DesignStudio is the software sold by Provo Craft that allow you to design cut outs and manipulate your Cricut machine using your home computer.
DesignStudio can greatly enhance the functionality of your Cricut machine. However some folks do think the program is difficult to use and understand. It can be confusing because of all the features and options that are in the software.
We are looking for thoughts and reviews about Design Studio.
Do you own Design Studio, if so what are your likes and dislikes about the software?
If you have not purchased Design Studio, what is preventing you? Price, lack of computer, etc.
I'd love to hear your comments, this can help others to decide if Design Studio is right for them.
I feel Design Studio is the best thing I have purchased for my Cricut. For the money, it really adds so much to enjoyment I get out of my Cricut it is well worth it. Yes, it was a little bit overwhelming at first, but if you stick with it I think you will find it very useful.
Jodi
I own Design Studio, and use it almost exclusively with my Expression… to the point that I don’t even put the keypad overlays on anymore. There are several things that I like about DS, but there are some things I don’t like, also. I like being able to manipulate images and preview layouts before I cut them. Those are definite pluses. I don’t like the fact that I cannot copy and paste, then hide contours on the pasted image. I’m still a beginner in comparison to many whose blogs I follow, and I know that there are many things they are doing that I can’t do, but overall I can’t imagine trying to cut without Design Studio. The amount of paper I would waste without DS certainly justifies the cost of the software.
Ann, I agree with the saving paper. I love that I can not only save paper, but save wear and tear on the mats and blades also.
Hi, I really like my Design Studio, it makes it so much easier to create and to use the Cricut pens. You Tube has a lot of videos for any of your Cricut products.
I do wish they would update the Design Studio to match the Gypsy.
Sharon
I own Design Studio and I like it a lot. I know there is more to learn and look forward to doing so. Personally, I like it better than the Gypsy. I can manipulate the designs a lot better. Perhaps, is because I have used an array of design software throughout the years and I am comfortable with them.
I would like to see some improvements which will include laying out designs from different cartridges like you do in the Gypsy. However, I am learning and maybe, just maybe this can be done.
Thanks for asking us for feedback. Design Studio is a great tool which makes the process a lot of fun!
I love my Design Studio Software.
Pros
1. It’s a great tool for planning cards and scrapbook page layouts. I can see my cuts before I actually cut them.( I save so much more time & paper this way)
2.A searchable library of every image and font cartridges, makes it easier to find what you want.
3.I can look at the different cartridge and play with cartridges content before I buy. This helps me decide if I would like the cartridge.
4.The ability to altar the images
5. I can share designs with my friends who also have DS
6. You can combine images from any carts you own.
Cons
1. Limited customization. You can’t design your own original works of art without a cart.
2. Provo Craft does not have user friendly instructions for al the features. A through video would be nice and helpful. (go to YouTube tons of great video)
3.Wish The overlay on the screen was bigger or you could enlarge it. For some of us that done see very will this would be nice.
4. The area on the mat define the cut area onthe mat clearer. It is hard to see if you have your image on that third inner parameter line.
5. Make it easier to click on an image and not allow the image to disappear off the mat.
6.You can’t use it on more than one of your computers
Hope this helps .
Tammy M
I love Design Studio. Matter of fact, couldn’t live without it. However, even after updating it, there are still carts still not on it. Such as Sweethearts, oh my gosh, you have to add it. THanks for letting me have my say.
I love Design Studio. Anything new takes a while to learn and I am still learning. With DS I am able to create, copy, and view what shapes will look like prior to cutting.
I bought this on Craigslist, only to come home and find that it is not Mac compatible. Do they make one for the IMac?.
Would you be will to sell since its not caomatable with your computer 406-377-3011
don’t like using design studio as often as I would like – just not too user friendly.
Why are there so many tutorials/tip books/ available from others and not from Provo Craft who created the DS
Sharon,
Yes, could not agree more. When you see lots of 3rd party manuals and tutorials, you know that Provo Craft is leaving users confused.
