ScrappyDew Tutorials

Print and Cut with Make the Cut

2012-02-05T02:37:00.000-08:00

Video Tutorial- Print and Cut Part I

To Purchase MTC Software: http://www.scrappydew.com/make-the-cut/
Paper Doll Download: http://tinyurl.com/6lsgo85 PDF Version: http://goo.gl/mqtYm

Print and Cut Part I

In this tutorial we're going to be going over how to conduct a print and cut using the Make the Cut Software and a Laser Calibrated cutting machine.c

Alright in this tutorial I'm going to show you how you can set yourself up for a Print and Cut with Make the Cut. So we're going to go over the basics from Getting an image -Tracing and Printing all in MTC software. For this tutorial to work we're going to assume that you have a machine that is either laser calibrated so we can do manual 3 point registration or your machine has an optic sensor that detects the registration marks in order to conduct print and cuts. For this demo we're going to be using the BlackCat cougar and the process on setting MTC up until the point where we are going to cut this out will be the same.

Good and Bad Examples

The process where we can take an image and vectorize it and bring it into MTC called a pixel trace. Now you can conduct a pixel trace with basically any image or graphic that you find on the internet however some images will work better than others. Better the quality the better the trace. I'm going to be using our ScrappyDew image of our ScrappyDew Library called Konichi Wa Dolls. I'd actually like you to follow along in this tutorial as it will serve as good practice excise, and you'll feel more at ease when you try this with a different image. So with that said I'm making this a free download and instructions will be down in the description box.

Select Pixel Trace

So we have our image that we would like to cut and now it's time to trace this image in Make the Cut. The pixel trace button is located here at the top. Now if you don't see this on your Make the Cut try going to the view menu and select the Import Toolbar.

Select the image to trace

Once we select the pixel trace button a new window will appear. This is where we will navigate to our file that I we want to trace. In this example we're going to be using the paper dolls. MTC has the nice preview window on the side and these are the dolls that I want to cut out so I will click the open button.

Select Textureize Path and Blackout > Press Apply

A pixel trace window appears and this is where we are going to start tweaking the trace. Because we're doing a print and cut from an image we're tracing, we basically need the outline shape of the figure better known as a Blackout. So lets check the blackout option. While we're down here in the import settings l will check texturize path. That basically will import the pattern that you see underneath here. You can see that when we hit the apply changes button.

As you can see we need to tweak the threshold as it stands now at 127. 127 is a happy medium it's the middle number between 1 and 255. I think of it as the closer you get to 255 the more colors you're willing to accept in the trace. We don't want a detail trace we want the big overall picture.

Typically you'll want to increase/decrease by 10 or 20 and hit the apply changes button to see if it is the desired result. However I know from experience that I want the threshold to be set to 200 and hit the apply changes.

Look at the #1 Circle- Something else that I wanted to point out here is the resample image. Now I'm going to zoom in here on this preview and show you want a higher sample rate can do. Right now we have it set to 1. Lets bring it up to 4. Prior to hitting the apply button I want to bring to your attention how the 1st sample doesn't quite get it around the corners and we're wanting some crisp edges. So let's hit apply and check out those edges. Because we increased the sample number it may take longer for the trace but the results will be worth the wait.

Much tighter result but look at the increase in nodes! As you can see now the trace goes completely around the objects and I think we're ready to import.
Once you hit the import button a menu will appear and we are done with our tracing season and I will select NO

Things you can and can not do with a texturized trace.

Now as a side note on texture tracing. You can move and split your textured trace… If you're wanting to resize you can do that too you will just need to hold the shift button down while resizing with the handles in the corner not the ones on the side. With that said you can NOT rotate. If you're wanting rotation you will have to use a graphic editor in order to accomplish this and you will have to retrace. You can't expect MTC to do everything!

Go to File> Print Options

So the next thing we need to do is prep our MTC program for printing. So if you go to file print options your print options will appear. There's a couple of settings we need to set up in here prior to printing. Lets click the show paper on mat, print registration marks, I'll keep it as show registration marks on the mat. Here's where it will differ for you if you have an optic sensor like on the silhouettes as they are specific for those machines like the SD or the Cameo. Since we're going to use the laser and non optic sensor I'm going to stick with the Make the Cut registration Marks. That 's all we need in this menu and I'm going to select the OK button.

Ok so lets take a look at what happened here. There's a new dashed border on our paper that represents the paper that we are using 8.5 by 11. So as long as we have our images with in that dashed box we know that it will print just fine.

