Make-the-Cut: Cut a Super Hero Logo
This video should help explain how to create a layered cutting file based on a single colored image. We have taken the image that you see below and turned it into two separate cuttings. You can apply this to process to any popular logo you have. We have just chosen this generic logo to work with for this project. We will also discuss what the "Visible" on and off can do for your cuts
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image used to convert the trace
after we traced the image we are able to duplicate, trace, and layer this object.
Sure Cuts A Lot 10% Off Sale
Click HERE to purchase today!
Keep in mind if you buy though ScrappyDew.com we will give you a FREE ScrappyDew Starter Pack of SVG files for SCAL. Just fill out your contact info after purchase on our website to get it.
I just got an e-mail from CraftEdge.com for another coupon towards their software. Here you go!
Coupon Code: 4190114
Discount is not valid for version 2 upgrades.
Discount is for 10% off and will expire on 1/2/2010 11:59PM PST
Make-the-Cut: How to Weld Text
In this tutorial we will cover how to weld basic text. Hopefully this will help you get the results you desire with this software. Below is a very basic example on the finished product of text that is welded together. Welding allows you to fuse objects together so that your cricut will make one continuous cut rather than cutting out individual letters that you will have to piece together.
To see the written out instructions please click the READ MORE
Make-the-Cut : How to Apply Text
This is a tutorial in the MTC (Make the Cut) software. This will be one of our first of many tutorials on this software. If you're wanting the written out directions please click the READ MORE
Make the Cut Coupon Code
Purchase Though ScrappyDew.com and Receive a Free Starter Package
click here for more details...
Current Coupon Code: Click Here For Coupon Code
Well, it was just announced the other day in a Cricut Forum that Make-The-Cut (a WYSIWYG type of program) for windows only is on the market. It has many of the features that your SCAL2 has plus a little more. It is as if the person behind the program was looking at the Wish-list section in the CraftEdge forums and implemented them into this software. Some of the features that Make-The-Cut program has that the SCAL2 software was lacking are the following.
- Being able to just load a font for cutting - You don't have to install tons of fonts if you're only going to use it for your project
- Being able to export your project as an SVG file
- Once you create a project you can easily upload it to their database so you can share your work
- Being able to download SVG files from their database.
- No need to have a layered SVG file created in inkscape. The MTG program can "split" the closed paths allowing you to ungroup your pieces.
These are just a few of many that we have noticed. The creator has also said if there is enough interest for a Mac Version he will work on it, however he wants to see how well the windows version will work out.
Tutorials
YES! We're going to be coming out with Make-The-Cut series of tutorials this coming week so make sure you stay tuned for that.
Where to Buy or Download Trial?
If you're interested in more information about this program you can check Make-the-Cut website. And if you happen to purchase this program though the ScrappyDew website check out the SVG starter package you can get! Currently the software is only available online. You can purchase a digital download or get the download and CD combo.
I DO NOT recommend purchasing the extra $9.99 to have your program stored on a server so you can download it later up to a year because the creator says ALL updates are/will be available for free download.
Looking for a Comparison Chart on the Various Software out there for Cricut?
Kay from cleversomeday.wordpress.com has came out with a chart showing you in one quick glance what you get with each of the software programs out there.
http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/cricut-software-comparison/
Sure Cuts A Lot 2 - Tool Bar
The Toolbar is composed of the most common tools that you are likely to use in the Sure Cuts A Lot program.
The top one here is known as your Selection Tool. This tool is used to select either individual or multiple objects on the mat. Once you have clicked an object on the mat you will notice a boding box appears. It is this bounding box that enables you to move, scale, and rotated that selected object.
The next tool in the menu is the Type Tool. This button looks a little different because it has a hidden feature or submenu. By holding your mouse button down you are able to select between the Regular Type Tool and the Vertical Type Tool. Just select which one you desire and you are ready to type. Just click anywhere on the virtual mat and you can start typing
The next two tools are pretty self explanatory they are your ZoomIn and ZoomOut tools. You select either one of these and it will either increase or decrease your magnification of the mat
Finally we have the Hand Tool. Once you selected the hand tool you can will have to click and drag on the mat. This acts as if you grabbed the mat you're sliding it over so you can see what else is on the page.
Mini-Tutorial: AutoTrace for SCAL 2.0
In Sure Cuts A Lot 2 there is a built in feature called Autotrace.
This feature allows you to import image files such as (.bmp, .jpeg, .gif, .png) and will attempt to automatically trace the image for cutting. You will have to note, results may vary depending on the source image file.
Now we know what it is... lets see how it works…
Autotrace Image
In order to autotrace an image we will Choose "Trace Image" feature. You can get there either from the File menu or you can just click the "Trace Image" button located on the top of the screen . This will bring up the Autotrace window.
Choose An Image
When the window appears you will first need to choose the "Browse.." button... from there you may have to navigate in order to find the image file you would like to trace.
Once we hit ok you will see a colorized version of your photo you're trying to trace.
We can hit the preview button to see if the Autotrace fits our needs. If the trace needs tweaking then we will have to adjust the following settings. Prior to hitting ok we may want to see what each of these do.
Autotrace Settings
So let us take a look at the Autotrace settings…
- The Brightness control: adjusts the brightness of the source image to help the autotracer distinguish what should be traced.
- The Corner Control : this determines how the trace program should handle corners found.
- Despeckle: This removes tiny shapes , like stray dots or speckles. This will help clean up the source image
- Optimize: This can help reduce the number of nodes/points
- Break Apart Outlines: It will put each separate shape or line into its own layer in the trace folder. The layers can be moved, deleted, or hidden just like a layered svg.
As a reminder the autotrace results may vary depending on the contents of the source image file. Craft Edge suggests for best results trace solid filled objects over a white background.
Output
Preview: Allows you to see the resulting tracing of the image with the specified settings
Save: Allows you to save the output to a SVG file
OK: This will add the resulting trace to the virtual mat
Now that we have explained the settings it is time to hit ok. Because we selected Break Apart Outlines we are now able to go to Object> Ungroup. This allows us to move, delete, and show and hide the different layers.
Now you're ready to start tracing in Sure Cuts A Lot 2
How to Moving Letters to Weld - Sure Cuts A Lot 2
Alright, Moving Letters for Welding…
There are a few ways to move letters within text using the Sure Cuts A Lot program, so that they overlap for welding. We will discuss 3 methods
1. First we will Choose the Selection Tool from the Tools window. Next we will Click on the text to select it on the mat. Just go to the Object menu and choose Ungroup. From there You can then move the individual letters around wherever you wish.
2. First we will Choose the Selection Tool from the Tools window. Then we will Click on the text that we wish adjust letter spacing. Then let us look at the Properties window, we should see a Text section. In the Text section window, we can then change the Tracking field. This will alter the spacing between each letter. Decreasing the value will bring those letters closer together.
3. Choose the Text Tool from the Tools window. Click and drag over the letters you wish to change. The letters should be highlighted. In the Text section in the Properties window, you can change the Tracking field to adjust the letter spacing for the highlighted letters.
