TABLE OF CONTENTS

Silhouette Studio Not Working With Sonoma

If you are running Silhouette Studio on a Mac with the Somoma operating system (MacOS 14.1), you may encounter one of the following issues, though not necessarily both:


  1. There is a concern with the cut line display. An example of this issue might appear as follows:
  2. You may not be able to open files and be required to 'force quit'

Resolution


To resolve this concern, please perform the following actions:

  1. install and run Silhouette Studio version 4.5.770
    NOTE: This version can be found at https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/ss
    or you can download this version directly from the following link: https://dl.silhcdn.com/fd99b8c8f315c04f
  2. Install and use the macOS14.2 operating system version


Print and Cut (Registration Mark) Troubleshooting

Issues encountered when using Registration Marks for Print & Cut jobs fall into two major categories:

  1. Registration Mark Reading Failure
  2. Cutting Misalignment


NOTE: Registration Marks are only for Print & Cut projects. Registration Marks setting should be turned off if you are not working with a printed image. If there are no registration marks on your material, you can simply turn this setting off in the software.

Registration Mark Reading Failure


Registration Mark reading failure occurs when you attempt to send a Print & Cut job to a Silhouette cutting machine, and the registration marks cannot be found by the machine, so it stops and does not attempt the job.


This can be caused by the following:

  • The latest version of Silhouette Studio is not in use
  • The cutting mat settings in the software do not match your actual setup
  • The mat or material is not being loaded properly
  • The material is not being placed properly onto the cutting mat or is in the wrong orientation
  • The material in use has a dark color or a surface type that is not conducive to the optic scanner so registration marks cannot be read properly
  • The registration marks are not printed clearly or properly
  • The optic scanner is obstructed
  • There is not a good light source for the optic scanner to be able to see the registration marks

Cutting Misalignment


Cutting Misalignment is when the cut performed does not align with the expected cut line location as defined in the software. This can range from cuts that are just slightly off, to cuts that are dramatically off.


IMPORTANT: Please be advised that Print & Cut jobs have a 1/16th inch margin of error for cutting alignment compared to the printed image. Small discrepancies between the printed image and the location of the cut may be expected. If this is the case with your job, you can improve contour cutting results, so that the cutting alignment can appear to be more exact, using the Print Bleed feature.


Cutting alignment concerns outside the margin of error can be caused by the following:

  • The material in use has a dark color or a surface type that is not conducive to the optic scanner so registration marks appear to be read properly but are actually not
  • A portion of the image falls into the hash mark area near the registration marks (the "no print zone"), which causes the optic scanner to think part of the print information is a portion of the registration mark resulting in a cutting misalignment
  • The registration marks are not fully or properly printed
  • The registration mark settings have been adjusted to a customized setting that is not actually conducive to proper registration mark reading for the material size or setup being used
  • The printer page settings do not match the selected Page size settings selected in the Silhouette Studio program

Fixing Print & Cut Issues


To resolve the issue you are encountering with either failure to read the marks or cutting alignment concerns, we strongly recommend reviewing the video below to walk through your job together step-by-step, even if you are an advanced user.



Exported File Missing Lines OR Includes Unintended Dashed Lines

If you have exported a file from Silhouette Studio, but there are missing lines or some of the lines are unintended dashed lines, please note the following.

Missing Lines


Files created in an upgraded edition of Silhouette Studio can be opened in the Basic Edition.

 

However, any designs that include features not available in the Basic Edition will be removed from the file (e.g. Rhinestone or Sketch features using the Designer edition tools).

Unintended Dashed Lines


This issue indicates that protected Silhouette Design Store content has been included in an exported SVG file.

Please note that while the Silhouette Studio Business Edition does allow the export of SVG file types, there is a restriction regarding content obtained from the Silhouette Design Store. Any content from the Silhouette Design Store will display in the exported file as dotted line segments. 


If you wish to export this content to view it outside of Silhouette Studio, you will need to export it as a JPG, PDF, or STUDIO file type. However, please note that a JPG or PDF will not include cut lines.



