Design Space gives you the ability to upload your own images for free and converts them into cuttable shapes. There are two different types of uploaded images: Basic and Vector.
- Basic Images, also known as raster images, include .jpg, .bmp, .png, and .gif file types. These files are uploaded as a single layer, and you have the ability to edit the image during the upload process. These are also known as raster images.
- Vector Images include .svg and .dxf file types. These files are uploaded as previously designed and will automatically be separated into layers after uploading and saving.
Select a platform from below to view step-by-step instructions to upload basic and vector images:
- Windows/Mac
- iOS
- Android
Step 1 - To begin an image upload, select Upload on the design panel to the left of the canvas. A window will open which prompts you to choose image or pattern upload. Upload Image allows you to work with basic image types, including .jpg, .bmp, .png, and .gif image files as well as vector images, including .svg and .dxf files. To begin, select Upload Image.
Step 2 - Select Browse to open the file selector and locate the image you want to use from your computer, or simply drag and drop the file into the upload window. If you select .jpg, .gif, .png, or .bmp file to upload, you will be taken through the Basic image upload flow. If you select a .svg or .dxf, you will be taken through the Vector image upload flow.
Option 1 – Basic Image Upload:
- Select the .jpg, .gif, .png, or .bmp file you want to upload. Then select Open in the file selector or drag and drop the file into the Design Space image upload window.
- Decide if your image is simple, moderately complex, or complex based on the descriptions found on the screen. Click “Continue.”
- In this step, you’ll define the cut lines of your image. Use the Select & Erase, Erase, and Crop tools to remove the unwanted background from your image. The checkerboard background indicates the areas that have been removed and will not cut. The solid areas represent the image you will use on the design screen.
- Once you have removed the unwanted areas, select Preview to show the cut lines of your image. If the image doesn’t appear as desired, select Hide preview to return to the editing view and continue removing portions of the image until you are satisfied with the preview. Once the image looks how you want it, select Continue.
- Name your image and tag it (if desired) for easy searching later. Decide if you want to save your image as a Print Then Cut or as a Cut image. Saving as a Print Then Cut image will preserve the entire image, including internal colors and patterns, and add it to the design screen as a Print Then Cut image. Saving as a Cut image will save only the outer silhouette as the image cut path.
- When you are done, select Save. You will return to the Upload screen. The new image will appear in the Uploaded Images Library at the bottom of the screen. To add the image to your project, click on the image to select it, then click Insert Images to add it to your design screen.
Option 2 – Vector Image Upload:
- Select the .svg or .dxf file you want to upload. Then select Open in the file selector, or drag and drop the file into the Design Space image upload window. Tip: Design Space can work with files created from other design software. The files can include solid colors or solid color fills, outlined text, or layers. However, if you use a layered image, you should ensure that in the original file the layers are ungrouped.
- Name your image and tag it (if desired) for easier searching later. Then select Save.
- You will return to the Upload screen. The new image will appear in the Uploaded Images Library at the bottom of the screen. To add the image to your design screen, click on the image to select it, then select Insert Images to add it to your design screen.
- Vector images will appear on your canvas as a grouped image. If ungrouped, the image layers can be moved and sized separately.
- To begin an image upload, tap the Upload tool on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose to take a photo, select from the Camera Roll, browse files, or open your uploaded images.
- If you choose "Browse files," you will be able to select any file storage applications available on your device (i.e. iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive). Select the location where you have stored your image file to continue browsing and locate your image. This may look different depending on which version of iOS is running on your device.
- If the image you upload is a vector image (SVG), the cut paths for the image are already defined, and it is ready to be saved to your uploaded images library. Enter a name for the image and tape "Save" in the upper right corner of the screen.
Tip: When the image has been saved, your Uploaded Images library will open. Select an image to insert onto the canvas and work on your project. Pull down to refresh your uploaded images as needed.