Next we're just going to print like we're in Microsoft word go to the file menu and go to print. Select your printer and you should be good to go. Notice on your printed paper it looks exactly like your screen to include the registration marks

Ok so that concludes Part 1 of this tutorial where we took an image into MTC conducted a trace and printed our design on the paper. Because the next step is cutter specific we will make that the Part 2 of this topic.

A Different Approach to Create Borders in MTC

2012-01-24T00:19:00.000-08:00

Alright so in this tutorial we're just going to be going over how you can create some borders all using only MTC and it's pretty simple process. Now I know that I've done a tutorial on this before however we're using another technique and the tutorial we did before is over a year old and MTC has evolved since then

The goal of this lesson is precision.. to the perfect amount of shapes to fit on the length of the border you create.

http://www.scrappydew.com/make-the-cut/

Using the Eraser Tool in MTC

2012-01-13T01:37:00.000-08:00

This is just a short tutorial on how you can use the eraser tool built-in make the cut software to modify, erase, fill shapes.

The SVG used is from the MTC gallery just do a search for barrel racing.

Make the Cut - Node Surgery

2011-09-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Someone shot me an email asking to have this image separated into 3 pieces. So get your scalpels ready and doctor masks on. It's time to do some node surgery in less than 4 mins and 30 seconds. Short video showing you in make the cut software v. 4.x how to use some of the node editing tools for slicing and erasing nodes. Hope this video helps someone understand some of the cool tools that were put into this update. Image used was from www.ColoringPrintables.net http://www.coloringprintables.net/holiday-coloring-pages/christmas-ornaments-coloring-page.html

Stretch Text Effect in Make the Cut

2011-09-26T04:05:00.000-07:00

Just a quick tutorial to show you how to add some cool yet simple effects to your text using Make the Cut 4.x software. It's fairly simple to do and we're going to show you how in less than 4 mins. Feel free to rate or comment on this video we love having the interaction with the videos.

Print and Cut Calibration for Blackcat Cougar

2011-09-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

In this tutorial we're going to be going over how to conduct a print and cut with the cougar utilizing the built in laser combined with make the cut registration marks in order to cut around the object.

Prior to cutting out what you want, we will first need to calibrate our laser to the blade. Basically we're telling Make the Cut software where our blade is located in relation to the laser. We'll discuss this later on in this lesson as it will make more sense to you.

Some things that you'll need for this project are:

Download the template -
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11624463/mtc/calibrate.mtc

Get copy of Make the Cut
http://www.scrappydew.com/make-the-cut/

KNK Plugin needed from Make the Cut website.
http://make-the-cut.com/setup2/plugins/KNKInstall.exe

Cougar Products
http://blackcatcutters.com/

Video was shot using iPhone4 & ScreenFlow
This topic may not seem easy to do however once you complete this process your print and cuts will turn out great!
Audio recorded with: AT2020 USB microphone
http://tinyurl.com/3vrkd3a

If you feel that this lesson has too much details feel free to use the chapter buttons at the bottom to quickly move to the topic you need.

Text Box Group - Make the CUt

2011-07-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

This lesson will show you just the basics on adding text to your Virtual Mat with Make the Cut Software.

Your Caret represents where the text will start as well as the height that the text will be.
Moving your Caret it as easy as double clicking anywhere on your mat.

Select your Caret Size

Choose your Caret Size. The Caret Size represents the Height of the Text and you will see it increase or decrease based on you sizing it.

Choose Desired Font

1. Select Text and Fonts Tab 2. Select Desired Font to be Used 3. Choose to stylize your text with Bold or Italicized 4. Add a "Group of Characters"
SIDE NOTE: The show Face feature allows you to view the font style inside the drop down menu
Font Drop Menu

Text Group Window

Now you have multilines and you are able to type. As you type you will see it on the mat. 1. Your text justification - Left, Right, Center 2. Vertical Spacing - For multis-lines and it will either move up or down your spacing between lines. 3. Splitting -

No splitting of text,
Split by Lines - Each line will be one group
Split by spaces - Each word will be one group
Split by Glyph- Fancy word for each letter will be one group.

4. Rotation - No Rotation, Rotate Left, or Rotate Right - This effect will give you vertical text when you are complete.
Hit the Accept Button and you'll be finished.

On screen preview

Reduce the amount of nodes - SCAL

2011-07-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you do a trace of a photo and the trace may results too many nodes. Having too many nodes will result in a longer cut time. Think if it as every time the software sees a node it is telling your cutting device that it needs to stop and make a blade direction turn. Some nodes are necessary however this lesson will show you how you can reduce the amount of nodes.
Select your object and go to Path> Simplify

You can change your threshold and preview.

