Using Pink Pony SVG Files With Brother CanvasWorkspace & ScanNCut

If your Pink Pony Design pattern includes SVG cutting files, you can import them into Brother CanvasWorkspace and use your ScanNCut to cut the pattern pieces instead of printing and cutting them by hand.

CanvasWorkspace works a little differently from Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio, so there are a couple of things that are particularly important to check before cutting.

1. Use CanvasWorkspace on a Computer

Pink Pony Design SVG files can be imported using either:

• CanvasWorkspace for Web
  
  
• CanvasWorkspace for PC/Mac

The iPad version of CanvasWorkspace does not support SVG import, so you'll need to use CanvasWorkspace on a computer for this part.

2. Download and Extract Your Pattern Files

Download your Pink Pony Design pattern and save it somewhere easy to find.

If your download is a ZIP file, extract or unzip it first.

Open the extracted folder and look for the file ending in:

.svg

That's the file you'll import into CanvasWorkspace.

If you're having trouble finding or opening your files, visit the Downloads & Files section of the Pink Pony Help Center.

3. Import the SVG Into CanvasWorkspace

CanvasWorkspace for Web

Open CanvasWorkspace and sign in.

Select the Import SVG/DXF/FCM icon in the toolbar.

Choose your Pink Pony Design .svg file and select OK.

The design will appear in your workspace.

CanvasWorkspace for PC/Mac

Open the CanvasWorkspace application.

Select the SVG/import icon on the left side of the screen.

Locate your Pink Pony Design .svg file and select Open.

The design will appear on the artboard.

If the SVG won't open, see My SVG Won't Upload or Open - What Should I Do?

4. IMPORTANT: Check the Size Immediately

This is particularly important in CanvasWorkspace.

CanvasWorkspace may automatically make an imported SVG smaller if the complete design is larger than the available cut/draw area. You may even see a message telling you that the SVG has been resized to fit the artboard.

This does not mean you should use the automatically resized version.

Before moving, separating or editing any pattern pieces, check the 1" test square that's usually included in the SVG.

Compare it with the 1" grid on the CanvasWorkspace mat.

It should measure exactly:

1" x 1" (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm)

If it does, your SVG is correctly scaled.

If it doesn't, don't cut anything yet. See My SVG Is the Wrong Size When I Import It for instructions on correcting the scale.

5. Arrange Your Pattern Pieces

Once you've confirmed that the SVG is correctly sized, you can arrange the individual pattern pieces to fit your cutting area.

You can:

• move pieces
• rotate pieces so any directional fabric is cut in the right position
• arrange pieces to make better use of your cutting mat
• divide pieces between mats if necessary

Just be careful not to accidentally change the size of the pattern pieces while moving them.

If the complete SVG doesn't fit within the cutting area at the correct scale, don't shrink the pattern to make it fit.

Instead, rearrange the individual pieces or cut them separately.

6. Transfer the Design to Your ScanNCut

Once your pieces are arranged and ready to cut, you'll need to transfer the project from CanvasWorkspace to your ScanNCut.

The available transfer methods depend on your ScanNCut model and setup and may include:

• wireless transfer
• USB flash drive
• USB cable on compatible models

Follow the transfer method appropriate for your particular ScanNCut.

CanvasWorkspace converts the project into the FCM format used by the cutting machine when the design is transferred.

Once transferred, retrieve the design on your ScanNCut and check that it appears correctly before continuing.

7. Set Up Your Material & Cutting Settings on the ScanNCut

Unlike some other cutting-machine software, your cutting settings are largely handled on the ScanNCut itself rather than in CanvasWorkspace.

Place your material securely on the appropriate cutting mat and load the mat into your machine.

The exact settings available depend on your ScanNCut model and the blade you're using.

If Your ScanNCut Uses an Auto Blade

On compatible ScanNCut DX machines, the Auto Blade automatically detects the thickness of your material and adjusts the blade depth for you.

This means you don't normally need to work out a blade-depth setting yourself.

However, automatic blade depth doesn't guarantee that every material will cut perfectly on the first attempt. You can still adjust settings such as Cut Pressure directly on the ScanNCut if necessary.

If You're Using a Manual Blade

Older ScanNCut machines and some optional blade holders require the blade depth to be adjusted manually.

In this case, both the blade extension/depth and cutting pressure need to be appropriate for the material you're cutting.

Because ScanNCut models and blades vary considerably, follow the recommendations for your particular machine and blade rather than relying on one universal setting.

8. Always Make a Test Cut

Before cutting an entire pattern piece, Brother recommends performing a Test/Trial Cut using the same material as your project.

On compatible ScanNCut models, select Test on the machine's screen. Position the test shape over a small unused area of your material and run the trial cut.

Then check the result.

If the material hasn't cut all the way through

Increase the Cut Pressure slightly and perform another test cut.

With a manual blade, you may also need to adjust the blade extension according to the instructions for your particular blade and machine.

If the blade cuts deeply into the mat

The cutting pressure is too high.

Reduce the Cut Pressure and test again.

If the test cut is clean

Perfect! Your settings are suitable for that material and you can continue with your pattern pieces. 

Don't skip the test cut just because you've used a similar material before. Cork, faux leather, vinyl and fabric can vary considerably in thickness, backing and construction.

It's much better to sacrifice a tiny scrap while finding the correct settings than a beautiful piece of cork or vinyl! 😂

A Note About Other Cutting Settings

Depending on your ScanNCut model, you'll find additional cutting options in the machine's Settings screen, such as Cut Speed and Cut Pressure.

Some models also offer settings such as Half Cut, which is intended for kiss-cutting materials with a backing layer.

For normal Pink Pony Design pattern pieces, you generally want to cut completely through the material, rather than use Half Cut.

If you're unsure which settings are available on your particular ScanNCut, check the manual for your model.

9. Think About the Direction of Your Material

Before cutting, check whether your pattern piece needs to follow a particular print direction or material direction.

This is especially important with directional prints and materials where the appearance changes depending on which way the piece is cut.

Rotating a pattern piece in CanvasWorkspace may save material, but make sure it's appropriate to rotate that particular piece first.

10. Don't Forget Your PDF Instructions

Your PDF pattern remains your main sewing guide, even when you're cutting the pieces electronically.

Check the PDF for any pattern-specific information about:

• Fabric direction
  
• How many of each piece to cut
• Which material each piece should be cut from

The SVG helps you cut the shapes - the PDF tells you what to cut and how the pieces are used.

11. Check Everything Before Cutting

Before starting the cut, check that:

• The pattern pieces are the correct size
• Nothing has accidentally been resized
• All the pieces you need are present
• The pieces fit within the cutting area
• Your material is positioned correctly on the physical mat

Once everything looks right, you're ready to cut.

Something Isn't Working

If the SVG won't upload at all, see:

My SVG Won't Upload or Open - What Should I Do?

If the SVG uploads but isn't the correct size, see:

My SVG Is the Wrong Size When I Import It

And if you're still stuck, please contact me. Let me know which Pink Pony Design pattern you're using, your ScanNCut model, whether you're using CanvasWorkspace for Web or the desktop application, and what happens when you import the SVG.

A screenshot of the CanvasWorkspace screen is especially helpful.

Happy sewing!
Maria
Pink Pony Design