Brother has recently released a PC based version of the online ScanNCut Canvas Workspace. I am happy to see that Brother has been working on a PC based program and am looking forward to when they roll out the Mac version. Lately, I am finding that the current online Canvas software has become very glitchy lately. So it is really great to see Brother addressing the problems we have all been experiencing.
What is Canvas Workspace?
Canvas Workspace is the software used by users of the Brother ScanNCut machine to enable editing of cutting files or the creation of new ones from scratch.
Here is our Canvas Workspace review.
In this video, I take you through the features of the PC based program and show you what’s new.
You can download the software here: https://canvasworkspace.brother.com/en
Donna Burrows says
Thanks for letting us know ?
A. Zecha says
1. Does the new PC version allow for importing a design from one mat onto another at i.e. essentially allowing for the melding of 2 separately created designs into a third design?
2. How do I access my current designs in Scanncutcanvas?
3. Will purchased 3rd party designs still be usable in the PC version of Canvasworkshop?
4. Does this mean Brother will be abandoning support for the online version of Scanncutcanvas? If so, when?
5. I’m still using Windows 7, Does this mean I will miss out on some of the
new functionality?
Alanda says
1. It works the same way as the online version. You can create a design on the mat and then import other fcm files or svgs etc that you might have on your computer to incorporate into the design.
2. You still need to go into the online version. I have no idea whether Brother is going to continue to keep the online version or not but at this stage, you will still need to access any of your current designs that you might have saved in the online version.
3. Yes, as long as they are in the FCM or SVG format, they will work.
4. No idea as yet but I get the feeling they will eventually. Might be a while as they will need to create a Mac version first and then bring over all of the other functionality that is currently missing from this new software version.
5. It works fine with Windows 7 – that’s what I was using in the video. Apart from the error message I received but that could be in all versions. I would think that Brother will fix this. It’s only a week or so old so I’m sure there will be a lot of bugs.
Judi says
Hi Alanda,
I tried the new Canvas workspace and have a lot to learn!!
I made a new project which I wanted to draw, but, it only gave me the option to cut? The picture was on the screen but disappeared when I pressed the draw button. I tried the cut button and it would have done that. As it was text it was not any use. Have you any ideas what I may have done wrong please?
Judi
Alanda says
I’m not sure without seeing the steps that you went through. Did you bring in an actual image of some sort first by using the Image Tracing option?
Reti says
I have the same problem. I create a simple outline using the online canvasworkspace, then import it to my machine (dx1200). It comes up normally on my machine, but as soon as I press the draw function, the simple outline disappears. It comes back when I change to cut function. This is only for imported files, if I choose a file to draw from the samples, it works fine
Reti says
I have found the solution (but this was using adobe illustrator). Once I finished my design, I clicked save as svg. Then the settings came up, and there was an option of either to embed or save as link. I had to click embed, and then saved it as normal. Because I embedded it, it showed up when I tried to draw it. I’m not sure how to embed the file on canvasworkspace though, as I went straight from illustrator to my sdx1200
Linda says
Your videos are very useful, thanks so much for taking the time to create them! OK, I’ve got my design on the PC software. Now how do I send the cutting file to my DesignNcut machine?!
Alanda says
Just select FILE from the top menu and then select TRANSFER FCM FILE from the drop down that appears. You could also just click FILE and then SAVE AS to save it to a USB.
chakyna says
hi im not able to get in the canvas workplace did the change the url address. if so whats the web address.
Alanda says
Here is the link to the Canvas Workspace https://canvasworkspace.brother.com/en.
Brenda says
I have downloaded the canvas workspace 4 times bu still I do not have all of the features.the list of options across the top are not there. I have to right click on the gray box to get preferences, how do I get a screen that looks like yours? I am using google chrome.
Alanda says
There are two version of Canvas Workspace at this point in time. One is an online version and one is a software downloadable version that you have to install on your computer.
So are you maybe using the online version? The online version will look different to the version I am using in the video.