SVG File Opening Outside Design Area

Silhouette Studio can open SVG files when using the Designer Edition or above. Some files may encounter strange design placement in the Silhouette Studio software when opened.

Design Placement


Silhouette Studio will place the designs from the SVG file according to the original placement found within the SVG file. Some SVG files have designs placed in odd locations. This is based on how the file was originally created and saved. This behavior is not a fault of the Silhouette Studio program.

Placement Workaround

You can override the original design placement from the SVG file and force it to be centered in the cutting area as follows:

  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to the Edit > Preferences > Import
  3. Under the SVG section, select 'Centered' as the preferred 'Document Position'
  4. Click OK
Printing Issues from Silhouette Studio

Printing options displayed through the Silhouette Studio software ('Print' icon or File > Print Page Setup, etc.) are controlled by your computer's operating system and your printer driver.


Print options and Preferences for your printer that can be accessed through these options are not specific to nor controlled by Silhouette Studio. This may include options such as 'Printer Paper Size' and 'Print Quality'.

As options vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and printer model to printer model, we are unable to provide detailed troubleshooting on issues having to do with printer setup or printer settings. If the information below does not attend to your concern, you may need to contact your printer manufacturer for assistance.

Print Quality Issues


Silhouette Studio does not control the print quality or the tone of colors beyond what has been defined in the software.

 

The quality of the print may vary based on your printer. Generally, you can check your printer ink levels for most concerns having to do with print quality. You may also be able to find settings specific to your printer in order to adjust the print quality.


To review printer options:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Click on the Print icon 
  3. Press the Print option from the Print Preview window.
    NOTE: This will open a print dialog window controlled by your computer operating system
  4. Click on your printer to select it
  5. Click on the Preferences button
    NOTE: Printer preferences are not controlled by Silhouette Studio. They are controlled by your printer driver.
  6. Though preference options vary from printer to printer, most printers have a 'Print Quality' option that can be found and adjusted

For continued assistance with printer preferences and printer quality, please refer to your printer manual, or contact your printer manufacturer.

Printing Wrong Colors


Incorrectly printed colors can indicate a conflict between Silhouette Studio and your printer model.


This can be due to software settings in the Silhouette Studio program that are conflicting with the printer or the level of attempted print quality from the printer that is not compatible with the Silhouette Studio program.


To resolve this concern: 

A. Adjust the DPI quality settings in the software


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences > General
  3. Adjust the 'Resolution of image sent to printer' to 300 DPI
  4. Select the Apply option
  5. Print again


B. Check the Print Quality settings for the printer


Confirm if there is any change when adjusting the 'Print Quality' for the printer options. For example, most printers will have an option for 'Best Print Quality' and have a scale that goes down from there.


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to File > Print
  3. Select Preferences for the printer
  4. Attempt to locate the options for 'Print Quality'
  5. Adjust this setting if present


C. Remove and re-install the printer driver


If you experience continued concerns, uninstall and reinstall the printer driver (the actual driver for the printer model). 


We recommend visiting the printer manufacturer's website in order to find and install the latest driver available. After doing so, restart your computer and try to print again.

Printing Blank Page


If your print job is a blank page or a blank page with only registration marks printed, this indicates that while you may have cut lines present in your job, you do not have any printable information present on your workspace. Cut lines and print information are handled differently. 

Silhouette Studio will only print:


To fill the design with a color or pattern:


  1. Select the design
  2. Go to the Fill panel (on the right-side toolbar)
  3. Select the desired color, gradient, or pattern fill
    NOTE: If you have filled your design, you should see the printed result as it is displayed on the screen

If you alternately only want to print the cut lines:


  1. Select the design
  2. Go to the Line Style panel on the right-side toolbar
  3. Check the box labeled 'Print Lines of Selected Shapes'
  4. If you want to print thicker lines, raise the Line Thickness to any number above 0.0pt
    NOTE: If you enable the cut lines to be printed, you should see just the lines of your design as it is displayed on the screen.

