The Slice tool feature inside the Cricut Design Space is a handy tool to help you do unique projects with the Cricut machine. I use it to crop pictures, slice text, and make new shapes. The concept behind the Cricut Slice tool is quite simple: The Cricut Slice tool cuts a shape or text from another shape. Also, though the Slice tool is easy to use, it does have some quirks that can frustrate new Cricut customers.
If that is you, don’t worry. This article will teach you everything about the Cricut Slice Tool and how to use it. Also, I will show you my five favorite ways to use the Slice tool in the Cricut Design Space app.
What is the Cricut Slice tool?
The Cricut Slice is a tool within the Design Space that allows you to cut one image out of another. You will find it at the bottom of the Layers panel, next to the other design space layer tools: Attach, Flatten, Weld, and Contour.
What does the Cricut Slice tool do?
The Cricut Slice tool splits two overlapping pictures into multiple pieces by “cutting” one image from another. The Cricut Slice tool creates new cut paths wherever the edges of the two pictures overlap.
You can think of a cookie cutter or a fancy hole punch: the Cricut Slice tool “punches out” the size of one image by the size of another image. As a result, the Cricut Slice tool creates completely new shapes from the original shapes. Each unique shape will appear as an individual layer in the Layers panel.
Here are the instructions to use the Cricut Slice Tool
You can use the Cricut Slice tool to cut one shape from another, cut overlapping shapes, or cut text out of shape. Here are the easy steps for using the Cricut Slice tool.
- Arrange the two pictures to overlap:
Press and drag the pictures to overlap. Nothing will happen if you try to Slice two without overlapping pictures.
- Choose both layers:
Keep in mind that when you are using Slice with pictures, only you can work with two layers at a time. Once you have selected two layers, a gray bounding box will appear around both pictures, and the personal layers will be highlighted in the Layers panel.
- Press the Slice button
at the bottom of the Layers panel in the Actions menu at the bottom side of the screen if you are on a computer or using the iOS and Android apps.
- View your results:
Take apart the layers to see your new shape. Now you can edit layers personally and delete layers you don’t need.
Some Tips and Tricks to use the Cricut Slice Tool
I think Cricut Slice is a handy tool, but it is not without its quirks. Here are tips and tricks to remember when using the Cricut Slice tool.
- The Cricut Slice tool works on two layers:
- When you use Slice with pictures, only you can work with two layers at a time. If you choose more than two layers, the button will be “grayed out,” and you will not be able to use it.
- The Cricut Slice tool works on overlapping pictures:
- The two pictures must be overlapping to use Slice. If you Slice two pictures that are not on top of each other, nothing will change.
- The Cricut Slice tool can operate on grouped pictures
, but only if other pictures are hidden within the group. If you want to Slice a layer part of a multi-layered group, first, you have to hide or ungroup the other layers to activate the Cricut Slice tool.
- The Cricut Slice tool also works with text:
However, slicing with text (incredibly multi-layered text) has peculiarities that we will cover a little later.
Why You Should Use the Cricut Slice tool
The Cricut Slice tool function helps cut shapes and text large background shapes. Also, you can crop or trim unwanted portions of shapes or pictures. When you start using the Cricut Slice tool, you will be surprised by how much it can do. Here are some of the methods to use the Cricut Slice tool:
- First, “Punch-Out” Shapes and Text from a Larger Background Size.
- Then, create new, custom shapes from two standard shapes in the Shapes panel.
- After that, crop or trim out unwanted parts of a picture.
- Cut a picture into multiple pieces, and separate those pieces into different layers.
Modify or rearrange the finished picture from the Cricut library.
