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Introduction

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Section 2
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Section 4
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Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11

Frequently asked questions

Section 10: Using SD Cards with the Silhouette SD

The Silhouette SD has an SD card reader built into the machine. The Silhouette SD is compatible with SD cards only, not SDHC cards. Please note that those SD and SDHC cards are similar in appearance, they are differently format devices. SD cards are generally 2GB or smaller while SDHC cards are generally larger than 2GB.

(This is similar to DVD format discs versus Blue Ray discs where while very similar in nature, Blue Ray discs will not work in regular DVD players due to the different format.)

Once you have a compatible SD card, you will also need to have an SD card reader on your computer. Ensure you have the "Silhouette-SD" model selected in your "Preferences" (found under the "File" menu) to enable to "Save to SD" feature. Saving images to an SD card assumes you have the Silhouette SD machine to use an SD card.

HOW TO: Save images to an SD card
"Print and Cut" images (those that appear to have cut lines filled in with colorized images), are designed to be used in the following manner:
  1. Open the Silhouette's "ROBO Master" software and create your image. You will want to size your image as desired. When cutting directly from the Silhouette SD (rather than from your computer) files will be cut at the size saved, though you will be able to re-size in 25% increments (as large as 200% or double the original size, and as small as 50% or half the original size). It is recommended to save your image in the lower left-hand corner of the cutting area.
  2. Insert an SD card into your computer's SD card reader slot
    IMPORTANT: SDHC card are not compatible with the Silhouette SD. Only use SD cards, not SDHC cards
  3. Click on the "Save to SD card" button
  4. Navigate to your SD card and name your image as desired. You will need to create a folder on your SD card called "SD" and place your shapes into the "SD" folder. Images are saved into a .GSP format. When the SD card is inserted into the Silhouette SD it will look for your saved .GSP image files in this "SD" folder. The machine will not be able to locate your images if placed anywhere else.

It is recommended to save your images in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen in "Portrait" orientation on a 8 ½ x 11 layout. We would also recommend that unless you have a specific starting size, that images are saved at a standard size of 3.875 inches. This size would allow a 200% size to fit a full 8 ½ x 11 sheet to have the image cut at the maximum size (assuming the image was placed directly in the bottom left-hand corner).

A tree view of the LDC screen options on the Silhouette SD are found below:

You may download a copy of this flowchart to use to navigate through the Silhouette SD's LCD screen when cutting directly from an SD card. This downloadable chart image is sized to fit inside the lid of the Silhouette SD should you wish to paste it inside the machine for quick reference.

To navigate through the LCD screen, note that pressing the Enter button will select whatever option is being displayed to go to the next level, to adjust the option selected, or to execute the action listed. Pressing the Arrow buttons will scroll to the next option or adjust the selected setting if the Enter key has been pressed.

The following options are available on the LCD screen of the Silhouette:

Level one

(options available whether or not SD card is inserted in Silhouette SD)
  • Load w/Carrier - This option is used to load the cutting mat into the Silhouette.
  • Load Media - This option is used to load materials that are not being placed on the cutting mat, such as vinyl with adhesive backing. (NOTE: You must use the cutting mat unless your material has its own adhesive backing and is wide enough to be gripped by the rollers)
  • Unload Media - This option will eject your loaded mat or other media material.

Level two

(options available when mat or media is loaded and SD card is inserted in Silhouette SD)
  • Select File - Allows you to select a file that has been previously saved to your SD card. Pressing Enter will select to view all files. Once the desired file is shown, clicking Enter again will prompt you to cut your selected file.
  • Setting - This will bring you to the cut setting options (described below for LEVEL THREE)
  • Unload Media - This option will eject your loaded mat or other media material.

Level three

(sub-options available when "Setting" is selected)
  • Select Media - this will allow you to chose what material type you are cutting. You may select from: Thick (cardstock or thicker papers), Thin (thinner papers or materials), Film (vinyl or other film material), or Pen (for sketching with a pen rather than cutting with the blade). When a media type is selected, you may adjust the force (or thickness level) with the arrow keys. The S+E displayed means that by pressing Shift and Enter at the same time, a test cut will be made to check your setting.
  • Start Point - this option will allow you to move the blade to an alternate starting point. When the Enter key is pressed to select this option, the Arrow keys will then move the blade as desired. Pressing the Arrow keys by themselves will move the blade back and forth. Pressing the Shift key with the Arrow keys will move the blade up and down. Note, however, that if your image is too large or if there is not enough room, you will be given an error when you try to cut.
  • Scale - This will allow you to alter the size in 25% increments. 100% means the size of the file as it was originally saved. You may go as small as 50% of the original size (or half of the original size) and as large as 200% of the original size (or twice the original size).
  • Copy - this option will allow you to select to cut multiple copies of the same image. The replicated cuts will cut next to each other in a row. If too many copies are selected and there is not enough room to cut them all, an error will be displayed when you attempt to cut.
  • Go Back - when finished selecting and adjusting your desired cut settings, you may select this to return to the previous menu level.

NOTE: You cannot rotate or otherwise adjust images directly from the LCD screen. Such operations would need to be performed at the time your image is saved onto the SD card. Information on compatible SD cards and how to save images to an SD card is also available in this frequently asked questions section.

The end