Print Action Does Nothing (No Page Printed)


If the action to send a print job from Silhouette Studio does not send the job to your printer, this typically indicates either:


  • The printer is connected wirelessly to the computer, and communication is not connecting or is being dropped
  • The USB cable connecting the printer to the computer is not sufficient for the data being sent


Printer connected wirelessly


To confirm if the wireless connection is the concern, connect the printer's USB cable to the computer and send the print job again via USB connection.


If the job can be printed via USB connection, contact your printer manufacturer for additional assistance.


If connected via WiFi, check your internet connection strength. If connected via Bluetooth, disable other Bluetooth devices temporarily, and ensure the printer is at a close distance to the computer to establish a stronger connection.


USB cable issue


We recommend a USB 3.0 cable for your printer connection. This may allow for easier sending of large or complex jobs from Silhouette Studio. Some printers will include a USB 2.0 cable but can easily be replaced with a 3.0 cable with similar specifications. Contact your printer manufacturer for additional assistance.


Scanning Issues with Silhouette Studio

Scanning Crashes Software

If the action to Scan (File > Scan) crashes the software:

  1. Update Silhouette Studio to the most current version available
    NOTE: If updating resolves the concern, you do not need to perform additional steps below
  2. Visit your scanner manufacturer's website to download and install the latest driver for your scanner model
    NOTE: You will need to obtain a fully featured driver that includes TWAIN support
  3. Download and install any software updates for your scanner available from the manufacturer 
    IMPORTANT: Obtain the driver and software directly from the manufacturer's website, rather than from a CD that may have come with your scanner device or from another website. Installation CDs included with scanner devices often do not include drivers that offer full TWAIN support. 
  4. Re-start your computer after the updated driver and software are installed

No Scanner Found


If Silhouette Studio is unable to detect your scanner, close Silhouette Studio and check the following points:

  • Ensure your scanner is powered on
  • Ensure your scanner is connected to the computer via USB cord
  • Ensure your scanner has been properly installed by visiting the scanner manufacturer's website and installing/updating the device driver
  • Install or update any recommended software for your scanner from the manufacturer's website

If you are still encountering a "No Scanner Found" message:

  1. Use the 32-bit version of Silhouette Studio instead for scanning directly into the software
  2. Scan images through the scanner's software (i.e. Canon ScanGear, HP Scan, etc.) instead of through Silhouette Studio. After scanning your images through the scanner software, simply open/import the scanned images into Silhouette Studio.

32-Bit Scanner Drivers


If you are on a 64-bit operating system, your scanner will require a 64-bit driver in order to properly communicate.

Visit your scanner manufacturer's website to download and install the latest 64-bit driver for your scanner. 


Effects Feature Not Displayed

In some instances, you may not be able to see or use the Effects icon in Silhouette Studio (located on the right-hand side toolbar):

Can't See Effects Icon


The Effects feature requires V3.3 or higher. If you are running a lower software version: 

  1. Close Silhouette Studio 
  2. Download the latest software version availble
  3. Run the installation program

Error Message When Selecting Effects


If you are runnning the latest software version and can see the feature icon, but encounter an error message that the feature is not available, this would indicate a limitation with your computer's graphics card.

The Effects feature is a way to change the visual display of raster images (PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF) by applying graphic effects like Color Inversion, Brightness, Contrast, Gray Shade, and others. 


The Effects feature in Silhouette Studio relies on your computer’s graphics card in order to provide the functionality for the ability to use these effects. In other words, Silhouette Studio is "borrowing" the ability to change the color scheme of the images you see from your computer. If your computer doesn’t have the capability to provide these effects, then you will see an error message instead of the different Effects options.


If you are being directed to this page from Silhouette Studio, it means that your computer doesn’t have the physical hardware needed to utilize the Effects feature. 


