This week we are going to explore one of the newly released features of the v4.2 software.
The Puzzle Panel is available in the Silhouette software with the Designer Edition Plus or Business Edition upgrade.
(Use my code SECRETS10 to save an additional 10% off the great prices on upgrades at Swing Design)

The Puzzle Panel is located on the right side under the Emboss Panel in the v4.2 software.

If you do not see this icon and you have the Designer Edition Plus or Business Edition upgrade, check under Help > About Silhouette to see what version you are currently using. You do need v4.2 (released February 11, 2019) in order to have this feature available to you. I recommend downloading updates directly from the Silhouette America website – HERE.

Let’s Explore v4 – Puzzle Panel

Now, let’s take a look at all the details of the Puzzle Panel.

1. Puzzle Selected Shape – Select the object by clicking on it, then click on this button to create a puzzle out of that shape.
   

   *Note – I have decreased the transparency of my photo so the puzzle lines can be seen.

   If no object is selected, then it will show “Select Puzzle Shape”.

   

   Click Select Puzzle Shape and then draw a box around the object.

   

   With this method, the puzzle layer is separate from the object and can be moved independently. This would work great if you want a border around a photo.

2. Rows – Choose the number of rows in the puzzle layout. Rows run up and down.
3. Columns – Choose the number of columns in the puzzle layout. Columns run side to side.
   
4. Curvature – Check the box or un-check the box, the will determine if the puzzle pieces have straight edges or curved edges.
   In the photo below the Curvature box is not checked. This means that the puzzle pieces will have straight edges.

   
   Notice that when Curvature is not checked, the Curve and Ripple options are grayed out below.In the photo below the Curvature box is checked. This means that the puzzle pieces will have curves.

   

5. Curve – Change the percentage of the curve on the puzzle pieces.Below the curve is at 100%.
   

   In the photo below the curve is at 25%.

   

6. Ripple – Changes how the ripple of the puzzle pieces looks.
   In the photo below, the ripple at 100%.

   In the photo below the ripple at 0%.

   
   It is harder to see, but you can notice a shape change where the pieces connect, at the ripples.

7. Wobble – Choose how off-center the parts of the puzzle pieces are.
   In the photo below the wobble at 100%.

   In the photo below the wobble at 0%.

   

8. Randomize Selected Puzzle – Select this to move the puzzle pieces around in a random order. Select it as many times as you want to get a different look to the puzzle.

   Randomized #1

   

   Randomized #2

   

   Randomized #3

   

   Each push of the button will change the shape of the puzzle. There are so many combinations that you could create and variations based on the selections you make.
   So much fun!

Now, that we have explored the Puzzle Panel. Let’s create a project.

First, set up the page for a Print and Cut project.
For more details on print and cut – check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the Print and Cut series. Print and Cut Part 1 also includes troubleshooting tips.

On the Page Setup Panel, choose Current Printer for Page Size and 12 x 12 in for the Cutting mat.
Check the Show Print Border and Show Cut Border.

Click on the Registration Marks tab and Choose Type 1 Registration marks. Click on the Restore Defaults button to reset the default registration marks
(for best results – see more tips in Print and Cut – Part 1).

Add the photo or design that you are using to create a puzzle.

Scale (resize) the photo or design to the size you want.

I am using 2 photos and have sized them down using the Transform – Scale Panel to 4 x 6 inches.

Note: If you rotate the photo before you create the puzzle, the photo will revert back to the 0 degree setting. Create the puzzle first before rotating the photo to fit on the Print and Cut page.

Click on the Puzzle Panel. Select the shape by clicking on it and then choose Puzzle Selected Shape.

For the photo on the left, I selected the photo and then chose the puzzle selected shape option.

For the photo on the right, the object was not selected and I chose the Select Puzzle Area option and drew a box around the photo. This will create a puzzle with a border around my entire photo. Make sure if you choose this method, keep in mind that the puzzle shape and the object are separate, so they would both need to be selected to Align or move the objects.

Now, play with the Puzzle settings and decide what you like.

The top photo I used the Transform – Rotate Panel to rotate it so it would fit within the borders of the print and cut.

Before I print, I will decrease the transparency of the photo back to 0% on the Fill Color Panel. Remember this was just for a visual to be able to see the red lines of the puzzle clearer.

Now, it is ready to print.

Click on the Printer icon in the top right corner or File > Print.

Once it is printed, place it on the Silhouette cutting mat, exactly as it shows on the software screen, in the top left corner of the mat.

Then load the mat into the machine.

Click on the Send tab in the top right corner of the software. Then choose the Material type. I am using the Silhouette printable magnet paper.

Do a test cut if needed and then send the project to cut.

Don’t forget this tip: Check the cut before you hit the Unload button, if it did not cut cleanly through, you can resend the cut job and it should be lined up perfectly.
While you do have registration marks on the page, it should read it accurately to start but never hurts to check first.
I did end up sending my project through to cut again because of a blade issue. But, once I figured that out, it cut smoothly.

Luckily, I was able to hang them for a few minutes before the kids got home from school. Now, the puzzle may never be complete again.

Hope you enjoyed exploring the Puzzle Panel in the newly released Silhouette Studio v4.2!

What will you create with this?

I would love to see what you create – feel free to post on my Facebook group at
Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae.

Enjoy!

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