Make a Father’s Day Popup Card
Father’s Day Popup Card
You can make this Father’s Day Popup Card even at the last minute for the beloved fathers in your life. The popup on the inside of the card is simple. You can decorate inside, outside, and back of the card if you want to get creative.
Download the Cutting Files
You can download the free SVG cutting files from our Resource Library to make a Father’s Day popup card like this one. The cutting files include pieces for the base popup card, backing card, and decorative layer pieces. The completed popup card measures 7″ wide by 5″ high when closed. You can use the same envelope provided in the Motorcycle popup Card template in the Resource Library .
Happy Father’s Day Popup Card
Supplies to Make a Father’s Day Popup Card
Please note: Some affiliate links may be used in this post. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will receive a small commission. Thanks!
80# white cardstock for the card base.
Medium weight cardstock for the lettering and clouds. I used double sided paper from the Wilderness Retreat Collection for the printed layers.
Wilderness Retreat Collection dies for layer embellishments or use scissors to fussy cut shapes of your choice from the paper collection.
Gold metallic cardstock if desired for the Sun
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) or you can use Cricut Explore or Maker or Cameo 4 or Scan N Cut
Pen holder, pen spacer and pen for cutter.
Art Glitter Glue
Pop Dot Adhesives
Crystal Clear glitter Optional
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library
Cutting Instructions to Make a Father’s Day Popup Card
The cutting files you need to make a popup Father’s Day Card are all included as shown below.
Image of Cutting files to Make Father’s Day Popup Card
The card back is on the left in blue. It has a score line at the center. You can cut this piece from green cardstock. Or you can cut a 6″ wide panel from the Wilderness Retreat Collection paper pad from Heartfelt Creations as I did. Since it is double sided paper, I selected a page that had the blue background that shows up under the cut out pieces on the inside of the popup card. The opposite side of the paper formed the background of the front of the card.
Open Front of Father’s Day Popup Card
This paper included another design on the bottom half that made a nice backing for the card.
Bottom of Father’s Day Popup Card
In the cutting file, the base card is cut from white cardstock. 80 # cardstock works best to keep the popup strong. Be sure to score the red lines first, then cut the black lines. Notice that the score lines are all solid red lines. Use a scoring tool for these lines, or retract your blade and reduce cutting pressure to score the surface of the card with your blade.
Father’s Day Popup Card Layers
The green pieces are for the inside layers of the card. There are two sizes of mats you can use. I used only one. I cut the top portion and the tab layers from a blue printed piece, and the bottom portion from one of the outdoor scenes in the card pack. In order to make the lettering stand out, I cut them from black cardstock. You can cut the sun from the Lux Gold cardstock, which is quite eye-catching, or you can use yellow cardstock.
Before cutting the white cloud with text, use your pen in the pen holder for your machine to draw the text. Then replace the pen holder with the cutting blade holder to cut out the cloud. You may also cut the 2nd cloud at the same time.
If you would like to add more interest in the card, cut out the flowers, critters, eagle, grass, water, etc. to add to your scene. You may use the cutting dies from the Wilderness Retreat Collection, or simply use scissors to fussy cut them. I added the deer and grass layer and an eagle to the back side of the card.
Cutting Instructions for Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker
If you are using Cricut Design Space, upload the SVG file for the Father’s Day Popup Card into Cricut Design Space. Then right click on the design and select Ungroup. You need to designate each of the red lines as score lines in the Line Quality panel at the top of the screen. Select the card and its score line, right click, then click on Attach.
Next, select the base card and its score lines (in black). Right click and select Ungroup. Select the score lines from the layers panel, and set them to Score in the line quality panel. Hold the Shift key to select also the card layer. Then right click and select Attach.
Text Sentiment
Select the cloud with text and ungroup. Select the text and set it to Draw in the Line Quality panel. Change the cloud color to White. Select the cloud and text, right click, then select Attach. Now you are ready to Make it. Check each color layer to make sure the pieces look correct in their layers.
Fathers Day Popup Card layout for Cricut Design Space
Make It
Go to the Make It screen to make sure the score lines show up on the same layer as the corresponding cutting lines. If you get a separate red mat, then the lines were not attached properly to their cutting shapes. Go back to fix that.
There is a video tutorial showing how to use popup cards with Cricut Design Space here. Cricut Design Space has been updated a bit since the video was made. The updated software now has a Line type Menu at the top of the screen near the left side. The only difference right now is that instead of clicking on the color box on the Layers menu on the side of the screen to change from a cut to a score line as shown in the video, you will select your line in the layers panel on the side of the screen, then click on the tiny down arrow at the top of the screen under Line type. Select Score. After you have designated a line to be a Score Line, hold the shift key, and select the shape of the card. Then Right click and select Attach. The color selection box is next to the Cut Menu as well.
Cutting Instructions for Scan N Cut
There is a set of multiple files for Scan N Cut users for this Father’s Day Popup Card, since Brother Canvas Workspace can accept only a single 11.5″”x11.5″” file at a time. Import one file at a time to cut and score. Make sure that the red lines are designated for score or draw.
Assembly Instructions
After you have all of the pieces cut out, it is time to start assembling your popup card. First remove the loose pieces from the popup card design. This process is called “weeding”. When these pieces are removed, you will be able to see through some parts of the popup card to the backing.
Next, glue the layers to the top and bottom inside of the card. Now glue the black lettering over the letters on the popup card.
Folding the Popup Card
First you need to fold your pieces along the score lines. Fold the backing card in half on the score line and crease it. Next, fold the sides of the white base card, pinching from the back of the card to make valley folds. There are two short fold lines on each side. Now pinch the score lines at the tops of the tabs from the back to make valley folds. Also, make valley folds by pinching from the back on the score lines at the bottoms of the letters. Make mountain folds on the score lines at the top of the letters. Use a bone folder to make crisp fold lines. Gently push the back of the card up.
Then gently fold the card closed all the way, so that it is flat.
Now that the folds are made, check to make sure that the card opens and closes smoothly. Open the card, and glue the remaining decorative pieces to the upper and lower parts of the card background. There are also pieces to glue on the tabs, if you wish to use them.
Once you have all of the decorative pieces in place, fold the card closed.
Final Assembly of the Father’s Day Popup Card
To glue the popup card to its backing card, place the center crease of the folded card in the inside crease of the backing card as shown below. Use quick drying glue around the edges of the white base card, making sure not to get glue on any of the motorcycle parts. If you are using 6″ wide backing card, and 7″ wide popup card base, you will need to center the printed backing to the white base.
Place popup base card inside backing card.
Close the backing card down over the white base card. Then rub all over the backing to make sure it stays in place until the glue dries. Once the glue is dry, turn the card over. Glue the other side to the backing card.
Glue the popup card to the back.
With glue on the other side of the white popup card base, close the card again, and hold firmly in place until the glue dries. Then you can open the card.
Add Decorative Elements
Now you can decorate the front of the card as you like. Use pop-dots to add dimension to the various character animals that you want in your scene. You can use pop-dots behind the clouds and sun as well. Once you have everything in place as you want your scene to be, you can add some glitter if you like. To add glitter, put some thin lines of glue that dries clear in the places where you want some sparkle. Than sprinkle some glitter over those areas, and pour the excess back into the bottle. Let the glue dry completely.
Decorate the back of the card in like manner. Now add a personal note. When your card is complete, place it inside of an envelope. Now it is ready for giving or posting it to a special father in your life!
Get the FREE SVG Cutting File
Happy Father’s Day Popup Card
You will find the cutting files for this Father’s Day Popup Card in the Free Resource Library.
Enjoy!
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Make a Popup Motorcycle Card
Do you have a motorcycle lover among your friends and loved ones? Do you need a nice popup card to give them? If so, you can make a motorcycle popup card quickly and easily. You can download the free SVG cutting files from our Resource Library to make a motorcycle popup card like this one. The cutting files include pieces for the base popup card, backing card, decorative layer pieces, and an envelope. The completed motorcycle popup card measures 7″ wide x 5″ high when folded.
Supplies to Make a Popup Motorcycle Card
Please note: Some affiliate links may be used in this post. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will receive a small commission. Thanks!
Heavy Cardstock of your choice.
I used 80# white cardstock for the card base.
Medium weight green cardstock for the card backing.
French Cottage Paper Collection for layer embellishments
Silver metallic cardstock if desired behind the black motorcycle.
12″x 12″ lightweight paper or cardstock for envelope
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) or you can use Cricut Explore or Maker or Cameo 4 or Scan N Cut
Art Glitter Glue
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library
Cutting Instructions to Make a Motorcycle Popup Card
The cutting files you need to make a popup motorcycle card are all included as shown below.
Cutting Files for motorcycle popup card
The card back is on the left. I cut this piece from green cardstock. Next, notice that the score lines are all solid red lines. Use a scoring tool for these lines, or retract your blade and reduce cutting pressure to score the surface of the card with your blade.
The base card is next to it. Cut this from white cardstock. Be sure to score the red lines first, then cut the black lines.
The next pieces are for layering on the card. Cut the grey motorcycle pieces from silver cardstock. Then glue it to the back of the black motorcycle piece to provide contrast. Then glue the black piece over the motorcycle on the base card. The light and dark green pieces represent decorative layer pieces for the top and bottom of the card.
The final piece is for the envelope. First score the red lines. Then cut on the black line.
Cutting Instructions for Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker
If you are using Cricut Design Space, upload the SVG file for the Motorcycle Popup Card into Cricut Design Space. Then right click on the design and select Ungroup. Check to make sure that all of the red lines are in their appropriate places, within the corresponding cutting lines, as shown in the diagram. You need to designate each of the red lines as score lines. Select the card and its score line, right click, then click on Attach. Next, select the base card and its score lines. Then right click and select Attach. Select the envelope and its score lines, right click, and then select Attach.
Go to the Make It screen to make sure the score lines show up on the same layer as the corresponding cutting lines. If you get a separate red mat, then the lines were not attached properly to their cutting shapes. Go back to fix that.
