• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Crafts » How to trace images in Silhouette Studio

    How to trace images in Silhouette Studio

    Published by Gail | Published August 27, 2012 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Welcome to the Hamptons (10)

    Do you have an online subscription to the Silhouette Online Store for purchasing images? I do,  and I love it! However sometimes they don’t have exactly what I’m looking for. As in this case, I needed a scales of justice and an inkwell image. This is a custom piece for some newlyweds. One is a lawyer, the other a newspaper editor.

     

    I located this image online,  saved it to my computer, then I was ready to work with it in my Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition.

    scales of justice

    After opening my software, I click File-Import to my Library

    When the window opens, browse and choose your file.

    image

    My file was Scales of Justice. You can see that it was placed into “My Own Designs”. Then you will click on your image and put it into a new project.

    image

     

    Trace option a

    Choose the Trace option.

     

    image

    Under the red arrow, click select trace area.

    Draw a box around the image. It will turn yellow.

     

    image

    Click Trace  (can you see that it’s red under the black?)

     

    image

    move the black image and you will see the red image behind it. I delete the original black image from my project.

     

     

    image

    On the top, click Object, then Release Compound Path, then ctrl a (select all) and you will get all the bits and pieces. I just want the silhouette of the image, not the inner parts. Now that they are separate, I can click on them and delete the ones I don’t want, leaving only the outer traced line.

    image

    You can click this design, and save it to your library so you won’t have to trace it the next time you want to use it.

    Now I’m ready to trace my second image and create my design.

    image

    The font is Brock Script. You can see that I have traced my images.

    I cut the design out of Silhouette Premium Vinyl (black)

    IMG_4433I get to work on my board, which happens to be a cabinet door I picked up at a local Peddler’s Mall.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (2)Because the door was going to be painted, I had to sand off the finish.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (5)I tape the back of the door to prevent any overspray.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (6)After I get the edge taped, I then tape and cover up the entire back of the door.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (7)I used some white semi-gloss paint from Mythic for this door in my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (8)The finish I got was perfect!

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (10)I cut my design out of Silhouette Premium Black Vinyl. You may notice the “W” is a little thin at the top. The font is pretty dainty, and there just wasn’t enough area to keep the “w” together. Back to the drawing board I go.

    fixing the W 1

    You can see that the cutting problem was not with the CAMEO, but with the font. See how thin it is?

     

    fixing the W

     

    I’m sure you’ve seen this screen before. I accidentally get it often, and have to click off of it to get it to go away. This time I needed to use it. I clicked the “points” and separated the lines little by little, trial and error till I got enough space that I felt the “w” would cut right.

     

    fixing the W 2

     

    It doesn’t flow as perfect as it should, but I’m pleased with it.

     

     

    fixing the W 3I used the opportunity to cut out two other quick designs so I didn’t waste vinyl.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (17)Using my Silhouette tools, I carefully removed the original “w”.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (18)While the vinyl is still on the slick backing I line it up and get it just where I want it, then apply some painter’s tape to “hinge” it.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (19)I removed the slick paper and carefully lay the transfer paper and the vinyl on the door.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (20)I burnish the new “w” in place.

     

    Welcome to the Hamptons (23)Much better! However it was raining, so I didn’t get an “after” shot. I delivered it to store so the lady could pick it up.

    So, I’ve taught you two new things you can do with your Silhouette—how to trace images and how to repair and change up an image/font. I love that my CAMEO will cut “most” fonts I have on my computer without any problem at all. I have a LOT of fonts!

     

    Don’t forget about the great promo that Silhouette is running until the end of the month.

    collage 2b

    Visit Silhouette America to get this great deal!

     

    Premium Vinyl group c

    I know I’ll be stocking up during this sale!

    gail

    disclosure: your purchase using the code REPURPOSED, helps support My Repurposed Life, thank you!

     

    Check out other door projects here: [categorythumbnaillist 18]

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Silhouette Rhinestone June Promotion & Tutorial
      Silhouette Rhinestone June Promotion & Tutorial
    • Silhouette April Promotion plus CAMEO Giveaway
      Silhouette April Promotion plus CAMEO Giveaway
    • Silhouette Sketch Pen Tutorial {custom logo label}
      Silhouette Sketch Pen Tutorial {custom logo label}
    • Repurposed Window Project | Home Sweet Home
      Repurposed Window Project | Home Sweet Home
    • What I Love Most About My Home Headboard Sign
      What I Love Most About My Home Headboard Sign
    • Blog Logo Silhouette Heat Transfer Tote Bag
      Blog Logo Silhouette Heat Transfer Tote Bag

