Cricut Update: New Layers Panel & Combine Menu | 'UNWELD' & RENAME LAYERS!

A new version of Cricut Design Space for Desktop – version 7.20 – is starting to roll out and there are several wonderful new features and important changes I want to show you, as they will change how you’re using the software for the better. These changes also impact my tutorials – specifically the location of Weld – and I want to be sure you know how to find it!

The big change in this version is the Layers Panel – you can see how it looked before this version on the left side of the screen , and how it looks now on the right. First, let me reassure you that EVERYTHING is still here and nothing has been removed. Note that the icons are still here at the top, though they have been streamlined in the new version. The layers are all here, but you can now rename them, and the buttons at the bottom are there … you’ll note that Weld appears to be missing, and in its place there’s a Combine button. If you’re watching this video to figure out where Weld went, it’s right under the Combine button… but as you’ll see, there’s so much more there now, too.

Let’s look closer at each change. First, the buttons above the Layers Panel – before we had four buttons: Group, Ungroup, Duplicate, and Delete. Now we have Group & Ungroup merged into one button, and Duplicate and Delete just like before. The labels are no longer underneath the buttons, presumably to make more room for something yet to come, so if you can’t remember which button is which, just hover your mouse over them and the label pops up!

The Group button will darken when you have two or more layers selected, like this. And when you have a group selected, the button will change to Ungroup. I like this change – no need to have two buttons there when one will do.

Below these buttons, in the Layers Panel itself, Cricut has added a feature that we’ve all been requesting for a long time – the ability to RENAME layers. To rename a layer, just double-click on a layer name and an edit box will appear that you can type right into. When you’re done renaming, just press the enter or return key on your keyboard, or click somewhere else on the Canvas. You can also rename a layer by right-clicking on it with your mouse or tapping on your trackpad with two fingers to access the drop-down menu and then just choose rename at the top.

Now down at the bottom of the Layers Panel, we used to have Slice, Weld, Attach, Flatten, and Contour, and these are all the same except the new Combine menu is where Weld used to be. Note that these buttons will all appear “greyed out” and unclickable until we select at two layers on the canvas, like these layers in my new cake topper. Now we can see all the options. If we click once on Combine, we get a menu with new options – Weld is at the top, followed by four new functions – Unite, Subtract, Intersect, and Exclude. These are really special functions that I think you’re going to love. Functions like this are included in software like Adobe Illustrator, which I’ve been using for over 30 years, and I’m excited to see them come to Cricut Design Space! Let’s see how each one works in this video!

0:00 - Cricut Design Space Update
0:29 - Update 1: Where is Weld? New Layers Panel
1:18 - Update 2: Buttons Above the Layers Panel
1:54 - Update 3: Group and Ungroup
2:10 - Update 4: Rename Layers
2:49 - Update 5: New “Combine” Menu Functions
3:48 - New Combine Function: Unite
7:02 - New Combine Function: Subtract
8:08 - New Combine Function: Intersect
8:47 - New Combine Function: Exclude
9:58 - Tips For Using New Combine Functions!
13:04 - Closing Notes and Link to More Information

#cricut #cricutmade #designspace

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Credits:
Introduction: PixelBytes (my child!)
Music: Cute by Bensound (licensed, royalty and copyright free)
Videography: Jennifer Marx on a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 DSLR 4K camera
Design: A Jennifer Maker original!

[marybuchanan]

OMG! When are they going to stop. I am 70 and I just about got it in my head about the last update. I about went nuts today trying to do something so simple this morning that I could have done with ease before the last changes. Now this. WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU! You are the most valuable asset any Cricut user could have. You are the best.

[mollytraylor]

Jennifer, what would we do without? Thank you so much for being such a great teacher. You are seriously the best Cricut'er on the planet. Thank you, Queen! 👸

[brendathompson]

Thanks so much Jennifer. I have an old brain & it takes me several times to catch on. Repetition is my friend. Thanks for making this easy to process.

