Need help with your Cricut? We're on the way!
***************************************
Different Cricut Carts Types
The
regular
Cricut carts
contain 6 full Creative Features and can hold up to 700 images. These
carts come in the storage box and have a spiral bound handbook
showing all the images.
Lite
carts
have one Creative Feature key for layers and have 50 base images,
some with additional layer options using other keys. These carts come
in a plastic storage box and have a tri-fold pamphlet showing the
images.
Solution
carts
contain 2 Feature keys (usually a Shadow and a Blackout), one layer
option and hold 50 images (not counting shadow, blackout or layers).
These carts (initially) had no storage box and all the images are
shown of the cardboard packing.
Seasonal
carts
have no Creative Features but some images have layers or shadows that
are on the Character keys and hold 30 images and are usually a
limited edition and centered around a theme. These carts initially
had no storage box and all the images are shown on the cardboard
packaging.
Project
and Event carts
have fewer images than full carts, images centered around a theme but
these not limited edition releases. These carts have a plastic
storage box and a modified (because there aren't as many images),
non-spiral bound handbook.
Cake
carts
are really full carts just with images geared toward cake decorating
but they can also be used with papercrafting.
Then,
there are the two categories of Imagine
carts:
one that is images and patterns (Art) or just patterns/colors (Colors
and Patterns).
Digital
carts
for use with CCR or a Gypsy.
All
Cricut carts will work in all the Cricut models EXCEPT the Imagine
carts. Imagine carts will only work in the Imagine and the Imagine
Art carts will work in the E2.
**************************
Which mat for which material?
****************************************************
Updating Firmware with Design Studio
Here are the instructions toupdate the Expression through Design Studio:
1. You can then download the latest program from this webpage:http://mirror.cricut.com...ontpack/CDS_10404220.exe
2. It will take you to the Setup Wizard - click Next - I agree – Install - Finish.
3. Now you will want to download a second update which you can find at the following link:http://mirror.cricut.com...k/FontUpdate_V121009.exe
How to Update your Cricut Machine using Cricut Design Studio
1. Open Cricut Design Studio (CDS) on your computer and select continue in trial mode.
2. Find your Cricut USB cable for your machine (you can also use any standard printer cable.)
3. Plug your device into your computer using the USB (printer) cable.
4. In CDS Click on the “Help” menu at the top of the screen.
5. Click on “Update Cricut Firmware.”
6. This will bring up the step by step instructions for updating your device.
7. Follow the steps in order as exactly as written.
8. Put device (machine) into update mode, instructions are in Step 2 in CDS. Your machine needs to be turned off before trying to put it into update mode.
9. Made sure you select the correct machine in the options on Step 3 for the update to go through properly. (For Cricut Cake machine select Expression and for the Cricut Cake Mini select Create.)
10. Click “Begin Update Now.”
11. Let is update completely. It should tell you when it is finished.
12. If it says that a second update is necessary, you must put your device into update mode once again before beginning the second update.
******************************************************
Blade Housing Unit
The correct way to install the blade housing unit:
*****************************************************
Cricut Reset Procedure
Original Cricut, Expression and Create
1) First, turn your machine on with no cartridge loaded. Then you are going to roll all your gray dials (the two on the left and the one on the right) down to their lowest setting.
2) Then you will want to grasp the green/gold cylinder blade assembly and use it to pull the entire gray carriage car unit (the one with the Cricut bug on it) along its track to the other side of the machine. Back in the cave where the gray carriage car usually sits there is a red button. Press that button and hold it down for about three seconds. Let go and then move the gray carriage car back into place.
3) This next step will sound a bit odd, but many times it can fix your Cricut. You’re going to roll all your dials all the way up and all the way down three times—three times for each dial.
4) Then you are going to hit the “Cut” button and turn the machine off. Let the machine sit for a few minutes (15-20), load a cartridge, turn it on, and try a practice cut.
If this does not solve your problem, give PC a call (or use the Live Chat option) toll free at 1-877-727-4288 7am to 6pm MST Mon-Fri (make sure you are by your machine) and someone there will walk you through some trouble shooting tips.