Notice the Nodes Before and After. Make sure you do a preview so you can make sure that your selection didn't lose it's original shape. If you notice some important detail is missing then go adjust the threshold setting.
To accept press the OK button.

Before

Longer cut time

After

Shorter cut time

Zoom Short Cuts

2011-07-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

Using the Zoom Shortcuts
Knowing this feature will allow you to zoom in and out using your keyboard minimizing the need of using your slider scroll bars.

Typically you will be using the zoom slider button

Using the View Menu reveals your rapid zoom buttons

The "1" button goes to 100%, the "2" button goes to 20% and the "4" button goes to 300%. Using those common buttons will aide in spending less time on the slider or menu screen.
We will discuss what the 3 button does later on in this tutorial.

To quickly go to a selected shape.

Follow these instructions. 1. Select the shape in the layer property box 2. Press the number "3" button on the keyboard.
This will rapidly orientate you screen on the selected piece in your current zoom setting.

Move on the mat while zoomed in. -Hold Spacebar down

Hold the spacebar down and you will see a hand appear. All you have to do is click and drag and your mat will move. Just a quick way to navigate around the mat.

Other Zooming Features
Use the + and - keys will zoom in and out Hold the control button down while using the mouse wheel

Create an Outline of a Shape in Inkscape

2011-03-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

Creating Outline of Shape in Inkscape
For this tutorial we'll be using a linked offset in order to create a shadow layer effect.
Select your Shape

Once you have your shape selected you want to make sure it's a path by looking at the information box at the bottom of the inkscape program.

Choose Path> Linked Offset

Make sure the object is selected and that the object that you have selected is a path. By using the linked offset you will be able to keep your original path and have a "Shadow" path. In order to make this a path you will have to follow the next few steps.

Here is your Linked Offset

Pull the Diamond Node and when complete go to Path> Object to Path

Content Aware Healing in PSE9

2011-01-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

This tutorial goes over the amazing spot healing brush in Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 software. It will recognize what is in the background and try to replicate it. This tutorial will show you how and when to use it.

Create the Sin City Effect in Photoshop

2011-01-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Video covers the basics about photoshop element on how to create the sin city effect.

This is my first attempt of making photoshop elements tutorial. I'm more of a user of photoshop and realized that you can do this same effect using PSE. I'm not sure if these type of videos would work for crafters but just incase you're wanting to add this effect to your own photos the video will walk you though it nice and slow.

Arch your Text in Make the Cut

2010-12-13T03:35:00.000-08:00

This is just a short video tutorial on how to arch your text in Make the Cut Software using the Bezier Warp.

How Do I Arch My Text using Bezier Warp?
This tutorial will show you how you can arch your text using the Bezier Warp.
Select the add text button and type your text.

Make sure auto split is selected and click the add button

Select the bezier warp button on your shape magic toolbar.

Make sure you have the text selected when selecting the bezier warp button

Move your Auto Size sliders so it reads 25% on Left and Right

Left and Right Sliders are set to 25%

You're finished!

Create a Scalloped Circle

2010-12-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

This tutorial goes over how to create a Scalloped circle in make the cut software. It will also go into spicing up the Scalloped circle by using a rhinestone pattern and lattice effect.

Like I said in the video I'm not the first to come up with this tutorial, I saw it in a webiniar and thought that I would share with you just incase you missed that episode. Webiniars for MTC go on weekly and it is a great place to learn this product. They record the webiniars for the viewers that can't make it.

Links to Webiniars: http://forum.make-the-cut.com/discussion/3191/webinar-recordings-updated-12082010/p1

Creating Circular Text in MTC

2010-11-18T23:11:00.000-08:00

Making Circular Text in MTC
This lesson will cover how to create circular text within Make the Cut Software.
Click the Add Text button and Type what you want.

Click the Add Text Button, type the text, and click the add button

Select the Text that you want on the bottom of the circle and rotate it so it's upside down

You will have to click this button twice.

This is the end result of rotating 180 degrees. The press the Select All button

Select the Bezier Warp

Hit the Apply button

You're Done! Circle Text using MTC

Auto Split - Make the Cut Tutorial

2010-09-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Click the Play Video

Kerning Text allows you to move the text letters closer or further away as a group. This makes it easier to move big groups of letters at the same time rather than individually moving them one by one. This is a quick 30 second demo showing you how to accomplish this in Make the Cut Software.

