Cricut Explore User manual

User Manual
Cricut Explore™design-and-cut system
From inspiration to creation in just a few clicks!

1. Machine Setup
A. Set Up Mac
B. Set Up PC
C. First Project
2. Smart Set™ Dial
A. Smart Set™ Dial
B. Custom Settings
3. Cartridge Linking
4. Image Library
A. Search/Insert Images
B. Search for Image Sets/Cartridges
C. Using Image Filters
5. Make It Now™ Projects
6. Cutting Your Own Images
A. Basic Upload
B. Vector Upload (.svg or .dxf files)
7. Working with Images/Edit Panel
A. Selecting an Image
B. Sizing Images
C. Rotate/Mirror/Position
8. Working with Text/Edit Panel
A. Adding Text
B. Editing Text, Selecting Text
C. Ungrouping Fonts
Cricut Explore®User Manual Index
9. Layers Panel
A. Determine the Line Type (Cut, Write, Score)
B. Change Color on Image Layers
C. Group/Ungroup Images and Layers
D. Duplicate/Delete an Image or Image Group
E. Hide/Unhide an Image Layer
F. Weld Tool
G. Contour Tool
H. Attach Tool
10. Sync Panel
11. Canvas Panel
12. Mat Preview
13. Purchasing Images
A. Single Image
B. Image Sets
C. Subscription
D. Upgrade Your Purchase

Step 1 Plug in your Cricut Explore® machine and power it on.
Step 2 Connect your Cricut Explore® machine to your computer using the USB cord.
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Section 1A Page 1
Machine Setup
Set up MAC users

Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Section 1A Page 2
Machine Setup (cont.)
Step 3 Open your web browser and go to www.cricut.com/setup
Step 4 Log in to your Cricut.com account. If you are new to Cricut.com,
click “Need a Cricut Account” to set up an account.

Step 5 You are now ready to set up your Cricut Explore® machine and connect to Cricut Design Space™.
Click “Continue” to begin the set-up process.
Step 6 Click “Download.”
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1A Page 3

Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1A Page 4
Step 7 Open Finder in the Mac toolbar.
Step 8 Go to the Downloads folder on your computer and double-click the CricutDesignSpace file.

Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Section 1A Page 5
Step 9 Review and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
Step 10 Drag the npCricut.plugin icon to the Internet Plug-Ins folder.

Section 1A Page 6
Step 11 Click “Authenticate.” Depending on your computer settings,
you may be prompted to enter your administrator name and password.
Step 12 Close the Cricut Design Space™ and Downloads windows to return to your browser.
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Machine Setup (cont.)

Step 13 Completely quit your browser; then reopen it and return to
www.cricut.com/setup to continue the set-up process.
Step 14 Click “Detect Machine.” When your machine has been detected, click “Continue.”
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Section 1A Page 7
Machine Setup (cont.)

Step 15 Check the box to accept your trial subscription, and then click “Continue”.
Tip: To gain access to your free trial subscription, please make sure the check box is marked before
clicking “Continue.”
Step 16 Your Cricut Explore® machine is all set up and you’re ready to write and cut your first project!
Your free trial subscription to the Cricut Image Library gives you access to over 25,000 images
and 200 fonts. There are no strings attached and no credit cards required—just enjoy your access to all
non-licensed images in the Cricut Library, over 25,000 images during your free subscription trail.
Get more information including a list of all images and image sets included in the subscription, at
us.cricut.com/subscriptionlist
Section 1A
Machine Setup - Set up MAC users
Section 1A Page 8
Machine Setup (cont.)

Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 1
Machine Setup (cont.)
Step 1 Plug in your Cricut Explore® machine and power it on.
Step 2 Connect your Cricut Explore® machine to your computer using the USB cord.
Set up PC users

Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 2
Step 3 Open your web browser and go to www.cricut.com/setup
Step 4 Log in to your Cricut.com account. If you are new to Cricut.com,
click “Need a Cricut Account” to set up an account.

Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 3
Step 5 You are now ready to set up your Cricut Explore® machine and connect to
Cricut Design Space™. Click “Continue” to begin the set-up process.
Step 6 Click “Download Plugin.”

Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 4
Step 7 Close your browser.
Step 8 Click the Start menu and then open your Documents folder.

Step 9 Select the Downloads folder and then double-click on the CricutDesignSpace file.
Step 10 The Setup Cricut Design Space™ window will open. Click “Next” to continue.
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 5
Machine Setup (cont.)

Step 11 Review and accept the Terms and Conditions. Click “Next” to continue.
Step 12 Decide where you would like the file to be installed
(it will default to the Program Files folder). Click “Next” to continue.
Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 6

Step 13 Decide if you would like a Desktop shortcut. Click “Next” to continue.
Step 14 Click “Next” to install the Internet plug in.
Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Section 1B Page 7

Section 1B Page 8
Step 15 Cricut Design Space™ has been successfully installed. Click “Finish,”
open your browser, and return to www.cricut.com/setup.
Step 16 Click “Detect Machine.” When your machine has been detected, click “Continue.”
Machine Setup (cont.)
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users

Step 17 Check the box to accept your trial subscription, and then click “Continue.”
Section 4B
Image library - Insert/Search for images
Section 1B Page 9
Section 1B
Machine Setup - Set up PC users
Machine Setup (cont.)
Tip: To gain access to your free trial subscription, please make sure the check box is marked before
clicking “Continue.”
Step 18 Your Cricut Explore® machine is all set up and you’re ready to write and cut your first project!
Your free trial subscription to the Cricut Image Library gives you access to over 25,000 images
and 200 fonts. There are no strings attached and no credit cards required—just enjoy your access to all
non-licensed images in the Cricut Library—over 25,000 images—during your free subscription trial.
Get more information including a list of all images and image sets included in the subscription, at
us.cricut.com/subscriptionlist

Section 1C
Machine setup - First Project
Section 1C Page 1
Machine Setup (cont.)
Use the materials found in the box to complete a “Thank you” card and watch as your Cricut Explore®
machine writes and cuts all in one step.
Step 1 To insert the pen, start by first opening accessory clamp A.
Step 2 Remove the cap from the pen.
First Project