There is a video tutorial showing how to use popup card with Cricut Design Space here. Cricut Design Space has been updated a bit since the video was made. The updated software now has a Linetype Menu at the top of the screen near the left side. The only difference right now is that instead of clicking on the color box on the Layers menu on the side of the screen to change from a cut to a score line as shown in the video, you will select your line in the layers panel on the side of the screen, then click on the tiny down arrow at the top of the screen under Line type. Select Score. After you have designated a line to be a Score Line, hold the shift key, and select the shape of the card. Then Right click and select Attach.
Cutting Instructions for Scan N Cut
There is a set of multiple files for Scan N Cut users for this Motorcycle Popup Card, since Brother Canvas Workspace can accept only a single 11.5″”x11.5″” file at a time. Import one file at a time to cut and score. Make sure that the red lines are designated for score or draw.
Assembly Instructions
After you have all of the pieces cut out, it is time to start assembling your popup card. First remove the loose pieces from the motorcycle design. This process is called “weeding”. When these pieces are removed, you will be able to see through some parts of the motorcycle to the backing as shown below.
Prepare to fold the popup card.
Next, glue the solid silver motorcycle piece to the back side of the black motorcycle piece. Glue the tiny silver mirror piece over the black mirror on the motorcycle, and the silver seat piece over the black seat on the motorcycle as shown below.
Prepare motorcycle pieces.
Now glue the black and silver motorcycle piece over the motorcycle portion of the white popup card as shown below.
Glue black and silver pieces to the card.
Folding the Popup Card
First you need to fold your pieces along the score lines. Fold the backing card in half on the score line and crease it. Next, fold the sides of the white base card, pinching from the back of the card to make valley folds. There are two short fold lines on each side. Now pinch the score lines at the tops of the tabs from the back to make valley folds. Also, make valley folds by pinching from the back on the score lines at the bottom of the wheels on the motorcycle. Make mountain folds on the score lines at the top of the motorcycle. Use a bone folder to make crisp fold lines. Gently push the back of the card up as shown below.
Folded Popup Card
Then gently fold the card closed all the way, so that it is flat.
Folded Popup Card
Now that the folds are made, check to make sure that the card opens and closes smoothly. Open the card, and glue the remaining decorative pieces to the upper and lower parts of the card background. There are also pieces to glue on the tabs, if you wish to use them.
Glue on the decorative pieces.
Once you have all of the decorative pieces in place, fold the card closed.
Final Assembly of the Popup Motorcycle Card
To glue the popup card to its backing card, place the center crease of the folded card in the inside crease of the backing card as shown below. Use quick drying glue around the edges of the white base card, making sure not to get glue on any of the motorcycle parts.
Place popup base card inside backing card.
Close the backing card down over the white base card. Then rub all over the backing to make sure it stays in place until the glue dries. Once the glue is dry, turn the card over. Glue the other side to the backing card.
Glue the popup card to the back.
With glue on the other side of the white popup card base, close the card again, and hold firmly in place until the glue dries. Then you can open the card.
Completed Motorcycle Popup Card
Now you can decorate the front of the card as you like, perhaps with a title such as “On the Road Again”, or other phrase that will encourage the card recipient. You can stamp a sentiment on a tag, cut a special sentimental phrase, or even just glue some decorative paper on the front of the card. Sign your card, and it is ready for your recipient!
Cut and Fold the Envelope
Fold each flap of the envelope on the score lines towards the center.
Fold the Envelope on Score Lines
Place some glue at the bottom of each side flap. Then fold up the bottom flap over the sides. Hold in place until the glue is dry. Place the card inside of the envelope when you have it ready. To seal the envelope, place some glue around the top edge of the top envelope flap, and hold in place firmly until it is dry.
Assembled Envelope
When your card is complete, place it inside of the envelope. Now it is ready for giving or posting to that motorcyclist in your life!
Get the FREE SVG Cutting File
Motorcycle Popup Card
You will find the cutting files for this Popup Motorcycle Card in the Free Resource Library.
Enjoy!
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
How to Prepare Cutting Files with Intricate Detail for use with Cricut Design Space and Scan N Cut
You may love cutting lovely projects with lots of intricate detail as I do. But sometimes the cutting files for those projects load very slowly, if at all, into your cutter software! In this post you will find some tips for making your SVG cutting files easier to use. Learn to prepare SVG cutting files that are optimized to load quickly and cut more efficiently in Cricut Design Space and Scan N Cut Canvas Workspace.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Valentine Popup Card
One sheets white 80# cardstock
One sheet colored cardstock for card backing
Glue that dries quickly.
Cutting File from the Free Resource Library
Here is a cutting file for a popup card with intricate detail that could be problematic for use with some cutters, if it were not properly prepared. You can find the free cutting file for this project in the Free Resource Library. Before you go any further, download the zipped files to your computer, double click on the downloaded file, and select Extract All. Then you can follow along with this tutorial.
Valentine Popup Card by Julie Flanagan
What can you do if the cutting files won’t work correctly or require lots of tedious editing? This can be very frustrating. Sometimes details do not load properly into the software. Lines or shapes may be missing, or they show up in very odd places on the screen. What can you do to prepare your cutting files so that they load easily into your favorite cutting software?
You may wish to learn more about third party software that can be used for creating your SVG cutting files on this blog post.
What do Good Cutting Files look Like in Cricut Design Space?
Upload an SVG cutting file into Cricut Design Space
Now that you have downloaded and unzipped the cutting files for the Valentine Popup Card, upload the SVG cutting file for CDS to Cricut Design Space . Cricut Design Space is a free program that you can use, even if you don’t own a Cricut. Open a New page in Cricut Design Space.
Click on the Upload icon at the bottom of the left toolbar. A window will open allowing you to search your computer for the file you wish to use.
Click on the Upload Image button. Then click on Browse, to search for the file named ValentinePopupCard2-CDS-JulieFlanagan.svg that you saved to your computer. Double click on the file name, and it should open in the next window you see in Cricut Design Space.
Add as many tags as you might like to use when searching for this design once it has been loaded into Design Space. I use popup, card, valentine, heart, scallop, lattice, JulieFlanagan. I can search using these tags later. Now, click on the green Save button in the lower right corner of the screen. Another screen opens allowing you to select the image you wish to use. Click on the image you just uploaded, and you will see a green outline around the image.
Click
Select the green Insert Images button in the lower right corner of the screen. The design will now appear on the Cricut Design Space Canvas. Your cutting file is now open in Cricut Design Space. But it is not quite ready to use.
Preparing to Cut a Design in Cricut Design Space
Before doing anything else to this design, notice the Layers on the right side of the screen. There are four layers, two with score lines, and two with the card shapes. You first need to click on the score line layer at the top of the panel. This highlights the score lines on the popup portion of the card. Currently these lines are designated as cutting lines. You need to change them to score lines. Under Linetype at the top of the screen, select Score. Now these lines will not be cut. You will be directed to use the scoring tool with these lines when you go to Make the project.
Repeat this process with the second score line layer for the card back. Select Score from the Linetype drop down menu. Now all score lines will be scored rather than cut when you send the file to cut.
Attaching Score Lines to their Cards
Before you can cut your project, you still need to Attach the score lines to their cards. You cannot do that yet, because all design pieces are grouped. Right click on the shapes on the Canvas and select Ungroup. Now on the Layer panel on the right side of the screen, hold down your Shift key, and click on both of the layers, Score and Cut for the popup portion of the card (light pink in this case. These two layers will now be highlighted, and you will notice that both layers on the Canvas are now selected.
Now select just the backing card (Burgundy) and its score layer from the Layers panel on the right side of the screen while holding down the Shift key. Right click your mouse, and select Attach.
Ready to Make It
Click on the green Make It button in the upper right corner of the screen. You should now see only two mats ready for scoring and cutting.
Other Files Not so Ready for Use in Cricut Design Space
You may have experienced SVG cutting files with Intricate details that need a whole lot more preparation for use in Cricut Design Space. If you are making your own SVG files in third party software, you may have run into some frustrating issues in preparing them for cutting in Cricut Design Space. Are your files very slow to load? Do you get error messages indicating that the design is too large to load? Are each of the tiny shapes in the design on its own layer?
Are each of the many tiny score lines of a popup card on its own layer, and needing to be changed to score in the Linetype window? These tiny lines are very hard to select either from the Canvas or from the layers. Changing each tiny line from cut to score takes way too much time!
How to Prepare Cutting Files with Intricate Detail for use with Cricut Design Space
There is a solution for this issue. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of our multi-layered, intricate projects would import into Cricut Design Space in just a few simple layers, instead of hundreds of layers? The solution lies in the preparation of your files in your design software. Not all cutter software includes the necessary editing features to achieve this. What is the secret?
Design
Layers or Line Colors.
Create your designs with score lines on different layers from the cutting lines. An alternative is to assign one line color to score lines, and use another color for the cut lines. If you need to cut pieces out of different colors, keep the score lines for each colored piece separate from score lines on other colored pieces.
Select by Layers or by Line Colors
Once you have arranged your design pieces by layers or assigned line colors, you need to be able to select all the same linetypes by layer or by line color in your software. Not all software can do this. For example, The Valentine Popup Card has blue lines for mountain folds, red lines for valley folds, and black lines for cut lines. However, the score lines need to be on different layers or different line colors from those used for the backing card. For my design, I needed four layers or line colors; two cards, and two sets of score lines.
For example, you can select by line or fill color using Illustrator, Inkscape, and Silhouette Studio. You can select by line color in Pazzles software. You can select by layer in Make The Cut and Sure Cuts A Lot.
Make Compound Paths from Selections
Once you select everything that has the same line color (stroke) or the same layer, you need to make a compound path (Illustrator and Silhouette Studio), or use Combine (Inkscape), or Group with Transparency (Pazzles) or Join (Make The Cut) or Merge (Sure Cuts A Lot). Most cutter software includes a simple group or ungroup feature, but Cricut Design Space does not recognize all groups in imported SVG files. Properly designed Compound Paths should import into Cricut Design Space in fewer layers, making it easier to select the layers that need to be assigned a different line type. Cricut Design Space does appear to recognize compound paths. Those compound paths may not be broken in Cricut Design Space, so keep that in mind.
