Which file formats can I use in Canvas Workspace?

Learn more about these three types of files.

You can use three formats in Brother Canvas Workspace: SVG, CWPRJ, and FCM. In today’s post, we’ll take a look at their main characteristics and differences.

This post is a new chapter of our Ultimate Guide to Brother Scan N Cut Canvas Workspace. This program is the official software that you can use to manage your Brother Scan N Cut machine.

On this article:

Which file formats can be used in Brother Canvas Workspace?
What is an SVG file?
What is a CWPRJ file?
What is an FCM file?
What is the difference between CWPRJ files and FCM files?
Can I use JPG or PNG files on Canvas Workspace?

Which file formats can be used in Brother Canvas Workspace?

As we’ve previously mentioned, there are three file formats that you can use in Brother Canvas Workspace: SVG, CWPRJ, and FCM.

There are some exceptions to this answer. We’ll tackle them later in this article.

What is an SVG file?

SVG stands for “Scalable Vector Graphics.” This file format allows you to save files whose size you can modify later.

These images are made of vectors instead of pixels. No matter how much you scale them: your designs won’t lose quality or look pixelated.

SVG is the most popular format for those who enjoy crafting with a cutting machine.

An advantage for Scan N Cut Users is that you can edit SVG files on free software. Other machines require you to upgrade to a paid version to edit SVG files directly.

What is a CWPRJ file?

CWPRJ is the native format for Canvas Workspace. Your working files are CWPRJ files. You can save your designs to this file format if you want to continue editing them later.

CWPRJ files save all the information related to layers, color codes, and vector points. You can edit these and more parameters every time you open the file.

Your Scan N Cut machine can not read CWPRJ files, but that’s no big deal. When you transfer your designs to your device, they are converted to FCM files. You can learn more about FCM files in the next paragraph of this article.

What is an FCM file?

This file format allows your machine to read data directly. FCM is the native format for Brother Scan N Cut machines.

Keep in mind that FCM files are cut files, not edition files. To be able to make changes to your designs later in time, export a CWPRJ version before saving your file as an FCM document.

What is the difference between CWPRJ files and FCM files?

CWPRJ is the native format for Brother Canvas Workspace, the editing software. You can save your designs to this format and keep all the information about layers, colors, and vector points. You can not cut these files directly with your cutting machine.

FCM is the native file format for Brother Scan N Cut machines. Your device can directly read and process data from these files. FCM files provide the instructions to cut a design properly. You won’t be able to make changes to your designs with an FCM file.

Can I use JPG or PNG files on Canvas Workspace?

JPG and PNG are rasterized image formats. All the shapes on these images are made of pixels. In Brother Canvas Workspace, PNMG and JPG are considered non-native formats.

To use JPG and PNG files on Canvas Workspace, you will need to trace them. Canvas Workspace allows you to trace these images automatically.
There are two detection methods for tracing images: outline detection and color detection.

Outline Detection allows you to trace the outline of your figures. The tracing lines will turn into cutting lines.

Color detection allows you to divide your image into regions of color. This way, you can cut the different areas of a layered design separately.

You can read more about these procedures on Brother’s official website.

We hope you’ve found our advice useful. Happy crafting!