November 1, 2011 How to Silhouette Cameo Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software How to Import.SVG files in Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software I just bought the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software. How to Convert SVG files for use in Silhouette Studio. Posted by Hollie on 27th Jan 2016. Download Inkscape to your computer. Step 2: Launch Inkscape. Your file is ready for use in Silhouette Studio. Open your Silhouette Studio Software. Go to File menu, open, all files, and select the file you just saved in Inkscape. From the Archives. This gift card holder was one of my first designs and has been downloaded hundreds of times. The file can be cut using a Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Explore or any other personal cuttng machine that uses SVG files.
A complete guide to the file types commonly used to design for your Silhouette CAMEO. Covering how the Silhouette Studio software works with .Studio3, .SVG, .DXF, .EPS, .PNG, and .JPG and how to use them. Also included, a free printable quick reference chart for all the file types discussed!
Welcome to Lesson 1 in the Silhouette Boot Camp. This boot camp is all about better understanding the terminology in the software and how to really, REALLY use it well to create and modify designs to make them exactly the way you want them. My goal is to alleviate the frustration you can feel when you are new to the software and don’t exactly understand how to do all the things you know it can do, by helping you understand all of the terms and functions in the software through short and simple lessons.
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One of the first things to understand about using your Silhouette is what type of files you can design with, but it is also one of the most easily overlooked. Today we are going to cover all of the different file types you might encounter. We will talk about which ones work with which software platform and how to use each one. As always, if you have more questions, make sure to leave them in the comments I read every one and try to answer as many as I can!
Cut Ready File Formats for Silhouette Studio- .DXF, .EPS, .Studio3, and .SVG
.Studio3 File Format– Studio3 as well as .studio are exclusive file formats created and used exclusively with the silhouette software. These files will be ready to cut as soon as you open them in ALL software versions. You can buy these files in the Silhouette Store, sometimes find them for free on blogs {see my list of my favorite blogs that have free Silhouette files here,} and if you create your own design in Silhouette Studio, you can save them on your computer as .studio3 files.
DXF File Format– {DXF= Drawing Exchange Format} This format is widely used in Autocad software, but can also be used with your Silhouette. This is a cut ready file, meaning that when you open it the design will have cut lines already on it, that can be used in the free basic Silhouette Studio software. You will be able to ungroup and/or released compound to be able to move the individual pieces around with this file.
Important note: Once you have opened this file up in your software you will need to select the design and turn your cut lines on (see video for more details.) If you just open the file and send to machine it will not cut, the cut lines must be turned on first.
SVG File Format– {SVG= Scalable Vector Graphics} This is a vector format created in advanced graphics programs like Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Inkscape. The .SVG file format is only readable in Designer edition and Business edition of the Silhouette Studio software and will not work in the basic edition. This format is pretty widely distributed on Etsy and even for free on many websites {see my favorite places to grab free SVG files here,} so make sure that you have the designer edition if you purchase or download this type of file in order to use it. Like the DXF file format, it is cut ready and you will be able to ungroup or release compound to break apart your graphic to be able to cut in different colors and placements.
Important note: Once you have opened this file up in your software you will need to select the design and turn your cut lines on (see video for more details.) If you just open the file and send to machine it will not cut, the cut lines must be turned on first.
.EPS File Format – {EPS= Encapsulated Postscript} This format is created in graphic software like Adobe Illustrator and is an advanced vector based image. You must have Business edition Silhouette Studio software to open and use these files. This image will be able to be ungrouped or released compound to be able to move the individual pieces around. Unlike the DXF and SVG, most often cut lines are on when these files are opened with the software, but could require you to turn them on to use them.
Other Compatible File Formats for Silhouette Studio {.JPG & .PNG}
Unlike the advanced file formats listed above, both of the file types listed below are image files. Although they are compatible with the software and can be opened in Silhouette Studio, they will not provide any cut lines. These are still very useful for designing since you can use the trace function to trace an image to cut around it, or add images to tags, banners, cupcake toppers, labels, etc. you might be creating by using print and cut.
.JPEG File Format– {JPEG= Joint Photographic Experts Group} this format is the standard format you will find photos and clip art in.IMPORTANT: This format is a flat image that will require you to trace your image or place it inside a shape in order to make it a cut file. One of the most popular functions for this file format is Print and Cut, although if your image is going on a background that is not white, it can be more difficult to work with than a .PNG (see below.)
All versions of the Silhouette Studio software will open a .jpeg image.
.PNG File Format– {PNG=Portable Network Graphics} is an image with a transparent background (ie you won’t see a white square around the clip art if you paste it on a colored background, only the clip art with a transparent background around it) most popularly used for watermarks. IMPORTANT: This format is a flat image that will require you to trace your image or place it inside a shape in order to make it a cut file. These are my preferred file type for print and cut since only the clip art retains color and the background is transparent so they can be placed anywhere in a design.
All versions of the Silhouette Studio software will open a .png image.
How To Download Svg Files To Silhouette Cameo Free
Free Printable Silhouette Studio Compatible File Types Chart
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Download your free printable Silhouette Studio Compatible File Types Reference Chart here!
I just bought the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software. It has some cool upgrades from the regular version. My favorite thing is being able to import .svg files because I had a lot of them I needed to import. The coolest thing (to me) is the pattern knife function. You can check that out here. I was going to buy the Silhouette Designer software from Expressions Vinyl because they had a lower price on it than anywhere else, but I needed it right away and they were out of them at the time. You might want to check there for a good price. 😉 I ended up downloading the software by going through the “Help” menu on my regular Silhouette software.
Here’s how to import .svg files into the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software
From the “File” menu choose “Import to my Library”.
Choose the folder where you’ve saved your .svg’s. I had created a file for .svg’s of Lori Whitlock’s designs. You can download Lori’s designs from Silhouette or her shop. Then use the drop-down menu to choose the .svg extension. That will show all of the .svg files in the folder you chose.
Now I can see all the .svg files in my folder. From the .svg list let’s import the file called LW-Gingerbread House-Green.svg. I clicked that file and when it showed up in “File name” where the arrows are pointing I clicked “OK”.
After I clicked “OK” in the previous screen this is what showed up. You can see that the LW-Gingerbread House-Green.svg is now next to “Filename” in the pop up box. You can add keywords to help you locate your file. I added “Christmas”. Next I clicked the + sign so I could add another word. I chose to add “Gingerbread House” as my next keyword. Add any other pertinent information that you’d like. I wanted to know which files are specifically Lori’s so I added her name in the “Artist” field. Now click “OK”.
TA DA! There’s the LW-Gingerbread House-Green on the right hand side. However, it’s showing up under a folder called “My Own Designs”. I want to move it to a folder showing only Lori’s work. That’s easy! I just click the file on the right and drag and drop it into the folder I created for Lori. See the next image.
How To Download Svg Files To Silhouette Cameo Free
Not only do I have a folder just for Lori’s work, I created a subcategory especially for the Gingerbread files because there are several of them. Just right click on a white folder to create, delete or rename a folder. The grey colored folders cannot be added, deleted or renamed. Remember, just drag and drop your files where you’d like them.
How To Upload Svg Files To Silhouette
After you have your files where you want them, simply double click the image to bring it onto the mat. Then you can get started with your project! YAY!