Transform Images into Cut Files: The Ultimate Silhouette Studio Tutorial

This is a no frills, no fluff tutorial that will show you the easiest way to convert images (jpeg, png files) into cut files (svg, Silhouette files). Images are typically saved as a raster file, but you NEED a vector file in order to have cut lines. The cut lines tell your Cameo, Portrait, or Curio where to cut, so a vector file is absolutely necessary.
Most times, we can find a vector file on sites like Creative Fabrica or The Silhouette Design Store, but other times. we need something completely custom, and THIS is how we get it.
I have broken this process down into the simplest terms. It's easy peasy... I promise!
You just need the Image Effects Panel and the Trace Panel - and I even show you how to open them both at once so that you can work more efficiently.
If you have any questions or just want to show off your latest project, hop on over to Facebook and join the Silhouette group!
/ silhouettesuccessmembers
#silhouettestudio #Silhouettestudiotutorial #tracepanel

[@davidsonjudy52]

Best instruction got great results, thank you.

[@rsbarrett8529]

Wow... You did that without even one change of temperament!!! My hero! Very helpful video!!! Thanks!

[@azdoxygirl]

AWESOME TUTORIAL!!!

[@coloredpencil-charcoal]

Thanks. I have been trying to do some things from scratch to make sure it’s my own Design. Thanks for these videos

[@traceybartlam7737]

Great video. I had no idea about multi panel!

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thanks for watching! There's so much to learn with this software.

[@PriteshPatel]

When you say "this will act as our bottom layer" - what does this mean? These tutorials never show the end product and how each layer is composed from software to cut to assemble. It's hard to visualise what you're doing without seeing what you're trying to achieve if that makes sense. Thanks for this tutorial, learnt a lot - just needed to see what the end product looked like with the layers/details and colours. Thanks

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thank you for the input. I'll try to add more actual projects to the videos. When I make layered decals, I always create a solid layer for the base, then build on that with the smaller pieces. The bottom layer is the base.

[@Dolby601]

I have sorta the same question I guess. I’m confused on if I’m doing this correctly lol

[@cassandralytch-colter2133]

Thank you. My image is black and white however what you have demonstrated has helped me to trace a clean image to cut.

[@ny6976]

thank you for your clear instructions.

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thanks for watching!

[@nahnisjourney1406]

This is SO WONDERFUL!!!!!

[@marlettaengland1513]

Excellent tutorial!!!

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thanks for watching!! 😊

[@lorastover6187]

I have the Cameo 5. My Trace panel only has "Select Trace Area," not trace by color. Also, how can I ungroup something I've created this way? Copy and paste it, and erase what I don't need?

[@silhouettesuccess]

The Trace by color comes with one of the upgrades. I think it's in Designer Edition. You can right click on the trace and release the compound path if the ungroup option is grayed out.

[@a7xfanben]

Awesome, thank you for showing it step by step!

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thanks for watching!!

[@45lala]

Why I can’t group ,everything works good but not group and I have the business edition

[@farrellsprops8065]

Epic!!

[@silhouettesuccess]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dolby601]

So I’m not scratching my head, could you please help me understand why you traced the bones then took spooky vibes and traced it too and put over it. I know I’m confusing lol

[@silhouettesuccess]

It's a little hard to see in the video, but there is a bit of an offset of black under the red letters, so the letters would have to be cut out of both black and red. The red layer was just a bit different than the black, so I traced all of the black first and then went back for the red. I don't know if I'm making any sense with the explanation either. LOL

[@phee1143]

Eeek!!! Thank you. 🙏🙏

[@Marvatate201]

Could you help me set up silhouette studios? It’s not downloading and I have tired and tired,

[@silhouettesuccess]

Check to see if there is a hidden window on your task bar at the bottom of your screen. It needs permission to finish the download. Should be orange or pink, I think.

[@julie4js]

I have been hand cutting out photos of pets, people standing to put in ornaments. I just received the Silhouette Portrait 3.i know how to remove the background from photos how do I print the actual photo and have the machine cut it out?

[@silhouettesuccess]

If you can bring the images in as a png with a transparent background, you can go into preferences and turn on auto trace. That will give you cut lines. I would create an offset, though, to give a small border. Group the image and the offset, then choose cut edge in the send panel.

[@julie4js]

@@silhouettesuccess ok!I will try to learn! Is there a video where you show this? THANK YOU!

[@silhouettesuccess]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJqlfpl9qtN1hq8 This one should help! You will still be doing a print and cut, just on different material.

[@jessmartin6093]

How did you add the files to be converted in the first place? I missed that step!

[@silhouettesuccess]

To add files to your design mat, go to File at the top left corner and then select merge. That will bring up the files on your computer. Select whatever file you want. I have a video on it. I think it's 3 ways to import your files.

[@jessmartin6093]

Thank you!!@@silhouettesuccess

[@south_coast_tackle]

Very nice! That would be a nightmare to have to weed all that out after cutting it.

[@silhouettesuccess]

🤣 I do this kind of wedding in the evenings with a cup of coffee and the music up loud. "Me time" Lol!!

[@realperez5032]

What’s the reason for the outline cut just curious?

[@silhouettesuccess]

I'm sorry. I don't understand what you're asking. Can you give more details?

[@realperez5032]

@@silhouettesuccess yes sorry, around 9:49 you first did the outlined of the cat then you did the details of the cat after. I guess you split in two is that correct? Hope I make sense. I’m new to this bare with me sorry.

[@silhouettesuccess]

@realperez5032 yes! I did the whole outline first, then the details to make a 2 layer detail. That was my fault. I shouldn't read comments before I finish my first cup of coffee. 😅