In order to use the Effects feature you would need to install a new graphics card for your computer, or use an alternate computer that has a graphics card to support the feature.



Can't Fill Design in Silhouette Studio

If you are unable to fill a selected design in Silhouette Studio, this typically indicates the image is not a fully closed path. 

In other words, part of the selected design is not fully closed so that the image does not have a continuously unbroken line. 


In this case, the design cannot be filled.

Closing the Design


To close the design so it can be filled:

  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Open and right-click on the design
  3. Select Ungroup or Release Compound Path (depending on what option may be available)
  4. Double-click on the image to enter Point Edit Mode
  5. Inspect the edit points to locate the line break
    NOTE: The break in the line will be indicated by a red edit point
  6. Close the path by connecting the red edit points either by clicking on the red dot, or zooming in to drag the red end points together
    NOTE: In many cases, you will not be able to see both red edit points unless you are zoomed in very closely
  7. Once there are no more red points and the path is closed, you should be able to fill your design

Reporting Design Store Content


If the design is from the Silhouette Design Store, please report the design ID number to support@silhouetteamerica.com so we can have the original image corrected.


DXF File Issues

Issues with being able to properly open and use DXF files most commonly indicate a need to update the software.

Update Silhouette Studio

Close Silhouette and update to the latest available version. 

DXF Support Limitations

If continued concerns are met, please note that while DXF files can be imported into Silhouette Studio program, there is a limit on features for DXF files that are supported. 

Namely only the following features are supported for DXF files:

  • Arc
  • Circle
  • Ellipse
  • Line
  • DWPolyline
  • Spline
  • Text

Checking Export Options

If only the above components are included and the file was exported from Adobe Illustrator, please note the following information on proper export practices for this file type:

  • The DXF file type should be R13/LT95
  • There can be no groups or compound paths when exporting. You will need to re-group and/or make compound paths in the Silhouette Studio program once the DXF image is successfully opened.

Imported in the Wrong Size

Unfortunately, DXF files are not formatted such that they retain size information when they are imported into other programs. 

Silhouette Studio does have an import option to center the image or fit it into the page size being used as it is initially opened for easier initial viewing. To enable this:

  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Import


NOTE: This option does not provide the size from the original software used to make the image. It would just make the imported design easier to see initially when opened in Silhouette Studio.

You can re-size the image to your exact desired specification after opening it in Silhouette Studio. 

If you need to export an image in a file format that retains exact sizing, the only such file types would be PNG (for raster images; require tracing to create your cut lines), or SVG files (for vector line images; requires Silhouette Studio Designer Edition). SVG files need to be at the default rate of 72 DPI to retain their size. 

There is currently no other workaround to ensure that the expected size from the original file is how the image would be opened. This is a limitation of the DXF file type itself.  

Continued Issues

If continued issues are encountered, you are welcome to send the file to support@silhouetteamerica.com for review.  

While we cannot provide support for or potentially "fix" the DXF file, we can review the file to consider making future DXF support improvements.


Silhouette Studio Display Blurry (Mac)

If the Silhouette Studio program appears blurry on your Mac computer or laptop, this issue likely indicates a conflict with the retina display on your Mac. The resolution of the software may be set higher than it is currently capable of displaying. 

Updating Retina Display

To fix this issue:

  1. Close Silhouette Studio
  2. Open the Finder
  3. Go to the Go menu
  4. Select Applications
  5. Click on Silhouette Studio
  6. Choose 'Get info'
  7. Place a checkmark next to 'Open in Low Resolution'
    NOTE: This option may not exist with newer macOS versions.
  8. Close the window
  9. Open Silhouette Studio

Alternate Update Option


If you are unable to perform the steps above, you can alternately do the following:

  1. Click on the Apple menu
  2. Select System Preferences
  3. Select Displays > Display
  4. Select 'Default for display'
    NOTE: If you have your display set to scaled, you'll want to select 'Default' or 'More space'
  5. Close the Display window after making your selection
  6. Press Command + Space on your keyboard
  7. Type "Terminal"
  8. Double-click on the Terminal app to open it
  9. Paste the following command into the Terminal app:
    defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
  10. Press enter to execute the command
  11. Restart your computer

NOTE: We are still working to resolve this issue in future updated software versions. Continue to update your software as newer versions become available.


