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Section 9
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Section 11

Frequently asked questions

Section 9: Sketching Designs

In addition to cutting, the Silhouette also has the ability to sketch or draw.

QuicKutz offers pens in a variety of colors including black, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, navy, and purple (Scheduled to be available September 2008). These Silhouette Sketch Pens fit directly into the Silhouette's blade holder and can be locked into place. They do not require the use of any special adaptors.

Silhouette Sketch Pens retail at $9.99 for a starter pack of each color, and are additionally offered individually at $1.99.

The original Silhouette model additionally includes a pen holder which looks similar to the blade, but is hollow and has a thumbscrew (as seen below).

It holds a standard non-retractable ballpoint pen, and can be used to:

  • Draw special QuicKutz Portfolio CD sketch designs
  • Draw other digital designs or words instead of cutting them
  • Conserve paper by test drawing designs before cutting them
  • Draw journaling on paper in desired font
  • Draw journaling or title on a digital design

The following compatible pen types are compatible:

  • Cylindrical (or rounded) ballpoint pens: Up to 0.3 inch in diameter
  • Hexagonal (or sided) ballpoint pens: Up to 0.2 inch side-to-side

The tips of both pen types must extend between 0.1 and 0.13 inch past the ballpoint pen holder's opening. In other words, the tip of the pen needs to poke through the opening. If it doesn't protrude far enough, the pen will not work correctly.

HOW TO: Draw With Pens Using the Pen Holder
  1. Remove your blade from the Silhouette
  2. Place a compatible pen in the holder and tighten the thumbscrew by turning it clockwise.
  3. Place the pen holder in the Clamp Bracket.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure that the protrusion on the holder faces the front and that it is aligned with the notch in the clamp bracket (see image below).

  4. Turn the blue lock lever to the right to lock the pen holder firmly in place.
  5. Select the "Pen" media type in the Controller and click on the "Cut" button when ready. Though you are drawing, the button will still be labeled as "Cut". No adjustments should be necessary to the "Pen" media type.

TROUBLESHOOTING: If the Silhouette stops during the drawing processes and pauses, you may find a resolution through our online trouble-shooting by clicking here.

NOTE: When drawing text you will need to keep the "Outline" option checked under your text options. The Silhouette can only draw outlined text. Solid text is for printing (sending your image to a regular printer) only.

Though all images may be drawn instead of cut, some images included on the QuicKutz Digital Design Portfolio CDs are created to have a sketch feel and have an accompanying shadow. These have a very nice mixed-media effect when finished.

HOW TO: Use Sketch Images from Portfolio CDs
  1. Locate and select a sketch image from your Portfolio CD. These images will have a highly detailed line image designed to look like a sketch and is not intended to cut. Each Portfolio sketch image will also have an accompanying matted shadow image.

  2. Size the image to your liking
  3. Ungroup your image as previously directed.
  4. Move the matted shadow part of your sketch design to be outside of the cutting area.

  5. Group your sketch image back together.
  6. With a pen loaded into the Silhouette, select to draw your image as previously directed. IMPORTANT: Do not move or make any adjustments to the cutting mat or material on which you made your sketch when the drawing process finishes. Leave it in the Silhouette.
  7. When the drawing process is finished, take the matted shadow part of your image and carefully lay it over the sketched part of the image on your screen.

  8. Once the shadow part of the image is in place, select and move the sketch part of the image to be outside of the cutting area.

  9. Remove the pen from your Silhouette and load your blade.
  10. Go through the regular cutting process to cut the shadow portion of your image.

The result should be a perfectly matted cut-out sketched image. This effect is especially nice on adhesive-backed QuickStripz or other textured cardstock surfaces. Experiment with different pen colors and materials for various effects.

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