I was reading October's issue of Railway Modeller and in there is 3 pages on Computer aided cutting, well I was surprised when it was about the same cutter that my wife has for her card making, and I know that another member on here has another type of cutter.
So today I started experimenting with the cutter, first I am going to do the simple bits like cutting walls for the platform, and I have to tell you what a job it has done just perfect, the Metcalfe stations did not work properly for me as they are for Peco height track so I needed an extra 3mm in height for the Kato track.
I have other ideas for this cutter but I just need to get my head round the software so I can make buildings, all this is now a learning curve for me so until I get my model railway room I am going to be experimenting with this Silhouette Portrait, and get the most out of it.
The cutter will cut just over 300 gsm and it will also cut styrene sheet and not forgetting it cuts material, the page on Railway Modeller is 786 if any of you is interested in reading about it.
I bought my cutter from the website below.
http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/ (http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/)
Also if you want to try the software out before you buy that is here.
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio (http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio)
All I can say is that it is a great piece of kit and easy to set up.
How good with computers are you? Will it work for a computer illiterate dummy like me?
An excellent post. Thanks, Geoff! This looks like the happy kind of serendipity that could benefit railway modellers. :thumbsup:
George
Quote from: steve836 on September 21, 2014, 11:19:26 AM
How good with computers are you? Will it work for a computer illiterate dummy like me?
Hi Steve I am not a computer expert myself but all I have done at the moment is printed off some A4 sheets of Brick I want to use then gone into the software and selected the Rectangle and drew the size of walls I needed then I copy and pasted the rectangle to give me plenty of walls to get going, then I saved my drawing then cut it out.
The software is not to complicated try it out for yourself and read the manual that comes in pdf format from the help button.
I am still in the learning process but I am sure I will master it eventually.
There has been a long running series of topics including building and rolling stock design and construction on RMWeb. They seem to have identified, tackled and resolved many of the issues likely to be encountered when using Silhouette cutters, including their compatibility with easier to use software packages. Might also avoid doing damage to the machine which might not please the original user.
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/ (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/)
is just one of many threads.
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80563-introduction-to-using-inkscape-to-produce-cutting-files/ (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80563-introduction-to-using-inkscape-to-produce-cutting-files/)
covers alternative software with tutorials.
I use the KNK Zing plotter, the supplied software can do some shape drawing, and can also import from photo or other drawing file formats, I use the Zing software for the basic shapes then export to a photo editing app to take advantage of copy/paste to add door and window openings, import back to the Zing software and cut. Some of these pics have been posted in a previous thread last year.
[smg id=8616]
Some terrace house parts cut and some etched brass window frames and doors.
[smg id=8606]
For buildings with plain walls, I print Scalescenes brick or stone to A4 labels, stick those to card and feed to the plotter cutter, for walls with decorative brickwork round door or window frames like this
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/41/thumb_8761.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=8761)
I also print the walls to label stock, then cut the the printed walls with scissors or craft knife and stick to card cut to the same shapes.
I've used dimensions to approximately match to Metcalfe or Scalescenes kits except to slightly change door and window openings to take Peedie Models etched doors and windows, also reposition doors and make 6 house terraces, the longest I can fit on A4 sheets, an A4 sheet will take 2 complete or 4 low relief terraces. Variations like rear extensions, porches are also easy to cut and add.
[smg id=8346]
Nicely done Mike, very effective and lifelike results. :thumbsup:
Yes indeed. A lovely model. :thumbsup:
A very nice model,I think I will look into a cutter.
Yes but don't put your fingers in :laugh:
Excellent work Mike, will have to give the cutter some serious consideration
Found this comparison chart for cutters, dates from 2007 but most of the machines are still available
http://www.paperthreads.com/bonus/paperthreads_machine_compare_112008.html (http://www.paperthreads.com/bonus/paperthreads_machine_compare_112008.html)
Should answer most questions, prices a bit out of date obviously and there may be some upgrades.
You can also get laser printable vinyl which can but cut (to remove the windows) and make coach sides, or stuck onto rigid clear plastic when making buildings. Great for modern styles.