Silhouette Studio Displaying Black Screen (PC)

If the Silhouette Studio program is displaying a black screen instead of the expected view of the software program, this may indicate an issue with the graphics card handling of the application.

Updating OpenGL Settings


To resolve this issue:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
    NOTE: Ensure you are running the latest software update
  2. Go to the Edit menu
  3. Select Preferences
  4. Select Advanced
  5. Go to OpenGL Configure
  6. Select the first option listed
  7. Click Apply
  8. Exit and re-open Silhouette Studio
  9. If there is no change, repeat steps 1-7 but chose the next available option



Actual Text Height Smaller than Selected Size

If you have selected your text and set it to a specific size, the actual cut-out result may not be at the exact same height as expected.

How Text is Measured


Text is measured in the Silhouette Studio program as a point size. 

While the point sizes listed generally correspond with a specific actual size, the point sizes for fonts are actually just guidelines. Fonts, even those obtained from the same source, may be varied in their actual sizing based on the individual artist who designed the font. While there is a loose standard, there is no rule that all people who create fonts follow with respect the sizing. This is why the measurement box for text is not always necessarily the same measurement as the actual cut size. 

The measuring bounding box is measuring the actual point size (rather than the top of the highest letter to the bottom of the lowest letter).

Cutting Text at Exact Size

To adjust text to an exact height:

  1. Create your text with the Text cursor tool (on left-hand toolbar)
  2. Adjust the 'Text Style' to the desired font
  3. Size the text to the approximate desired size
  4. Right-click on the text and select Weld
  5. Right-click immediately and select Group
  6. Open the Transform panel (on right-hand toolbar)
  7. Go to the Scale tab
  8. Make sure the lock aspect ration icon is in the 'locked' position
  9. Specify your exact desired 'Height' OR 'Width' for your letters, depending on which measurement is more critical

    NOTE: You can only select 'Height' or 'Width'. If you want to specify both measurements, you will need to click on the aspect ratio icon to toggle it off. Results when adjusting both measurements may cause undesired visual results.
  10. Click Apply


SVG Export Issue - Design Parts Disappear When Saved

We can confirm that there is a bug in the current software version that is causing some designs to disappear from view when saved as an SVG file from Silhouette Studio. This specifically pertains to files that contain designs that are red cut lines with no fill.

Temporary Workaround


As a workaround while this bug is being addressed, you can do the following:

  1. Open the SVG file
  2. Press CTRL + A on your keyboard
    NOTE: This will select everything in the file, including any "invisible" design elements
  3. Open to the 'Line Style' panel (on the right-hand toolbar)
  4. Go to the 'Line Color' tab and select black
    NOTE: This will update the line color on the "invisible" design elements and reveal them

Downgrade Software Version


If desired, you can downgrade your software version to a previous version that was working properly for you.



Can't Run Software in Windows S Mode

If you are running Windows 10 or above in S Mode, this will not allow you to run software programs that are not verified from the Microsoft App Store, such as Silhouette Studio.

Switch Out of Windows S Mode


In order to run Silhouette Studio, you will need to switch out of S Mode. This is the only option available until Microsoft allows 3rd party applications to be run that are not from the Microsoft App Store. If you are unable to make this adjustment to switch out of S Mode, you will need to use a different computer that is not set to run in S Mode.


To switch out of S Mode:

  1. Click the Windows key + I (uppercase i)
  2. Go to Windows Settings
  3. Click on the "System" tab
  4. Click on "Activation" in the right pane
    NOTE: On the Activation page, you will see "Switch to Windows 11/10 Home or Pro" based on your OS version
  5. Click on "Go to the Microsoft Store"
  6. In the "Switch Out of S mode" pop-up screen click the "Get" button
  7. Click on "Install"
  8. Click "Yes, let's go" to confirm the installation process and switch out of S mode
    NOTE: If you see any error after clicking on Install indicating that the upgrade cannot happen, then perform a Windows update, reboot your computer, and try the above steps again.


