Hey Y'all!
This blog has been requested a few times now, and I'm excited to share an overview, and how to with you...
In part one I'm going to go over how to find and install DS, the Home Screen, menus, and what they do, and a general overview of all the "other" (non design) spaces within Design Space.
There are a lot of fake design space links out there, and they try to charge you but...
Design Space is free! (Unless you choose to have access.)
PC~
Design Space link:
https://design.cricut.com/#/
How To install:
https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009428814-Downloading-and-Installing-Design-Space
More info on access:
Cricut Access
Open Design Space:
Sign in.
Here's my Home Screen:
From the LEFT:
The drop down menu (referred to as the hamburger menu)~
1) Your Name
2) View Profile (this is where all your public saved projects, and a blurb about yourself, and any other info you want to share will be. Optional.)
Mine looks like this~
https://design.cricut.com/landing/profile/5b9ba957cc8e76062d1231c9
3) Home
Takes you back to that start/home screen.
4) Canvas
This is where all your design work, prep, etc will be.
Here's a look at the blank canvas~
We'll get more in depth with this later.
5) New Product Setup
This is where you'll let the program know which machine(s) you have, and connect them to your account.
Each one will walk you through the set up process once you choose your machine. (If you have more than one, they all need separately set up.)
6) Calibration (Used for print then cut projects)
DS (Design Space) will prompt you to print a calibration sheet, on regular copy paper. Then load into your Cricut, and follow the on screen prompts.
7) Manage Custom Materials
This extensive list (far longer than the picture) allows you to change the cut settings for every material your machine can cut. I have never had the need to manually change the settings, beyond the more or less pressure options in the make screen. However if you use a material often you could make a custom setting for it specifically.
8) Update Firmware
This is the first firmware update I've ever done, it took less than 5 seconds for both of my machines.
9) Account Details
Literally that, all your account details, email preferences, subscriptions, order history, etc.
10) Link Cartridges (Explore Family)
No longer works, if you have cartridges to link you must call member care.
https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020316674-Cricut-Contact-Information
11) Cricut Access
Easy button to subscribe.
12) Settings
A~ General Settings
B~ Canvas
I prefer no grid, but this is where you choose whichever work for you.
I've never messed with these, the machine will prompt you from the make screen.
Didn't even know this existed, it only notifies you in DS so having them on doesn't bother me.
13) Legal
The fun stuff: https://cricut.com/legal
14) What's New
The latest update notes.
15-17)
Country, choose yours.
Help, quick link to phone number
Sign Out
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File- New Window, Quit
I never use this quit, I just X out.
You can run more than one DS project at a time with multiple windows open, but I rarely do this. If I have a large project I tend to weed the first bit while the second is cutting, so I can't be designing too.
View- Reload, Full Screen
If DS is acting up I just close it and restart rather than reload, I've never had reload actually work for me.
I just use the windows button, and leave DS full screen always.
Help- Help, Contact Member Care, Videos, About
Never used any of these from this menu.
Help: https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us
Videos: Cricut - YouTube
About:
Attempted to bring up another DS window, and froze~
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Bell Icon~ Notifications
My Stuff~ All your saved projects, projects you've bookmarked. Images you've bookmarked, uploaded, and purchased. Your collections (5 available for non access members, unlimited with access).
Optimize Experience For...
This allows you to see images, and projects that are tailored to your machine.
New Project~
Opens a new canvas. Will prompt you if you have an open unsaved project.
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Android App:
The app on the play store~
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cricut.designspace
Again, DS App is free, if it's trying to charge you it's not the Cricut application.
Once you've got it downloaded:
Things look a little different on the Home Screen, but the functionally at this point is the same.
The home button, and my projects are at the bottom of the screen, notifications are on the left, canvas on the far right, and you can only work on one project at a time. All other options from here function almost identical to the PC version.
The big differences come in the next part(s) of this blog series, when we get on canvas, and start working within that.
What are you most eager to learn in Design Space? Let me know in the comment section below!
Have a great day,
Craftin' Wife