Melody says
I am having a terrible time trying to edit text with the Canvas Workspace. I cannot find any troubleshooting advice or a video on this issue. If I can’t change the word “text”, then I can’t create the things I want. Do you possibly have a solution? I’m using a MAC.
Thank you!
Alanda says
When trying to edit text in Canvas Workspace you need to triple click on the world “text”. So click 3 times with your mouse.
Mallory says
Ummmm yea this does not work either lol
Erica says
Hi, I just preordered the new scan n cut Innov. The authorized dealer or rep I called at Brother’s 800# was not able answer if I could use a Mac for Canvas Workspace. It seems the new Canvas Workspace is PC only. Is there not an option to use a Mac computer, Apple Ipad or iPhone? Thanks for your help!
Alanda says
At this point in time, there are 2 versions of Canvas Workspace – an online version and a PC version. If you are a Mac user (like me) you will have to use the online version OR if like me you have a dual system on your Mac (using Parallels or Virtualbox for instance) then you can use the PC version.
My assumption is that Brother will eventually disband the online version…but that’s just my theory at this stage. If so, they would need to have a Mac version as a lot of crafters are using Macs now.
Here’s the link to the online version. You don’t need a machine to sign up for it and it is free. https://canvasworkspace.brother.com
Kaye says
So there’s currently (in Sept 2018) nothing for the iMac?? What a shame, as so many designers do and have always used Macs.
Alanda says
We are also Mac users Kaye. This has been a pretty big update for Brother so maybe they will get around to a Mac version once the Windows PC version is finalised. We can only hope. We aren’t affiliated with Brother so we will know when everybody else does.:)
Elaine says
I would really like a text to path in canvas workspace.
Maybe if we all ask Brother they will add it
Alanda says
That would definitely be nice. However, you can get around it by dividing the text. Here’s what you need to do depending on the software you are using.
1. If you are in the online version of Canvas Workspace then type your text on the screen. Then select it and then right-click on it and select the DIVIDE option. That will allow you to then double-click on each individual letter to get it into Path mode.
2. If you are in the PC version of Canvas Workspace then type your text on the screen. Then select it and go to the EDIT option on the right hand menu and then scroll down until you see Process Overlap. You will see the Divide option there. Once the text is divided, you will be able to then double-click on each individual letter to get it into Path mode.
Deborah says
Hi is there an iPad version of the canvas workspace yet, any info would be great,thanks
Alanda says
You can us the online version of Canvas Workspace on an iPad. Just go to https://canvasworkspace.brother.com/en on your iPad and login. (You will need to create an account first if you haven’t already done so.)
Karen says
Hi Alanda, I’m a new user and loving your tutorials. I do have one problem that I can’t find an answer to, hoping you can help. I bought the brother sticker kit and on the workspace online you can print to pdf, however I am liking designing on the pc workspace but I can’t find a way to print to pdf from there. I tried to open my design that I created on pc version in the online version to print from there but it won’t open it. I can open it as an svg in the online version but it’s in black and white then and I want the colours.
Thanks
Karen says
Tried fcm too and still opens in black and white in the online version. There must be a way to print to pdf in the pc version but I can’t find it.
Alanda says
When I go into the PC version of Canvas Workspace, I can see the SAVE AS A PDF FILE option. It is under the PREMIUM option on the top menu. Do you see that?
Karen says
When I click premium it starts the sticker wizard then I can see save as pdf but I want to be able to save or print pdf from the main canvas area which is where I designed my stickers.
Thank you for trying to help me Alanda
Alanda says
I think the PC/MAC versions of Canvas Workspace are still being worked on. There are a number of features that are still missing as far as I can tell. This might be one of them.
Karen says
Ah ok, hopefully they add this feature soon. Thank you for your help Alanda.
Edith says
Hola veraz me compre la maquina pero necesito que me guies que instrucciones basicas hay y como continuar el proceso de aprendizaje.
