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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

LD-MTC Beginner Series: VIDEOS! How to Import SVG; How to PRINT text with MTC


If you are just joining us in this series, you have missed the following chapters:

1. Why I am writing this series:
Because I once was a newbie...

2. Who this series of tutorials is for: 
 LD-MTC Beginner Series: Why you need this. 

3. How to set up the Cricut to use MTC


Today I will show you 

How to Import a SVG into MTC and 
How to Print Text with MTC.


You will need:


- 1 sheet of black cardstock
- 1 sheet of white cardstock
- 1 sheet of red cardstock
- 1 sheet of regular printer paper (for test printing)
- 2 sheets of different patterned cardstock
- TXT LongHand font from Lettering Delights
- Cupid SVG file from Lettering Delights
 - a decorative border punch (I'm using the border punch from  Martha Stewart Crafts Cherish Punch-Around-the-Page Set

If you do not already have the font and svg from Lettering Delights, just click here and here to add the files to your cart. To check out, click on View Cart and continue to complete the transaction. Once you have downloaded the font and SVG, you are ready to start this project.

1. Cut the white, black, and 1 sheet of patterned cardstock to the following sizes:

  • White: 10" x 7". Fold the long side down so that you have the 5" x 7" card base.
  • Black: 4.75" x 6.75". Set the remaining portions aside. You will need them later.
  • 1 sheet of patterned cardstock: 4.5" x 6.5". 

2. Start MTC and Click on the Import SVG button. Locate the Cupid SVG file on your computer. 


3. Select cupid-03 and check the box next to Use Actual and enter 72 in the box next to DPI. Click Open.



4. Click outside the blue bounding box so that the layers are not hightlighted. Bring cursor over the image so that only the top layer is highlighted. 




Click on the layer and drag it out by holding your left mouse button and moving the layer to the other side of the mat. Once you have separated the top layer from the bottom layer, your MTC mat should look like this:

 
5. Place the other piece of patterned cardstock on the cutting mat together with a leftover piece of black cardstock and load the mat into the Cricut.


6. Click on the blue scissors on MTC to cut and Unload the mat when the Cricut is done cutting. 



In case anyone needs a video for Steps 2 to 6, just watch this:
 

7. Remove the cutouts from the mat and adhere both layers together. I used my Zig 2 way glue (Squeeze & Roll)



8. How to Print from MTC:

To print out the sentiment ...

a.)First you have to add the font temporarily so that you can use it in MTC. To do so, click on the Add Font button under the Text and Font Tab.

b.)The Open Font File window will open. Locate the txtlongh.ttf file and click on the Open button. Your font has now been temporarily added for use in this session of MTC.


c.) To put text on the mat, click on the "Add a group of characters" button. The "Add Text Group" window will pop up. Type "Be Mine" on the box and make sure that the boxes next to Auto Split and Vertical are left unchecked. Click on the "Add" button. 

d.) With the text still highlighted by the blue bounding box, move your cursor to the Sel. Prop. Bar on the top menu bar. With the LOCK button in a locked position, enter the following values for X,Y, and W, making sure to hit Enter every time you finished entering a value.


The LOCK represents the locked aspect ratio. By entering the value for W (width), the H(height) will automatically adjust so that the shape of the text/image is retained.

e.) Go to the Virtual Mat tab and uncheck "Outline Shapes"


f.) If you are using a color printer, change the color of the text by going to Layer Properties and selecting black from the color palette.

g.) If you like, you may do a test print of the sentiment on regular printer paper. If not, you may load the red cardstock into the printer and print by clicking on File, and then Print.

Here is another video to walk you through Step 8. Please note that I had added the font for use in only this session of MTC. You will have to add the font again if you close and re-open MTC. If it is a font that you see yourself using often, you might want to install it permanently on your computer and you will then not have to add it every time you open MTC. It will already be there when you start the program.




9. Trim the printed cardstock, leaving a 0.5" margin from the bottom edge. Cut the strip so that it measures 6.5" long from the right edge. Use your MS border punch to make a decorative border on the bottom edge.

10. Adhere all the layers together with tape. Use foam tape to stick the Cupid onto the card with foam tape for added dimensions.

Ta-da! You've just made your first MTC card!


