Craft Edge

Is there a way to bring a picture into SCAL and then somehow make a custom cut out. I don't want a circle or anything, i want to actually cut around it. What I want to eventually do then is print it on the vinyl and then cut it out. does that make sense?
I have brought a picture in and "Placed" it on the mat, but I couldn't figure out how to make the custom shape around it. For example in this picutre I want to cut around my husband and girls so I don't have all that white background. Hope someone can help me. Thanks!

It can be done. I will let the print and cut experts answer your questions though as I am not familiar with the process. You have a good contrast in your picture so it should work well.

I've played around with Print & Cut quite a bit. I've been wanting to do a tutorial but it is kinda complicated but I will try...

I always try this first - select File-Trace Image. It did not work with your photo.

2nd option -
take the image into Photoshop.
Select the background with the magic wand tool.
Delete the background so it is just white.
Select Inverse and fill with black.
Save under a new name.

You will then need to go to File- Trace Image in SCAL. You can add a shadow on this just like you would on type or an SVG this will give you a white outline.

Place this on top of your original photo. You may have to adjust the size.

Hide the cut layer and print the photo. Then do the opposite - hide the print layer and do the cut.

I attached the photoshop file for you to trace. Hope that helps a bit. Pls send me an email am220099@gmail.com if I can help.
I don't always have time to stop by this forum. Or you can catch me over at SVG Cuts forum.

Amy

Since you have done print and cut I'm going to add my question if you don't mind:
I tried to print and cut and the cut was off. I calibrated my machine according to the calibration directions until I was finally able to line up the cut lines on the top and side. I adjusted the x and y accordingly but the cut was still off (and I was only cutting a circle). I ended up cutting using the "hinge" method but it seems that it would be easier if it just cut where the design is. I don't know how much I'll use this but I'd like to figure it out. Is there something obvious I'm missing?

Hi Toaster - If your print image and cut image were lining up on the screen then not sure why it did not work. I have heard of others having these issues but I did not. I usually like to add the white area around the edges because it is hard to get it exact. Here is an example of a few I did: Maybe someone else has experienced what you did.

For myself I basically do what amy does but I take the whole picture into SCAL because I don't own a photoshop program.. What I do is just delete the unnecessary nodes... and keep the outside shapes I want.. This is what I end up with as well.. I adjust the nodes around the shape where they need adjusting..

Aimitup2 wrote:Hi Toaster - If your print image and cut image were lining up on the screen then not sure why it did not work. I have heard of others having these issues but I did not. I usually like to add the white area around the edges because it is hard to get it exact. Here is an example of a few I did: Maybe someone else has experienced what you did.

Thanks for your answer. I'll give it another try.

i need to try this. maybe on Sun. nite when i change comp.