DPI sizing for SVG Files in Cricut Design Space
If sizing of your project is important, then the SVG file needs to be exported with a DPI of 72 for it to import into Cricut Design Space at the correct size. This is the standard DPI exported by Adobe Illustrator, Pazzles InVue software, and Silhouette Studio Business Edition.
Sure Cuts A Lots has the option to export SVG for Cricut Design Space, which automatically exports at 72 DPI.
If you want your SVG export from Inkscape or Make The Cut to import at the correct size into Cricut Design Space, you will first need to Select All (Ctrl+A) in your software, and reduce the size by 80%. To do this in Make the Cut, lock the aspect ratio for the Height and Width fields at the top of the screen. Type in 80% in either the W or H field and press Enter. Now export SVG (Ctrl+Shift+S) and import SVG into Cricut Design Space. It will import at the correct size.
Additional Tips
For tips on how to cut and fold popup cards, see this blog post.
To learn more about importing and using cutting files for a popup card in Cricut Design Space, see this blog post.
Learn how to prepare cutting files with intricate detail for use with Scan N Cut
The built in software on Scan N Cut machines is limited in the number of shapes or layers that it can use. It may not recognize all of the tiny details, and tell you that the file cannot be used. Brother Canvas Workspace software, a free software download, may also give you a message that tiny details may be lost when a design with intricate detail is imported. As a side note, my CM350 would not load some detailed files, while the newer SDX225 loaded it fine.
Avoid overloading Scan N Cut memory by using the same suggestions listed above for making compound paths in your design software, before trying to import into Brother Canvas Workspace or before trying to import your cutting file designs directly into the machine. By making compound paths in your design, you should have much less difficulty getting your Scan N Cut machine to handle your designs with intricate detail.
Page Size Limitations for Scan N Cut Machines
When creating cutting files for use with Scan N Cut, it is very important that all design details fit on a single canvas, either 11.5″ wide and 11.5″ long, or 11.5″ wide by 23″ long. Any design pieces outside of this workspace will cause the design to be automatically resized to fit the workspace. All design pieces in the cutting file will be reduced in size so that all of them fit within the cutting boundaries of the virtual mat.
While many cutter software programs allow designers to move pieces off of the virtual mat so that all of the pieces of a huge project are in the same file, this practice will be problematic for Scan N Cut users.
Larger designs need to be broken up into several separate files. Select all design pieces that will fit on one virtual mat, and export as SVG as a page, such as PopupCardPage1. Then select the next set of pieces and export with the same file name, but with Page2, such as PopupCardPage2. Then you can place all of the necessary files for a single project together in a single folder on your computer.
DPI sizing for SVG Cutting Files for Scan N Cut
If sizing is extremely important for your designs, make sure your SVG files are exported with a DPI of 96 for use with Scan N Cut. If the DPI is set to the Illustrator standard of 72 DPI, then the design pieces imported into either Canvas Workspace or directly to the Scan N Cut machine will be too small.
Inkscape SVG exports are automatically sized to 96 DPI. SVG cutting files exported from Make The Cut follow Inkscape parameters, so those files import into Canvas Workspace and Scan N Cut at the correct sizes.
Sure Cuts A Lot has an option to save your designs in the native FCM format for use with Scan N Cut. FCM export is better for use with Scan N Cut. The DPI sizing will automatically be correct, and FCM files will often load more quickly and efficiently to the Scan N Cut.
Converting Files from SVG to FCM
Using Brother Canvas Workspace, import your prepared SVG file by going to the File menu in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Import.
Now you need to assign the score lines layer to draw instead of cut. To do that, click on the Layers icon, third icon down on the toolbar on the right side of the screen in Canvas Workspace. To do that, click on the blade icon on a layer that appears to be black, You will have a cut or draw option. Select Draw for those layers which you want to score rather than cut.
Your Layers panel should now show a pen icon on each layer that you want to score rather then cut, and a blade icon on each layer that you wish to cut.
Now, you can go to the File menu, and select the option to Export FCM file. You may get a Warning: “Tiny objects are automatically removed when converting to FCM because it is too small to cut.” Ignore this warning if you have prepared your SVG file with compound paths. Click on OK. You will not lose Intricate or tiny details in your cutting file, if you have properly optimized it in your design software.
A window will open, allowing you to type in a File name and to select a location where you would like to save the FCM file. Click on the Save Button.
You can now share this FCM file, or add it to a thumb drive you plug into the USB port on your Scan N Cut. Then you can load the file from the USB thumb drive to your Scan N Cut.
Sending your prepared file to the Scan N Cut Wirelessly
You do not have to export your design in FCM format if your Scan N Cut has wireless capability. All SDX models have wireless capability. Older Scan N Cut models may require the purchase of a wireless card in order to send files wirelessly from Canvas workspace directly to the machine. To send wirelessly, go to the File menu at the upper left corner of your screen and select Transfer FCM via Internet. You will get a message indicating the the file is ready to use on your Registered Machine.
Turn on your machine, place your media on the mat, and load the mat. Select the option to Retrieve Data either from USB thumb drive, Machine, internet wifi or USB cable.
After you load thedesing into your machine, edit the design. Next, select the portion of the file you plan to cut this pass. Indicate whether you will be drawing or cutting. You may use an embossing tool in the universal pen holder. Or you may use the Brother embossing tool for your score lines. Select Draw for the score line portion of the design. Then select Cut to cut the cutting lines.
Assemble Your Popup Card
When you have finished cutting and scoring the popup card, you repeat the process to select the card backing. Then cut and score it. Fold it and assemble it.
Additional Tips for using SVG files with Scan N Cut
See this blog post for more tips for using SVG files with Scan N Cut. See also this blog post for more help with folding popup cards.
Make a Valentine Popup Card
Cut and assemble this card. Create and use a topper, sentiment, or image of your choice on the front of the card. I would love to see a picture of your creation! You can send me a picture in the CutterCrafter Facebook book, so others can see it. If you have any further questions, please let me know! If you enjoyed this post, please share on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to follow my blog for more great tutorials and free cutting projects!
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter Review
Pazzles Inspiration Vue may be the electronic cutter you need. It ranks among the top electronic cutters. The Vue is a powerful, but simple to use machine. You can cut many different types of materials with it. And with optional accessories, you can also use the Pazzles Inspiration Vue to cut, draw, engrave, emboss, pierce, and distress many media types. The Pazzles Inspiration Vue is the choice of beginner and well as professional crafters. This article reviews the features of this amazing machine to help you decide if this is a good choice for your crafting needs.
Note: I may have used some affiliate links in this review. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, and the tiny commission that I get contributes towards the costs for maintaining my blog. Thanks for your support!
What Do You Want to Cut?
Cutting Vinyl with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
The Pazzles Inspiration Vue cuts vinyl of all types, whether the vinyl is repositionable wall vinyl, permanent outdoor vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, vinyl window cling, Stencil Vinyl, Glitter or Flocked vinyl or other types. It is recommended that you cut your vinyl on either the 12″ mat or the 24″ mat. Reserving a standard cutting blade for cutting vinyl ensures that you will always get smooth cuts with for your vinyl projects.
Split Regal Monogram on a Ceramic Tile
You can make wonderful gift items such as the customized tile above using your Pazzles Inspiration Vue electronic cutter. The design for the shirt below was a special request from my husband. The Pazzles InVue software that ships with the machine, allowed me to create the cutting design from an actual photo of my husband fishing.
Glittered Heat Transfer Vinly project
Cutting Heavy Cardstock with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Entry level cutters do not have sufficient cutting pressure to allow users to cut heavy media. The Pazzles Inspiration Vue boasts of up to 1000 grams of down pressure, making it rank among the top home crafting cutters. It can cut media that is up to 2mm thick. So it can cut even tough chipboard. If you love to cut 3D projects from heavier media, you will need a more powerful machine. This machine boasts of three times the cutting pressure of the legacy Cricut machines as well as the Cricut Explore models. And it has about 4 times the cutting pressure of Silhouette and Craft Robo machines. The print and cut embellishments used on this card were all created using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue and its InVue software.
Fall pop-up Card
3D boxes such as the Trailer Gift Box below are much more stable when cut from heavy cardstock.
3D cutting projects
Here is another project that required heavy cardstock. If you love making sturdy 3D projects, you will be happy if you have a cutter that can handle cutting the required heavy media.
Flower Mailbox
Projects like this Snow Globe Box Card last a lot longer on display when its pieces are cut from heavier cardstock. Pazzles Inspiration Vue cuts these so efficiently! The intricate snowflake detail cut beautifully on this machine.
Snow Globe Box Card
Engraving Metal with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can use Pazzles optional Diamond Tip engraving tool to engrave on metal. I recently engraved on a dog tag for our puppy. The tallest letter was .057″ and the smallest letter was .06″ tall. The entire tag was only 1.5″ wide. I was able to fit four rows of text on the back of the tag with our puppy’s name, address and phone number. Here is the front of the tag. (I blurred the phone number.) You can cut thin aluminum metal with the blade.
Engraving On Metal
Cutting and Piercing Delicate Designs in Vellum with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can also cut very fine and delicate media such as vellum. I used Pazzles optional Piercing and Embossing tools on vellum to create this popup butterfly anniversary card.
Pierced, embossed, and cut Vellum popup butterfly
Cutting Fabric with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Cutting fabric with this machine is great. I was amazed at how nicely my Vue cut the doily and the flowers out of fabric for this Easter Bonnet. It is good to reserve a blade dedicated to cutting fabric, since paper can dull blades quite quickly.
Fabric Doily Easter Bonnet with Fabric flowers
Cutting Wood with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Yes! This machine cuts thin balsa wood or basswood up to 2mm thick. Here is a Captain’s Wheel design that I cut. Covering the back of the piece of wood with blue painter’s tape before cutting keeps the thin wood from splitting during the cut and while lifting from a very sticky mat.
Captain’s Wheel cut from thin wood, with pen writing.
