Pin Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 How do you cut masks with Silhouette? What software do you use? I don't have and not planning to obtaining professional versions of Draw or AI. InkScape? Anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Hi Alexey, I have a Silver Bullet cutter which, I believe is similar to the Silhouette, and I draw my masks with Inkscape. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 The problem is with Silhouette Portrait 2 machine as without additional investments it is only capable of cutting pre-defined shapes from manufacturer's store. I know that it can be done, the question is rather how to make this cutter to do what is needed. What combination of drivers/software works for this particular setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 58 minutes ago, Pin said: The problem is with Silhouette Portrait 2 machine as without additional investments it is only capable of cutting pre-defined shapes from manufacturer's store. I know that it can be done, the question is rather how to make this cutter to do what is needed. What combination of drivers/software works for this particular setup. Did they stop including the basic Silhouette Studio software with the Portrait 2 ? This can be used to draw any shape, although my cutter is an original Portait. I've seen the software for free download on the Silhouette Italy website, may be worth thrying it. Personally I only use the Silhouette software for simple shapes as I have more experience on other softwares to draw more complext stuff. I generally use Corel Draw to draw the shapes, then export them to DXF format. With Silhouette Studio I import the DXF file, resize if needed (unfortunately it's always needed) and save as Silhouette proprietary format. If the software you have allows to import and modify DXF or other formats, then any drawing software that can export to such formats can be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Giorgio N said: unfortunately it's always needed That's the part I want to avoid, as it makes it very hard to set dimensions accurately. Has anyone tried to use RoboCut? Or InkCut? Or cutting extensions for InkScape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Bryon Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Sorry to jump in on this thread, but I'm thinking of getting a Portrait 2. Where do you get sheets of masking material? I'm in the UK. Thanks for any advice! Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circloy Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 There's a mass of information, advice and questions over on the RMweb forum along with some inspiring model railway projects. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/ Its a lengthy discussion (currently 95 pages) and includes discussion on software options including links to the silhouette software Centre in the USA. Considering getting one myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 I use Inkscape to create the masks and Robocut to drive the silhouette portrait from my Linux computer. I usually cut Frisket, but also have cut Tamiya sheet masking paper as well as plain bond paper. I use silhouette's "Light Hold Cutting Mat" to hold the Frisket/tape/paper. There is a learning curve for Inkscape, but I'm getting pretty good with the tools I need. While I usually start from scratch, I've also imported bitmap images and trace the outline as a starting point. I'm quite happy with this setup and the tool! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Bryon Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Thanks! Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 I use a sillhouette portrait and i have upgraded my software with a designer edition from silhouette for wich i found a discount code somewhere online... Now i do most of my masking with the designer edition from sillhouette. This designer edition let you use SVG files as well from any drawing program like cheers, Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 In Dec, I switched to inkscape-silhouette. While I use it on Linux, it apparently also runs on MacOS and Windows. As this is an Inkscape extension, it will appear under Extensions-->Export-->Send to Silhouette... It works very nicely! I've known about this for a very long time, but just recently made the switch when I started having problems with Robocut--turns out it's very old and long abandoned... BTW, those are the wheel masks for the Airfix 1/48 P-51 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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