Alanda says
It depends what machine you have purchased Edith. We have videos on YouTube click here for the ScannCut videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp1N6F-V-Q21qOFi-4p2bbjmBkJk_zJkI. We also have training available on Alanda Online here is the link to the courses we have available https://www.alandaonline.com/product-category/brother-scanncut/
EILEEN LEIGH says
Hi can you please tell me if you can save a file made on canvas download able workspace as a cut and draw file as i only seem to be able to download it as one or the other which is most annoying, i know you can if i use the web site version but cant alway get on that version
Thank you eileen
Alanda says
I agree, it is annoying. The online version has an option for both so not sure why they left that option out on the downloadable version.
JoAnn Lienert says
Can you please help me? I cannot even get past the first instruction to download and install the canvas works space. First instruction says to search for canvas iOS and that does not come up on the search therefore I cannot install it. Is something wrong with Canvas or something is wrong with The iPad?
Alanda Craft says
If you are using an iPad then you don’t want to click the Download button as that is for PC’s and Mac’s. Just look for the NEW button on the homepage of Canvas Workspace and go through the steps to create an account. Then you can come back to the homepage and enter your login details on that page to login.
Dee says
I finally got my design n cut working with my iPad wirelessly. I then tried to hook it to my lap top for extra function with the new software and realized the sync with my iPad was lost. The canvas software said I needed a new code for the sync and thought I would delete the machine and re-register or basically start the sync over. Now Canvas says my machine number is invalid so now I can’t print wireless from any device. Have you seen where the manager recognizes the machine number but Canvas does not?
Alanda Craft says
I haven’t seen that happen personally Dee. Not sure if it has something specific to do with Design n Cut (which we don’t have).
Here is a list of error messages for Canvas which may help: https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=sg&lang=en&prod=hf_sdx1200eas&faqid=faqh00101073_000
mallory says
I put online version on my iPad but when I try to use TEXT function it does not let me edit it. Works fine on my regular computer but nothing on my iPad. Honestly there are so many glitches I find myself using other programs. Also I can not download all my own fonts.
Alanda Craft says
I noticed that too. You should be able to double-click the text to edit but it doesn’t allow it. I think it has to do with the iPad version you are using. I tried this with an iPad Pro and it doesn’t work – you can’t edit the text. However, I tried it with an older iPad Air and it works. Brother obviously haven’t checked to see if their program works on newer versions.
Michelle rolls says
Thank you for confirming that I thought i was losing my mind trying to change the text on my iPad
Jean Van Amerongen says
Problem! When I extract a Zipped embroidery design I bought and try to download the design into my Embroidery download files, it has the purple Canvas Workplace flower on it and downloads the design to the Canvas Workplace instead. Don’t know how to correct this! I usally download my embroidery designs that I buy into my External hard drive. Hoping you can help me as to what I can do to correct this. Thanks! From an older lady who loves to do embroidering and Crafting.
Alanda Craft says
It’s a bit difficult to tell what’s going on without standing over your shoulder to see it. A file can’t ‘download’ to Canvas Workspace without you making it do that regardless of the file type.
Normally when I have downloaded embroidery files, I just extract the zipped file and then drag the files to the folder or thumbdrive that I want them to go to.
Mary C Shepardson says
Yesterday I purchased a PC laptop with windows 10 Home Mode S which I know the work around for. $399.00, If I knew that using all of my Mac products apple products would limit me to what I could do with this very expensive machine, I probably would not have bought it.
Could you please send me your email address so that when I get the PC if I have a problem I have someone I could ask questions too. I have watched just over 100 YouTube videos some of them are good and some of them leave me I don’t know LOL
Give her any help you can give.
Alanda Craft says
You don’t need a Windows computer to use your ScanNCut. Brother now have all of their software compatible with the Mac. I only use a Mac and everything works.
Barbara Thomas says
I have the Mac destop version of canvas workspace. I do not see the download like the cloud based version has. Can you help me with this?
Alanda Craft says
If you go to the Canvas Workspace page, it gives you the option to download the Mac Desktop version or use the online version. Here’s the link: https://canvasworkspace.brother.com/en