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How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio

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Update: The tutorial below gives you more control over your SVG. If you would simply like to convert a simple .studio3 file to SVG automatically, head to this post. Also, if you are working in Silhouette Studio, saving as an SVG has been added to Business Edition!


So far this week I’ve covered designing with text, creating your own designs, and saving as a .jpg, .png, or .pdf from Silhouette Studio. Today, let’s wrap up our discussion on designing with a quick tutorial on saving as an SVG from Silhouette Studio.

What is an SVG?

An SVG is a file format that stands for scalable vector graphic. Fancy words that just mean that the image can be resized without losing the quality (no grainy or blurry images). You can open SVG in any vector program, Silhouette Studio Designer Edition, or Cricut Design Space.

Tutorial to save as SVG in Silhouette Studio

  1. First, prep your design in Silhouette Studio.
    • Color your image black and white. This tutorial works best when you have a high contrast image (black) and a solid background (white).
    • Group all pieces of your image together.
    • Turn off the grid on your virtual mat. Sometimes the grid lines will show if you don’t turn them off.
    • Color your lines black and make sure that the “Print Lines of Selected Shapes” is unchecked as shown in the image below: How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio
  2. Now, you’ll need to use a PDF Printer to virtually print your design to your computer in .png format. I covered gave a step by step tutorial to do this yesterday.
  3. Download and install Inkscape (it’s free).
  4. Open your image in Inkscape. If you get a window to select the .png input, choose “Embed” and click “OK”.How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com
  5. Press “Control + A” to select all. You’ll notice that arrows appear around your project. How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com
  6. From the menu at the top of Inkscape, go to “Path”, then “Trace Bitmap”. A pop up window will appear and you’ll will want to change the “Brightness cutoff” to .5 or higher. Then, click “Ok”. Close the “Trace Bitmap” box.How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com
  7. Inkscape just worked it’s magic! It might not look different but you’ve now got two copies of your design. You’ll notice that the black arrows have moved and are now tightly around your design. How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com
  8. Drag the top copy of the design over to reveal both designs. Delete the one in the back by selecting it and pressing your keyboard delete button. Drag your design back onto the project mat.How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com
  9. Go to “File”, “Save As” to save your file. Be sure that “Inkscape SVG” is selected, name your file, and click “Save”. How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com

That’s it, you are ready to go with your new SVG!

How to Convert .studio or .studio3 to .svg from Silhouette Studio by cuttingforbusiness.com

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Sophia

Tuesday 19th of March 2019

Another option would be, to cut the forms with silhouette, to take photo of each form and then to draw them in paint, and to vectorize in inskape, to record them in svg and to pass them to studio3, for later to cut them again.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Saturday 18th of May 2019

That sounds like a lot of work, but thanks for sharing!

Holly

Friday 6th of July 2018

OMG this is everything!!!!!!!!!!!! i just had a major meltdown because i have been using the silhouette for 3 years and i finally have had enough with it's terrible cut quality. You have literally saved me hours upon hours of aggrevation! Thank you so much!

Christine

Monday 24th of September 2018

Awesome! Happy to know I helped!

Valeria

Tuesday 25th of July 2017

Thank You so much! This was just what i needed to know!

Christine

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

Awesome!

Sarah Rogers

Thursday 1st of June 2017

When trying to open the svg file in my silhouette software , i get an error of this file is not supported.

Christine

Tuesday 13th of June 2017

Hello! You'd need Designer Edition or above to open an SVG design.

Audrey Chase

Wednesday 19th of April 2017

Thankyou so much for this tutorial. So useful. The only problem is that when I copy a card or shape that has dotted fold lines in it, when i eventually open that shape in Brother Canvas, all the fold lines have disappeared. Any ideas please?

Christine

Thursday 20th of April 2017

I'm sorry, I have no experience with Brother Canvas.