The other online group I belong to has just purchased a cameo cutter for use by the members www.modelrailgroup.co (http://www.modelrailgroup.co)
Come along and have a look at us, we are a small group but very friendly and we could use more n-gauge modellers.
Does anyone know how long the blades last?
I have downloaded the software and played with it, and watched e few You-Tube videos. The standard advice for fine work is..."always use a new blade and mat"....which at £13 for the blade would mean that you would have to think carefully about using the cutter rather than being a regular tool.
Alternatively, is there a cheaper alternative to a genuine Silhouette blade?
Cheers Jon :)
I picked up a new blade for £7 from America on a free delivery yeah I could not believe my luck, but that was a blue cloth blade but it cuts card OK. That was 2 months ago through Amazon.
My wife is on the same blade and she has cut loads of card with hers and it is still as sharp.
I haven't tried this on printer blades, but I have re sharpened a scalpel blade when I was desperate. I used a diamond whetstone I got from Lidl for a couple of quid. Worked a treat.
I've had my KNK Zing since March 2013, it came with 2 different blades, one (45 degree) for card up to about 0.6mm, the other (60 deg) for heavier card or other tough materials, I've since bought 2 new blades, but only just started using the new 45 and still on the original 60.
I do have a small sharpening stone that came with a set of craft knives, must give it a go.
The link that woodbury posted for rmweb is well worth the read... It is dozens of pages of inspiring work. The church window was my favourite (page 26).
Quote from: Geoff on September 21, 2014, 11:07:36 AM
I was reading October's issue of Railway Modeller and in there is 3 pages on Computer aided cutting, well I was surprised when it was about the same cutter that my wife has for her card making, and I know that another member on here has another type of cutter.
So today I started experimenting with the cutter, first I am going to do the simple bits like cutting walls for the platform, and I have to tell you what a job it has done just perfect, the Metcalfe stations did not work properly for me as they are for Peco height track so I needed an extra 3mm in height for the Kato track.
I have other ideas for this cutter but I just need to get my head round the software so I can make buildings, all this is now a learning curve for me so until I get my model railway room I am going to be experimenting with this Silhouette Portrait, and get the most out of it.
The cutter will cut just over 300 gsm and it will also cut styrene sheet and not forgetting it cuts material, the page on Railway Modeller is 786 if any of you is interested in reading about it.
I bought my cutter from the website below.
http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/ (http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/)
Also if you want to try the software out before you buy that is here.
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio (http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio)
All I can say is that it is a great piece of kit and easy to set up.
Would you be able to show us some of your work please? :)
Having read some of the RMWeb thread on the Cameo and Portrait, I note the limit on thickness of card it can cut, and due to that having to resort to laminating two or more layers for buildings, which can give problems when sticking layers together and also when it comes to making corners. This was the main reason why I went for the KNK Zing (see reply #5 this thread) I usually cut 0.6mm card for houses and similar size buildings, the RM web thread mentions cutting and laminating 2 x 0.3mm; also cutting seems much quicker on the Zing, an A4 sheet with walls for 2 complete or 4 low relief 6 house terraces takes about 3 minutes to cut from card, the same cut from Slaters embossed plasticard takes quite a bit longer, cutting at a slower speed and taking 3 passes instead of 2.
Currently the Zing is a bit over £100 dearer than the Cameo (depending where you buy) Amazon for Cameo between £223 and £289, Zing only from KNK UK £369
Quote from: ScottyStitch on December 17, 2014, 01:02:35 PM
Quote from: Geoff on September 21, 2014, 11:07:36 AM
I was reading October's issue of Railway Modeller and in there is 3 pages on Computer aided cutting, well I was surprised when it was about the same cutter that my wife has for her card making, and I know that another member on here has another type of cutter.
So today I started experimenting with the cutter, first I am going to do the simple bits like cutting walls for the platform, and I have to tell you what a job it has done just perfect, the Metcalfe stations did not work properly for me as they are for Peco height track so I needed an extra 3mm in height for the Kato track.
