If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that I generally work with the Design Studio software and in many ways, I prefer it to the Gypsy. I am planning to do a post with a side by side comparison of the Gypsy and Design Studio soon, however, today I saw some comments on the Cricut Message Board and realized that there are many people who do not understand all of the capabilities of the software.
I haven't made any videos for quite a while for reasons that are a bit complicated and I don't think they are appropriate to share here. However, when I read some of the complaints and saw that some of the frustrations people have with Design Studio are due to the lack of information on how to use it, I decided to go ahead and make a video to show you how to create simple or complex designs, group them and resize them to suit your projects.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with this - it really is pretty simple to do.
I hope you are getting a chance to relax after the hectic holidays. The snow is finally stopping but we did get a lot of accumulation and everything is moving pretty slowly today. Our son has managed to rebook his vacation and the silver lining is that he will actually be with us until Thursday.
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I don't know how I missed the control key function for resizing but you are my hero, again. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for this wonderful tip. I refer to your blog over and over again when working with DS. You should be on Provocraft's payroll! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMCF's Mimi
Love, Love, Love the way you explain our beloved Design Studio features!
ReplyDeleteSusan Edwards MFK Kathy
Well, that sure seems easy enough. I'll have to play with this soon & give it a try. Thanks for making these videos for us...they're very helpful & appreciated!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a difference that control key trick makes! TFS.
ReplyDeleteI have a chart that compares DS with the G on my blog
http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/cricut-comparison-chart-update/
OMG Oh Thank You Diane! Did anyone ever tell you your amazing, lol! Well you are, and I have to agree, PC needs to add you to the team, your very talented. I also have to agree, I like to use my DS more then the G, I like the screen size much better then the G. Thanks Again for all you do!
ReplyDelete((Hugs)) Theresa
I cannot thank you enough for this video. I never knew how to do this ans was always frustrated by having to move, size and weld each individual piece. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Diane! I really like the format of these short, well-done and so important video clips.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the video. I've tried doing some designs like this but have had trouble grouping. After watching the video, I think I'll try again!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the video. I have wanted to be able to do that for a long time.
ReplyDeletehttp://iwycd.blogspot.com/
Hi Diane:
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this. I am new to DS and found this software to be a tad difficult to use at first. With your videos and tips, my frustration levels are going down quick!
One question for you: I have found that DS will not load on my laptop that has Windows 7. Is this expected?
Thank you so much. I totally missed that we had gained that ability. I love DS.
ReplyDeleteOK- I think I have updated my DS as it comes out but I cannot group and resize on mine. What do I have to do? Where do I go for the updates?
ReplyDeleteCarrie
carriedan1 at live dot com
Hi Carrie:
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've discovered two ways to update.
1. While in DS, there is an "Update" feature in the Help menu
2. Go to Cricut website and look on the left side for DS - Updates.
Hope this helps! :)
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteDesign Studio works fine with Windows 7 however you do have to use the current version of the program which is available on the Cricut.com site. The version on the CD will not work with Windows 7.
You can download the program at this link
http://www.cricut.com/cds/Update.aspx
You need to be logged in to the Cricut site before you will be able to download. Be sure to download the program and SAVE it to your computer, then run the installer.
You will also need to use the font pack update to add all of the cartridges that have been issued since the program update last May. Once again, be sure to SAVE the download and then run it.
Please let me know if you have any problems and I will try to help.
Hi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteThe link and info on updating your program are in my answer to Stephanie above.
The "check for updates" under the help menu has never worked properly. You have to check the Cricut site for new updates. They usually are available around the third Thursday of the month "Hello Thursday" when the new cartridges are announced.
I hope that helps.
You are by far the most knowledgeable person when it comes to Provo Craft Products. They need to hire you to make demo's for them. I received a Gypsy for Christmas and could not believe that the box did not contain any instructions. I love their products but am extremely disappointed in their instructions. When they made the change you very nicely explained in your video, no instructions were offered. THANK YOU Diane for helping us again!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane: I downloaded the file onto my Windows 7 laptop and it's working! Wooohooo! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that not all of my carts appear in the list. Thanks for mentioning that I need the font packs. I was a little worried/confused and you saved me again! woot woot!
Hi Stephanie - I am happy to hear that it all worked out for you. Have fun creating!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy I found this post (through Facebook)! I love DS and never knew about this functionality. That makes it even better! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDiane...thanks sooo much for your videos...luv your voice..it is so mellow and easy to understand..I would luv to take your ds online classses someday to really be able to use and understand my ds to its full capability....
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero!!!
Thanks again for another great tip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great info! I will be back to learn more.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletethanks for the video, can I ask if you have to buy the new version of DS as I have the old version and really can't afford to buy any more software, or is it that I need to update my software somehow
Many thanks
Sandie
Hi Sandie,
ReplyDeleteYou do not need to purchase a new program. You may need to update.
