Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Cricut Design Space - Use Contour to create more layers (Cricut Explore)

 

Can you use Hide Contour in the new Design Space?  You sure can.  Hide contour has been one of my favorite tools to alter a Cricut shape to suit your project ever since it was added to the original Cricut Design Studio program years ago.  You can use this tool in the Cricut Craftroom and it is also available in the new Design space.


This fancy "Circus" image is from the Carousel cartridge.  It has two layers - an extra wide shadow and a top layer.  It is not as colorful as I would like to see the word - particularly when you think about circus posters which are full of colors.


By using the Contour button, you can create two additional layers and add more colors for a much more dramatic sign.


First you need to select the image and ungroup the two layers.  Do this by right clicking and choosing "ungroup" from the drop down menu.  Then make two copies of the top layer to use to make the new extra layers.


While you have one of the top layer images selected, click on the "contour" button at the top of the layers panel.

When you do this the entire screen will go pale and you will just see a fainter version of the image you are working with.  You can click on any of the individual lines to hide them.

For this example, I hid all of the circles on the lower part of the letters.


When you have clicked on all of the lines you want to hide, click on the mat or on the contour button again.  Now you can see how the image looks with the circles hidden - this is the new second layer from the top.


Next, select the second copy of the top image and click Contour at the top of the Layers panel.  You can click on the inner cut at the top of each layer to hide it.


After you complete these steps you will have four layers that look like this.


In order to make all of your hard work show you need to change the colors of the layers.  Click on the image in the layers panel and then choose a color from the palette.


 You can now put all of the layers together to create your four layered word - much more colorful.



Isn't this a more lively version of the Circus?  It actually took me longer to write all of this out than it takes to do it!

As you get used to working with these programs, you will find all sorts of uses for the hide contour function.  I'll share more of those in future posts.

This was a quick post made to help answer a question from the Let's Learn Cricut Explore Facebook Group.  If you use Facebook and would like to join the group you will find lots of helpful information there.


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21 comments:

  1. Wow...thanks for the info. This is exciting!!

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    1. You are very welcome - it is exciting and fun to see how you can alter or add to your layers by hiding lines...

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  2. Cant wait to try this. Getting things ready for the new arrival.
    March 20 - march 24...oh yeah...
    DawnRI

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    1. Hi Dawn - sorry you have to wait to get the machine but you can start trying things in Design Space in the meanwhile. Then you will be a pro by the time it arrives!

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  3. That is so fun looking. Circus just seems to come alive.
    Love it
    Linda in Stanwood

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    1. Thanks Linda - I do like it better with more colors - it just looks more "Circusy" to me!

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  4. This looks like fun! I am still on the fence about a new machine, but I'm looking at your projects and reviews with great interest! I may have to check out that Facebook page, too. Thank you. BethAnn M

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    1. BethAnn - there are a lot of things to consider as you decide. The more research you do the happier you will be with your ultimate decision. Let me know if you have questions that I might be able to answer.

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    2. Annette - I ditto what I said to BethAnn ;) Good luck with your decision!

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  5. This is really good information! Thanks for taking the time to show the details!

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    1. Thanks - you will find this really extends the usefulness of your cartridge images. It is fun to find ways to add layers or change parts of an image.

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  6. Great info for any Cricut owner who uses "hide contours." I will look at all my images to see if I want to add an extra layer from now on. Thanks!

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    1. Cheryl - it is surprising how often adding a layer makes a big difference. There are other ways to use this too and I will cover some of them soon.

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  7. Sue left this message and I accidentally deleted it by hitting "delete" instead of "publish" from my phone - sorry Sue!


    Thank you sooooo much. I love your detail in explaining and noting that the same feature is available in Craftroom and Design Studio. I too am still on the fence and waiting to see if it's worth another investment or just keep using what I have. I look forward to your blog each day! P.S. it was -6 this morning, but sunny!

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    1. Sue - you really have to do a lot of reading and check all of the official information available as well as the blogs and message boards - then decide if it will work for you. PS -6 is really too cold even if it is sunny!

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  8. I can always count on you to discover all the features of Cricut programs and machines, and then explain them so well! Thank you, Diane!

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    1. Wendy - you can use this in the old Design Studio program, the Gypsy and in the Craftroom - one of my all time favorite features because it is so useful! I am happy to help you.

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  9. Thanks Deborah - I popped over to see your blog. The card with the layers is so cute and colorful and I loved the ladybug candy treats!

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