Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,219 
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Post by Peamac on Aug 14, 2022 17:38:42 GMT
Our library has a Silhouette Cameo 3 available for use in their Maker Space. The assistant there said "SVG files can be used", but I didn't have a chance to ask for more info. I know to bring files on a thumbdrive, and I have plenty of cardstock, but I have a few questions for all you experienced ladies--
What types of files can I use for cutting- just SVG? Can I use jpg or fig?
Where can I get some great cut files for free? I like a lot of Paige Evans files, for example.
What weight cardstock works best for the machine?
Thanks for your help!
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 14, 2022 18:21:28 GMT
I've only cut Silhouette files or fonts. So, I can't help with file types.
I do know that smooth cardstock cuts better than textured. I have cut my Bazzil textured, but prefer any of my other smooth cardstocks.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 14, 2022 23:11:06 GMT
You can use jpg, but you would need to do a trace, and some images are easier to turn into cut files than others. Look for black and white coloring pages, black and white clip art images, etc.
There are a lot of free files out there, but I stopped downloading most of them. Silhouette offers a free file every week, but I almost never like it. Most free files (regardless of the site) are rarely worth using (to me). The one exception is that My Scrap Chick has one free file per month that is sometimes really cute. This month is an adorable box card. If you sign up for the emails, they send you the link. Otherwise, it’s hard to find.
SVG Cuts sometimes has a decent free file, or at least used to. I haven’t checked in awhile. I have bought some of their designs, which are often really gorgeous, but the free ones are just to get you to their site and aren’t that great. That is true of most sites.
I often use smooth card stock from Michaels or even Walmart.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,156
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Post by iowgirl on Aug 17, 2022 15:02:19 GMT
You can download the Silhouette Studio software for free and use it on your own computer. You can design and save your files and take them on a drive to the Library. You have to have a computer. It will not work on iPad, phones, etc. It needs either Windows or Mac OS. •With the free basic software - you can only save in the Silhouette proprietary format of .studio. But since you will be using it with Silhouette Studio at the Library, that will work perfectly fine! You can use your own fonts that are installed on your computer with the Studio software. You can import .studio files - some bloggers have them for free. The Silhouette Design Store offers a few freebies, and you can get the Freebie of the Week also. You can purchase files in the .studio format from the Design Store, and they are usually around .99. More for more complex 3D type and sticker files. •To use SVG files, you need to upgrade the free software to Designer Edition - which the Library must have done, since they say SVG files are compatible. It's around $50, and I think it might be on sale for a little less at Swing Design - but the free one will be sufficient for you now.  • You can trace JPG files. The higher the resolution, the better the trace. You can open PNG files - and they will auto-trace with the current software (even the free one). But double check the cut lines. It only traces areas that have the transparent background around it. If the PNG has internal parts that are different colors, and there isn't a transparent boundary around them, the auto-trace doesn't pick that up. You can do everything with the software on your computer, except cut, if you don't have a machine at home. But you can make AMAZING printables. It is actually a pretty easy to use software that can do impressive things -even the free version. You can PRINT from it at home on your own printer! I find myself doing more "just print" projects from it than actually sending things to my cutter to cut it. If doing printables at home - just make sure you set your page size to match what you are printing on. The software defaults to 12x12 page size, so if you print on 8.5x11 - switch it to that. It can be a little daunting at first, but once you grasp the software - it is really simple! I use it to design and print all my cards now. Here is a link to the software (free) download . www.silhouetteamerica.com/software |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Aug 18, 2022 15:00:28 GMT
Paige Evans offers a TON of her files for free. Look at her newsletter - she has a free file with it and, I think, recently opened all free files.
As for the rest -- not a clue - except that I love 65## paper from Michaels -- it absolutely cuts the best on my Cameo 2
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