-J
I have had the DS software for a few years. It is…ok, but could be wonderful! I use computers lots EVERYDAY and love photo, card making and scrapbooking software. This program is so basic that I think it makes it hard for people to use. They are expecting it to do so much more in less clicks. It is not user friendly! A good example is Print Shop software. It is so easy to place text, backspace, grab the corner and resize, then double click in a word to fix a mistake. I had so much trouble trying to space my letters, size the whole word, then double click to edit my word. Anyway, I thought it was very frustrating to take such a long process to get what I wanted. I have only used the program a few times because of this. Could be great, but needs work!
For the life of me I still can’t figure out how to shadow an image that I have created on design studio. I have read the manual and there isn’t enough info . I have browsed the web including u-tube and still to no avail. Can anyone help??? Thanks
Linda, I did a tutorial on Welded shadows on my blog if you’re interested.
http://myfaqcricutds.blogspot.com/2007/12/welded-shadows.html
I love DS! I have a Gypsy too, but still use DS way more!
I purchased the DS a month ago but have been too confused to install it. Is it true that it would be better to download than install the disk if you are using Windows 7?
Hi Linda I have windows 7. Just install frome the cricut wedsit it will ask for your code wich is come with the disk. you may nead to update it once its install.
The DS let’s you see through mines eye and create with you heart and soul.
I purchased DS and I have only used it once. Everytime I try to use it, it won’t run. I have Vista on my computer. We read reviews from Provo Craft and they said that they are working on that. Yeah right. Why have it when you can not use it. Hopefully it will work with Windows.
Erica
I had the program on a PC that got infected with a virus. When I purchased a new computer I got a Mac so the software will no longer work for me. I did like it when I could use it.
I do not own DC. I am still reserching to see if this is something I want to purchase. I also am planing in the future to purchase the Gypse. My only concern is that PC products are super pricey. They love to nickle and dame everything. There customer service really is lacking, and not giving their customers who have spend so much money proper support. I am worried I tried to download the trial version and it would not open to allow me to see the program. When I called it was just like our government pointing the finger on my computer and not even giving me advise on how or where I might go to. Hmmmmmmm. I am superexited about the cricut craft room something similar to the DC but free to cricut owners. With my research I have found that there are many cutting machines very costly but reachable. I have also found out that many people have chosen PC since the price was the most reasonable. This was my choice when purchasing my Cricut. I dont want to sound like I am unhappy I love my cricut and the products for this but the customer service need to be complete looked at also instruction should be produced by PC. Thank you to all the youtubers who have taking up the slack because of you all I learned how to operate my machine at the fullest.
So this is where I am at with the Design Studio…
I love Design Studio….I’m in my 60′s with not great eyesight…I can use my computer everywhere with design studio and not have to have internet. I have the gypsy but I get so frustrated as the screen is so small..My desktop has huge screen and my laptop…is plenty big enough..
We often go away to our beach house and there is no internet there..I hope you never get rid DS..
I’m sure I’ll love craftroom but unfortunately it wont help when i’m away from home..
Can anyone tell me the differences between Design Studio and Craftroom? I was ready to purchase Design Studio but another shopper talked me out of it – old technology she said and Craftroom will let me do every thing Design Studio does and it’s free. Surely there must be some differences?
Hi Karen The craft room has all the images for the imaging and the design studio has not. But cannot tell you a lot about it because no one can get on it.
Having put all of my cartridges on my Gypsy, I gave them to my daughter-in-law. Now I have Design Studio. How do you use Design Studio and then cut using the cartridges on the Gypsy?
HI barbara
When you finish your project go to save it. It will give you the option to save it on the design studio or the gypsy file on your computer. I have saved some but not shour how to get them from the computer to my gypsy .
Caroline
Just started using the DS. It looks really cool, but how come it seems that I’m the only one wondering why I still have to load each cartridge in the machine????????? Isn’t that the point of the DS???? Or do I also need to buy a gypsy or jukebok to load all my cartridges onto?? Would I then be able to cut without putting each individual cart into the cricut?? I’m just confused because I thought I would be able to put away all these carts and I CAN”T DO THAT !!!!! Frustrated ~~
Hi you need a jukebox it will hold 6 cartrideg.
Can you do blackout on DS? I would like to stamp faces on Create a Criter.