Stray Cut Lines Added When Using Rotary or Kraft Blade

In order to maneuver the Rotary Blade for specific types of curves or cuts, the Silhouette Studio software inserts curves—often referred to as loops and hooks — into your design.


These additional curved lines do not cut all the way through the material and are placed away from the design. The Rotary Blade will lift and move to these marked areas and press down to swivel the direction of the blade. The Rotary Blade will then move over to the design and proceed to cut in the correct orientation. 


The SEND panel in Silhouette Studio will provide a preview of your cut lines. A typical preview when using other blades or tools will display as follows:



When using the Rotary Blade, you will see the additional curves added in automatically:



These actions are necessary to help reorient the Rotary Blade when it needs to move in a different direction to complete the cut. 

Reducing Loop Impact


You can adjust the Loop settings as follows:

  1. Set up your job
  2. Go to Send
  3. Select your material and cut settings
  4. Click on the "More" button next to the material settings


If your cut-out designs have cuts made into parts of them, you may be able to adjust the Loop settings to reduce the impact of the curves by decreasing the "Loop Force" and/or increasing the "Loop Blade Height".


WARNING: Adjusting these settings for select designs may impact cutting quality and/or the ability to cut the designs properly.



Lines Difficult to See on Computer Screen

Lines in Silhouette Studio may be difficult to see on some computers. Lines can be adjusted for easier viewing.

Adjusting Line Thickness


You can thicken your lines as you create new text or draw new lines. The line thickness setting in this instance is only for on-screen display purposes. It does not impact the actual cut-line performance.


To adjust the line thickness:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Adjust the line thickness setting to a higher setting (i.e. 2)
  3. Continue to draw and create text


Adjusting the line thickness setting will impact:
  • Newly drawn objects
  • Newly created text
  • Any selected designs


NOTE: This default setting will not impact designs opened into the software or from the library, since these lines have already been created with specified characteristics, including the line thickness. You can use the above effect on pre-existing designs by selecting the object and then updating the line thickness setting.

Adjusting Default Line Color


You can adjust the default line color between red or black. 

To update this setting:

  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Defaults
  3. Select your desired line color (black and red are the only current options)
  4. Click on Apply
  5. Click on OK


PixScan Issues

If you encounter errors while using the PixScan feature, review the information below for your specific issue.

Image Recognition Error

If you encounter an image recognition error, this is most commonly caused by the image itself that is being imported into the software.

 

Re-take a photo of your PixScan mat as follows:


  • Ensure the PixScan mat is on a flat surface, and the mat is not curled (flat with no curled edges)
  • Do not use any zoom feature with your camera
  • Ensure that lighting is even
  • Ensure the entire mat is clearly visible in the image
  • Ensure the PixScan mat covers at least 30% of the photo area
    NOTE: Fill the camera frame as much as possible while still being able to see the full mat in the picture
  • Ensure the printed image on the PixScan mat is placed within the black cut border
    NOTE: Avoid any overlapping onto the black border

Calibrating Silhouette Studio to Camera


Silhouette Studio includes a number of pre-calibrated settings for common smartphone cameras. If a calibration profile is not found for your device, you may need to calibrate Silhouette Studio to your smartphone or digital camera model.


