Today I want to share some insight into the Silhouette Curio Workspace once you have opened your Silhouette Software. If you have a CAMEO already you should have the software on your computer. But for the Curio you will need to update the software to the latest version.

 
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Warning:

After we upgraded to Windows 10 my software kept on crashing every time I added an image to cut or emboss. So I head back to the Silhouette website and downloaded the latest version again. Frustrating I know but did it anyways just in case…The help file does state that it included a bug fix for crashing on Mac but it worked for my Windows 10 operating system as well. This seemed to have done the trick and I was back in business.

Once you connect your Curio and open the software you will notice that the workspace looks different to that of your CAMEO. Your screen will be a digital image of your mat and platform base and you immediately know on which machine you are working. Having the correct cutting mat displayed on your screen is a key factor before even starting your design. When you send your images to the machine you will have no surprises.

To change your settings you need to open your ‘design page settings’ screen.

Cutting Mat Options

Under the ‘cutting mat’ heading, when you click it there is a drop down menu showing you the different options to your Curio machine. These include “Curio (cut) 8.5 x 6 in,” “Curio (cut) 8.5 x 12 in,” “Curio (emboss) 8.5 x 6 in,” and “Curio (emboss) 8.5 x 12 in. This feature is important as it lets you select your mat size which is key for laying out and placing your designs. It also allows you to specify whether you will cut or emboss what you see on your screen.

Standard and Advanced Cut Settings

The ‘cut settings’ menu allows you more options than that of the CAMEO.
The basic cut settings are available in ‘standard mode’ indicated by the blue circle at the top of the menu. Here you will also see the distinctive ‘two tools’ of the Curio as supposed to the one of the CAMEO. Here each tools’ settings can be adjusted by selecting the tool and the media you want to use.

By checking the ‘advanced mode’ more options are made available. Things like cut order allows you to choose which tool cuts which layer first and you can also choose a media here. So advanced mode lets you choose what happens first – you can emboss and then cut out your image for instance simply by selecting the tool and its function followed by the second tool and its function – pretty cool! It’s almost like having a real plotter inside your house.

New Menus, Emboss and Stipple

Here’s where the fun starts to happen. The much anticipated features of the Curio is the emboss and stippling capabilities. These features are made possible by the interchanging tools that fit inside the same holders as the ratchet blade used for cutting. To change the settings for these tools there are 2 new menus at the top right if your screen. They are located right next to the settings button. These buttons will also only be available when your Curio is connected, otherwise they will simply not be available and be grey.

The emboss menu is the icon button with the spiral inside it. By clicking on it you will see the different options for embossing and debossing effects. It also includes a setting for scoring and embossing and a pattern fill option.

The stipple menu is the square icon with the dots inside it. The menu will give you options for changing to different patterns, shapes and sizes of the stippling. This means that you can change the appearance of the stippling effect to give you the look you want.

And that is a basic overview of how the new features can be accessed quickly and easily for the Silhouette Curio. So no more excuses – you can jump right in and get started!

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So in short a comparison between the Curio and the CAMEO

Here is a list of capabilities that the Curio can do, but the Cameo can’t:

• Metal and foil stippling
• Metal etching
• Dual carriage multitasking (multiple tasks in one pass)
• Embossing
• Score & Emboss
• Print & Emboss
• Deep-cut capabilities* (leather, foils, foams, and more)
• Using thicker materials as project surfaces (example: stencils sketched directly onto wood up to 5mm thick) *To cut materials like leather and foam, you’ll need to use the deep cut blade.

Side by Side

So depending on the job at hand in my opinion you will need both the CAMEO and the Curio. Each of them supplementing the other and complimenting each other perfectly in crafts, hobbies and home décor.

	CAMEO	Curio
Cut	Yes	Yes
Draw	Yes	Yes
Emboss	No	Yes
Etch	No	Yes
Score	No	Yes
Stipple	No	Yes
PixScan	Yes	Yes
Cutting Force	210 grams	210 grams
Cutting Size	12 inches x 10 feet	8.5 x 12 inches

 

Let me know what you think of the Silhouette Curio workspace once you have played with yours…

 

Remember you can find all your Silhouette products here »

 

Post by The Wholesaler’s Designer Jowilna Nolte.

We are very proud to introduce you to our first designer, Jowilna Nolte. Jowilna is a true creative and she will be sharing some of her passion and creativity with you.

Read more about Jowilna here.