Not sure
No you need a gypsy
I am very confused about DS. I haven’t purchased it yet And I’m still not sure about it. What is it’s main purpose ? Can I design ANYthing even if it’s not in a cartridge? Really confused.
i did buy the software like a 2 months ago and still can´t use it! theprogram ask me about the seria number but i didn´t found any in or out the box! so i have not used yet!
could not work on my 64 bit
I installed DS on my computer and did the updates per the instructions. Now, my Cricut is frozen and cannot be used. Anyone else have this problem when updating?
I’ve lost my cable. What can I replace it with?
Thanks!
Hi I purchased the Cri-cut machine which included the design studio cd about four years ago and found it very easy to use but suddenly it all stopped working and said I must go online to up-date it – everyone I contacted through Cri-cut tried to help me but to no avail and in the end I just gave up. The machine was purchased at a Craft Fair so I had no come back. The concept is brill but in the end even the extra strong blades did not cut evenly so the machine is now sitting idle in my studio. When it did work it was fantastic and I made some super cards but I think it was a lot if money and it did not last that long.
Regards
Yvonne Harris Caine
Can I use the craft room with a cricut cake mini?
I have been trying to update my cricut expressions firmware and cant seem to do it. I was able to update the Cricut DesignStudio but when I go to cut with this program, it said my firmware is not updated. I am going in circles. HELP!
I went out a bought DS without realizing that CR was avaliable, so when i go home i was very excited to use my DS. and with the design studio i saw all of these great cartridges avaliable so i got on the sight to purchase a digital cartridge. i loved the instant gratification i was about to have playing with my new cartridge on my DS. only to find out that i cant even pull it up on design studio. i can only use it thru craft studio, and now i have a 70.00 program i have wasted my money on because the store will not refund my money and i cant use craft studio with out the USB, so really i bought the usb cord for 70.00 and the rest is trash!!!!!!! and customer service keeps ringing then going busy and hanging up on me. i used to love my cricut cutter but i hate the developers now and may never buy another product again. btw side note if you use CS and then try to go into design studio, it will say it cant find machine and make you update all over again.
I received the cricut expression for christmas and I only just heard about the cricut design studio.I was going to purchase it but now I am having second thoughts.To send that kind of money and end up having trouble or not enjoying it is not really worth it.
How do you even get to the design part of the program??????????????????
Do not waste your money DS does not work, no matter hom many times you install and update this stupid software, you get no where!! I have to uninstall and reinstall after every use!!! This is crazy!! If I had to recommend PROVO CRAFT I would say DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
Hi, I’m trying to understand what exactly DS does…Let’s say I own the Doodletype and George cartridges. Are those the only fonts I will be able to actually use on DesignStudio? So I can design things using DS but I can only cut them if I insert the right cartridge? Am I understanding this right?
I never use my cricut without DS and I love it. I was very fortunate to purchase it for less than $20 at a close out sale. I’ve been using it about 3 years now. I’ve updated it once a year. It saves paper and being able to manipulate images, expands my design options. I have a nice big screen on my computer to design on. However there are some problems that Provo Craft should remedy.
1) I would like to be able to copy and paste grouped images as a group instead of as individual components.
2) After pasting maybe 3 or more images, it refuses to paste more images on the same page although there is plenty of space on the page.
3) Occasionally, when I select a design, it appears in the top of the screen or side and I can’t grab it to move it where I want it.
To remedy problems 2 & 3 I have to open a new page for the image, then copy & paste it back to the page I want it on.
4) Also I must put my images together on a page and once I’m satisfied with the layout, I must make a new page and copy & paste each image (innermost to outermost) to make sure it is burped. I have too many DS files that I’ve created so I’m not interested in spending money on a gypsy or going to craftroom. I do love using DS and I have found ways around the glitches, but it would be nice if Provo Craft addressed these long standing issues and the program would be more user friendly. Given these problems, I would not recommend purchasing the program, especially at full price.
I am very new to Cricut and just got the Expressions 2 for Christmas, however I am very disappointed in it. My friend has a die-cut machine and she is able to buy rights to images and cut them and I haven’t been able to do that. If I spend the money and buy DS will I be able to upload my own images or do I still have the limited selection of just the Cricut cart?