E2
Download the latest version of Cricut sync (if you don’t already have it.)http://www.cricut.com/cricutsync/
With the E2 turned off:
Plug your E2 into the computer and open up Cricut Sync
Select “Don’t Update Now” if it prompts you to update.
Select the “Help” option
Select “Troubleshooting”
Answer the 5 questions that appear as follows:
• Yes
• No
• No
• No
• Yes
You will be prompted to put your E2 into recovery mode. To do that:
Hold down the Home button, the Pause button and the power button together.
A blue screen will appear.
Once the troubleshooting process is complete disconnect your E2 and try using your machine again.
If your issue has still not been fixed contact PC customer service on 1-877-727-4288 | Monday-Friday: 7am-6pm MST.
************************************************************************
Settings Chart I created and shared on the Cricut MB several years ago {before I had a blog}.
Another Settings Chart for the E2
Link to assembling photos of Pop Up Neighborhood cards
http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj126/jwmech/Provo%20Craft/
*********************************************************************************
Stack Matrix for other dies/embossing folders in the Cuttlebug
http://www.provocraft.com/products/downloads/pdf/cuttlebug/Stack_matrix.pdf
*********************************************************************************
How to Find Images on the Keypad
Each cart has lots of images but only the base image is on the keypad overlay. Each of the 50 base keys have 2 images on them. . .one image if you press just the base key and another image if you press the base key + the SHIFT key.
Then, there are the 6 Feature Keys that work the same way. Press the Feature Key and a base key and you get one image, press the Feature Key + SHIFT + the base key and you get a different image.
All the carts work this way. Look in the handbook or trifold to determine which combination of keys you need to press to cut the image you want.
************************************************************************
Which Cricut Cart can I use?
Depending on which Cricut model you have, you may be able to use all the carts or you may be able to use all but the Imagine carts.
There are basically two different categories of Cricut carts. . .the ones that have the larger base {regular, legacy} and will fit cart port on the Cricut Personal, Expression, Create, Cake, Mini, and the E2 and Imagine as those 2 machines have 2 cart ports. And carts that have a smaller base {Imagine} and will only fit in the ports on the Imagine and E2. Since the E2 doesn't have the print capability that the Imagine does, it can't use the Imagine pattern carts.
Within the category, there are different styles of carts:
The regular Cricut carts contain 6 full Creative Features and can hold up to 700 images. These carts come in the storage box and have a spiral bound handbook showing all the images.
Lite carts have one Creative Feature key for layers and have 50 base images, some with additional layer options using other keys. These carts come in a plastic storage box and have a tri-fold pamphlet showing the images.
Solution carts contain 2 Feature keys (usually a Shadow and a Blackout), one layer option and hold 50 images (not counting shadow, blackout or layers). These carts (initially) had no storage box and all the images are shown of the cardboard packing.
Seasonal carts have no Creative Features but some images have layers or shadows that are on the Character keys and hold 30 images and are usually a limited edition and centered around a theme. These carts {initially} had no storage box and all the images are shown on the cardboard packaging.
Project and Event carts have fewer images than full carts, images centered around a theme but these not limited edition releases. These carts have a plastic storage box and a modified (because there aren't as many images), non-spiral bound handbook.
Cake carts are really full carts just with images geared toward cake decorating but they can also be used with papercrafting.
Then, there are the two categories of Imagine carts: one that is images and patterns (Art) or just patterns/colors (Colors and Patterns).
Digital carts for use with CCR or a Gypsy.
************************************************************************
Tips on Layering
Layering can be a little frustrating. Here is some info that may help:
When you decide on the size for your base image, cut all the layers at that size. Make sure your Real Dial Size or True Size (depending on which machine you have) is off.
Make sure you use the base image which will have the detail lines showing where the other layers go. Do not use the blackout or shadow of the base image as those will not have the detail lines.
The layers are pictured in the handbook in the order they are to be layered. Sometimes, layering one image will create a feature (like eyes, lips, etc) on your image.
The layers are also pictured in the handbook the way "they go" on the image. Meaning, the orientation is the same, you place it in the same direction it is printed.
Sometimes, it helps to cut the image at a large size (using some cheap or scrap paper) to better visualize how the image goes together.
With a little practice, your skill will improve and your finished pieces will be beautiful!