Introducing MTC Quickguide

2010-07-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

Click Here to View Quick Guide

About the Quick Guide
Andy (the creator of Make the Cut) has put out a great product for people to use with their Cricut Machine. So we came up with the idea to have a Quick Guide that is short and to the point on how to complete certain tasks. They are common tasks that a beginner may want to know.
Having this on the web allows the content to stay fresh and updated once an update of MTC comes out.
Add your Comments!
We also added commenting at the bottom of each tutorial so you can ask questions, suggest tutorial topics, and even add your own spin to the lesson. It's all about helping each other learn the program. Hopefully this is will be a growing community with new lessons added when people ask the questions.

2010-06-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

About Make the Cut Version 2.3.0 (BETA)

Well, it's about time! MTC has put together a fresh version of Make The Cut! that brings us some awesome new tools and enhancements. There are a lot of them. Because there are so many, they have decided to do what they call a "soft" or "beta" release and it was only announced in the Forums. Everyone can try it out, give and give them some feedback and hopefully if everything goes well, this will be the official release.

What's New in this Beta Release?

Pixel Trace (Trace Raster)
Auto-Simplify
Object Import Menu
Bézier Warp/Text On Path/Object On Path, Vertical Text
New Import/Export File Formats

MTC forums and we will be making a video on all the new stuff.

And Much Much more!
You can find out more specifics on this in the

----------
You can get the Beta version of MTC by going here: http://www.make-the-cut.com/setup/MTCInstall2.3.0.exe
Is this Beta Program for you?
Keep in mind that beta programs are released to assist the developer find bugs. This also gives you the opportunity to try out the new program. It is because of beta testing along with user feedback that you have a solid program that works spectacular.

How do you get this Beta?

Coupon Code for Make the Cut is currently: MTC327 Regular Price of MTC is $79.95 and the Coupon saves you $21.59 *Price is determined by Make-the-Cut and is subject to change.

Current Coupon Codes:

Create a Cloud

2010-04-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is just a short tutorial showing you that you can use some of the basic features. We created the cloud from overlapping circles and welding the get the final result. The technique is fairly easy and should yield great results! Especially since you made it all on your own... Just like in nature there never any two clouds alike...

For more information on this software visit: http://www.scrappydew.com/make-the-cut/

Blackouts in Make the Cut

2010-04-10T03:13:00.000-07:00

This is a very basic tutorial to show you how to create Blackouts of shapes and text using the built in features of Make the Cut (MTC). You can also use this technique to create "Shadow Blackouts" to give your design some depth when you layer it on top of each other.

The SVG file that was used in this video was from: http://mycricutscrapbooking.com/2009/09/17/a-pretty-women-svg/

Scalloped Borders in Make the Cut

2010-03-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

This is just a video tutorial demonstrating how to create these basic borders. It is intended for the beginner and will go though the custom shapes involved in creating this project.

After you see how easy it is to weld these simple shapes you can see the possibilities that could result from using your imagination.

Good luck and enjoy the video!

For some Inspiration you may want to check out http://thehobbylady.blogspot.com/

Photo created by http://thehobbylady.blogspot.com/
They have downloadable files if you wish to have these sets.

Layers in MTC

2010-03-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

Click to View Video Tutorial

With the release of MTC Version 2.0.3 beta, I decided to put out a guide in explaining on what each button does and how to possibly use the layers function. Having this function is a great addon and it is very easy to use.

If there is something that doesn't make sense send us an email and we'll try to correct the Tutorial!

Video Notes by ScrappyDew

2010-02-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

One of the ScrappyDew.com viewers has sent us her notes that she has taken on basically every video we have put out. She has taken the time to create this which has saved us time on getting written instruction to the videos.
Just click the Red Button Below to begin the download.

Cookie Cutter Effect - Lattice Effect MTC

2010-02-01T06:58:00.000-08:00

This video tutorial will show you how to create the Lattice Effect using ONLY the Make the Cut Software (MTC). This tutorial uses the Boolean Feature that is new in the 1.3 version.

(This Above Photo is what we will be creating in the MTC program)
For More information about this program or tutorials visit
http://www.scrappydew.com/make-the-cut/

Split, layer, & Break - Make the Cut

2010-01-24T02:57:00.000-08:00

Alright so in the Make the Cut Software there are 3 features that may cause confusion on when to use them and what they do. Those three features are Split, Layer, and Break.

BREAK
When you break a shape, every inner shape becomes its own entity allowing you to move, size, remove or reuse any part of a shape you want.

LAYER
When you layer a shape, you end up with two separate entities: the background and the foreground. This is useful if you want to take a single shape and turn it into two separate colors giving the shape more depth. You can break, layer and split the resulting layers.

SPLIT
When you split a shape, every shape that isn't inside another shape becomes its own entity. This is useful when you want to split apart text. You can break, layer and split the resulting entities.