Making 3D Flowers with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
If you love making 3D paper flowers as I do, you will be happy to know that this machine cuts lots of different types of paper petals for making beautiful flowers. This bouquet includes some vellum flowers, some made from printed scrapbook paper, some from medium weight cardstock, and some from heavy cardstock.
Musical Paper Flowers
Cutting Rubber Stamps
You can create your own custom rubber stamp designs using the Pazzles InVue software that ships with the Pazzles inspiration Vue. Then you can cut the rubber using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue. I had an idea for a musical stamp, so I created the design, and let my Pazzles Inspiration Vue machine cut it out for me.
Homemade rubber stamp design.
Cutting Clay, Fondant, Gum Paste and Frosting Papers using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can use Pazzles optional Cake Accessories Kit for cutting clay, fondant, gum paste, and frosting papers. Here is a project I made using thinly rolled Sculpey clay.
Clay Cornucopia Fall Decor
Cutting Scrapbook Page Overlays
Scrapbook pages are fun to make using the Pazzles InVue software and cutting with Pazzles Inspiration Vue. This machine will cut a full 12″ wide border or scrapbook page. It is not limited to an 11.5″ cutting width as some cutters are. Here is a scrapbook calendar page that I created. Notice the detail of the embellishments.
December Calendar page with fancy embellishments and 3D snowflake flower.
Rhinestone Templates
Designing templates for use with rhinestone designs can be done using the Pazzles InVue software that ships with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter. You can turn any design or test into a rhinestone template design. Then you can cut your template out of rubber designed for cutting rhinestone templates using your Vue. Here is my first rhinestone project.
Cutting Around Printed Images
Before I received my Pazzles Inspiration Vue, I was never happy with the cutting around printed images with my other machines. You will love how the Pazzles Inspiration Vue automatically finds the registration marks, and cuts perfectly around printed images that are up to 8.5″ wide. This project would have been extremely difficult to cut and assemble if I had cut each tiny element separately. Instead, I chose a number of appropriate designs from the generous Image library available in the Pazzles Craft Room, and printed the shapes. Then I had my Vue cut around the printed images. It did a great job!
Teacher’s Cascade Card with print and cut Embellishments
You can see more of my Pazzles creations here .
What is your Cutting Skill Level?
If you are a novice cutter user, you will appreciate how easy the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter is to learn to use. With the great support offered by Pazzles to its customers through the Pazzles Craft Room, you can learn to start using your Vue to make amazing projects right away. The Pazzles Craft Room has hundreds of projects like the above, ready for you to download, cut, and assemble. The downloaded projects are yours to keep, even after your membership expires. And their Angel policy allows you to use the designs commercially. You can get almost all of the above projects for free as a member of the Pazzles Craft Room.
Ease of Use
The click style blade holder in the Pazzles Inspiration Vue makes setting blade depths easy. The software tells you where to set the blade for the media type that you have selected to cut. The blade holder and blade are the same ones that the Deep Cut blade holder and blades that legacy Cricut machines used. The blades are easy to insert and remove.
The machine automatically loads your mat. The optical reader sets the starting point at the same place every time. The optical reader also makes cutting around printed images so much easier!
More Advanced Users
You will love the flexibility you have in using the Pazzles InVue software. It has all of the basic functions with which you are familiar from other cutting software. But it also has lots of advanced design and editing functions. Some of these advanced features are not available even in the most expensive professional design software programs. Pazzles developed their InVue software with all the advanced design features that its staff and professional users were familiar with, and used to using.
The amazing thing about this software is that it is provided for FREE with the purchase the the Pazzles Inspiration Vue. And it is available for a VERY low price for those who wish to purchase it separately and use as third party software with other cutters. This software, combined with the advanced cutting technology in the machines, means that you most likely will not outgrow its functioning for your crafting purposes.
What is your Price Point?
Some people like to start their cutting adventure with a very inexpensive machine. Then they start saving their money, and plan to purchase a better machine when they outgrow the features of that machine. Others prefer to get the best machine they can get, so that they won’t be outgrowing its features any time soon. Pazzles Inspiration Vue is one of those machines that meets your growing cutting needs, without a need to upgrade to bigger and better machines later on.
Purchase options
There are several shopping options, making your purchase of the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter affordable. You can check out those options here. If you wish to purchase the machine outright, you will get the best price by first joining the Pazzles Craft Room for one month. While a member, you will receive a 15% discount on all Pazzles purchases. So you can get a 15% discount on your machine, and all the optional accessories you need. I save on shipping by purchasing all that I think I might need for a year. I like to keep three good mats and three extra blades on hand at all times.
With your outright purchase, you will receive several months of free membership in the Pazzles Craft Room. Be sure to take advantage of that time to view all of the training videos in the video library. These will help you get a great start in using your new machine. Also, be sure to download all of the cutting files and projects that you can get while you are a member. You can download up to 400 files per month, if you are diligent to download 40 files every 70 hours. These are yours to keep. While you are a Pazzles Craft Room Member, all downloads are FREE!
If you find that you love all the new projects that are regularly posted, you may decide that you want to maintain your Pazzles Craft Room membership. I really like all of the wonderful projects that they offer so much that I decided to keep my membership going. The best price for me turned out to be purchasing a machine for $99 with a two year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room. Another similar option is to purchase a machine for $199 with a one year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room.
System Requirements
Pazzles Inspiration Vue works on both Windows 7, 8, and 10, and on Mac: OS X 10.9.X & 10.10.X.. It needs a USB2 connection directly to your computer. The InVue software also works on these machines. You will need software to cut to the Vue. You can use Pazzles InVue software or you may use Sure Cuts A Lot. If you have Pazzles Inspiration Studio Pro 1014, you can use it to cut to the Vue. However, that software is no longer available for sale.
You do Not need high speed internet in order to use your Pazzles Inspiration Vue. Connect to the Internet to update your firmware and software one time after receiving your Vue. You can disconnect your Vue from your computer after making a cut. Then you can repeat that exact same cut with the same settings as many times as you like by pressing the Repeat button on the machine. When you need to make a lot of the same project, this is a real handy feature to have.
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Specifications
This cutter ships with the machine, USB cable, power cord, and converter box, blade, blade holder, and a print and cut mat. The machine will cut up to 1000 grams of pressure using settings of 1-50. You have 5 speeds from which to choose. The click blade holder has 11 different blade depth settings. Maximum cutting width is 12″. Cutting length is 12″ with the standard mat, and 24″ with the 24″ mat. The machine weighs 11.2 pounds, is 22″ wide x 6.5″ tall x 11″ deep. Its roller bar has two permanent pressure rollers, and four more rollers that are removable when cutting thicker media.
There is an accessory tray on top of the machine as well as three slots for additional tools. A support tray for the mat is built in to the front of the machine. You slide it out when using the machine. Then push it in when done.
Pazzles InVue Software Overvue
Pazzles InVue Software
The InVue software ships without additional cost to you with your purchase of the machine. It has many outstanding features. For that reason, we will touch only on the highlights. The software has special features not only for cutting, but also for drawing, piercing, embossing, engraving, distressing, and converting to rhinestone designs. My favorite tools are the replace with a line, and replace with an arc.
The software will import and export SVG files. It will also import and export WPC files. The image gallery connects to your online account with Pazzles. This allows you to download all new files easily. The software automatically stores these downloaded files in the correct topical file folders on your computer. Downloading files from the online library requires an Internet connection. But once they are saved to your computer, no internet connection is necessary for using them.
Software Pros
There are a variety of welding options in the software. One that is unusual to see is the WYSIWYG weld function. This allows you to arrange design pieces as you wish to see them. Then you use WYSIWYG Weld to get rid of all overlapping lines instantly. It has a nice inline/outline feature. It also has a nice Duplicate feature that lets you fill your page with the selected images.
The software will also convert images to cutting lines. There is a nice Fit text to path feature, which allows you to select any path for the text to follow. I love the Vertical/Horizontal tool, and the corner rounder features as well.
Text
The software will access any fonts installed in your computer’s system fonts folder. It will also access single stroke fonts that you have installed. The software has a very nice text preview window. This allows you to type in text and preview how it looks with any of your installed fonts. I love being able to see the text in different fonts in a large size before I select one. Once you have added your text to the layout, you have many options for spacing and kerning. Thickening fonts is easy in this software. Creating mats for text is also easy. So you can make some lovely word art quickly and easily with this software.
Software Cons
Features that I miss in the Pazzles InVue software are freehand draw, fit object to path, and blackout shape. I miss the scissors cuts we had in Inspiration Studio Pro 2010, and the Create a Font option. This software is missing the word envelopes, simplify paths, and smooth small angle tools.
I go back to Make The Cut to use its better tracing options, its Conical Warp, and Texture Snapshot features. The MTC measuring tool and Lattice functions are some tools that I miss as well. Thin paths, Fuse and Weld and the Tiler functions are also features that I still go back to Make The Cut to use.
I go to Sure Cuts A Lot to make instant Knockout Text. We can do this using InVue software, but it takes a few more steps. Viewing and using alternate glyphs in the private use area of fonts is another feature of Sure Cuts A Lot that I use on occasion. I go to CorelDraw to use the envelope for fitting text to a shape and for creating True Type fonts. CorelDraw and Illustrator have useful batch conversion utilities that come in handy from time to time. Sure Cuts A Lot does a batch convert for Brother FCM files. Pazzles InVue software does not have any batch conversion features.
The nice thing about the Pazzles InVue software is that even if you go to other software to use certain features, you simply export the files as SVG, import into InVue, and you are ready to cut. You get the best of all of the software choices this way.
Conclusion
Now you have an idea of some of the great things that the Pazzles Inspiration Vue can do for you. You need to figure out what your specific needs are. I have 14 different cutters in my collection. Each one has its own special purpose. I select the one that will work the best for the project on which I am working . You need to determine if the Pazzles Inspiration Vue or another machine meets those needs better. Study your options. What do you like to do the most? Get the best machine that you are able to afford that will work the best for your purposes. So the most important thing is for you to use what you have until you can get something better. You won’t really know exactly what you need until you start using what you have!