I have other ideas for this cutter but I just need to get my head round the software so I can make buildings, all this is now a learning curve for me so until I get my model railway room I am going to be experimenting with this Silhouette Portrait, and get the most out of it.
The cutter will cut just over 300 gsm and it will also cut styrene sheet and not forgetting it cuts material, the page on Railway Modeller is 786 if any of you is interested in reading about it.
I bought my cutter from the website below.
http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/ (http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/)
Also if you want to try the software out before you buy that is here.
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio (http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio)
All I can say is that it is a great piece of kit and easy to set up.
Would you be able to show us some of your work please? :)
I will do when I have got the track down and wired, then I will be putting the platform walls in which are allready cut with the cutter, I have also cut arches but I want to make a large factory with the cutter, at the moment my room is upside down and when the time comes I will show you all.
I hate to be a "killjoy" but if you are copying someone else's "product" whether a commercial or privately produced item even if only in outline only then you are in breach of their copyright (unless you have their express agreement) with all the consequences some of them very punitive indeed that can and often do follow.
Sorry I am not" having a go at you" ,I just thought it only fair and for everyone's benefit to point this out (the so called "fair use" provisions that apply to extracts from books,films tv programmes etc. for educational purposes do not apply).
Be very careful but at the end of the day it's your decision. :sorrysign:
Just discovered this idea and think it worthwhile to purchase the Silhouette Portrait, I reckon it would more than cope with N Gauge sizes and I need some decent platform canopies which I may begin with. Does anyone use Portrait here and has anyone any advice?
Thanks.
Quote from: georgehgv on August 09, 2015, 05:07:52 PM
Just discovered this idea and think it worthwhile to purchase the Silhouette Portrait, I reckon it would more than cope with N Gauge sizes and I need some decent platform canopies which I may begin with. Does anyone use Portrait here and has anyone any advice?
Thanks.
Hi
This thread is worth a read.
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/ (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/)
I'm pondering whether it's worth waiting for the Curio instead of buying either the Portrait or Cameo.
Cheers
Paul
Thanks for that Paul, it looks like Amazon.com get this on Aug 20 so coupled with thicker cuts, embossing etc etc will be well worth waiting for.
I still think the KNK Zing is the better buy, max cutting speed is 25"/sec against the Cameo 3.90"/sec, max cutting pressure Zing 750g, Cameo 210g.
The Zing also has embossing and engraving heads, new blades are £7.35, I don't have details for the Portrait except max cutting width is only 8" against 12" cameo and 14" Zing, but as it's about half the price of the cameo , probably slower and/or lower cutting pressure.
I know it's dearer, but for a group, club or just a few friends makes sense to me.
EDIT
Just saw the mention of the Curio, does look like a considerable improvement on the other Silhouette machines
I just found the Portrait for £112 new so gone with that, only want it for simple stuff. The new Silhouette Curio if anyone is interested releases to order on Facebook site tomorrow delivers Tuesday onwards.
Prepare for help requests from me soon.
Curio v Cameo
http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/ (http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/)
now i need an excuse...
Quote from: Railwaygun on August 09, 2015, 09:32:23 PM
Curio v Cameo
http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/ (http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/)
now i need an excuse...
No you need a fat wallet get both.
Quote from: Dorsetmike on August 09, 2015, 08:23:14 PM
EDIT
Just saw the mention of the Curio, does look like a considerable improvement on the other Silhouette machines
Still think I'll get the Zing myself.....
Quote from: Zogbert Splod on August 09, 2015, 10:48:01 PM
Quote from: Dorsetmike on August 09, 2015, 08:23:14 PM
EDIT
Just saw the mention of the Curio, does look like a considerable improvement on the other Silhouette machines
Still think I'll get the Zing myself.....
Yes, looking at that cameo/curio comparison, there is no increase in cutting pressure, both 210gm, less than a third of the Zing, the cutting area is less on the curio, no mention of cutting speed for the Curio; and the extra heads for embossing and etching are extras (but so are those for the Zing)