I've been playing around with the Silhouette software...

I don't save a lot of things in my Library. It is harder to back those types of files up, and it can also slow the software down, especially the startup of it. I basically only have SOS files in my Library.

I keep my non SOS files in a folder on my computer, not in the Studio library.

I usually trace and cut pretty much at the same time. I might do something ahead of time if I know I am going to need it later. I trace and save it as a .studio file (but I still save it in a different folder, not in the Studio library) I just have a folder named "Silhouette Studio files" that I keep as a sub folder in my Pictures. That way it goes in to my regular backup process. Also, make sure you back up your fonts. Since getting the Silhouette, I have a huge collection of fonts.

I have the Designer Edition of the software. It allows you to use .svg files and has some advanced features for rhinestones and sketching. It also has better knife and eraser tools, but the best thing is the visible ruler on the screen. I think it is worth getting, but wait to get a sale price on it. I paid around $25. Same for the subscription. Wait for it to go on sale if you want it.

The GSD file should be ready to cut.

To separate layers, you first need to ungroup the file. Click on the file so it is selected (it has a box around it with little squares in each corner and on the sides when selected). Right click on it and selected ungroup. Then click OFF the image, and back on it again and it should be ungrouped. You should be able to move things around then. Depending on how the file was designed - you may have to ungroup more than once.

Sometimes if I am cutting something to layer in different colors, but still want the pieces to line up when I put them together (this is when cutting vinyl), I ungroup the image, click on the layer I want to cut first and go to the cut settings menu and make sure the cut lines are ON for that layer, but OFF for the rest. Then I go back and reset the lines on/off for the layers that I am cutting at that point.

Oops - I should have been more clear on that. You have to trace a png file in order to cut it. As a png alone - you really can't do anything with it (with the machine) After you have traced it, you can then ungroup and cut.

There are some video's out there called "tracing without tears" - they are very good. There are a few things that make tracing an image so much easier.

I don't trace a lot anymore. I mostly use fonts and free or purchased files that are in the .studio or .svg format. There are a TON out there.

You can really only buy .studio files from the SOS, but you can find freebies of them online (you can't create a file and sell it in the .studio format, unless you do it through Silhouette America, but you can give them away)

Miss Kate's Cuttables give a free file away every day (I think only in SVG format though)
Burton Avenue is a blog that has a neat freebie every week, in .studio format.

There are quite a few FB groups that are amazing, but most have gone to closed/secret status do to the overwhelming interest.

There is a blog called Silhouette School (she is on FB also) that is very good and has some awesome tutorials. She is not affiliated with Silhouette America, but has fantastic info!