Tutorials

When using MTC there is no need to change software to print out other elements for your crafting.  Simple print right from MTC.  This feature is especially helpful when you are doing print and cut projects but many crafters just need to print a simple sentiment for a card or a tag.

The Print command is available under the File menu.  Clicking on it will open a dialog window that is typical to any print dialog window you've seen when you've printed from any other program on your computer.  

The following video shows how you can type a sentiment and print it right in MTC.

You can weld any two shapes in MTC but the most common use for welding is to weld words.  No one wants to cut out and place every letter of a word and learning how to weld the individual letters makes it easy to avoid that.

Under the Cherry Tree has an excellent tutorial explaining how to weld and join:

To use a file in Silhouette Studio you can either open, merge, or import to My Library.  Silhouette Studio will open the following files:

• .gsd 
• .studio - this is the native format for Silhouette Studio
• .dxf - this is the file format LD packages with cut its and recommends
• .svg - this format is only available to open when you upgrade to Designer Edition
• .ttf and .otf - font files

The native file format for Silhouette Studio is .studio.  It cannot import .svg unless you have upgraded and bought the Designer Edition.  If you do not wish to pay for the upgrade, we suggest using .dxf files.  The disadvantage to .dxf files is that they do not come in layered like a .svg file.  It can also be difficult to see what they are as there are not thumbnail images of them until they are imported into your Silhouette Studio Library.  

You can choose to open a .dxf file by clicking "Open" and changing Files of type filed to "All Files" or "DXF".  Navigate to the folder where your LD .dxf files are stored, choose a file and click "open".

The only Cricut machine that is capable of using .svg files is the Cricut Explore.  To import .svg files, you must use Cricut Design Space.

Cricut Design Space is online software.  You don't need to download software on to your computer.  That is a great pro unless you don't have internet connection.  

To import .svg files to Cricut Design Space do the following:ottom right-hand corner.  The cutting process will begin.  

Cricut Design Space has made life easier for people who want to keep the cutting process simple.  Unfortunately in doing so, you may find your score lines jump off your project and land on a mat by themselves.  There is an easy fix for it.  

1. After your file is opened in Cricut Design Space, make sure you have only the elements you want grouped together on your mat.
2. Click on Select All
3. In the Layers Palette click "Attach"
   

Older versions of Cricut Design Space did not always open up .svg files true to size.  You no longer have to worry about sizing issues in Cricut Design Space.  If you do want to resize an image, upload it to your mat and drag the image smaller  or bigger by clicking on double arrow icon in the lower- right hand corner.

Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) can open the following file types:

• .svg
• .scut 
• .ai
• .pdf
• .png
• .eps
• .wpc

SCAL vs. 2 was the last version of SCAL capable of cutting files with the Cricut Expression.  If you have SCAL 3 or higher, you can prepare your files and take advantage of newer features and then still send your file to SCAL 2, to be cut with your Cricut Expression.  

To do this, simply go through the steps you normally would to prepare and alter your files for cutting in SCAL 3 or higher.  When you are finished do the following:

1. Open Sure Cuts a Lot 2
2. Go to File > Send To > Sure Cuts a Lot 2
3. Your design is transferred and should be ready to cut.

The Conical Warp Tool in MTC is a great tool for anyone who wants to make cute cupcake, mug, or cup wrappers.  Besides making wrappers, the conical warp tool is perfect to help warp imagery or words so they can be curved around a round object perfectly.

To use the Conical Warp Tool to make a cupcake wrapper follow these directions:

1. Start by importing .svg or image file that have enough width to wrap a cupcake.
2. Select image
3. Click on the Conical Warp Tool in the bottom menu (looks like an arch)
4. If your imagery or file is very tall, chances are you will want to click "Trim Bottom Overhang".  The other default settings in the Conical Warp Tool are designed to fit a cupcake wrapper.  Keep as is.