Canvas Pouch
Past Student Examples
Project Brief
Design vector graphics for one side of a canvas zipper pouch, to be produced using a Cricut cutting machine and iron-on vinyl.
Create your vector graphics in Illustrator or Fresco (transfer from Fresco to Illustrator to finish).
Draw or trace at least 2 complex elements (Un-modified text and shapes drawn with the shape tools can be included by don't count)
Use 3 of the available colors of vinyl (no more, no less)
Sample:
Canvas Pouch:
Vinyl Color Options:
Copy Illustrator Template
Go to: https://assets.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:eaa7e57a-562a-4f3c-8699-6e22b59e2109?view=difileÂ
If you aren't already signed in to Adobe, click "Sign in" in the top right corner and "Continue with Google"
Click "Copy to Files"
Open the Creative Cloud desktop app from your dock.
Right-click on the template and click "Open"
Create Vector Designs in Illustrator
Find images to trace with vector tools or free-hand draw. You will need at least two complex traced elements.
Use the tools you have been practicing with to trace shapes.
OR: CREATE DESIGNS IN Adobe Fresco
Find images to trace with vector tools or free-hand draw. You will need at least two complex traced elements.
Use ONLY Vector Brushes to trace shapes.
Make your canvas 7.5 inches by 4 inchesÂ
Transfer Drawing from Fresco to Illustrator
In Fresco, tap the share button
Tap "Open a copy"
Tap "Illustrator desktop"
On your iMac a pop-up should show up titled "Photoshop Import Options"
Click "OK"
Select your drawings
On your keyboard, click "command" + "c" to copy
Go to the template Illustrator file.Â
On your keyboard, click "command" + "v" to paste
Save .aic File
If you see an asterisk (*), that means there are unsaved changes.
In the top menu, click "File" > "Save"
If "Save" is grayed out, it means your file has already been automatically saved.
SCreenshot Design on Template
Click "cmd" + "shift" + "5" to bring up the screenshot program.
Adjust the rectangle to just screenshot the canvas pouch (you don't need to screenshot the color swatches)
Click "Capture"
Prep Design for Cricut
Save as a New File
Before you complete the next steps, save as a new file in case anything about your design gets messed up.
In the top menu, click "File" > "Save As..."
Click "Save to Creative Cloud"
Change the name to: "Canvas Pouch_Cricut"
Change Text to Outlines
ONLY if you have text:
With your "Selection Tool" select your text.
In the top menu, click "Type"
Click "Create Outlines"
This changes your editable text to shapes. Notice there are now points you can edit.
If there are Outlines: Increase Stroke Weight
ONLY if any of your shapes have outlines or you have lines/paths in your design (if you used only Fresco to make your design you can probably skip this):
Hold "shift" on your keyboard and click on shapes with strokes/outlines
In the "Properties" tab, next to "Stroke", increase to 7 pt.
Change Lines to Shapes
In the top menu, click "Select" > "All"
In the top menu, click "Object" > "Path" > "Outline Stroke"
Ungroup Shapes
In the top menu, click "Select" > "All"
In the top menu, click "Object" > "Ungroup"
Repeat until "Ungroup" is grayed out.
Organize Each Vinyl Color to a Layer
Select a shape.
Click "Select" > "Same" > "Fill Color"Â
Click the [+] button in the "Layers" panel to create a new layer
Click and drag the little color square in "Layer 1" up to your new layer.
Rename "Layer 2" to the color name.
Repeat for each color.
Unite Shapes of the Same Color
In the "Layers" panel, click the circle to the right of the "Blue" layer
In the "Properties" panel, under "Pathfinder" click the first icon.
Repeat for each color layer.Â
Fix Path/Shape Issues
Check your paths and fix weird little issues.
You can use the Direct Selection Tool (2nd from the top) to adjust specific points.
You can use the Pen Tool (3rd from the top) and click on points you want to delete.
Delete Your Template and Reference Layers
In your "Layers" tab select your "Template" layer and click the trash bin at the bottom right.
If you have a reference that you traced, you will need to delete that layer too.
You should only have your 3 different layers of colors
Save .AIC file
If you see an asterisk (*), that means there are unsaved changes.
In the top menu, click "File" > "Save"
If "Save" is grayed out, it means your file has already been automatically saved.
Save as an SVG File
Go to "File" > "Save As..."
Choose "On your computer"
Change "Format" to "SVG (svg)"
Choose the location to be "Creative Cloud Files" on the left
Check "Use Artboards"
Click "Save"
Click "OK"
Import Project to Cricut Design Space
Open or Install Cricut Design Space
Open "Launchpad" from your dock
Search for "Cricut"
If it is there, click to open.Â
If it is not there, go to Downloading and Installing Design Space (Mac) and follow the instructions to install
You will need an admin login/password to finish installing the app - please raise your hand and Mrs. Hodges will input the admin credentials.
Sign in to the Class Account
Once the app is installed:
Click "Sign In" and input:
Username: ehodges@bethelsd.org
Password: GraphicDesign$$
Click "SIGN IN >"
Click "+ New Project"
Upload Design
Click "Upload" in the bottom left.
Then click "Upload Image"
Click "Browse"
Find your .svg file and click "Open"
Click "Upload"
Under "Recent Uploads" select your uploaded image and click "Add to Canvas"
Ungroup
The whole design will start by being grouped all together.
Right-click on the very top row (darker green) and click "Ungroup"
On the right side, you should see each of the colors still grouped together
Click off to de-select.
Click the little down arrows to close each layer.
Attach Colors
Now you need to attach the colors together so your design does not get jumbled when printing.
Select a color group.
Click the "Attach" button in the bottom.
Repeat for each color.
Save
Click "Save"
Title your file "First Name"
Click "Save"
Click "Apply"
Screenshot your Design in Cricut
Click on your keyboard "cmd" + "shift" + "5"
Adjust the rectangle to screenshot your design in Cricut.
Your screenshot will save either on your Desktop or a folder you have created in Creative Cloud Files for screenshots.
Submit 3 Files to Canvas
Submit the following 3 files to Canvas:
Screenshot of design on template in Illustrator
.svg file
Screenshot of designs in Cricut
Wait for your Design to be Cut
Mrs. Hodges will use the Cricut to cut each of your vinyl colors.
Weed Design
Once you get your cut vinyl layers:
Your design should stay attached to the clear plastic.
Use your fingers and a weeding tool to get rid of the excess vinyl that is not a part of your design.
Wait for your Design to be Heat Pressed
Mrs. Hodges will use the Heat press to affix your vinyl to your canvas pouch.
Photograph
Use the white background and light set-up to photograph your finished canvas pouch.
Submit to Canvas
Submit the following file to Canvas:
Photo of fully produced canvas pouch