3 Ways to Use Silhouette without the Library

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you know that you can use the Silhouette software without EVER using the Silhouette library?

If you are reading this when it’s first published, we’ve been encountering an issue where we are currently 23 days into an outage of the Silhouette websites where there are issues syncing files to the Silhouette library and anything that “talks” to the Silhouette servers. It has worked a bit in the last 23 days, but for the most part users are dead in the water if they only use the Silhouette library and rely on it only.

But, you DO NOT have to rely on the Silhouette library at all! And, to be honest, you should NOT! You should not rely on 1 source as an absolute. You purchase files and you should have those files available to you whenever you need them.

First Thing First

Before I even begin to show you how you can use Silhouette without the library, the first thing I want to advise you is….

1 – Save your personal files to an outside location!!!

It’s really easy to do. File > Save As > Save to Hard Drive.
Or if you are saving a file type besides .studio file I would recommend selecting your entire design and then using File > Save As > Save Selection and then choose the file type.

2 – Back up your files. Even if you save your files to an outside source. Back them up to another source! There is NOTHING that is 100% safe! Except multiple back ups.

More tips on backing up files, including what I’m currently using as my primary storage and back up sources – click HERE

I hate to say it but in general, we have all gotten complacent. We used to save Word documents every 5 minutes and that was the standard. It doesn’t really matter that technology has improved, it can still fail! Nothing is 100% fool proof except multiple saving a backup to multiple locations.

3 Ways to Use Silhouette Without the Library

1 – Design your own files using tools in Silhouette Studio

Every single user can create their own files! You do not have to have a degree to do this. Use the tools in Silhouette Studio software to create your own designs.

Here are some resources that can help:

• 10 Tools to Get Started Creating in Silhouette Studio
• Designing in Silhouette tutorials
• Silhouette Classes – I have several step-by-step video classes where I show you exactly how you can design your own files in Silhouette Studio
• Let’s Explore v4 series

2 – Open a design in Silhouette Studio and use to cut. Silhouette Studio can open many file types from outside sources.

This method depends on what Silhouette Studio upgrade you have. The basic (free) software is limited on what file types it can open. Silhouette Studio upgrades will allows you to open more file types such as the common SVG file type that is a cut file.

Here are more resources that can help:

• Silhouette Studio Upgrades
• How to Open a SVG
• How to Open a PDF
• Autotrace PNG file
• File Formats for Silhouette

3 – If you can access your Silhouette library, you can open from there. But what if you cannot access it for some reason – like the software update mess or another issue?

You can download the files direct to your computer and use them!

Check out this video on how you can download your files directly from the Silhouette Design Store and save to your external source on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

You have the resources at your finger tips! Use them! Learn how to make Silhouette Studio software work for YOU!

Want to learn more on how you can make Silhouette Studio work for you? Check out the A to Z resource on the blog HERE.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

I hope these tips help you on your journey, especially as we navigate the Silhouette Studio website issues we are currently experiencing as I type this.

Enjoy !

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.