[jobillups]

Love all this, but WHEN are they going to change the unnecessarily small print-then-cut dimensions? It’s a terrible waste of materials! I know there are hacks to get around it, but it needs to be changed.

[nanciolsen]

I don't know how anyone could use Cricut to its best without you!!! If I get to nothing else each day, I check for your emails first!! Thank you for always helping us with the best advise, tutorials, videos AND the amazing designs in your Library. We gave our granddaughter a Cricut Explorer for her last birthday and she is loving it and using it for so many things for her 4-H group.

[Cleocatastic]

oh my...that was alot of information. I'm going to have to keep coming back to your video until I get the hang of it! Thanks for helping us all out Jennifer!

[bettykaras]

I have come to rely on your thorough, precise, and clear instructions. Your guidance is much appreciated, as is your always upbeat presentation. You are the best and I find myself seeking out your tutorials exclusively. Thank you so much! Betty

[phyllisfavorite]

I really appreciate this tutorial on the interesting updates! Once again, you prove why you are the premier Cricut Queen. Your teaching methods are so clear, thorough, and extremely helpful. There are others who speak soooo fast they are tough to follow; that is never an issue with you. Thank you so much once again!!

[claudettestraub]

Jennifer, once again you've broken everything down and made it easy to understand. I LOVE this about your videos. Thank you for all you do.

[desertorpin]

You have done it again - brilliant as always in taking the complex and explaining it in an easy straightforward manner, with both "hard copy" (which I love) and your excellent watch and show video. Master Crafter and Teacher - a Guru of crafting - and not to mention another showing of your generosity. Thank you so much.

[michealeegarcia]

Jennifer thanks for helping us newbies by showing us all the things we need to work with. Right now I an working on your Lighted Angels as I gifting them to some teachers that I volunteer for.

[mluecjp]

In my ongoing quest to learn more about and get the best use of my Cricut, I have subscribed to and watched many videos. However, I always find myself coming back to you! Thank you for your timely, concise tutorials. You give me the confidence to undertake new things I would not have otherwise tried. I appreciate you!

[brendalawrence]

This update is confusing, but I know once we start using it, it will make better sense. It's always good to keep challenging our minds and to keep learning. Thank you for showing this old lady these new tricks! You rock!!! Hugs, Brenda

[mcristinasatrapaUT]

Jennifer, you are the best. I love how you explain each step of the process . We are very lucky to have you around.

[kimruic]

There is no one better at explaining features and projects than you! Every time I want to learn something the right way, I turn to you and your amazing videos. Thank you thank you!!

[sandieparker]

I too agree, Jennifer, I don't know what I'd do without you! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and your gifts and talents with us! You are simply amazing!

[MarshaStorry]

thank you Jennifer. I was in a hurry and used weld when I should have used unite. This is a great explanation of the new changes. I agree with the others...you are the Cricut queen.

[laylarouch-norton]

I can usually navigate fairly well with the updates, but I continue to stay subscribed to your channel so I can share your video tutorials with others! I refer everyone who is just starting out or have issues with updates directly to your channel. Your videos helped me so much when I started my journey with Cricut and I love sending others to you! I shared this video in one of my Cricut groups the other day and people loved it! Love you Jennifer and all you do to help others bring their imaginations to life ❤️

[SafariSis]

Oh, Jennifer, I was so busy sharing your video that I forgot to tell you thanks for making this! You are the first source for me. If you don't cover the topic, then I search elsewhere, but you are definitely #1 with me! Thank you, thank you, thank you from so many of us who sometimes forget to say that!

[angelrob]

You are one of the first "Cricut people" I found when a friend of mine got a Maker, and you're still the best! Even though I'm now fully comfortable with Cricut Design Space and the changes as they come, and quite skilled at Inkscape from your Design course, I still love to watch your videos and learn something new, a technique, a pattern, or just see what else you've designed for your fans! <3