

The active layer will have a light grey coloured tab. In the picture below that is Layer 2. Notice how the tab for Layer 1 is now a darker grey meaning that it's not the active mat.

•  To add the next layer to our project click on the Basic tab. 
• Then click on the the Raccoon key.

The image is added to the active mat beside the shadow layer.

Next I'll change the colour of that layer. Going by the colour in the handbook I'll change it to a dark brown colour.

• Click on the Yellow dot on the Layer 2 tab. 

• Click somewhere in the yellow/orange zone on the colour wheel then drag the slider down to select a darker shade.

You can move around in the colour wheel to select different shades of a colour. You can also move the slider up and down to change from light to dark tones of that colour.

• Select the shade you like then press the Apply button. (If you want to use that colour again later write down the RGB codes from the boxes below the colour wheel.)

Next we'll add the image from the Layer 1 tab.  

(This can get confusing when our mat layers are called Layer 1, Layer 2 etc and so are the tabs on the cartridge keypad....!! You can rename your mat layers if that helps by double clicking on the the mat layer name and overtyping it with a new name.)

• Add another mat to your project

• Click on the Layer 1 tab on the keypad then click on the Raccoon to add it to the active mat.

 

I'll change the colour of this mat to a medium purple shade.

• Click in the purple area of the colour wheel and use the slider to select a medium shade.

• Click Apply

Using the same method as above I'll add the two remaining layers each on their own mat.

The Layer 2 image is a dark purple and the Layer 3 image is a pale purple.

Once that's done your screen should look something like this:

You can move the shapes on each mat on top of each to see what the final image will look like when it's cut out and put together.

Click on the brown layer and slide it over the black layer and align it. Repeat for the other layers until you get something like this:

When you're ready to cut the project you can either move the shapes to different areas of the mat and cut each layer in turn. Or you can copy and paste everything to one layer, load up your mat with each of the colours and cut it all at once.

If you decide you want to resize your images make sure you select all the layers first. To do that select Ctrl A (Cmd A for the Mac) or select Edit, Select All. Then use the bottom right handle on the images to resize all the layers together. That way they'll all stay in proportion.

(If you have pressed the eye button (hide/show mat) on any of the mats, the image/s on that mat won't be selected. Press the eye button again to view those mats again. Then Select All.)

I hope that helps you with your layering!!

CCR Cartridge libraries

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. 


And that's all I got to say 'bout that!
 

Linking Cartridges - Updated

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



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 cannot be linked to CCR yet. That option is still to come. PC are working on a way for us to connect our Gypsy to our computer and have our carts automatically linked to both.  Gypsy linking is now available! Go here for details: http://www.cricut.com/home/support/gypsy-linking/

• 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 or the E2 (and I presume the Mini) make sure it is up to date by connecting it to your computer, powering it on and opening Cricut Sync. I had trouble linking a cart using my E2. Once I updated it through Cricut Sync I was able to link the cart. (It did still take a few "Try Again's" and removing and inserting the cart but it eventually linked. (Make sure you cancel right out of the cut so you are back at the mat screen then try linking again.) 

        The same thing happened when I was linking a cart using my Expression, but

        again by cancelling right out of the cut and trying again it linked. The firmware

        version on my Expression s 2.43 and it cuts with CCR. (PC removed the

        requirement to have the later version of the firmware on the Expression a 

        few updates ago.)

• 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:

1. Insert the cartridge you wish to link into your Cricut.
2. Highlight the cart you wish to link from the All Cartridges library then click on the Link button
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click on the Cricut you are using, then click the Select Device button (or double click the device name)
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once your cartridge is detected, click the Link Cartridge button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. 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
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6.  The linking process will begin
   
   
7. Once the linking is complete you will see this. Press the Okay button
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8.  You will be returned to the main CCR screen. To link another cartridge repeat from step 1.

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.

Copying objects to a new layer (updated)

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!!

For information on this process using CCR builds older than 167 click here: http://cricutcraftroomblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/copying-objects-to-new-layer.html