The 'File Type Not Supported' error when attempting to open an SVG file indicates one of the following issues:


  • There is a disconnect with your software properly accessing and applying your upgrade edition
  • There is an issue with the file formatting
  • You do not yet own a software upgrade (required for opening SVG files)

Applying Software Upgrade


Even if you assume you are already running a software upgrade, the following steps are the most common solution. We strongly recommend attempting these steps first, even if you assume you are already upgraded.


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
    IMPORTANT: You will need to update the Silhouette Studio software to V4.5 for these steps to work properly -- www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/ss
  2. Go to the 'Help' menu
  3. Click on "Apply Upgrade Edition"
  4. Enter your Silhouette account with your email address and password
  5. Click on the 'Activate' button

Converting to Standard Format


SVG formatting on some files may not be in a plain or standard format. Some SVG files can be created with specific design features that are specialized to certain software applications. Even if the SVG file can be opened by other applications that can access SVG files, this does not indicate that Silhouette Studio can handle such files.
In order to use select SVG files obtained from other sources in Silhouette Studio, you may need to convert them into regular/standard/plain SVG files. 

Inkscape (https://inkscape.org) can be used for this purpose as follows:


  1. Open Inkscape
  2. Open he SVG file
  3. Go to File > Save As
  4. Select the file type drop-down
  5. Select the "Plain SVG" option
  6. Save your SVG file

Purchasing Software Upgrade


Click here to purchase a software upgrade if you have not already done so. This will unlock the ability to open SVG files.