TFDL Makerspace Training

WHAT IS IT?

• The Cricut Explore Air is an electronic cutting machine for DIY projects and crafts.
• Is able to precisely cut, write, and score 100+ different materials such as paper, iron-on, adhesive vinyl, leather and burlap.
• Includes an online Design Space that is free, easy to learn, and cloud based.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT?

• Create your own home decor projects. 
• Create and design holiday cards, gift tags, etc.
• Create and design your own stickers.
• Free projects and images are available online.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Cutting range using mats: from 0.25" to 23.5"
• Maximum materials thickness: up to 1mm for most materials, up to 2mm for less dense materials.
• Image upload format: .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .svg, .dxf files
• Speed setting automatically adjusts to image.
• Able to access your projects from any computer.

DESIGN SPACE

• Go to Cricut website https://home.cricut.com/, click on Design at the top right corner.
• Login or create a new account with Cricut using your email address. This will bring you to the Home screen.
• From the Home screen, under My Project, you can get quick access to your latest projects. You can also browse featured projects from a variety of categories from this page.
• From the Home screen, select any project to learn more about it or start a project from scratch by selecting New Project.
• Starting a new project brings you to the Canvas, where you can lay out and edit your designs.
• The Edit bar on the Canvas located on the top part of the page contains the most useful tools for editing images and text.
• Click on Projects (left side of Canvas) to access project library and browse ready-to-make projects.
• You can also Upload (left side of Canvas) image files.
• At the right side of the Canvas, you can modify the layer properties for each layer of your design.
• Click Make It on the Canvas when you're ready to create your project.

CRICUT EXPLORE AIR SETUP

• Turn on the machine by pressing the button at the top right corner.

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• For the Custom Personnalisable, based on the material that you are going to use, choose a material category. 
• Take a green pad, remove the plastic cover, then place the top left corner of the paper right onto the top left corner of the grid.

• Open the machine by pressing the button on the left side.

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• Place the pad in the center, then press the up-down arrow button to load the pad. Give it a little push on the pad to help loading.

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• Once the pad is properly loaded and you are ready to make your project, press the "C" button to start cutting.​

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• When the project is finished, press the up-down arrow button to unload the pad.