Saturday, July 30, 2011

Printing and cutting Disney layers on the Imagine


Please note that since Build 59 of CCR was released the process covered below is not working and Build 60 didn't address the problem. The design will print but all the layers cut instead of just the outline.

8 Dec 2011
PC has stated that the reason that this was working in the first place is because of a bug. Whether they'll add this as a feature at some point is unknown.


You can still follow the instructions below and let it print. Then as soon as the outline of the image has cut press the Cancel button. That way the layers won't cut.


You can download a PDF version of this tutorial from here: http://www.box.net/shared/9lxzj7okc7tmcmgjj4uv


One of the things that many users of the Imagine have been wanting to do is weld together all the layers of an image from the Disney cartridges (amongst others) so that it will print as one object and then cut the entire image.

Well, using CCR I finally cracked it!

I found that the main trick to getting it to work is to not weld the images and to not group the top layers with the base layer. I even managed to hide the contours within the base layer and it still worked!

(I tested this at least 10 times to make sure it wasn't a fluke...)

Confused?? Here's what you do.

I'm using Daisy from the Mickey Font cart if you want to play along. (I don't have the Mickey & Friends cart but will show you some examples from the Best of Pixar cart at the end.)

Daisy is on page 131 of the handbook. This shows you which layers I'll be using. Please note you won't be using the base layer of the image. You'll be using the blackout feature instead.

On carts that don't have a blackout feature you'll use the Shadow feature. On carts that don't have a shadow feature you would use the base layer on which you would use the Hide Contour feature to hide all but the outside contour. 



  • Select the Imagine as your Default machine from the Options menu, Project tab
  • Set the size of your base image in the Options menu, CraftRoom tab, Dial Size
  • Ensure that Relative size is showing on the toolbar
Turn Mat Layers off if the message asking "Do you want to add this design to a new layer or the current selected layer" annoys you. You'll find that in Options, CraftRoom, Mat Layers Enabled. If you leave Mat Layers turned on always select Current Layer when that message pops up.
  • Place all the required layers of the design on the mat by selecting each required feature key in turn. 
Make sure you place the blackout layer on the mat first. By doing this you won't have to use the back/front toolbar buttons to move the layers in front of the blackout (base) layer.



  • So that you can see more of the mat (without zooming out) you can now close the Drawer by clicking on the green arrow.


  • Select the Colors and Patterns menu, then select Colors from the drop down box. 


It doesn't matter which Imagine cartridge is showing in the Color Palette. Any cart will do.


  • Click the blackout layer on your mat then select Black from the Color Palette. That layer will now turn black.

  • Click on your next layer and select any other color from the Color Palette. (We'll change it to the exact RGB color later). I selected yellow from the main palette. You can use the image in the cartridge handbook as a general guide.

  • Drag the selected layer on top of the blackout layer and position it so it aligns correctly.

When you release the mouse the selected object will turn grey.


You'll notice at the top of the object the Weld/Don't Weld box will appear.


  • Click on Don't Weld
The layer will turn black.



Now we'll change that layer using its correct RGB code. (You don't have to use the correct RGB color if you don't want to. You can just select any color from the Color Palette).

The RGB code for Daisy's mouth is R255, G156, B0
  • Making sure the mouth layer is still selected click on the down arrow beneath the Color Palette and type those numbers into the correct boxes. 
  
  • Click the Apply button


  • Select the blackout image and click Don't Weld

  • Select the next layer (Daisy's bow/ears) and change its RGB code to R255, G156, B206

  • Drag it on top of the base layer and align

  • Click the Don't Weld button

  • Color and place the two remaining layers remembering to click Don't Weld on each of them.
The RBG code for the face is 255, 255, 255 which is white - so you can simply select that color from the regular color palette

The RBG code for the tongue is 255, 148, 148

When you've placed those two layers your image should look like this:


There's just one final thing to do before you're ready to print and cut.
  • Drag a selection box around the whole image (or select Ctrl A / Cmd A or select Edit, Select All)
 


All 5 layers of the image will be selected. Now you need to de-select the base layer.
  • Hold down the Ctrl key and click somewhere on the black part of the image. (In this case the eyes are the easiest). The base image will now be deselected. You should notice that the selection box became a tiny bit smaller.