Free Thankful For You Tag SVG Cutting File
I have created a new cutting file for you using my Pazzles InVue Software, and I cut it on my Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter. But you can use the FREE SVG cutting file with your own software and cutter. You can get the FREE Thankful For You Tag SVG cutting file in my FREE Resource Library. See the link at the bottom of the page.
Thankful For You Tag
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
Baby Crib Popup Card FREE SVG
A Baby Crib Popup Card FREE SVG file is available for download now in the free Resource Library.
Do you need a nice card for a baby shower or gift? This lovely card is decorated for a girl, but it could just as easily be decorated suitably for a baby boy. The card folds flat for delivery. When it is opened, the crib pops out. There is plenty of room inside for you to write a message and sign the card. You can put a gift card inside as well. The card measures 5.25″ wide by 7″ tall. You can resize the card according to your needs.
Baby Crib Popup Card
Supplies Needed for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Please note: Some supplies may include my affiliate links. I am an affiliate only for products that I use. Your purchase from my links will not cost you any more, but they will help support my blog. Thanks!
Free SVG file for Baby Crib Popup Card
Recollections 110# cardstock for popup card backing
81# text weight Stardream Quartz metallic paper for small Magnolia Flower
81lb Text Green Metallics paper for card mats and Pink Metallics paper for the front sentiment and the crib skirting.
80# white cardstock for Crib
12″ 1/8″ wide white satin ribbon
80lb Text Botanic Green Curious Metallics paper for Small Magnolia Flower leaves.
Small dogwood Flowers – Free SVG cutting files from CutterCrafter.com
Assembly Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Cutting Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card:
Cut out all pieces in your choice of colors. If you wish to resize the card, select all, and resize proportionally so that all pieces fit together well. When importing the SVG file into your cutting software, check the sizing, and resize as necessary. The outside card measures 10.625″ wide by 6.875″ tall. The crib pieces together measure 10.5999″ wide by 3.791″ tall. The sentiment pieces measure 4.973″ wide by 3.182″ tall. The crib skirting piece measures 10″ wide by 1.579″ tall.
The red lines are score lines, set to cut with tiny dashes. If you are importing the design into Cricut Design Space, ungroup all first. If you prefer to use a scoring tool rather cutting dashes, you can import the score line from Shapes, and place those over the dashes. You can then delete the dashes, or hide them on the Layers toolbar. Next, select each piece with its score lines, right click, and select Attach.
In case you need to change the sentiment, or add more cutting text, the font used was GE Curviture.
Folding Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Make valley folds for the score lines on the outer and inner cards. Make mountain folds on the white crib pieces and the skirting piece. Crease the scored lines using a bone folder or other folding tool.
Shaping and Assembling the Magnolia Flower
See the instructions for shaping and assembling the small Magnolia flower included in the Tips for Cutting Basswood on the Cricut Maker blog post. Scroll down to the paragraph on Decorate Your Cut Basswood Tree. The cutting design for the flower is available in the Free Resource Library.
Glue Crib Pieces
There is a tab on one end of each of the crib piece. Glue the end without the tab over the tabbed end of the other piece. When dry, glue the plain end of the crib over the tabbed end. This will form a 3D box. Press the box flat from side to side to make sure it folds and unfolds easily. The skirting, the piece with the scalloped edge, is next. Glue the plain end over the tabbed end. Place the skirting inside of the crib piece so that the scalloped edge show below the crib rails. The straight edge of the skirting is visible through the crib rails. Glue the skirting at each of the corners formed by the legs. Also, put a dab of glue in a few other places along the bottom crib rail to hold the skirt in position.
Putting the Baby Crib Popup Card Together
Glue the inside mat piece to the inside of the card. Be sure to line up the score lines. Make sure that the card opens and closes easily. Glue the sentiment for the front of the card on to its mat. Glue the mat to the front of the card. Put glue on the back side of the crib. Line up the feet of the crib just inside the bottom of the card. Glue the back side of the crib, with the back left corner snugly in the center fold of the card. Add glue to the left end of the crib piece. Next, close the card, and hold firmly in place. When dry, check to make sure the card opens and closes properly.
Decorate the front of the Card
Add pearl stickers to the ribbon strips. Now glue the ribbon to the top and bottom of the front of the card. Fold three of the butterflies that were cut out of the inner mat piece, and glue just their centers over the butterfly shapes connecting the sentiment on the card front. Next, add a row of 4 pearl stickers to the center of each butterfly. Now, assemble a small magnolia flower, and glue it over the ribbon on the bottom front of the card.
Add Pearl Stickers to the butterflies on the Inside of the Baby Crib Popup card.
Place the pearl stickers across the centers of each of the cut out butterfly shapes on the inside card mat. If desired, use more butterflies with folded wings and pearl centers on the front side of the crib. Add any additional greeting on the inside. Now your card is ready to bless its recipient.
Baby Crib Popup Card
Get the FREE CUT FILES FOR the Baby Crib Popup Card and the Small Magnolia Flower
You can get the SVG cut files for the Baby Crib Popup Card and the Small Magnolia Flower as well as some of my other FREE SVG projects from my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
Best Software For Designing SVG Cutting Files
What is the best design software for creating SVG cutting files? There are a number of design software choices available. Learn which is the best for you. The most important factor in your design software choice is that it works with your cutter. The design software does not have to have drivers to cut directly to your cutter. But the design software does need to have options to export designs that will work with your cutter. So the cutter you are using, and its software requirements will be a huge factor for you in your design software choice.
Cutter Software
Software for SVG Designing
Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space
Cutters are usually shipped with software that works with the machine. But not all software is created equally. Some machines come only with the drivers necessary to make the machine work. This is true with many professional vinyl cutting machines. Other cutters come with some very basic free design software, such as Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker. Software required to work with these Cricut machines is Cricut Design Space. Design Space allows you to save your designs on their Cloud, but you cannot save them to your computer or export then for use with other cutters.
You may be satisfied with cutter software that allows you to use only designs provided by the cutter distributor for awhile. But eventually you will want to spread your creative wings to make some of your own designs. Some companies do not provide software with their cutters. They prefer to give you a option of purchasing the software of your choice. In this case, you need to make sure that the software you purchase has drivers for your particular machine.
Brother Canvas Workspace
Brother Canvas
Some cutter software allows you to open or import files that you or others have created. But they provide only basic software features. They have very little in the way of creative design and editing tools. For example, Brother has provided the free Canvas Workspace software for Scan N Cut and Design N Cut users. It includes basic design features. But you will likely need to use what is called “third party software”, software made by another company. This third party design software can be used to create your cutting projects. In order for third party software to work with your cutter, it needs to have the option to export designs that will work with your cutter.
Software Import and Export Options
Silhouette Studio
Some cutters are provided with full featured design software. This software allows you to import, customize, and create cutting files. But the software may not allow you to export your work in formats that can be used with other cutters. For example, the free basic version of Silhouette Studio is excellent design software, but importing and exporting files in other formats requires paid software upgrades. Being able to export cutting files from your cutter software will be important if you want to use your cutting files with more than one cutter, or if you want to share or sell your files with someone else who uses a different cutter. Be sure to check the import and export options of the software you choose. Another thing to keep in mind is that Silhouette Studio does not allow the export of purchased designs from their online store in SVG format.
Cutters with Full-Featured Design Software
Finally, there are some cutters that are shipped with full-featured design software, that allows you to import and export cutting files. For example, Pazzles includes full-featured design software with the purchase of their cutters. Their software, InVue, (which may be purchased separately from a machine) allows you to import, create, customize, and export your cutting projects in SVG format. It included basic and advanced design functions. Therefore, this software serves as an excellent low-cost, third party cutting software.
While there are excellent cutters that do not have these important software options, it is essential that you consider creating your designs in software that does have these options. Therefore using additional design software may be necessary. In this case, make sure that the software you have chosen for your design work will work with the software provided with the machine you plan to use.
Design Software Options
The best time to evaluate software options is before you make your cutter purchase. This gives you more freedom as you consider design software options. So if you are looking into purchasing a new cutter, now is the time to consider your design software options. Every design software has a learning curve. So once you select a design software, you will need to stick with it for awhile. Learn all of the basic functions in the software that are needed for creating projects for your cutter. Then you can learn to use many of the advanced features in the software. Have patience as you learn.
Free Design Software
Inkscape
Inkscape
Inkscape is open source software that is free. This software has no plugins for cutters, so it is used strictly for designing. It does have many import and export options. Many cutter crafters use Inkscape for creating their cutting files, then export their designs in a format that can be imported into cutter software. Most cutter software will import SVG or DXF files that Inkscape can export.
Learning Inkscape
The down side to using Inkscape is finding adequate support for using it for cutting purposes. There are many more tutorials available covering Inkscape features today than there were in past years. Inkscape is so full of features for designers of all types, that finding the tools needed specifically for designing cutting files can be hard to find. The best course I have found for learning to use Inkscape for designing cutting files is one produced by Jennifer Maker called Cut Above SVG Design Course
Affordable Design Software for Sale
Pazzles InVue Software
Pazzles InVue is the most affordable third party design software for sale. It is excellent software for designing SVG cutting files. It cuts directly to the Pazzles Inspiration and Pazzles Vue cutters.InVue also allows for importing and exporting SVG and WPC cutting files, making it a great option to use as third party software for use with cutters that have more limited design tools.
Learning InVue
The Pazzles Craft Room offers excellent video training for using this software. You can find some free video tutorials for using this software on my YouTube channel. I also offer free Cutter Software support for this and most cutter software at the Cutter Software Facebook Group (Join to access free files and discussion group.)
Some third party design software will cut directly to a number of different cutters. This is handy, as you can design and cut your projects from the same software.
Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)
The most up-to-date of these software options is Sure Cuts A Lot version 5 . You can download a free trial of this software for 15 days to see how you like it. Even if you cannot cut directly to your particular cutter, you can still create your designs in this software, and export your projects in most common formats, including SVG, SVG for Cricut, and Brother FCM. It can also import a large number of embroidery file types.