If you receive a prompt to calibrate your camera:


Printing the Calibration Image

  1. Click on the PixScan Icon 
  2. Select the Import From File > Calibration section
  3. Select the correct paper size from the list
  4. Click ‘Load Calibration Test Card’
  5. Print the calibration image on a white sheet


The most common issues with calibration come from the photograph that has been taken. When photographing the calibration image:

  • Ensure the calibration image is resting on a flat surface
  • Do not use any zoom feature with your camera
  • Ensure that lighting is even
  • Ensure the photo is clear/crisp
  • Ensure the camera is parallel and in line with the calibration image
    NOTE: This means a direct bird's eye view of the mat straight down from above
  • Ensure as best as possible that only the calibration dots are showing in the photo

Setting up a Calibration Profile

Each smartphone or digital camera model has its own calibration profile that can be selected, either pre-created in Silhouette Studio or user-created as instructed above. 


Once a calibration image is ready, a new profile can be created as follows:


  1. Click on the PixScan Icon 
  2. Select the Calibration section
  3. Click on the plus icon
  4. Load the saved calibration image


Once you have loaded the image, the software will attempt to detect the device name or allow you to give the Calibration profile a name. After a Calibration profile is created, it can be selected again whenever that particular device is used to take PixScan photos.

Registration Mark Reading Failure


If the registration mark reading process on the PixScan mat is failing, the most common cause is with the PixScan mat alignment. Re-align the mat with the left edge of the mat touching the loading guide mark, but not covering it. The edge of the mat must be just to the right of the mark, rather than covering the mark or loaded slightly too far to the left.


Click here for troubleshooting if continued Registration Mark Reading failure is being encountered.

Scanning Issue


Silhouette Studio requires a scanner with TWAIN support. Without this, you may encounter scanner errors, or Silhouette Studio may crash.

NOTE: If your scanner does not have TWAIN support and is not compatible, you will need to use a smartphone or digital camera to capture your PixScan images instead.


Design Can't Be Dragged Smoothly (Object Placement Snapping)

If an image is being dragged across the workspace in Silhouette Studio or being re-sized and is 'jumping' from place to place, rather than being moved or re-sized smoothly, this typically indicates that the 'Snap to Grid' and/or 'Snap to Guides' option is enabled (even if the Grid or Guides are not displayed).

Disable 'Snap To' Options


To resolve the concern:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go View > Grid Options
  3. Uncheck the 'Snap to Grid' and 'Snap to Guides' check-boxes




Wrong Font Style Displayed for Text in File

If you have saved a Studio file containing text created with the Text tool in Silhouette Studio and opened the file on another computer to find the font style is not displayed correctly, this indicates that the original font used is not yet installed on the computer trying to open the file.


As the file is opened, the software will locate and display the text in the originally defined font style. If the defined font style is not found installed on the computer in use, the software will resort to displaying the text in the first font style it finds on that computer, which is usually Arial or another basic system font.



EXAMPLE: Person A has 'Specific' font installed on their computer. They create a Studio document with text saying "Thank You" in 'Specific' font. Person B does not have 'Specific' font installed on their computer. If Person A sends a saved copy of the created Studio file to Person B, the text style in the document would revert to 'Arial' or another standard system font that the software can find on Person B's computer.

Installing Fonts


The best resolution for this issue is to install the font onto the target computer where the file is being accessed. 
You can find instructions on how to install fonts below:


Once your font style is installed on the target computer, you should be able to open the file with the expected font style displayed properly.

Converting Text to Image


If the original font style cannot be installed on the target computer, you can convert the text in the original file into an image so that it is displayed in the desired font style.


To convert text to image:

  1. Select your text that is in the desired font style
  2. Right-click
  3. Select 'Convert to Path'


NOTE: Once the text is converted into an image, it can no longer be edited with the Text tools.


Trying to Use Two Fonts With the Same Name

Unfortunately, having two fonts with the same internal name that is installed at the same time on your computer will not work.


Work Arounds


The following are work-around options to address this concern.


  1. Switch back and forth

    You can store both versions of the font (TTF or OTF files) somewhere on your computer where they are easy to locate. You can then uninstall the font name and install the alternate version you are using, as needed.

  2. Update one of the font names

    You can change the internal name of one of the fonts if you have access to special font-editing software. Silhouette does not offer any software program for this purpose.




