Let’s Explore v4.4 – Page Setup Panel – Updated

Over the years the Silhouette Studio software has changed. If you’ve been using Silhouette for a while, you may have seen it, but if you are new, you may not have noticed these changes.

I’m sharing an updated tutorial today on the Page Setup Panel in the Silhouette Studio software v4.5+. With new versions, new features are added or moved. This means the panels change and sometimes they can change quickly.

If you are still using an older version of software or yours looks a bit different, that is ok – you do NOT need to update. Check out these older tutorials HERE for more details. This is all dependent on your software version.
Again, I DO NOT recommend you update just so it looks like this tutorial, especially if your software is running just fine.

I’ve also created a video tutorial that you can find on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE as well.

This tutorial is written in version 4.5 of the Silhouette software.
*Note: tutorial is photo heavy

What software version are you currently using?

Here is how to find out this information.

On a Windows computer, in the top left corner, click on Help > About Silhouette.

On a MAC, navigate to the top left menu, click on Silhouette Studio, and then click on About Silhouette.

(Thanks Libby Ashcraft for this MAC screenshot!)

This little window tells us a lot of information.

From this screen we can tell what the exact software version is and what level of upgrade the user has. This helps immensely in troubleshooting issues with users as some bugs can be version specific.

Let’s Explore v4 – Page Setup Panel

The Page Setup Panel is found in the top right corner of the Silhouette Studio software and it opens automatically when you open the software.

It is one of the most important panels in the software because it’s where you tell the program, and ultimately your Silhouette machine, exactly what you are doing.

Simply click the top right icon if you need the Page Setup Panel to open again.

Now, let’s take an in-depth look at what is included on this panel. As I mentioned above, it is one of the most important panels in the setup for your projects.

At the top of the Page Setup Panel is the Design Area Setup.

This is where you tell the software and machine exactly what you are using.

#1 – Machine
This where you tell the software what machine you will be using.

With the release of v4.4 software, several changes were added and you have more options in the machines selection, even if you do not own that particular model machine.

#2 Feed Type
This one you may or may not see. It is completely dependent on what Silhouette model machine you have. This option will show up when the Cameo 4, Cameo Plus, Cameo Pro, or Portrait 3 models are selected. This is only an option for the Silhouette Auto Sheet Feeder.

If you do not have a Silhouette Auto Sheet Feeder, you do not need to do anything here.
For more information on the Silhouette Auto Sheet Feeder, click HERE.

#3 – Cutting Mat
This is where you tell the software & machine what size cutting mat you are using or if you are not using a cutting mat.

When a cutting mat is selected, you will see the cutting mat appear on the screen. Notice the gray border around the cuttable area. The Silhouette software virtual mat is calibrated exactly to a Silhouette cutting mat. This is how the machine knows how far in to pull the cutting mat before it starts the cut.

The black arrow is ALWAYS the top of the cutting mat that is the leading edge going into the machine, no matter what direction it is turned on the screen.

When no mat is selected, you will only see a white page and you are telling the machine to start the cut at the top of the material.

#4 – Media Size
This means your page size or your material size. Media = material.

Select from the preset option in the drop down or set your own custom size in the width and height boxes.

Transparency
Slide the transparency slider over to reveal the cutting mat below the media page.

At 0.0% it means the media will be white*
(*read below for additional information)

As you slide the Transparency up, it reveals the cutting mat below. The media becomes more transparent on the mat. The photo above shows at 65% transparency.

I use this option all the time when making projects. It is how I line up multiple colors of material on one cutting mat and send it through the machine to cut once.
Check out this tutorial on Cutting Multiple Colors at Once HERE.
It also is how I make my mats last longer and save the adhesive on my cutting mat. Shhhh don’t tell anyone!

Constrain Media to Mat
This was introduced in v4.4 and it is often confusing for users. Basically it means with this option checked that the media will not go outside of the cutting mat borders, no matter what the user sets it to.

As as example, if I set the media size to 14″ wide and 11″ height, with the Constrain Media not checked, the page/media will hang off the edge of the cutting mat as shown in the photo.

With the Constrain Media to mat, it will not allow you to set the custom media size to larger than the cutting mat size. It will automatically recalculate that based on the machine selected and cutting mat selected.

Orientation
This is in reference to your media size. Portrait Orientation is vertical and Landscape is horizontal. Here is an example of Portrait Orientation.

With the release of v4.4 software versions there was a bug released that we call the “orientation bug”. It is a bit difficult to explain in photos and this tutorial is already photo heavy, so I would recommend checking out the video tutorial HERE for more details on that. At the time I write this, the “orientation bug” has been present since July 2020, so I don’t really see it going away. I explain in the video how it works and why.

Now let’s take a look at the bottom half of the Page Setup Panel.

Media Color
This is new and was introduced somewhere around v4.4.8xx.

This was implemented as a user request to make it easier to see what a design might look like on top of a particular color instead of drawing a rectangle behind the design and filling it with color.

It does not print or cut, but simply changes the color of the background of the media set in #4 at the top of the Page Setup Panel.

Rotate View
This is a visual reference only! Rotate the cutting mat or material (set to no mat) on the screen for better viewing while you are designing.

No matter what direction you rotate the mat on the screen, the black arrow is ALWAYS the top of the cutting mat or leading edge of the material that gets fed into the machine.

I show you how you can use this to “fix” the orientation bug in the video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

Print and Cut Borders

Show Print Border
Check this option and a gray box appears around the area that is set by the current printer set up with your computer. I recommend checking this box anytime you are doing a print and cut project or printing from the Silhouette Studio software.

The Print border does NOT affect your cutting ability. It only affects printing and if your design is outside of your print border, it will not print. This is especially important if your registration marks for a print and cut are outside of this area and do not print properly.

Show Cut Border
Check this option to see a red border for the maximum cuttable area on the media size you have setup.

If you do not see your Cut Border extended to the edge of the page and you want it to, click the gear icon in the bottom right corner to open the Preferences Panel. Then select the Defaults tab and check the box to Cut to Edge of Page. Click Apply (if available) and OK.

I work with my Cut Border on the majority of the time. It is especially handy when you are cutting without a mat and need to know the space you have to place your design so it will cut.

Look at where the red cut border is adjusted to when cutting without a mat. This is for a very specific reason! The left and right margins and the 1″ on the backside are for the rollers on the machine to securely grip the materials as it’s being cut. If you try to “trick” the machine, you risk the material falling out of the machine when it’s cutting. It’s an easy way to waste a good piece of vinyl.

Whew! Who knew the Page Setup Panel contained so much information! It is one of the most important panels as it’s where you start with the setup of your project!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy !

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