9_26_17_ID_Creating Custom Decals using the Vinyl Cutter

Classes:  ID
Date of Assignment 9.26.17
Using the Vinyl Cutter

EQ(s):  What is a Vinyl Cutter and what is it good for?  What manufacturing technology is it similar to?

Instructions for making your file to send to the vinyl cutter:

You can look for and download your file on your mac, but your editing work will need to be done on the PC s  in the Maker Lab as it has the Silhouette Studio program.

After the program has loaded select "New" from the File Menu.

Change the file size to 6" x 4.5" either in portrait or landscape format from the Design Page Settings in the right side bar.

Select File/Library/Import to Library and navigate to the graphics file that you would like to feature.  Please get approval from Mr. Portz on your graphics selections as he can give you some good pointers.  On your Macintosh, you have access to your Z Drive and if you save your graphic there, you will be able to access it on the PC.

When the graphic is imported to the design screen, you need to shrink it down to make it fit within the cut borders on the page.

Select Image Trace from the right Tools Menu.

Drag a box around your graphic item to select it all.

In the "Trace" settings window in the right side bar turn off "High Pass Filter".  Turn the Threshold to higher or lower to clean the graphic image.  Turn the Scale to Low about 4.

Then select "Trace".  Move the graphic image over out of the way.  If the remaining trace looks good and clean, you may delete your original graphic.

From the  "Modify" window command, select the image and click on "Release Compound Parts".

Delete unwanted aspects from your graphic, like the border or elements that have too much detail or are too fine.

Select it all again and this time group it all back together again using the "Make Compound Parts"

Justify the graphic to the upper right and resize as necessary to make as large as possible.

Load your desired color vinyl into the Silhouette and send the file to cut with permission from your teacher.