Mozart

Welcome Franz, enjoy your Cameo 4 and the satisfaction and fun that comes in the package! Max

Yes, regretfully I didn’t take a picture of the “empty” mask with the black background sprayed in it, so both of the fins in the first photo are actually at the next stage of the smaller Hakenkreuze positioned inside the “empty” mask ready for the white over spray. Hope that’s all clear but if not I’ll do a further picture of explanation!

Over on LSP I'm doing a Dragon Bf110G-4, the extract in the link shows a less-than-successful attempt at doing the Hakenkreuze on the fins, and thanks to Quang and his expertise, the easier way....also shown below for a quick ref.: Hope it helps, it's certainly the best way that I've "found" of doing these tricky symbols. Max

The Designer version is well worth getting, in fact I would class it as ESSENTIAL! The applications in the basic edition are very limited for modelling needs.

Hello Jeepee, you’ve come to the right place to find out about using a Silhouette and, by the way I’m old too (nearly 74 but still learning all the time!). Your question about using other “forms” isn’t an easy one to answer because it depends on so many variables, but to be honest I’ve always done all my drawing work using the Silhouette software. It’s very straightforward and I think user friendly. You’ll find some helpful tips in Tutorials section but if you have any specific questions just ask away! Max

Welcome Jim, and we’re glad you’re here!

I’m neither!! 😁

Good to see you here Gassman, and yes, you certainly have discovered a whole new world! I rarely, if ever, build OOB so getting the right markings was always a (sometimes) frustrating and expensive struggle. That fact alone made me invest, and I use the term wisely, in a Silhouette Cameo machine 8 years ago. In those days the inbuilt software was limiting to some extent for my needs so I bought the Designer upgrade, and have never looked back! I understand the newer machines have this included as standard. I have no practical experience of Cricut machines but anecdotal evidence points towards it not being as comprehensive nor flexible as the Silhouette especially on the software side, but don’t quote me on that. Most of your questions are answered already on the forum; if you take a while and read through some of the tutorials you’ll find many tips there, but in summary the Silhouette machine comes with a cutter which does all you need unless you want to cut thicker, harder materials like plastic sheet, in which case you simply buy a slot-in alternative….I did and it works fine when I need it. Most of us use Oramask 810 sheet, but Cricut make some good sheets too, and Kabuki (masking) tape is right for some jobs where tight curves are required, like internal canopy masks. You mention you’re in the UK, where abouts? I’m in the Dorset/Somerset/Wiltshire area if that’s any use, you’d be welcome to see my machine and have a go! I learned by trial and error, and I’m still learning but having great fun as I do. Max

Morning Tim, welcome! Get designing and cutting…..😁 Max

Agreed entirely about stencils, there's no way the Silhouette cutter nor the vinyl can handle such small letters and numbers, but gun ports I would cut out of thin paper and secure with Gator glue or similar. That way you can control the shape, size and colour of the patch. Max

Always a good idea Mike when you lose the will on one model, you’ll get back to it later. I’m hoping the Lancaster when it arrives will re-kindle my enthusiasm for bench time, but painting and website updates have kept me occupied in the meantime!

One square at a time is the only way that’s worked for me Mike!

Ah, chequers! Good luck with that Mike, I’ll be interested to see how you tackle that.

This is a great thread Mike! It’s so easy to get the impression with a finished model that all went supremely, faultlessly well. I’ve never achieved it, and I applaud you for showing the common “whoopsies” that can occur during the masking/painting process. Max

I’ve scanned decals in the past Mark, then loaded the scanned image onto the Silhouette drawing screen, scaled it to the correct size for 1/32 scale then traced the image. My Cameo 2 only had the free software when I bought it 8 or so years ago so I bought the Designer package which extends the capabilities of the Silhouette immensely, so if you haven’t got that on your machine I highly recommend it. Elsewhere on the this, under Tutorials I think, is a detailed guide of how I go about doing what you’ve after. Max

Good to see you here Theo, bienvenu! Max

Hi Neil. I own a Silhouette Cameo 2, does everything that I ask of it but if I was in the market for a new one I’d get the Cameo 4. I can’t really comment on the Portrait series, I think they are a smaller version of the Cameo but others here may be able to speak further. Whichever model you decide, you’ll find that using one enhances your modelling in many ways. Max

Cheers Kev. It’s reassuring that I had a quick response from the Silhouette Support team, for reference I’ve posted it below: Hello, Thank you for contacting us. My name is Caden, and I will be helping to resolve your questions and concerns on this matter. I'm sorry to hear of the crashing issue! First, please do the following to clear your Silhouette Studio software preferences. Please note that this procedure will result in the removal of user generated cut settings (blade/thickness/speed settings) and user option selections: Close Silhouette Studio Open the Finder Press [Cmd]+[Shift]+G Type in ~/Library/Preferences Press Return Delete the Folder com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio (this one only) Empty the Trash Re-open Silhouette Studio If the issue still persists, please do the following to test for a library corruption that may be causing this issue: Open the Finder Press [Cmd]+[Shift]+G Type in /Library/Application Support May alternately be located by typing ~/Library/Application Support Press Return Select the folder below, and rename by adding the word "old" onto the end com.aspexsoftware.silhouette_studio.8 > com.aspexsoftware.silhouette_studio.8old Attempt to start Silhouette Studio If the issues continue just the same after this, you can reverse the steps above by deleting the word "old" and let us know if anything has changed in the startup process. If the issue continues, please let us know the following: - Operating System (Catalina, etc) - RAM size (GB) To locate this, please see the following: Select the apple symbol at the top left corner Select “About this Mac” The system information will be listed We look forward to assisting you further. Thank you,

Thanks Kev, all now sorted! I uninstalled the program completely and any associated bits that I could find, then downloaded the program again. I was delighted that it didn't ask for my SSD key, though I had it ready, and that all my files are still intact. Phew......what a relief!

iMac Kev. I've had a look but nothing else has changed, still can't load the software so I've sent a message to the Support team but I guess it'll be a while before I get a response! Max

I spent some time yesterday evening showing my wife how to use the Silhouette to draw and cut masks, but when I was shutting it down a message came on screen saying “Silhouette has encountered a problem and needs to quit”. Subsequent attempts to restart the software met with the same response, so at the moment my machine is effectively dead. I’ll try a reboot etc this morning then contact the help centre to see what they advise. Damn! Max

Agreed, the Fw looks very good. What machine are you using for mask cutting?

Good to see you here Marvin, hope you get lots from browsing the site. Max

Welcome Piet, it’s great to see another member, as Kev said the Brother machine is a new one on the site so please let us know how things go. Max

Excellent Dave, looks really great! And a very clear, well illustrated peocedure. Max