Layers tab - Attach

The wonderful basics of design space. It may seem overwhelming at first, but broken down it really isn't too bad. You can do this.

We are going to start off going over what each of the different things in the layers tabs do and mean. Which will make it easier for you to understand and use them in other projects.

You'll notice in the image below that I've uploaded a simple svg into design space. It's still grouped together and highlighted. I clicked on the layers tab on the right hand side (hint: it's usually default). This brings up the following: weld, attach, flatten and contour. SO, I'll go over what each mean individually.

Weld:

Attach: attach objects together to cut on the cutting mat in the exact layout they appear in design space. Also used to attach text to write on cardstock or score lines.

Flatten: Makes multiple layers one single layer for print then cut.

Contour: Hide lines, or paths, within an image or object.

Attach:

Look at the svg above. The heart is red (I know, shocker), the "I" and "YOU" are black. For this example, we are keeping them that way. I know, this simple thing sounds silly to point out, but bear with me. I actually have a point. You can only "attach" like colors for cutting. Think about it. Attach makes the layout you see on the screen cut exactly the same on the mat, so it makes sense that only the same colors (that would be cut together) can be attached together.

Look at the picture below: This shows the cutting mat of the I (heart) You svg not attached. Notice how the "I and "You" are next to each other? This is how they will cut on the mat if they aren't attached. Fine for paper crafting, or vinyl if you want to save vinyl and hand place it later.

However, look at the next picture showing the "I" and "you" attached on the cutting mat.

See how it's in the same position it was in design space? The advantage is it's already placed exactly as it was in design space so transferring it will be a breeze. The disadvantage is it could (depending on the design) use more vinyl.

Now that you understand attaching, and it is used, I bet you want to know how to do it. Right?

1. First, click on the objects you want to attach together while holding down the shift key. (remember they need to be the same color). Notice how the "I" and the "you" are both highlighted? That is how you know they are both selected.

2. In the layers tab, click "attach". That's it. Easy, right?

You'll know they are attached because "attach" turns to "detach" when you've done it correctly. To reverse it. just click detach.