  • Click the Group button on the toolbar


Now everything apart from the base layer will be grouped. To test that it worked click anywhere on the top layer and you should be able to move it all away from the base layer. (This isn't a necessary step. It's just so you can check that it worked)


  • Move the top layer back and align it on top of the base layer


And now you're ready to print and cut!
  • Click the Go button

  • At the Print and Cut dialogue box click on the arrow beside the Layer drop down box and select "daisy"

  • Click the Go button. CCR will check your Imagine to verify that the correct cartridge has been inserted

Once it has detected the cartridge it will send the project to the Imagine


You'll then see this message.


  • Insert your mat into the machine. While pressing the mat in click the Go button on the Imagine screen.
Your project will print, then after a pause of about 15 - 30 seconds it will proceed to cut.

And here it is:



And here's some I prepared earlier!




It's obvious I still have some adjusting to do to get my calibration just right, but I'm very happy with the result!

Once you've done a few of these it takes about 5 minutes start to finish.

If you have any questions please let me know!


46 comments:

Cricutcrazylisa

Thank you so much for the details! Awesome! I do not Have Disney However, there are several others that I have some thoughts about and your breakdown showed me the way!

Lisa

Scrapperdee

OMG - that is amazing - it "sounds" easy enough.

Can you also hide specific contours (I'm thinking of the other Disney carts where all the different cuts (of the same color) are together BUT don't really line-up with where they would go on the finished product.

Valerie

This is AWESOME!

Jody

AWESOME! I had been hoping that we'd be able to do this, but I hadn't given it a try yet. Thanks for going through the work of figuring it out for the rest of us!!! :)

Got2BCrafting

Thanks for the info! Those turned out great!! :)

Jodie R

Thank you! Thank you! I am so excited now!! This is awesome!!

JaniceA

I have been messing around with this but it was always hit and miss whether it would put the printed image. I will try your way. Thank you!!!

Gina piazza

THANK YOU!! This is awesome and I have been waiting what seems like forever to do this. Thank you for figuring it out and doing such a great job of explaining.

Yolonda

Great instructions. Thanks so much for sharing. I can't wait to try this out.

suez

You have given me some inspiration to do more with my imagine. These are great instructions. Thanks for sharing. I just subscribed and am looking forward to many more great instructions and inspiration.

Cricut Craft Room Blog

Scraperdee, yes you can hide contours and it will still work. I had a sample of Pluto that I did just that but couldn't find it under the rubble on my desk to take a photo. I'll be doing another post later to show those steps.

Cassandra

WOW!!! Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work! Can't wait to try it out....what great inspiration :)

cscilley

Thanks so much! I love the directions and will try it.
Carolyn

image queen

Followed your directions and the only problem I had was when the imagine went to cut. It crashed. I still had the print out and brought out my trusty scissors. Has anyone else had problems with the transfer?

Narelle

It crashed once for me too! I restarted everything and it worked the next time I tried.

RockinRenee

Same question that scraperdee had. I tried this a couple of days ago with Hamm from Toy Story but got frustrated with all the layering when they don't line up. Thanks for sharing though. You gave me hope to go back and try some easier images!

MeadMaker

Thank you! I in awe of both your ability to figure this all out AND to be able to explain it all with such wonderful, easy to understand instructions. Thank you again!

Nellie

I can't thank you enough for this info... I have almost given up on my Imagine and quit looking to see if the CCR was up and running. Thanks so much. I'll have to check this out after we get home from church.

Eagle Craftz

That is amazing!! Thank you so much for your clear instructions! I can't wait to get started!!

Ms. Jackie

OMG.....you are the best. I have been wanting to do this for......before I got my "I" Life is so much easier.