Sure Cuts A Lot Cutter Software
Learning Sure Cuts A Lot
ScrappyDew has an excellent course called SCAL Classroom covering how to use Sure Cuts A Lot, including a User’s Manual. There is a special offer for a discount for this course when you purchase the software.
Make The Cut (MTC)
Make The Cut Software
The Make The Cut software is excellent software for designing SVG cutting files. This software is available for purchase online. You can download the free trial version from this site, and use it indefinitely. The trial version does not allow SVG export or printing.
Make The Cut is not cloud-based. It is extremely important to protect your user registration number, in case your computer crashes. Save your entire Make The Cut! directory as well as your registration number to a thumb drive or a CD, in case you need to install Make The Cut to another computer. Copy everything from this folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Make The Cut! to the thumb drive. Then you can plug in the thumb drive to a new computer and copy these files to the new computer.
Make The Cut is full featured cutting software that will cut directly to many different cutters. It includes many advanced design features. The software imports and exports many different file types. There have not been updates to this software in several years, so plugins for newer cutters are not available. But the software is still quite competitive in the market for those designing SVG cutting files. You can create your own cutting files, or customize or edit designs that you have. Then you can select all (ctrl+a) and export as SVG (Ctrl+Shift+S). These SVG files may be imported into your favorite cutting software.
The User Gallery in Make The Cut is partially functional. You can still download thousands of designs from that Gallery. If you own Make The Cut, see this document to learn how to Retrieve your registration key by Sandy McCauley. She has also made some of the archived gallery files available for FREE download:
Files contributed by Dave (AKA Berry One) Dave contributed files primarily in MTC format. There are a few SVG files among his collection that even those who do not own Make The Cut can access.
MTC Gallery Rescue by User Paul Zingah These are primarily files in MTC format with PNG thumbnail images.
Learning Make The Cut
Support for Make The Cut software is available in the free User’s Manual as well as at the Make The Cut Forum, at the free MTC-Tuts Group (join to access free tutorials and cutting files), and at my YouTube channel.
Popup Card Studio
Those interested in making popup card designs will appreciate the option to copy and paste designs from the Make The Cut software to its companion software, Popup Card Studio (PCS). Popup Card Studio is no longer for sale. However, those who have purchased this software in the past can still use it to create popup cards. There are free YouTube tutorials for creating popup cards using Popup Card Studio on my YouTube channel. The user gallery is no longer functional. You can download an archive of most of the designs that were available in the PCS user gallery in SVG format. Even if you do not own Popup Card Studio, you may access these SVG files for making nearly 100 different popup cards.
Not So Affordable Software For Designing SVG Cutting Files
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is the professional vector design software. This cloud-based software includes tools for a wide variety of design professionals in many fields. Hence, it is quite complicated, and difficult to learn the specific design tools we need for designing SVG cutting Files. Illustrator does not offer plugins for direct cutting to cutters. But the files created in Illustrator can be exported for use with other cutter software. Illustrator became popular among crafty cutters who use MAC computers, when most cutter software did not offer support for MAC. Now it is more common to find cutter software that includes MAC support.
Learning Illustrator
Those aspiring to become professional designers may want to dive in to learning to use this software. Comprehensive support for cutter users is severely lacking for this software. I do recommend that if you want to be a design professional, that you get the entire Adobe Creative Suite, as you will likely need more than just Illustrator. I find that I use Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat Pro as much or more than Illustrator. If you plan to tackle Illustrator for designing SVG cutting files, I highly recommend Jennifer Maker’s Cut Above SVG Design Course . Jennifer is extremely diligent to provide personal help for her students in learning to use advanced software tools to create some amazing cutting projects.
Corel Draw
CorelDraw
The CorelDraw suite is another expensive vector design software that imports and exports files in many formats. Many professional cutters use this software, especially those who work with laser cutters and wood cutting machines. However, there is not much support for home cutter crafters using CorelDraw.
Favorite Features of CorelDraw
There are only a couple of features that I use in CorelDraw for my design work. My favorite is the Word Envelope that automatically fills a shape with text. See my video tutorial on how this works. The other feature in CorelDraw that I use is their TTF file export. I use this for creating fonts. CorelDraw does not provide plugins for cutting to our craft cutters, but many laser and CNC machines are shipped with plugin software that works with CorelDraw. If you have a machine that requires the use of CorelDraw, then you will need to invest in this software.
Design Software for Cricut Machines
Your older Cricut machine did not come with design software. You learned to use designs available on cartridges to create some amazing scrapbook pages, cards, 3D projects, and decorations for events. But there are times that you have some very creative ideas that you would like to try with your cutter, and you cannot find exactly the right cutting files in your cartridge collection. So perhaps it is time to learn to use cutter software so you can bring those creative ideas to life.
Cricut Expression
There are some older software versions that work with your older Cricut, including Cricut Craftroom, Make The Cut 4.1.0 or earlier, Sure Cuts A Lot 2.0, and FairyCut. But those are no longer being produced, and Cricut Craftroom is being closed. If you happen to have one of these, it would be a good idea to start learning to use it. Even very basic software can be used to create some amazing projects. The latest versions of Make The Cut and Sure Cuts A Lot allow you to use the latest and greatest software features, and transfer your designs to the older software so you can cut to your machine.
Cricut Upgrades
After Cricut Craftroom closes in mid-July, 2018, you will need to make some decisions. If you have a huge collection of cartridges to use with your older Cricut, you might want to consider upgrading to a Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. Cricut Design Space, which is required for using these machines, does allow you to register your cartridges. Hence you can use all of your cartridge images and fonts on the newer machines. Cricut Design Space does have some nice design features to help you use your cartridge design collection more creatively. The software also allows you to import images and SVG files from other sources. For more information on how to use SVG files in Cricut Design Space see my post on How to Use SVG files in Cricut Design Space.
Do You Need a New Cutter?
You may need a new cutter if your creative needs have outgrown the features available with your current setup, or if support for your cutter has been discontinued.
Discontinued Cutters
If you decide you do need a new cutter, it is important to consider your cutter software needs as well. Take some time to research the options available to you. An electronic cutter requires some kind of software to drive it. You need to make sure that the machine and software combination suits your needs. If you already have a favorite software for designing SVG cutting files, will it work with the cutter you are considering?
Note: I use some affiliate links in this post only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will share some commission. Thanks!
Julie
Would you like to see some of my FREE SVG projects? Check them out in my FREE Resource Library.
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This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Impossible Butterfly Popup Card
You can make this lovely Impossible Butterfly Popup Card with the SVG cutting file from the Free Resource Library. It will make a lovely gift for someone special. The card base is made from a single piece of heavy cardstock, and yet the center pops up in a seemingly impossible way! This special Impossible Card includes a dimensional butterfly, whose wings pop out from the card base. The card makes a lovely conversation piece when displayed on the mantle or coffee table.
Impossible Butterfly Popup Card
Supplies Needed to Make the Impossible Butterfly Popup Card
Please note: Some supplies may include my affiliate links. I am an affiliate only for products that I use. Your purchase from my links will not cost you any more, but they will help support my blog. Thanks!
Digital Paper from Pazzles.
Medium Weight Cardstock
1 sheet 110# cardstock
Strips of Double-Sided sticky tape 1″ wide
6”x6” grey square jpg file included with the cutting file.
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue)
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library
Pop Dots
Art Glitter Glue Dries Clear Adhesive
The Font used for this project is Aubrey Script
Printing Instructions
I used Digital Paper from Pazzles. But you may use printed papers of your choice.
Resize the digital paper to the following measurements, and print on medium-weight cardstock.
Printed Digital Papers
Light Pink paper is cut from Stripes resized to 8.5”x7”
Yellow pieces are cut from yellow paper resized to 8.5”x6”
Blue resize to 8.5″x5″
Dark pink resize 8.5″x3″
Print the 6”x6” grey square jpg file.
When printing, use the Best Quality setting on Plain Paper in your printer Preferences.
Print the sentiment on pink paper and cut around it using the piece for it in the SVG cutting file.
Printed Sentiment
SVG files are provided All in one file or in three separate files for your convenience. However, if using the All in one file, you do not need to use the separate files.
Cutting Pieces
Cut the File Pieces
First cut the file pieces with the black lines on 110# heavy cardstock using the chipboard setting. Next, score the red line without removing the mat from the machine. Do not move the cutting head. You may use a scoring tool, or cut the score line with a retracted blade and lower cutting pressure.
Cut Card Base
Folding Card Base
After you finish cutting and scoring the card base, remove it from the cutting mat. Then fold the center portion of the card towards the front, and use a bone folder on the crease.
Twist right side to back
Now, twist the right section of the card to the back, and press the side portions flat, allowing the center to pop up.
Twist right side to back
Make Glitter Paper
See detailed instructions for making Glitter Paper in a previous post. In this project I used 1″ wide double stick tape instead of a sheet of scor-tape.
Use double sided sticky tape over the entire printed grey piece that you printed. To use it, first remove the backing. Next, adhere the sticky strips to cover the grey paper. Then Remove protective layer off the front of the tape.
Cover the grey paper with double sided sticky tape strips.
Sprinkle the sticky tape with glitter. Next, brayer over the glitter. Now, rub the glitter with your finger. Finally, sprinkle off the excess glitter, and pour it back into the jar.
Glitter paper ready to cut.
Next you can cut the large and small grey butterfly pieces, as well as the sentiment mat from the glittered paper. Use your poker tool to remove small inside pieces that did not stick to the mat. See the resource document for information on cutter crafting tools in the Free Resource Library.
Cut Butterflies
Assembly of the Impossible Butterfly Popup Card
Now, your cut pieces are ready to assemble.
Cut pieces are ready to apply to the card.
Butterfly Assembly
Bend the butterfly wings forward. Glue only the center body part of the butterflies when assembling layers.
Next, glue body of the large lacy butterfly to the solid pink butterfly. Then glue the body of the pink butterfly to the striped mat. Finally, glue that mat to the blue mat, aligning the tops of the pieces to each other.