Come back tomorrow and I will show you how to use a Lettering Delights' Doodlebat in MTC.



30 comments :

  1. Thank you so much for this! I didn't realize you could print text directly from MTC! :O) What an ah-ha moment! Thanks!

    Lisa
    prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com

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  2. Great videos Jin! Excellent :)

    Alyssa

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  3. nice job on the tutorial Jin! Very easy for people who are new to MTC to understand.

    MichelleMyBelle

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  4. WOW wonderful tutorial !! Thanks for sharing !
    HUGS,JANIE

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  5. These tips are awesome Jin. Thanks so much. Love the picture tutorials.

    Sharon

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  6. Thanks so much your tuts helped so much.

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  7. Jin,

    Great tuts, I wish this had been available when I got my Cricut and MTC. It really will make a big difference for those who are just starting out.
    It also, will act as refreshers for me in all the buttons in MTC and I am sure I will learn something new in reading and watching.

    I really like this punch, hope it is still available, must find it. GGGGGGG

    Again thanks
    Linda

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  8. These are awesome Jin! It's a nice refresher course, and learning from the master is priceless =). I always forget to change the DPI and check that "actual" box...good reminder!

    Keep up the great work, we are all awaiting the next installment! =)

    -Michelle

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  9. I may have told you before--I have at least thought it--you have just a great eye for putting things together and making them look so cute!!

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  10. Great tutorial-very easy to follow! You'll have me using my cricut yet! lol

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  11. I love your blog!!! Thanks for this!! Bye Anne-Marie

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  12. Aloha Jin, again thank you so very much for putting together this tutorial. Its very detailed and easy to follow. Thank you.

    Fida

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  13. Awesome tutorial for anyone! Thank you for taking the time and effort with the tutorial, which is very easy to follow.

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  14. Weeee-ooooo! I have MTC and I do know how to use it but your tips will inspire me to use it more wisely. Your instructions and photos (and whole blog) are wonderful! I'm gonna become a follower right now! TYFS

    Ellen
    www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com

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  15. Enjoyed your tutorial! It's nice to be able to print text and place it where you want it! If you feel like it you can visit my blog and see my version of your card. I had fun making it. Thanks!
    http://craft2create.blogspot.com/2011/01/be-mine-valentine-card-with-make-cut.html

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  16. Great tutorial for me. I finally can see how to get text in and to print it.
    Thanks

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  17. Found your blog thru a Just A Scrappin, wonderful explanations. Going to sign up and follow....you make it so easy....now maybe I can put MTC to work.....and stop buying carts...

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  18. Another great tutorial! You make all the steps so easy to follow that even my 12 year old was wanting to create a card on his own. I am so excited to craft with my kids and MTC seems like another great tool to use with them. I just wrote a post on my blog about your series that you are doing.

    http://whitneyssanityoutlet.blogspot.com/

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  19. Exactly what I have been looking for!! You are a genius! I love your blog. I think it's my new favorite place. Thank you!

    leswelsh54@yahoo.com

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  20. Great card and tutorial! I didn't know you could even print in MTC.

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  21. I love how you use videos, pictures and text. It makes it so easy to understand! Thanks

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  22. Your instructions are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent

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  23. Thank you so much .....this is just what Ineeded.!!!!

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  24. Thank you so much! Your directions have really helped me!

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  25. Your tutorial is GR-8!

    One question: when I go to temporarily install a font, I cannot get the font directory in view (within MTC). I'm using Windows 7 - I can view the fonts from the control panel, from the desktop I created and from my directories on my drive. However, when I use the install feature in MTC, it is not in "view" anywhere. Any thoughts?

    Thanks soo much!

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  26. Incredible - printing through MTC. I love MTC but even more!!!!

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  27. Well, like the others, I had NO idea!! Thank you so much for this!! I'll be popping in regularly and thanks so much for what you are doing!!

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  28. Holy Cow .. I CAN do this. I've had MTC for over a year and could do NOTHING with it. Jin, YOU ROCK!!
    Ya I'll be back .. for sure. Thanks a ton.

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  29. Thanks so much for the great tutorial Jin! I just made a BD card following your easy instructions. Looking forward to learning more MTC fun with your other tutorials. :)

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