Now can you come up with a way we can do the same and weld........

cdm317

Awesome! Thank you!
Colleen (gonescrappin' Cricut boards)

Gemini-Heather

Awesome! I have been trying to figure this out with the tinkerbell cart. Thanks so much! I am subscribed to your blog now.

Karen

You are the most amazing person!!! Well done. Thanks for working it out and then sharing all your hard work.

Thank you!

Karen xx

Crafting Katie

Wow! This is awesome, and your tutorial is SO helpful! I will definitely be trying this. Thank you!!!

Sherri

OMG YOU ROCK!!!!!Thanks for the info...I will have to try this.

Christy S.

This is what I have been waiting for! This is why I bought the Imagine. Up until now I have been a little disappointed with my purchase and wondered why I ever bothered. Now I can't wait for September! To finally be able to do what I bought the machine for is very exciting. Thank you so much for figuring this out and for sharing it with us!

Marta

Holy moly! You are a genius! Thank you for taking the time to share.

Marta

gshrader

this makes me want an imagine. No more glueing little pieces would be great for these carts!!

Valerie

Thank you so much for sharing! I do have a question, though. I followed your instructions using Boys will be Boys and it printed perfectly, however when it went to cut, it still cut each layer separate. When I grouped them (Command A using my Mac) it didn't cut anything- just printed. Any ideas on where I went wrong? MrsValerie vlbrown@mail.roanoke.edu

Marie

Thank you soooooo much for explaining this! I am a new follower!

Cricut Craft Room Blog

Valerie, I'll email you. :)

Narelle

mimiof2

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I would have never figured this out by myself. Will give it a try very soon.
Karen

LiveLaughScrap

Thanks for the tutorial.
Just afew questions. Other than testing why does the base layer need to be de-selected? Did you re-group or just re-align the layered pieces over the base layer? Seems like they should be all re-grouped. Why am i not understanding this?
I am yet not one of the lucky ones to get to play with CCR. Hopefully soon.
Lori

gayle

I tried it. and Wow this is great. Thanks so much for figuring this out. I would have never had the time or patience. Now I just have to figure out why it didn't cut. Thanks again- you made all the Disney cartridges so much more user friendly.
Gayle

Cricut Craft Room Blog

Hi LiveLaughScrap

You don't regroup the the bottom layer - just re-align it. If you group it in with the other layers your project won't cut.

Not sure why this is happening but I do know that it's one of the things that CCR are looking at thanks to the feedback they have received from the CCR beta testers.

Gayle: Make sure you haven't grouped your bottom layer in with the rest of the layers. To test - you should be able to move it out from under the other layers if it's not grouped.

Renee

any chance of seeing a video? ;0
THANK YOU!

Cricut Craft Room Blog

:)

It's on my To Do list Renee!

LindaW

You are amazing...thank you so much for doing this...your instructions are impeccable .....Maile Lei

Angie Williams

Ok... sounds easy. But with the latest updates... does it still work?

Angie Williams

Well... I tried it. The steps were easy and your directions were great... but in the end... it printed wonderfully but only thought about cutting and then just spit it out. :(

Angie Williams

Sorry.... but I had to share that I tried it again. While it still did not cut all in one image... I was able to get it to print as one and cut... didn't spit it at me this time. This is AWESOME!!! Just need to tweak my layering and I think I may have it. Either way... you ROCK

Cricut Craft Room Blog

Unfortunately Angie, build 59 stopped this working. And build 60 didn't fix the problem either. Fingers crossed they'll undo whatever they did that caused the problem.

image queen

Is the layer welding problem resolved. I tried to do this last week and all layers cut out despite trying everything.

Narelle

Unfortunately not. PC has stated that the reason that this was working in the first place is because of a bug. Whether they'll add this as a feature at some point is unknown.

The Montry Family Blog

I thought I would tell you that you can still do it this way you just need to stop the cutting after it cuts Daisy (as a whole) out. If you hit stop it wont cut anything else. Thank you so much for posting these directions

Anonymous

Thank you so much for sharing, i have just started to use the imagine and stopped using it cause i was finding it too difficult to get my sizing right, thank you for the help.

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