Welcome to Lesson 17!! We are almost done with our bootcamp series. Today we are learning all about Offset and how to use it. Last week we learned all about the Replicate Feature and how to use it in Silhouette Studio. Silhouette Boot Camp is filled with mini lessons that help us learn the terminology used in the Silhouette Studio software so that we can cut any design we can dream up with ease!
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What does Offset mean in Silhouette Studio?
As defined in Silhouette Studio, Offset create an expanded line around an object. You can also create internal lines giving designs a contoured look.
How do I Use the Offset Panel?
Simply get your object or word to the scale you would like it. This is important because you don’t want to change the size once you have offset it. Next you want to find your offset menu. Once the Offset panel is open, make sure your object is selected/highlighted with a gray box. Find your Offset panel (Right hand side of screen, double star icon) and Offset your design. You can change the thickness of the Offset. The default size is 0.125. Now your Offset design has been drawn you can pull your original design off and cut each piece separately. I usually fill them in with color so I can see how they are going to look when I cut it.
Where do I find Offset in Silhouette Studio?
The Offset menu can be found in a few places.
- Right hand side of the screen, Offset Icon (looks like star with an outline), click on it and you will find the Offset panel.
- In the top menu, Click Panels, then select Offset.
Example of using the Offset Panel:
I making a Beach Hair Don’t Care hat. I love the beach and with summer around the corner I thought this was the perfect project. I Offset the Words and the Waves. I love using this feature to add color and depth to designs.
I made two different designs, one with just the words using offset at 0.125 and one with the words and beach waves offset at 0.125.
When to use the Offset Panel:
If you want your design to have a different color background or you want to give your design depth. Offset gives you an extended line that you can make large or small. I love using the Offset feature when designing tshirts to give my design a little something more. It looks great with script fonts.
Special Notes about using the Offset Panel:
If you are using a script font and are going to Offset the word make sure you Weld it first. If you don’t weld it then when you go to cut the design the overlapping part will be cut making letters in your word having funny cut lines in them. Find my tutorial on using the Weld feature here.
I love the Offset feature and I hope you find ways to use it as well. Tune in next week to learn all about the Trace feature and how to use it in Silhouette Studio.
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