Mozart

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:

1. Close Silhouette Studio
2. Open the Finder
3. Press [Cmd]+[Shift]+G
4. Type in ~/Library/Preferences
5. Press Return
6. Delete the Folder com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio  (this one only)
7. Empty the Trash
8. Re-open Silhouette Studio

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 

Have to agree 100% with the Two Wise Men…..does that make us three? I can’t think of a single reason why this might be a good idea but several reasons why not. 
Max 

Thanks for that insight, worth a try I think for smaller lettering. There’s some useful background and setting recommendations here.

Max 

Do you mean send them here for advice Mike or to commission individual masks to be made?

Max 

21 hours ago, Jens J. said:

Hi there! I discovered this forum a few days ago. I have yet to participate in any discussions, let alone share some of my files, but I will get there eventually.

 

Jens

We look forward to seeing the work that you've done using your masks Jens plus anything that you can add to the Collective!! 😁

Max

I don’t, sorry! 
Max 

All done!

Well for what ever reason, the second masking worked:

As can be seen I've also done all the roundels, all went smoothly, so my Fury is well on the way:

Just the fuselage "7" and rudder serials to do then it will be top wing on and rigging which will be documented here