{"id":1493,"date":"2019-03-18T16:51:30","date_gmt":"2019-03-18T20:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/crystalscrafties.com\/?p=1493"},"modified":"2020-03-17T20:27:24","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T00:27:24","slug":"how-to-add-shadow-to-an-image-in-cricut-design-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crystalscrafties.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/18\/how-to-add-shadow-to-an-image-in-cricut-design-space\/","title":{"rendered":"How to add shadow to an image in Cricut Design Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cricut Design Space is a pretty powerful design tool but there are a few things you just can\u2019t do within design space itself. Adding a shadow behind an image is one of them. In this quick tutorial I\u2019ll show you how to add shadow to an image and import it to Cricut Design Space. Make sure to watch the video at the end which also shows how to add a shadow to text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to download Inkscape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since there is no option to create a shadow or offset in Cricut Design Space you\u2019ll need an outside source. The best one I\u2019ve found is a free program called Inkscape. Of course there are other paid programs that will let you do the same thing but why would you pay when Inkscape is free and it is ALL YOU NEED. I use Inkscape to make all of my SVG\u2019s and digital mockups. Head over to inkscape.org<\/a> and download this free software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 1:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have Inkscape downloaded you\u2019ll want to pull your SVG or photo into Inkscape. To do this you can drag and drop directly into the Inkscape Icon or you can open Inkscape, go to \u201cFile\u201d and select \u201cImport\u201d then choose your photo or SVG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have your photo or SVG in Inkscape you need to turn it into a path. Inkscape works with \u201cpaths\u201d to create cut files. To do this select your photo or SVG then go to \u201cPath\u201d and \u201cTrace Bitmap\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You\u2019ll see a settings box pop up in the corner. Don\u2019t change any of the settings. Just uncheck the \u201csmooth\u201d box at the bottom and check \u201cremove background\u201d. Click \u201cupdate\u201d and then \u201cOK\u201d. This will create your bitmap which turns your photo into a path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should now have a black and white image. This will become your shadow. You can delete your original photo or SVG as you won\u2019t be needing it any longer. You\u2019ll need to fill in your shadow layer to make it a full shadow. To do that go to \u201cPath\u201d and then \u201cLinkedOffset\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you are in the Offset settings (you\u2019ll know this because your cursor will change to a long skinny arrow) you can begin filling in your shadow. To do this you will need to use the keyboard controls. Hit \u201cCtrl\u201d and \u201c)\u201d as many times as you feel is needed to fill in your shadow layer. You most likely will not need to hit it more than 3-4 times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have your basic shadow you\u2019ll want to fill in the holes. To do this select your image and click \u201cPath\u201d and \u201cBreak Apart\u201d. You\u2019ll then notice all the holes are filled in. From here you\u2019ll need to select \u201cPath\u201d and \u201cUnion\u201d. This is like slice and weld in Design Space. You sliced out the holes and then you need to weld the entire shadow back together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You\u2019ve now completed your shadow layer. You\u2019ll want to save the image as an \u201cInkscape SVG\u201d and it\u2019s ready to upload into design space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check out the video below on how to add shadow to an image in Cricut Design Space. It goes over some additional details of Inkscape along with how to work with the shadow once it\u2019s in Design Space. There\u2019s also a bonus on how to add shadow to text using Inkscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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