- If the image is a basic image (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF), which it would be if you take a photo or select an image from the Camera Roll, the next step is to clean up the image. Cleaning up the image removes areas of the image you don't want, and defines the cut lines of the image. There are three clean up tools:
- Remove: quickly removes connected areas of the same color. Tap on an area, or tap and hold to select a precise area. Pinch to zoom in for more precise edits. Use the slider to increase or decrease the strength of the tool. The checkered background indicates areas that have been removed and will not cut.
A cut preview will appear in the upper right of your image as you clean up the image, and it will change to reflect your edits. Tap on the preview to enlarge it; flick to minimize it.
- Erase: erase areas of the image. Drag one finger across areas of the image you want to remove. Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the size of the eraser. Pinch outward to zoom in for more precise edits.
- Crop: focuses your work area by trimming the edges of your image. Tap and drag the handles in the corners to set the crop area, then tap Done to crop the image, or tap the circular arrow in the center bottom of the screen to reset the image.
- Remove: quickly removes connected areas of the same color. Tap on an area, or tap and hold to select a precise area. Pinch to zoom in for more precise edits. Use the slider to increase or decrease the strength of the tool. The checkered background indicates areas that have been removed and will not cut.
- When you are done cleaning up the image, tap Next in the upper right corner of the screen.
- The Refine screen is next. Here you can make a few final adjustments to the image before saving it to your library. Tap the image preview in the upper right to toggle between the print view and the cut view.
- Despeckle: quickly eliminates small artifacts. Drag the slider further to the right to remove larger artifacts.
- Smooth: simplifies jagged lines. Simply tap Smooth as many times as needed. Tap Reset to start over.
- Despeckle: quickly eliminates small artifacts. Drag the slider further to the right to remove larger artifacts.
- When you are finished refining the image, tap Next in the upper right corner.
- Name your image, choose whether to save it as a Cut Image or as a Print then Cut image. Then click Save in the upper right corner of the screen.
- When the image has been saved, your Uploaded Images library will open. Select an image to insert onto the canvas and work on your project. Pull down to refresh your uploaded images as needed.
- To begin an image upload, tap the Upload tool on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose to take a photo, select from the photo library, or open your uploaded images.
- If you choose "Select from Photo Library", you will be able to select any file storage applications available on your device (i.e., Google Drive, Onedrive, Dropbox, etc). Select the location where you have stored your image file to continue browsing and locate your image. This may look different depending on which version of Android is running on your device.
- If the image you upload is a vector image (SVG), the cut paths for the image are already defined, and it is ready to be saved to your uploaded images library. Enter a name for the image and tape "Save" in the upper right corner of the screen.
Tip: When the image has been saved, your Uploaded Images library will open. Select an image to insert onto the canvas and work on your project.
- If the image is a basic image (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF), which it would be if you take a photo or select an image from the Camera Roll, the next step is to clean up the image. Cleaning up the image removes areas of the image you don't want, and defines the cut lines of the image. There are three clean up tools:
- Remove: quickly removes connected areas of the same color. Tap on an area, or tap and hold to select a precise area. Pinch to zoom in for more precise edits. Use the slider to increase or decrease the strength of the tool. The checkered background indicates areas that have been removed and will not cut. A cut preview will appear in the upper right of your image as you clean up the image, and it will change to reflect your edits. Tap on the preview to enlarge it; flick to minimize it.
- Erase: erase areas of the image. Drag one finger across areas of the image you want to remove. Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the size of the eraser. Pinch outward to zoom in for more precise edits.
- Crop: focuses your work area by trimming the edges of your image. Tap and drag the handles in the corners to set the crop area, then tap Done to crop the image, or tap the circular arrow in the center bottom of the screen to reset the image.
- When you are done cleaning up the image, tap Next in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Name your image, choose whether to save it as a Cut Image or as a Print then Cut image. Then click Save in the upper right corner of the screen.
- When the image has been saved, your Uploaded Images library will open. Select an image to insert onto the canvas and work on your project. Pull down to refresh your uploaded images as needed.
Tip: Your uploaded images also are available on the Images screen. You can search by image name or tag, or you can select Uploaded from the filter in the upper right of the Images screen.
Important: All images shown are for illustration purposes only. Cricut encourages you to respect the intellectual property rights of others and only make copies of images you own and are authorized to use.