I love all the wonderful features of the Silhouette Cameo! There are so many amazing thing the Cameo can do!
But one of my favorite features of the Silhouette that I have been using recently is the Trace and Cut feature.
Did you know that you can import an image into the Silhouette software, trace it and then cut the shape out? Amazing huh?
Well, recently I was asked to help make Super Hero invitations and I had a lot of fun using this feature. It made my life soooo simple!
Here is how to use the Trace and Cut Feature:
1. Find an image that you like. The clearer and cleaner the image the better. High contrast is also helpful. I chose this black and white image.
2. Open your Silhouette Studio software program and from your drop down menu select “File” and then “Import to My Library”.
3. A dialog box will pop up. Be sure that the “file type” is set to “all” and select the file that you wish to import. Once it is selected, click “ok” to select and import into your library. A second dialog box will pop up and you have the opportunity to change the name of the file or add other details. When you are done click “ok.”
4. On your left side bar click on the My Library button.
5. Select “My Own Designs” and then select the image you just imported by double clicking on it.
6. Your screen will return to your layout page with your image overlaying your silhouette cutting area.
7. At this time you can select the image and scale it to the size you would like it to be.
8. Next, from the pull down menu select “Object” and then “Trace” or click the “Open the Trace Window” button on the top menu bar. Both will bring up your “Trace” window on the right of your screen.
9. Select “Select Trace Area” and use your mouse to create a selection window over the area you would like to select to trace.
10. Then click on an option under “Apply Trace Method.” Most often I use “Trace.” ”Trace Outer Edge” and “Trace and Detach” are also options.
11. Your image has now been traced in preparation for cutting. If you were to delete or move your image, you will be left with those amazing little red “cutting” lines!
12. You can now modify the cutting lines by deleting or changing them as needed. I right-clicked on the image, selected “release compound path” and deleted the interior cutting lines.
13. When your image is all ready, all you have to do it send it to the Silhouette to Cut!
How simple is that!?!
I have used this feature to make several different invitations but this would also be fun to use to make a banner or to cut out any shape you wanted for decoration, scrapbooking, cardmaking etc. The possibilities are endless!!
Happy crafting!
Ashley Phipps is an Interior Designer, NCIDQ #25242, living in the Indianapolis area, and author of the blog Simply Designing.
You can follow Ashley at her blog Simply Designing, Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have been trying to figure out how cut out some silhouette’s I did of my kids. I could get them into the software but couldn’t figure out what to do with them from there! It’s so easy!!
Thank you for the tutorial! I love that they are always so simple. It helps me figure out how to do all those projects I’ve been wanting to do. Have you done on on how to print something longer than 12×12? I really want to make a Family Name/established/Monogram type thing for my living room. Thanks!
Love this and thank you. I just got mine last month and having lots of fun. I am dying to make a monthly calendar on a glass frame. You know where you attach to the back of the glass and you can dry erase on it. Many are out there and they are EXPENSIVE! Any tutorial on it. Seems simple with a box and lines but I dont know where to begin. Thanks.
Brandi
Ashley,
You are truly a lifesaver! Your instructions are very easy to follow and just what I need. Can you explain how to calibrate the Cameo?
Thanks,
Deborah
[...] daughter. I designed my image in another photo editing software and saved it as a jpeg. Then I imported the image into my Silhouette software (see here for how to import images into the Silhouette software) and [...]
I DO NOT have a Silhoette Cameo! I so wish that I did. I have a cricut, but would love to invest in the Cameo, but can’t at this time. There are things the Cameo can do that the Cricut can’t. I starting my business I could definatel use one. This project is such a cute idea and I would love to make a t-shirt using the “Trace and Cut” feature. Maybe one day!
Hello!
I imported my image from my library, hit select trace area, and traced my image (basic apple logo for practice purposes). However, the red lines do no appear when I do so (even when I move the default image away).
The traced image (with the red lines), only show up if I hit, “Open the Cut Style Window.” I’ve browsed through numerous tutorials and it seems as though the red lines show up for everyone else after hitting trace.
I’m using the basic Silhouette Studio edition.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
If you open the style cut window, which cut style do you have selected? That is the only thing that I cna think of. You could also contact Expressions Vinyl at: http://expressionsvinylblog.com/general-contact/ or Silhouette at: support@silhouetteamerica.com
The cut style is greyed out when I import my image. I’ve been tracing the image first, and then going into cut styles to view the red lines (the only menu where it’ll show up). From there – I choose cut edge or cut. It is greyed out when I import my image.
very cool. thank you….
Help, your tutorial was very helpful. But I have another issue, I pressed the erase button and how do I get it to stop erasing??