Steve EJ

Thanks @GeneK. I didn't mean to get too far into the details here...was just looking for a starting place. Those other forums sound really helpful for getting started. I'll look through them.

Thanks @denders. Hope the wife's recovery is complete and faster than expected. My mother-in-law just had that done a little less than 2 months ago. She slowed down her recovery by pushing herself too hard and being on her feet a lot. (Cooking, cleaning...which, admittedly, she lives alone so it's not like anyone can do that for her.) So help your wife follow recovery guidance. 🙂 -Steve EJ

Thanks @denders. I've compared the blade I have to the pics on the Silhouette AutoBlade website...and as far as I can tell, they're identical down to plastic housing molding and assembly lines. So...assuming blade is in serviceable condition...is it a good option for Ultramask and Oracal films? BTW, I greatly ppreciate your help getting me started.

Thanks for the suggestions on mask material, Dave. When I looked at the blade over the weekend, it looked rather generic. I don't recall seeing any identifying markings, text, numbers. Just a gauge of some sort, which I believe indicates blade extension/cutting depth. I don't think I can post photos without a hosting source. (I don't use Pinterest or similar.) But I'm 99% certain it's an AutoBlade (Type A). https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/shop/blades/SILH-BLADE-AUTO

Just got the Silhouette SW loaded on my PC. Haven't bought the 'upgrade' SW yet...just trying to get my bearings. Looking to do a simple test-run. Looking for a couple of suggestions on: -Appropriate material for paint masks (presumably some sort of vinyl with adhesive on a backing) -New blade (the used cutter I got came with a blade...but I have no idea what type it is or the condition it is in) -tutorial/link/thread on how to do a text mask (want to do a test run on a generic "NAVY" and "VF-84" for the tail of a USN aircraft...even if it's just cutting it on a piece of printer paper) Thanks for helping me get started. -Steve EJ

Thanks for the suggestions @Mozart and @GeneK . I actually 'bought' the Cameo through off the 'classified ads' at my workplace. I was supposed to meet the person yesterday to pay for/pick it up...but we're in the middle of a blizzard and I worked remotely instead of going in to the office. So I won't have it in my hands until Monday (if weather cooperates). I'll probably start fiddling around with it next weekend. A friend in my local IPMS club has the same one, so he offered to help me get started and give a tutorial. I also introduced my friend to this forum...so he might be stopping in, too. Looking forward to getting started. -Steve EJ

Good day everyone! I am a modeler from the city of Grand Rapids, USA. (We happen to be getting a blizzard right now.) I mostly build aircraft in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, and I have been considering getting into creating my own masks for a year or so. My initial interest here is painting aircraft graphics and lettering/numbering instead of using decals that are hard to find, expensive, or damaged. Yesterday, I came across a previously owned, well-maintained Silhouette Cameo 3 with some extras for $60. Seemed like a good entry point, so I jumped on it. I use Hyperscale Forums regularly, and saw this website posted by a member several months ago. I just joined this forum now that I have a cutting machine. Looking forward to learning from everyone here as I get into this new aspect of modeling. See you around! -Steve EJ