Check to be sure that you have version 1.0.40422.0 by clicking "About" in the Help Menu in Design Studio.
If you have an earlier version, just follow the download and installation directions here
You can download the program at this link
http://www.cricut.com/cds/Update.aspx
You need to be logged in to the Cricut site before you will be able to download. Be sure to download the program and SAVE it to your computer, then run the installer.
You will also need to use the font pack update to add all of the cartridges that have been issued since the program update last May. Once again, be sure to SAVE the download and then run it.
Please let me know if you have any problems and I will try to help.
Thanks for the video! It does help to refresh my mind on some of the D.S. features. Happy New Year and God Bless. myrnan2006@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this video. It really helps me out. I haven't used DS much because I just didn't know how to use it and didn't find much help online.
ReplyDeleteMy problem now is that my computer locks up or is really slow when using DS and I find it easier to use my Gypsy. I would like to use DS more because the screen is easier to use.
Thank you for the so helpful video. I've had the software for a year, and have yet to use it successfully. Your video has given me the encouragement needed to get using it. I will definitely check out any other helpful info you have available as well.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how wonderful your video is, thank you so very much!
ReplyDeletemhalford6 @aol. com
This is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing. One question -- how long has the grouping feature been available to us? I totally missed it!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and great tutorials. Keep them coming!
Kim
Diane, you're my hero! I've learned so much about my Cricut hardware and software just by following your blog and watching your videos - you're the best! I don't know when this update was made to the DS software, but I obviously missed the notice that we can group and resize now. That was my one pet-peeve about the DS from the get go. I'm so excited to use it now, I'm going to run and make sure all my updates are installed, and go play! :D
ReplyDeleteDiane, a big thank you for yet again teaching us about the design studio. I love the ds studio more than the Gypsy - I think because of the size aspect. I would like to wish everybody in America, Canada and surrounding areas a very safe, prosperous and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your help. Kindest regards.....Carol X
ReplyDeleteThanks, I created my first frame, your video was very easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shutch3346
Diane, Thank-you so very much for being so considerate and thinking not only of yourself but others, also.
ReplyDeleteSeriously!! How hard is it to publish this information?
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us all up-to-date on the changes/updates of the software.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your video. You are so talented and helpful. My ds keeps changing to trial mode and I have to call and reactivate it again. It says it is already registered to another computer. Have you heard of this happening before? I have never registered it with another computer. So aggravating.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shanna
I miss your videos. Many thanks for sharing these tips! I haven't used CDS in over a year, but I'm going to try the tips you've provided.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane. This was so helpful. I love using Design Studio and the more I learn about it, the more I love using it. Thanks again for the video.
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius!! Thanks for a very well explained tutorial!!
ReplyDeleteKris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com
I enjoy your blog very much. When I have problems with Design Studio I check you site for answers. Your video was very helpful. Thanks so much. kschlu1atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I just got the Design Studio for Christmas and have a lot to learn. Your videos are a great help!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! I most certainly appreciate your hard work and the fact that you're willing to share it with the masses. I do love my Gypsy, but I still use my DS all the time... I had no idea I could do this and I'm so thankful you showed me how! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this...you explain it well and are so very helpful...happy new year!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial! One of my biggest complaints with DS was that they never added the ability to group items to resize them and here they snuck it in. It took me reading through the comments to realize I needed to update my DS, but now that I have it works like a charm! THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you for sharing this. I never knew about the control key and have been struggling.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you do you have to set the pages up in a certain order for the preview to work? I have had problems with it showing all the pages if I have elements on more than one page. I have checked that my pages are either visible or not as required.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Kim xXx
Thanks for the tip. I prefer Design Studio but have been using the Gypsy as it worked better for resizing grouped/welded images. I never knew about using the control key though!
ReplyDeleteFor your readers who are disappointed in the lack of printed instructions, they are available online which makes for a "greener" choice for our environment. The link is provided with the Gypsy.
I still haven't found a way to duplicate grouped images or images with hidden contours - and I've tried!
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I have always been so frustrated with not being able to resize files I have made. You made it very easy. I enjoy all your work. Thanks for sharing - it's much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHi I just read your email on grouping and resizing so I updated my CDS and tried it. But what I have found is that although it resizes it reflips the images I have fliped to make my frame. Also I find that it doesn't always give me the resize handle on one of the boxes when I try to group the items. Am I doing something wrong?
ReplyDeleteTHANK-YOU!!!!!! You don't know how much time you just saved me!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Yet another reason for me to continue using DS and let my Gypsy collect more dust! I'm just not a fan of the G, although several of my friends love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all of the tips you share with us!
Kim
http://uscrap2.blogspot.com/