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.
After opening my software, I click File–Import to my Library
When the window opens, browse and choose your file.
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.
Choose the Trace option.
Under the red arrow, click select trace area.
Draw a box around the image. It will turn yellow.
Click Trace (can you see that it’s red under the black?)
move the black image and you will see the red image behind it. I delete the original black image from my project.
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.
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.
The font is Brock Script. You can see that I have traced my images.
I cut the design out of Silhouette Premium Vinyl (black)
I get to work on my board, which happens to be a cabinet door I picked up at a local Peddler’s Mall.
Because the door was going to be painted, I had to sand off the finish.
I tape the back of the door to prevent any overspray.
After I get the edge taped, I then tape and cover up the entire back of the door.
I used some white semi-gloss paint from Mythic for this door in my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
The finish I got was perfect!
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.
You can see that the cutting problem was not with the CAMEO, but with the font. See how thin it is?
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.
It doesn’t flow as perfect as it should, but I’m pleased with it.
I used the opportunity to cut out two other quick designs so I didn’t waste vinyl.
Using my Silhouette tools, I carefully removed the original “w”.
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.
I removed the slick paper and carefully lay the transfer paper and the vinyl on the door.
I burnish the new “w” in place.
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.
Visit Silhouette America to get this great deal!
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:
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.
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
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 🙂
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!
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
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!
You’re so welcome Melissa! Happy to help out a fellow Silhouette friend. LOVE my machines!
gail
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….. 🙂
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
I love this project and would use it often (the technical aspects of tracy my own images). You totally rocked this tutorial!!!!
Tracing is one thing I’ve not done on my Silhouette. Thank you for these instructions. You know I appreciate your tutorials!!
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
That doesn’t seem as complicated as I’d assumed.
The sign is SO cute!
Love it! Thanks so much for the clear tutorial.
I have used the “trace” function and love it, but haven’t really known what I was doing…thanks for the great tips!
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.
Every time I have to letter something I tell my family I want one of these.
~Bliss~
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!
Great info! Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you had a great trip!
Holly
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