Assemble the butterfly layers.
Now you can glue the butterfly layers to the card base, aligning the tops of the design. The edge of the bottom layer should line up with the score line.
Glue the butterfly layers on the card.
Next, center yellow panels to the card base and glue in place.
Add decorative panels.
Tag Assembly
The larger tag and mat for the back side of the card is for writing your personal greeting. First, glue the yellow journaling piece to its mat. Then center the tag on the back side of the card with the edge flush against the fold line to give support for the butterfly popup. Now, glue in place. Finally, to finish the back side of the card, glue the striped panel to the back side of the butterfly.
Back side of the card.
Card Front Embellishments
Now you are ready to add the embellishments to the front of the card. First glue the long narrow rectangle to its mat. Center it on the front bottom part of card. Then glue in place.
Front panel
Now, add pop dots to the back of the sentiment, and place on the grey mat. Then glue the assembled sentiment at an angle on the left front side of the card over the decorative strip.
Add the Sentiment
Next, bend the wings of the small butterflies upward. Then glue the body of the smallest butterfly to the pink butterfly. Finally, glue the body of the pink butterfly to the bar on the front, over the open space.
Small Butterfly Embellishment
Finished Impossible Butterfly Card
Now you can display your finished card.
Finished Impossible Butterfly Popup Card
When it is folded flat, the card will fit in a 7″ square envelope for mailing.
The recipient of your card is sure to be encouraged by your lovely card.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
How to Use the Regal Split Monogram Font
Learn to use the Regal Split Monogram Font in your cutter software to create lovely personalized gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and other occasions. You will find the FREE font in my Free Resource Library.
Split Regal Monogram on a Ceramic Tile
Supplies Needed
Please note: Some affiliate links may be used in this post. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will share some commission. Thanks!
Regal Split Monogram font in TTF format from the Free Resource Library
12″ square ceramic tile
outdoor vinyl 12″ square
12″ square vinyl transfer tape
Alcohol wipe
Vinyl Pick Tool for weeding
Squeegee Tool
How to Download and Install the Regal Split Monogram Font
To use the Split Regal Monogram font, you will need to first download it. You can get the zipped font from my Free Resource Library. Save the zipped file to your computer. Double click on the saved file, and select Extract All. Now you can right click on the extracted font, and select Install. The font will be installed into your computer’s system fonts folder, and will be available for you to use in any software that allows use of True Type Fonts. You can use it in your cutter software, just as you use any other font.
How to use the Regal Split Monogram Font in your Cutter Software
Once the Regal Split Monogram Font is installed in your computer’s system fonts folder, you can access it from your cutter software. Select the font in your cutter software by clicking on the T. Scroll through the font list to the R fonts. Select the Regal Split Monogram1.ttf font. Now type the capital letter you wish to use for the monogram. The design for that letter should appear on your screen. Resize the design to 10″ with the aspect ratio locked. If your project will be smaller or larger, size the monogram to fit. Since my tile is 12″ square, I chose to size my monogram to 10″. This allows for some room under the monogram for additional text.
Using fonts in each software is slightly different, so I have made some video tutorials on how to use this Regal Split Monogram Font in the most popular cutter software programs. Click on the software name to view the video.
Brother Canvas Workspace – Scan N Cut
Adding Custom Text to the Regal Split Monogram
There is a space in the middle of the monogram for you to add customized text to the design. You will need to select a font from your collection for this text. I used Caslon BD BT for my text. Upper case letters may work easiest, although I used upper and lower case letters for this particular project. After you have selected the font you would like to use for the remainder of the project, type your text. I used the last name of the couple for whom I made this tile plus the word “Family” in the space in the middle of the monogram.
Resize Your Custom Text
Resize your text to fit the space in the middle. You need to unlock the sizing tool, and drag the text to fit the available width and height. You may slightly overlap the top edge and bottom edge of the text with the bars of the two sections. Then select All (Ctrl+A) and weld all pieces together. Another way to do this is to make the text slightly smaller than the opening in the middle of the monogram. The text can fit in between the two parts of the monogram. But I think the welded version is easier to weed and apply.
Adding Custom Text Below the Regal Split Monogram
You can leave space below the monogram design where you can add additional text such as an important date. My project is a wedding gift for friends, so I added their wedding date under the monogram design. I used the same font that I used in the middle of the Monogram. Once you have added the text of your choice, resize it to the same width you used for the monogram design. You can change the height of the text to fit your available space.
Save Your Completed Monogram Design
Next, give your design a name, and save the file in your software. I like to save the design before I weld the customized text, so that the design will be ready to use for another gift. But once the design is saved, I weld overlapping letters. It is also a good idea to group everything together. But if you are using Cricut Design Space, rather than grouping, you should select all, right click, and select Attach. This keeps all of the design together when you go to cut your project.
Cutting your Regal Split Monogram Design
Be sure to do a test cut on your vinyl before cutting the large design. See the post on Performing a Test Cut . You need a very accurate blade depth and cutting pressure for this project. Make sure that your blade cuts cleanly through the vinyl. The blade should NOT cut through the backing material on the vinyl. If the cutting pressure is inadequate, you will have an extremely difficult time weeding the vinyl that will not be used on your project. Too much pressure may also cause bunching and tearing of your vinyl. Use a slower cutting speed, as the monograms contain some very intricate, fine lines.
Cut the vinyl. Notice the test cuts in the lower right corner. The first two tests cut all the way through the backing.
Weeding Your Regal Split Monogram
Weeding involves removing all of the vinyl that you do NOT want to place on your tile. I put boxes around the text at the bottom and around the main monogram design before cutting, so that weeding was a bit easier. Use a sharp, pointed object to lift the unwanted outside vinyl pieces away from the backing. Use scissors to trim away sections of the vinyl that you are pulling away. Don’t allow vinyl pieces to attach themselves to portions of the design that will be placed on your tile. After you remove the large outer pieces, work very carefully to remove the tiny pieces inside of letters and designs. Be careful not to lift any of the design pieces away from the backing.
Weeded vinyl still on the backing.
Apply Vinyl Transfer Tape to the Weeded Vinyl
Apply a 12″x 12″ piece of vinyl transfer tape over the cut and weeded vinyl design, a little bit at a time. Avoid getting air trapped between tape and weeded design. Pull away the backing material slowly, while pressing down on the transfer material from the top.
Apply vinyl transfer tape over the weeded vinyl a little at a time.
Use a squeegee tool to burnish the transfer tape securely to the vinyl design.
Use a squeegee tool firmly across the front of the design to remove all air bubbles and wrinkles. Rub firmly on front and back of design to get the vinyl pieces to stick to the transfer paper. At the same time you want the backing to release the vinyl pieces. Check the front and back of your design to make sure that everything is firmly in place where it belongs on the transfer tape. This is the time to fix any crooked pieces of vinyl.
Pull up on a top corner of the transfer tape. Make sure that the cut vinyl pieces stick to the transfer paper as you slowly peel it away from the backing.
Clean the Tile and Apply the Vinyl Design
Remove all dirt and oils from the tile. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the entire surface so that the vinyl will stick to it.
Clean Tile
The large 12″ square design may want to jump onto the tile before you are ready. Once this vinyl sticks to the tile, it will NOT want to come up. So it is very important to place the vinyl exactly where you want it to be the first time.
Start placing the vinyl on the tile.
Place the backing paper over most of the tile to prevent the design from sticking to the tile prematurely. Place the lower edge of the design where you want it on the tile. Use the squeegee to remove bubbles and apply the vinyl design smoothly to the tile. Move the backing back little by little, as you press the cut vinyl to the tile. Inspect the vinyl to make sure that all air bubbles and wrinkles are smooth and flat to the tile surface. If you have some bubbles, use the squeegee to move the bubbles to the edges of the cut design. You may use a heat tool to remove stubborn bubbles or wrinkles. Poke smaller bubbles with a needle or tip of your pointed tool to let the air escape.
Remove the Vinyl Transfer Material
Once all of the vinyl pieces are in place on the tile, slowly peel back the transfer material 180 degrees over itself to remove it. Make sure that the vinyl pieces stick to the tile as you peel away the transfer material.
Remove the Transfer tape.
Check your vinyl to make sure it is all secure on the tile. You special gift is now ready to give. The vinyl will last for many years. Your project is sure to be a blessing for its recipient.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
10 Cutter Maintenance Tips
Does your cutter need maintenance? Here are some cutter maintenance tips that will help you know when, where, why, and how to maintain your electronic cutter. Regular maintenance of your cutter will increase the accuracy of your cuts. And it will greatly reduce the frustration that bad cuts cause.
Cuts before and after cutter maintenance
Have your cuts been inaccurate, ragged, torn, or bunched up in places like this one?
Poor quality cut before maintenance.
And have these issues continued even after working through the usual trouble shooting steps? Reduce pressure, reduce blade depth, slow down the speed, try a new blade and new mat, and try using good paper? If these trouble shooting tips do not fix your cutting issues, and improve your cuts, then your cutter may need some maintenance.
