Guide
Silhouette Studio Basic Edition: why SVG won't open, and what to use instead
The free Basic Edition of Silhouette Studio that comes with every Cameo and Portrait does not open SVG files. Silhouette's own FAQ says: "To open SVG file you will need Designer Edition or higher, and to Save SVG Files you will need Business Edition." You have two free routes left: a DXF file, or tracing a PNG or JPG inside Studio.
| File | Basic Edition | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | No (Designer Edition or higher) | Shapes with fills and colors. |
| DXF | Yes | Cut lines only. Colors and fills don't come along, so a multi-color design arrives as outlines you color yourself. |
| PNG or JPG | Yes, then Trace | Studio traces it into cut lines with the Trace panel. |
| .studio3 | Yes | Silhouette's own format, from the Design Store or other Studio users. |
Route 1: open a DXF
- and pick the .dxf (change the file type filter if it is hidden).
- Check the size in the Transform panel or with the dimensions shown on the selection. DXF files don't always carry units, so resize with the aspect ratio locked if it came in at the wrong size.
- Every outline is a cut line. Give each set of pieces a fill color in the Fill panel if you want to see the layers, then in the Send panel choose to cut by line or fill color so each color of vinyl gets its own pass.
Route 2: trace a PNG in Studio
- Open or drag the PNG or JPG onto the mat.
- Open the panel and click , then drag a box around the image.
- Move until the parts you want to cut are filled with yellow. For solid shapes, untick : left on, it outlines both edges of every line and gives you double cuts.
- Click (every edge), (silhouette only) or (keeps the lines, moves the image away). Delete the image afterwards so it isn't sent to the cutter.
The threshold trace sees light and dark, not colors, so for a design with several colors you trace it once per color or trace the outline and fill the pieces by hand.
Route 3: Cutline's Silhouette preset
Pick and Cutline recommends the DXF, because that is what Basic Edition opens. Each color is traced as its own set of closed outlines, specks are gone, and stacked layering makes each color run slightly under the ones above it so layered vinyl doesn't gap. The same purchase includes the SVG for when you upgrade. Before paying, download the free one-color SVG test cut if you have Designer Edition, or check the shapes in the cut view. The DXF and the full-resolution files are $2 for that image.
- Silhouette America, Silhouette Studio software page and FAQ (SVG needs Designer Edition or higher).
- Silhouette School, trace double line headaches (High Pass Filter and double cut lines).
Cutline traces a PNG or JPG in your browser into closed, speck-free cut paths, split into color layers, and writes the file for Cricut, Silhouette, Glowforge, LightBurn or a sign plotter. Tracing, the preview and a one-color test cut are free, so you can cut a test piece on your own machine first. The full-resolution files for one image are $2, paid once. No subscription, and the image never leaves your computer.
Trace an image free