Posted on June 26, 2019February 28, 2021 by silhouettesecretsplus — 18 Comments

Let’s Explore v4 – Flexi Shapes

Flexishapes

*This post may contain affiliate links.

New with the Silhouette Studio v4.2 software is a feature called FlexiShapes.
What are they?

FlexiShapes are another Tool in the Silhouette Software to help you create or add to a design.

Let’s take a look at the Silhouette Studio v4 layout. There are 2 side menus in the Silhouette software. The left side menu is where the Tools in the software can be found. Drawing tools, edit points, lasso tool, line drawing tools, shape drawing tools, text tool, notes, eraser, knife, and transfer properties eye dropper tool.
The right side menu is composed of Panels which control the properties of an object. Using the Panels on the right side, an object can be customized and the properties of it altered. This includes things such as fill color, line color, rotation, scale, font style, cropping, rhinestones, sketch, warp, etc.

Check out the “Let’s Explore v4” series HERE or in the menu at the top of the blog to see a breakdown of the Panels on the right side.

FlexiShapes are available in the Silhouette Software v4.2 software version with the Designer Edition Plus or Business Edition upgrade.
The FlexiShapes can be found under the left side of the Silhouette software where all the Tools are found.

Look at all those new shapes that are now available with a few clicks of the mouse to start your own creations in the Silhouette software.

Each of the FlexiShapes will have different properties and ways that you can alter each one. Let’s take a look at a few FlexiShapes and how they can be adjusted.

On the left side I chose the flower FlexiShape, left clicked and moved my mouse out.
This creates the initial shape.

Next, you will notice that each FlexiShape will vary in the edit nodes that it may have.

White nodes adjust the size of the shape or rotate the shape from the point of the white node.

Red nodes adjust the definition of the shape. In this flower shape, moving the red node will adjust the petal definition of the flower.

The slider bar in the center of the design will adjust the edges of the shape. In this flower example, it will decrease or increase the number of petals on the flower.

*Note – I have increased the line thickness in the photos to make it easier to see.

Each FlexiShape that you choose will have different options that can be adjusted to change the outcome. Some shapes may have more nodes or less.

Want a star? Start with the star shape and it can quickly become something else.

Want a tear drop shape?

Create shapes and add them to your designs like these teardrops in the corners of this design created for the Curio Boot Camp for the June 2019 All Things Silhouette Conference.

Both the teardrops and the scalloped rectangle frame are created using the FlexiShapes.

With the FlexiShapes there are so many options that you can create in the software.

Create a frame by adjusting the FlexiShape nodes and then make an Internal Offset, next select both the original shape & the offset and Make a Compound Path. This will take the 2 shapes and compress them into 1, creating the frame.
Fill the shape with color using the Color Fill Panel to see how it will look.

Create arrows of all shapes and sizes or create a picket fence from adjusting the nodes and replicating the shape. This are all created from the same starting arrow shape.

And once you start playing, it’s hard to stop.

I am in no way a designer, but you never know what you might create by combining a few shapes or playing around with some FlexiShape nodes today.

What can you think to create using the new FlexiShapes available in the Silhouette Studio v4.2 software?
I would love to see it!
Feel free to post photos on my Facebook group – Silhouette Secrets+ by EllyMae.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy!

Check out all of my online Silhouette classes on my Teachable site HERE.

**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.

Posted on April 2, 2019May 31, 2019 by silhouettesecretsplus — 9 Comments

Let’s Explore v4 – Warp Templates

The warp templates area new to the v4.2 software release. They are available with the Designer Edition upgrade or higher and a version higher than v4.2.279 of the Silhouette software.

To update the Silhouette software version, I would highly recommend going to the Silhouette website and downloading the update direct from there.

Before updating the software version, I would highly recommend making a backup of the library. You can find more details on the Silhouette library for versions before v4.2 in this post – Let’s Explore v4 – Silhouette Library Tips.

Warp Templates

The warp templates are found under the Warp Panel on the right side. Depending on your screen size, you may have a pop out menu or you may see the full list of panel icons on the right side.

In the left photo, you will see the fly out menu for a smaller screen and on the right side, you will see the full panel list expanded. Again, this is dependent on screen size.

There are 6 different options for Warp Templates.

Here are the first 3 on the left side of the Warp Panel.

And here are the 3 templates from the right side of the Panel.

The templates can be used as is or you have even more options to customize the text.

By grabbing and moving the points, you can edit the text even further.

Another tool that would come in handy here is the Snap to Grid feature. Most times when I use the software, I like the freedom to move my design freely and in small increments.
With the Snap to Grid option, it will move to the next grid space measurement that you have selected. This can help in aligning the points of a warped shape.
For instance, if you move the left bottom point and you want to make sure that you move the right bottom point so it’s perfectly aligned.

Open the Page Setup Panel – top right icon. Click on the 2nd tab at the top to bring up the Grid Options.

Check the box next to Show Grid and Snap to Grid. Now, when the orange points are moved, they will snap to the grid spacing.

I love letting the software do the work for me!

At this point, the text can still be changed by double clicking in it to get the text cursor.

When you are satisfied with the changes to the text, then choose the Release Warp option and it will change it take it out of the Warp edit.

Notice that it separates each letter and you will need to group the design back together for it to move as one object.

If the changes are not what you had in mind, choose the Restore Original Shapes option and the text will revert back to the original design.

And there is more!!!

Grab the slider on the right side of the panels and it reveals more Warp Template options.

So much fun to play with all the options available to you in the software.

Now, what are some ideas that you can think of to create Word Art with these Warp Templates?

Feel free to post your comments and questions below or on my Facebook group at Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Enjoy!

Posted on February 19, 2019February 20, 2019 by silhouettesecretsplus — 7 Comments

Let’s Explore v4 – Puzzle Panel

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.

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.
Rows – Choose the number of rows in the puzzle layout. Rows run up and down.
Columns – Choose the number of columns in the puzzle layout. Columns run side to side.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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.