The Brother cutting machine family is growing, but what does that mean for CanvasWorkspace, your existing designs and the skills you’ve already learned?
Brother’s new Bellissimo is attracting attention, particularly among crafters who already own a ScanNCut machine or have invested time learning CanvasWorkspace. One of the first questions existing users are likely to ask is whether their designs and software skills will still be useful.
The encouraging news is that CanvasWorkspace remains part of the picture, although the way designs reach the machine may be different.
Let’s look at what this means for Brother cutting machine owners.
Can the Brother Bellissimo use CanvasWorkspace?
Yes! Brother has confirmed that the Bellissimo can use designs created in CanvasWorkspace. However, there is an important difference in how those designs are transferred to the machine.
With compatible ScanNCut models, designs can be transferred directly from CanvasWorkspace using a wireless connection or USB. However, the Bellissimo uses Artspira as the link between CanvasWorkspace and the cutting machine.
That means you can still enjoy designing on your computer, rather than being limited to creating projects on your phone or tablet. Brother’s own CanvasWorkspace tutorial confirms this compatibility.
How do I transfer CanvasWorkspace designs to the Bellissimo?
There are several ways to get your designs into Artspira.
Option 1: Using your linked accounts
If your CanvasWorkspace and Artspira accounts are linked, you can access your designs through Artspira.
- Create your design in CanvasWorkspace on your computer.
- Save or transfer your design in FCM format.
- Open Artspira on your mobile device.
- Select My Creations and tap the + symbol.
- Choose Import from CanvasWorkspace.
- Select your design and transfer it to your Bellissimo.
Option 2: Importing an FCM or SVG file
You can also import compatible files directly into Artspira.
- Open Artspira and select New, followed by Design Editor.
- Select Import.
- Choose Import external files.
- Locate your FCM or SVG design.
- Make any necessary adjustments.
- Select Done, followed by Transfer.
This is particularly useful if you have purchased cutting files or created designs using other software. Remember to check the cutting settings in Artspira, particularly whether your project requires a cutting mat.
What happens to my existing CanvasWorkspace designs?
If you’ve spent years building a collection of CanvasWorkspace designs, there’s no need to abandon them simply because you’re considering a different Brother cutting machine.
Existing FCM files can be imported into Artspira, and CanvasWorkspace continues to support creating and editing designs. However, being able to open a design doesn’t necessarily mean every feature will work identically on every machine.
The Bellissimo has different capabilities from the ScanNCut range, so projects involving specialist tools, accessories or machine-specific functions may need adapting to the currently available accessories.
It’s worth checking compatibility before investing in additional accessories or specialist project files. Also, consider how you already use you existing ScanNCut machine – are there any accessories that just don’t get used?
What about the closure of CanvasWorkspace Web?
This is where things could become a little confusing for existing Brother users. Brother discontinued the browser-based version of CanvasWorkspace, but CanvasWorkspace itself has not disappeared. The desktop application remains available for Windows and Mac.
Brother has also updated the desktop software to work more closely with Artspira accounts.
If you previously used CanvasWorkspace Web, you’ll need to use the desktop application and ensure your account is correctly linked.
You can find the latest information in our recent blog piece.
The important thing to remember is that the closure of the web version does not mean you have lost the ability to create your own designs.
Is Artspira replacing CanvasWorkspace?
Not exactly.
Although Brother is clearly developing Artspira as an important part of its creative ecosystem, CanvasWorkspace continues to provide desktop design tools and is much more aimed at the designer user rather than the hobbyist.
The two applications offer different ways of working.
CanvasWorkspace is particularly useful when you want to work on a larger screen, develop original designs, edit shapes and paths, or create more detailed cutting files. It features the more powerful design tools but currently has no AI tools.
Artspira provides a mobile creative environment, with designs, editing features and the ability to transfer projects to compatible Brother machines. It also has some AI features, which is something to bear in mind if you are anti-AI.
For Bellissimo and ScanNCut owners, the two applications can work together. You don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other.
What does this mean for ScanNCut owners?
If you already own a ScanNCut, there’s no reason to stop using the tools and techniques you’ve learned.
CanvasWorkspace continues to support compatible ScanNCut machines, including direct transfer options on supported models. The introduction of the Bellissimo doesn’t automatically make existing ScanNCut machines obsolete. Instead, Brother now has a broader family of cutting machines, with different features and workflows.
For crafters, the important thing is understanding what their particular machine can do and choosing the software and techniques that work best for them.
A new chapter for Brother cutting machines
At Go Create Craft, we’ve been teaching ScanNCut users how to get more from their machines for years.
As Brother’s range develops, you’ll start to see us using the broader term Brother cutting machines in some of our tutorials, articles and learning resources.
This doesn’t mean we’re moving away from ScanNCut.
Quite the opposite!
We want to help existing ScanNCut users continue developing their skills while making our resources welcoming and accessible to owners of newer Brother cutting machines, including the Bellissimo; as well as the further cutting fields of Cricuts, Silhouettes and Sisers.
We’ll continue identifying where techniques are shared between machines and where individual models require different instructions. After all, learning how to create your own designs is a skill that can stay with you long after you’ve changed your cutting machine.
Keep creating!
Whether you’re using a trusted ScanNCut or exploring the new Bellissimo, there’s plenty of creative potential waiting to be discovered.
And if you’ve already invested time learning CanvasWorkspace, those skills are still valuable.
Keep an eye out soon for a deeper look at the Brother Bellissimo
Collect • Create • Connect