Design Space gives you the ability to upload your own images 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 can edit the image during the upload process.
- Vector Images include .svg and .dxf files. These cut ready images that upload as designed. Files designed with layers will automatically be separated into layers after uploading and saving.
Select a platform below to view step-by-step instructions to upload basic and vector images.
Note: DXF files are not supported in Design Space for iOS and Android at this time.
Step 1 - Select Upload on the design panel to the left of the Canvas. 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 a .jpg, .gif, .png, or .bmp file, 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.
- Next, define the cut lines of your image. Use the Select & Erase, Erase, and Crop tools to remove the unwanted background and other areas 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.
- Select Preview to view the cut shape of your image. If the image doesn’t appear as desired, Hide preview and continue editing 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 for easy searching later. Choose to save your image as a Print Then Cut image 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 the cut shape only (internal patterns and colors will be removed). Then select Upload.
- 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.
- Name your image and tag it for easier searching later. Then select Upload.
- 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 designed with layers will appear on your canvas as a grouped image. If ungrouped, the image layers can be moved and sized separately.
- Tap Upload on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose to take a photo, select from the Camera Roll, browse files, or open your uploaded images.
- Browse files allows you to select any file storage applications on your device (i.e. iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive). Select the location where your image file is stored and locate your image. This may look different depending on which version of iOS is running on your device.
- If the image 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 select Save in the upper right of the screen.
Note: When the image has been saved, it is automatically added to your Canvas. You can also select Upload > Open Uploaded Images to view your library of uploaded images. Select an image to insert onto the Canvas. Pull down to refresh your uploaded images as needed.
- If the image is a basic image (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF), as it is if you take a photo or select an image from the Camera Roll, the next step is to clean up the image. This removes areas of the image you don't want, and defines the cut lines of the image. There are several clean-up tools you can use:
- Automatic Background Remover: This feature is available to Cricut Access subscribers - it uses an algorithm to remove unwanted background from your uploaded raster images in just one click. Learn more.
- Select: 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. Increase or decrease the color tolerance to make it easier to remove large areas of color as needed.
To view a cut preview, select the three dots in the upper right, then choose Single Color. Switch back to Original as needed to continue cleaning. - Erase: Drag one finger to erase 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.
- Restore brush: Restores parts of the image that have been removed. Drag one finger to bring back areas of the image you want to keep. Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the size of the brush. 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.
- Automatic Background Remover: This feature is available to Cricut Access subscribers - it uses an algorithm to remove unwanted background from your uploaded raster images in just one click. Learn more.
- If your image is intended to cut rather than Print Then Cut, select the three dots in the upper right corner and choose Single Color. Additional refinement tools will appear.
- Despeckle: Quickly eliminates small artifacts. Drag the slider to the right to remove larger artifacts.
- Despeckle: Quickly eliminates small artifacts. Drag the slider to the right to remove larger artifacts.
- Smooth: Simplifies jagged lines. Simply tap the + button as needed to smooth any pixelated edges. Tap the - button or the Undo icon as needed.
- When you are done cleaning up the image, tap Apply in the upper right.
- Name your image, choose whether to save it as a Cut Image or as a Print then Cut image. Then tap Upload in the upper right.
Note: When the image has been uploaded, it is automatically added to your Canvas. You can also select Upload > Open Uploaded Images to view your library of uploaded images. Select an image to insert onto the Canvas. Pull down to refresh your uploaded images as needed.
- To begin an image upload, tap Upload on the bottom toolbar.
- Choose to take a photo, select from the photo library, or open Uploaded Images.
- Select from Photo Library allows you to select any file storage applications on your device (i.e., Google Drive, Onedrive, Dropbox, etc). Select the location where your image file is stored and locate your image. This may look different depending on which version of Android OS is running on your device.
- If the image 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 select Save in the upper right.
Tip: When the image has been saved, your Uploaded Images library will open. Select an image to insert onto the Canvas.
- 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. This 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 of the screen.
- Name your image, choose whether to save it as a Cut Image or as a Print then Cut image. Then tap Save in the upper right of the screen.
- 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: Uploaded images can be accessed through the Images screen. Search by image name or tag, or select Uploaded from the filter on the left side of the screen.
Important: All images shown are for illustration purposes only. Cricut encourages you to respect the intellectual property rights of others and only upload images you own and are authorized to use.