Placement on Screen Doesn't Match Actual Result (Cameo Plus/Pro)

The cut border for the Cameo Plus and Pro models will change positioning based on the defined material size. 


You will need to define the exact size of the actual material size you're using in the software to resolve this concern. Once defined properly, you can proceed to load the material where it shows it should be loaded on the screen.


PNG Saved to Library Not Opening Properly

We are aware of a bug where some PNG files, primarily on Mac computers, may display oddly when saved to the library and then opened from the library. This typically appears as a thumbnail with a partial display of the design's name.


As the bug is being corrected, you can bypass this concern as follows:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to the library
  3. Locate and open your PNG file from inside the library
    NOTE: At this point, you will see the "bad" PNG file view
  4. Zoom in or out
    NOTE: The zoom action will reset the display and show the design properly
  5. Zoom back to your desired view



Text/Object Placement Not Where Clicked/Selected (Mac)

If you click to place text or a design object, and the text or object appears in a completely different location from where you clicked to place it, this is typically due to a resolution mismatch with your monitors. Interacting with (including opening) Silhouette Studio on an external monitor connected to a Mac when you have two different types of resolutions on your monitors will cause the software to become unusable.


If you have a MacBook Pro with a built-in monitor and also have an additional external monitor, you will need to either: 


  1. Only use Silhouette Studio with the built-in monitor
  2. Change the resolution on your monitors to ensure they are using the same type of resolution (both 'Retina' resolutions OR both 'Standard' resolutions)


If needed, you can use an app called 'EasyRes' from the App Store to help make sure your monitors are set up properly.



Design Area Truncated

If you open Silhouette Studio and find that you cannot adjust your Design Area to use the full area on your screen, you can adjust your Windows display 'Scale and layout' settings to correct this.


See the following Microsoft article for steps on how to do this: 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/view-display-settings-in-windows-37f0e05e-98a9-474c-317a-e85422daa8bb


You can adjust the settings to a new setting, save it, and then go back to the original setting you like. It is only important that you make a change to the scale settings.



Cut Line Distance Calibration

WARNING: Cut Line Distance calibration is not related to Print & Cut alignment issues. We recommend that you not adjust this unless you have specifically been instructed to do so.

The Cut Line Distance calibration is intended to correct any actual measurement issues. In very rare cases, your Silhouette machine may be cutting the line distance incorrectly according to the line distance defined in the software.

When Is Calibration Necessary?


As an example, if you have a square that on-screen is intended to be measured as 2 inches width x 2 inches length, but the resulting cut job creates an object that is 2 inches on one side, but the other side is slightly longer or shorter, this would indicate an error with the Cut Line Distance.


Otherwise, be advised this type of issue is incredibly rare. If you proceed to run this calibration test when there is no error, the resulting lines in your calibration test will always show that they are off.

Distance Calibration


To calibrate the line distance for your machine:


  1. Ensure your machine is powered on and the USB cord is connected to your computer
  2. Open Silhouette Studio
    NOTE: Make sure you are running the latest software version
  3. Go to the SEND panel
  4. Right-click on the machine in the lower left-hand corner of the SEND panel
  5. Select 'Distance Adjustment'
  6. Click on the 'Print Test Page' button to print the calibration page displayed on your screen
    IMPORTANT: Print to a sheet of plain white copy paper
  7. Place the printed page onto your cutting mat exactly as displayed on the screen
  8. Load your cutting mat into the Silhouette machine
  9. Load a blade into your Silhouette machine
  10. Click 'Cut Test Lines'
  11. Measure the distance between the cut lines, between marks A-B and 1-2
    NOTE: Both distances should be exactly 20.0 mm
  12. Move the sliders to match the distance measured between each set of cut lines, as needed
  13. Test your distance adjustment by cutting and remeasuring the distances again.

Resetting Calibration


If for any reason you need to reset the distance calibration to its original setting, you can repeat steps 2 - 5 above, and manually slide the measurement bar back to to 0.00%.