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Rachel

      February 14, 2017 at 6:10 pm

      Thank you for this post. I am trying to remove a double line. Can you explain it in more detail. I get up to objects, release compound path but i do not know how to delete without deleting everything.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 14, 2017 at 6:48 pm

        Rachel,

        hmmmm I haven't done this in so long. Have you tried using the "ungroup" function? I wonder if the double line "has" to be there to actually give you vinyl to cut. (or paper) Does that make sense? If there's only one line, and you cut it, nothing will be there..... gosh I hope this helps. If you want to reply to my email gail@myrepurposedlife com maybe you can share a screen capture with me and I can be of more help.

        gail

    2. Sherri Cunningham

      February 20, 2016 at 10:11 am

      Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial!!!! It's so much easier to do with pictures and a good explanation of what's going on 🙂

      Reply
    3. Julie

      November 11, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      Thank you so much! I am a very new cameo owner and these were some of the exact problems I was having trouble with. Excited to get home and try it out!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        November 11, 2013 at 12:51 pm

        You are so welcome Julie, happy you found help with my tutorial. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help if I can.

        gail

    4. Melissa

      September 25, 2013 at 5:53 pm

      Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I'm not very good at figuring things out on my own with my Silhouette.... Thank you SO much for this tutorial!! It saved me a lot of time trying to figure out how to trace!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        September 26, 2013 at 8:58 am

        You're so welcome Melissa! Happy to help out a fellow Silhouette friend. LOVE my machines!
        gail

    5. Sy Peddlesden

      September 13, 2013 at 4:30 am

      Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have just upgraded my Silhouette software and had downloaded some SVG files. I had to export them as PNGs or any other format that the Silhouette takes, but I was having problems with what used to be called "Get Outline." I Googled for "Get Outline with Silhouette Studio" and your blog entry came up very close to the top! Now I know how to fix the strange extra lines I've been getting, thanks to you!

      You may well have saved my crafty life this time..... 🙂

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        September 14, 2013 at 8:11 am

        I'm soooo happy that my tutorial helped you. Thanks for letting me know how you found me, because I always wonder how people land here. Fun to know I was near the top of the google search... every blogger's dream. I love what I do, and helping other's learn new tricks is always a bonus!

        I LOVE my Silhouette machines!

        gail

    6. Kristie Green

      July 23, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      I love this project and would use it often (the technical aspects of tracy my own images). You totally rocked this tutorial!!!!

      Reply
    7. Toqua's Crafts

      August 30, 2012 at 5:02 am

      Tracing is one thing I've not done on my Silhouette. Thank you for these instructions. You know I appreciate your tutorials!!

      Reply
    8. Corn in my Coffee-Pot

      August 28, 2012 at 3:57 am

      Wow!
      That was pretty neat. I don't have a Silhouette...but this makes me think "I should have one." ha !
      ...love your work, Patricia

      Reply
    9. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      August 28, 2012 at 2:33 am

      That doesn't seem as complicated as I'd assumed.
      The sign is SO cute!

      Reply
    10. Erin

      August 28, 2012 at 1:20 am

      Love it! Thanks so much for the clear tutorial.

      Reply
    11. Korrie@RedHenHome

      August 27, 2012 at 9:05 pm

      I have used the "trace" function and love it, but haven't really known what I was doing...thanks for the great tips!

      Reply
    12. Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking

      August 27, 2012 at 6:08 pm

      I don't use a Silhouette, but I enjoyed your post! That sign is really creative with the scales and the pen and ink, I'm sure the recipient with love it.

      Reply
    13. Bliss

      August 27, 2012 at 2:10 pm

      Every time I have to letter something I tell my family I want one of these.

      ~Bliss~

      Reply
    14. Terri

      August 27, 2012 at 12:54 pm

      Thanks, Gail...I will definitely be bookmarking this for future use! Great tutorial!

      Is this "new and improved" vinyl from Silhouettte? I have to say, I have had horrible issues with their vinyl not sticking to the project in the past. Very frustrating!

      Reply
    15. Full Circle Creations

      August 27, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Great info! Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you had a great trip!

      Holly

      Reply
    16. Sharon

      August 27, 2012 at 10:11 am

      Nice post and sign Gail! I dont have a Sil or that soft ware. I have a KNK and use KNK studios or Make the Cut. And I love to use slim fonts but find the same issue you do with some thin lines. And what I do is select the font and Outline, or make a mat just a tad thicker then the original and delete the original and use the mat. That way the lines are a little thicker. Im sure your soft ware has this option.

      Sharon

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure