DocEck: Initial document

2026-04-12T14:38:24Z

Initial document

New page

This page started as [[User:DocEck|DocEck]]'s notes from training received from Amy_25 on the Silhouette Cameo 3. '''Please feel free to edit these notes''' to make them more helpful for others getting started on the Cameo.

== Software Setup ==
[https://inkscape.org Inkscape] is KM's preferred software for driving the Cameo. To do so, you need to install the [https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-silhouette fablabnbg Silhouette extension] for Inkscape. Inkscape and the extension are already installed on KM laptops.

When installing the extension on a Linux machine, you may find that you need to also install python3-matplotlib and python3-tinycss2.

== Use of Inkscape Silhouette Extension ==
Set the document size to the size of the media that you will be cutting in the machine. For example, if you are using 8.5x11 sticker paper, set the document size to US Letter.

Once the document size is set correctly for the media, if you are going to print on your media, add registration marks by going to <code>Extensions > Render > Silhouette Regmarks</code>

I do not recommend changing the default offsets in the registration marks. These offsets will be referenced later in the Send to Silhouette dialog, and they must match. It is possible to change the offsets in both places, but it's not clear to me what the advantage is of doing so.

The Cameo will ultimately only cut SVG strokes. The extension will tell the Cameo to cut those strokes that are visible in the document. If you have two strokes to cut with different settings, in the Layers panel, hide the visibility of the layers that do not contain the stroke you want to cut. This includes hiding layers that contain raster images.

Once the appropriate layers containing only the strokes you want to cut are visible, send them to the Silhouette by going to <code>Extensions > Export > Send to Silhouette...</code>

Go through each tab and confirm the settings are as you want them. '''The extension remembers the settings from the last time it was used'''. This is important to note because on a classroom machine it's going to be set not to any kind of default but rather to whatever the last user was doing, which is probably not what you are doing. Even on your personal computer, you are probably not doing now what you were doing last. Check settings every time.

You can refer to the [[Settings page|Cameo3 Settings Page]] to see if other users have recorded settings that worked for them on media similar to what you're cutting. As you find settings that work for you, please edit that settings page to correct entries already there or to add new entries.<blockquote>''A note on depth: cutting too deep can cut through the mat and destroy it. When in doubt, use a lower depth setting, see how well it does. You can always adjust the depth deeper on a second pass.''</blockquote>When you are satisfied with your settings, you can click Apply and a preview of the cutting path will be displayed.

== Executing the Cut ==
Once your settings are as you'd like them to be and you've clicked Apply, you're nearly ready to cut.

At this point you should have printed your imagery and registration marks on your media.

Ensure that the machine is powered on and connected to the computer you're using via USB.

Load the cutting mat with your media attached.

Make sure the tool you expect to be loaded is indeed loaded, e.g., that it's the AutoBlade if you want to use the AutoBlade, and not one of the manual blades, and that it's in the red holder as opposed to the blue holder or vice versa.

With the mat and media loaded and the correct tool installed, click Cut in the Inkscape Silhouette extension.

== Multiple operations ==
If you are executing multiple operations, for example one operation to cut out the sticker and a second operation to cut through the backing and die cut the sticker from the sheet, it is not necessary to unload and reload the cutting mat. After the first operation is complete, return to the Send to Silhouette dialog and make any changes you need to the settings, click Apply, and click Cut. This can be useful if your first cut did not go as deep as you want - you can add repeated passes or you can change depth.

DocEck's notes on Cameo 3 - Revision history

DocEck: Initial document