Performing quick maintenance steps each cutting session will improve your cuts. Here are some important things to check before starting a major cutting session
Cutter Maintenance Tip#1: Machine Setup
Is your machine sitting on a firm surface with plenty of unimpeded space in front of and behind the machine? If not, be sure to see this post about setting up your machine.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#2: Connections
Securely plug in all cords. Is the power cord plugged in to a surge protector? Make sure that cord is well-connected to the power box, and the other end is plugged in to the machine. Is your USB cable connected securely on each end? If using Bluetooth, is it working properly? If not, turn off your machine, unplug your bluetooth radio or disconnect it. Then plug the bluetooth radio or reconnect it and turn on your machine. Make sure that your bluetooth is properly paired with your machine by consulting information provided by the distributor of your machine via Customer Support.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#3: Clean Surfaces
Did you wipe down the main surface of the machine? Inspect the front edge of the machine and back edge of the machine where the mat comes out to make sure there is no adhesive residue build-up. Wipe it down with an oil-free wipe. If the movement of the mat in and out of the machine is hindered by sticky residue on these surfaces, the cuts will not be accurate. Also be sure to wipe down the front and back side of the mat. Use alcohol free wipes on the sticky surface of your mat to remove all dust and bits of paper and other media that may accumulate there. Let the mat dry completely before use.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#4: Blade Holder
Is there debris inside of the blade holder? Take the blade out of the blade holder. Next check inside to make sure there is nothing inside of the blade holder that might prevent the blade from swiveling while cutting. Inspect the blade tip under a magnifying glass or microscope. Is the tip of the blade chipped or broken? If so, replace the blade with a new one.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#5: Cutting Head, Wheels, and Rail
Is there dust or debris on the rail on which the wheels behind the head sit? Use an alcohol swab to wipe down the rail. Do not get alcohol on the belt that moves behind the raiIs. Can you see debris on the wheels behind the cutter head? Wipe down the wheels. Manually move the head to the other side, and watch for any debris on any part of the wheels as they track on the rail.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#6: Clean Environment
Is your environment free of dust and excess humidity? Keep pets out of the room, and do not cut outside where sand, wind, or moisture could cause damage to the machine components. Wipe down your mat with alcohol-free wipes before each cut.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#7: Cutting Strip
Inspect the cutting strip that is directly below the blade tip, and runs all the way across the width of the cutting area. Do you have some adhesive coming up? Is there an accumulation of dust or debris on the cutting strip ? Wipe down the cutting strip to remove all dirt and debris. Replace the cutting strip and tape if necessary according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#8: Bar and Rollers
Wipe down the bar behind the cutting strip to remove dust, rust, and debris. Use a damp alcohol swab to wipe it down. Check the rollers on the bar to make sure they are clean. You may manually rotate the roller bar forward or backward. Some cutters, such as Pazzles Inspiration and Vue have removable rollers. Remove each one and wipe to remove dust and particles. Some cutters have pressure levers that you raise and lower manually. Make sure that the positions of the rollers are directly over the grit rollers.
Cutter Maintenance Tip#9: Grit Rollers
Most importantly, check your grit rollers to make sure there are no tiny pieces of tape, paper, vinyl or other debris stuck on the grit roller.
Debris on Grit Roller
Directly below the roller bar running across the front of the cutter are grit rollers. The rough surface of the grit rollers, working in conjunction with the rubber pressure rollers just above them, are responsible for pulling the mat in and out of the machine. If the grit rollers cannot grab the mat firmly to move the mat, then the cuts will not be made in the correct locations. The machine can miss a step, and this can cause many tears and bad cuts.
Removing Debris from Grit Rollers
Debris on the grit rollers can be very difficult to remove. This is especially true if there is any adhesive built up on the grit rollers. Use some tweezers with a sharp point to grab any tiny pieces stuck on the grit rollers. Manually move the bar a little bit at a time. This will ensure that all bits of paper, etc. are removed. You may need to use alcohol on a Q-tip, cotton swab or Chalking Easy Tool to loosen any adhesive on the grit rollers.
A sharp vinyl pick tool for weeding may also be used to help remove debris from a grit roller.
For me, none of the previous tips resolved the cutting issues shown in the first photo of this post. But cleaning the grit rollers as described in Cutter maintenance Tip#9 resulted in a lovely cut of the same file. Isn’t it amazing what difference that cleaning the grit rollers can make in the quality of the cuts?
Clean cut after cleaning grit rollers.asdfas
Cutter Maintenance Tip#10: Prevention
Prevent adhesive build-up on the grit rollers. When you resurface your mats, be sure not to get any adhesive on edges of the mat where the wheels make contact with it. Also, avoid the use of tape along the mat edges. It is extremely difficult to remove tape from the grit rollers. This is where “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Take a few seconds before starting your cutting project to review these cutter maintenance tips. They will save you a lot of frustration and wasted media. Your cuts will be more perfect, and you can reduce your overall project time.
Would you like to have a FREE Snowflake SVG cutting file to use as a cutting test?
Snowflake design .
You can download the FREE Snowflake SVG cutting file as well as my other FREE SVG projects from my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Thanks!
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
How to Use SVG Files with Scan N Cut
Learning how to use SVG files with Scan N Cut is important. Not all SVG files work well with Scan N Cut. In this tutorial you will learn how to make sure that your SVG file will work well with your Scan N Cut. ScanNCut SVG files need to be no larger than 11.75″ x 11.75″ using the standard sized mat, or 11.75″ x 23.75″ using the long mat. The DPI size also needs to be correct. Make sure that the ScanNCut SVG file has a minimum number of nodes. This tutorial will address all of these issues.
Scan N Cut
How was the SVG file Created?
SVG files may be created in any number of software programs. Some software allows the designer to add many different “pages” of file pieces on a single screen. This is fine if cutting from that software directly to a supported cutter. That software will allow you to select the specific portions of the designs to be cut in a given pass. SVG files of this type will work in many programs for many different cutters. However, any SVG file imported into the Brother Canvas Workspace software will be resized to fit the mat on the screen. When all pieces of the file are selected, and the width or length of the selection is greater than the screen mat size, the pieces will be resized to fit. So all of your design pieces may shrink to a very tiny size in the Brother Canvas Workspace or on the LED screen of your Scan N Cut.
FREE Rose SVG Cutting File
There is a Free Large 3D Rose cutting file in SVG format in my Free Resource Library for you to use as you work through this tutorial. When it is cut and assembled, this rose has a width of about 7″.
Large 3D Rose SVG Project
The cutting pieces for this project measure over 17.5″ wide when selected in their original size. The largest petals measure 3.45″ wide.
Original Size of Large Rose Cutting File – 17.5″ wide
But when you import this same design into Brother Canvas Workspace, you will receive a message that the design was resized to fit the Canvas Workspace.
Warning Message in Brother Canvas Workspace about Size
The resulting imported design in Brother Canvas Workspace was resized to be 11.75″ x 11.75″ and the largest petal measured 2.03″ wide. This size is about 58% smaller than the original. The final assembled flower would measure about 4.12″ wide. Now if this adjusted size is OK with you, then you can go ahead and cut the project to make the smaller rose.
Large Rose SVG file was resized in Canvas Workspace
Vendor Remedies for ScanNCut SVG Files
Some software vendors are aware of this issue, and save their larger SVG projects into multiple SVG files with a maximum width so that they will work with all software, including Scan N Cut. They will add all of the project SVG files to a single folder, and zip them up for a single download. You will need to unzip the folder once you have saved it to your computer, by clicking on the zipped folder, and selecting Extract All. Then you will be able to import one SVG file at a time to either Canvas Workspace or directly to your Scan N Cut via the Bluetooth connection, or via a thumb drive plugged in to the USB port on the machine.
How to Make Size Adjustments for ScanNCut SVG Files
If you have determined that you need to retain the sizing of the original file, how do you make the necessary size adjustments in the file so that it will work with the Scan N Cut? One option is to contact the original designer of the file, and ask them to limit the sizing of their SVG files to a width of 11.75″. However, that is not always practical for you or for the original designer. You can learn to make the necessary adjustments in the file so that it will work on your machine.
The best option is for you to use a third party software for making changes in your SVG file. Software that exports designs with the sizing of the original design are the free Inkscape , Make The Cut, or Sure Cuts A Lot (using the 96 DPI export option or Save as FCM). SCAL is the best option for MAC users.
The Large 3D Rose file is a good place for you to start. Select one of the above software programs to use for editing your SVG files. Plan to stick with it for all of your editing needs. You will need to learn how to use it for many different purposes. Each has its own learning curve. See my video tutorial covering use of each of these three programs for making the small changes that this file needs.
How to Reduce the Number of Nodes for a ScanNCut SVG File
Whenever you change file formats for a cutting file, it is possible that extra nodes will be added to the design. If a design has too many nodes, or construction points, it may not load into Canvas Workspace or the Scan N Cut. It is therefore important to reduce the number of nodes in the design before exporting as SVG. In Make the Cut, you can use Ctrl+Shift + X to view path detail.
Reducing the Node Count in Make The Cut
View Path Detail in Make The Cut
In this file there are only a total of 434 points, and 182 Nodes, as indicated on the top line of the window. This number of nodes is not a problem for Scan N Cut. Some files with lots of tiny detail can have upwards of 30,000 nodes. That would be too many. To reduce the number of nodes in Make The Cut, select all (Ctrl+A), Join (Ctrl+J), Auto Simplify Paths (Ctrl+Shift+Z). The number of nodes will be significantly lower if there are too many nodes.
Reduce the Node Count in Inkscape
If you are using Inkscape, and your SVG file has too many nodes, select all (Ctrl+A) and Simplify (Ctrl+L) as many times as needed to get rid of excess nodes, a few at a time. This file does not need it. You only need to reduce nodes or simplify paths if you get an error when trying to load your SVG file into Canvas Workspace or into the Scan N Cut machine.
Warning when attempting to transfer a design with too many nodes to Scan N Cut.
Reduce the Node Count Using Sure Cuts A Lot
To reduce the number of nodes in a file if you are using Sure Cuts A Lot, go to the Path menu at the top of the screen, and select Simplify. A window will open allowing you to see the nodes and reduce the number of nodes if there are too many. This design does not have too many nodes, so simplifying would actually add nodes as shown in the image below.
Use the Path Simplify tool to view the number and to reduce them if necessary.
Import your ScanNCut SVG Files into Scan N Cut Canvas Workspace or into the Machine
Once you have edited the SVG files to have its objects fit on a single design page in the software of your choice no wider than 11.75″, reduced the number of nodes if necessary, and exported the files as SVG for FCM using the proper DPI settings, then you are ready to transfer your files to your Scan N Cut machine for cutting. You can copy the files to a thumb drive, and plug them in to the machine’s USB port, or import them into Canvas Workspace to Transfer to your Scan N Cut.
Cut the pieces for your ScanNCut SVG Large 3D Rose, and you are ready to assemble your flower.
Large 3D Rose SVG Cutting File
You can get the FREE cutting file for this project as well as additional SVG projects in my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Thanks!
Julie
cuttercrafter.com
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