Learning what Reduce Color and Color Tolerance under Advanced Options in Cricut Design Space will be a game-changer for anyone wanting to edit images. Learn how to use both of these advanced options and become an expert image editor.
Do you have an image of a loved one that you would love to use on a Cricut project, but it is surrounded by other people or things that you don’t want? Then you need Cricut Advanced Options to help you get rid of all the things you don’t want and keep the things you do.
If you look at the image above, our grandson was hard at work on the drums, but I didn’t want all the other people. With Cricut Advanced Options, I could sort out what I didn’t want and what I did. Now I can use this image in a Print and Cut project.
When you upload an image, you are met with many options. If you are only wanting to know how to upload an image to Cricut Design Space, click this link.
Most of them are self-explanatory, but two aren’t so easy to understand; Reduce Color and Color Tolerance. Let’s break both of those down into simple terms so we can all understand them.
VIDEO – What is Reduce Colors and Color Tolerance under Cricut Advanced Options and how do you use it?
Where are the Advanced Options located in Cricut Design Space?
It isn’t easy to find the Advanced Options unless you know where to look. It’s really easy. You have seen it, but you just didn’t take notice of it.
First, go to upload on the Canvas in Cricut Design Space. Click on “Upload”.
Next Click on “Upload Image” in the next box.
Next click “Browse” to find your image you want to edit.
Now click “Complex” and then hit continue on the bottom right of the page.
We are finally at the Cricut Advanced Options page. Took us long enough, right?
What is Reduce Colors and Color Tolerance under Cricut Advanced Options and how do you use it?
Now that we found the Cricut Advanced Options, let’s get to work. I want to erase the background from my grandson’s picture. Using the Select & Erase tool on this same page can do the job, but it will take a long time. If you are only looking for how to use the Select & Erase tool, click this link.
We can also use the crop option to crop out some of the backgrounds, but to really get it all, we need to use the Reduce Colors and Color Tolerance options.
Let me walk you through it. There is a video on this page as well, where you can watch me use these options. It should be above just a little bit.
If I leave all the settings as they are and click the background with the wand, it takes away a small amount. I could just click over and over and over again, but there is an easier way.
What is Reduce Colors in Advanced Options in Cricut?
First, we will click on “Cricut Advanced Options” and then choose Reduce Colors. The smaller number of colors will simplify the image, which will make it easier to edit.
It is automatically set for Unmodified, but we are going to change that. I am going to reduce the number for my image to 2 colors. It now looks like this…
I clicked on the colors I didn’t want and I was left with this…
It needs more work, but the major background is gone. Now let’s do the same thing, but use the Color Tolerance button instead.
What is Color Tolerance in Advanced Options in Cricut?
The Color Tolerance button affects the color of the image. The higher the number the greater number of similar colors will be included and erased. The lower number means fewer similar colors will be selected and removed.
Let me show you with images what that looks like when I set it on 100 and click my image once.
Reset it to 4 colors and then click my image once and this is what it looks like.
Can you see the difference in how much was erased with one click? There is a huge difference between 4 colors and 100 colors. It would be a lot less work using a higher number to erase the bulk of the background.
If the larger number is erasing parts you don’t want to erase, click the back arrow and lower the number on the Color Tolerance option. I finally found that 35 was the Color Tolerance that worked for my image.
I had to play around with it and use the back arrow several times. But once you find the right number for your image, you will be so happy.
Here is mine by using 35 Color Tolerance.
Now I need to finish it up by using the eraser tool. Click on the eraser on the left-hand corner at the top.
By using the Eraser tool you can just erase away the last of the pieces. You can drag the bar to the left to make the eraser smaller or drag the bar to the right to make the eraser bigger. This will allow you to grab the big chunks and the really small ones. Don’t forget to use the Zoom over on the right-hand side at the top. This will allow you to zoom in on really small parts and erase them.
Can you see the back arrow and then zoom in and out buttons? I am zoomed way in on my image. You will use these tools a lot while editing your image.
This is my edited version. I like it! Isn’t he adorable?
Cleaning up images using Advanced Options
Here is one trick you will want to remember. If you have an image you downloaded from the internet, they usually aren’t very clear or clean. Using the Advanced Option you can usually play with it and get it cleaned up quickly.
It’s the Color tolerance we want to play with. Can you see the difference when I use the Select & Erase tool in the same area on the image, but at a different Color Tolerance level. 16, 50, and 85 levels…in that order?
If you look closely you see how much more detail is deleted the higher the tolerance is set. By playing with the tolerance level you can erase pretty much all the little details and specks in an image.
But be careful, one wrong move and it erases things you don’t want gone. If I set it too high it clears similar colors that I didn’t want to erase. Just use the back arrow to undo it.
Now that you know what Reduce Color and Color Tolerance is inside the Advanced Options in Cricut, go edit something. The sooner you use this information the more you will retain it. You DON’T want to forget this!
Happy Crafting!
