How To Use SVG Files With Make The Cut Software

By Shelly Schmidt

I have been slowly learning how to use SVG files on the Make the Cut program- it is software that works with my electronic cutting machine to cut out any SVG file.

I created this card using two of the new SVG files from McMahon Five Designs. I have some pictures below so you can see how the MTC works.

From the beginning:

After I purchase and save the SVG file I put it into a file (just like a digital image). Unlike a digital image you cannot see a preview of the file when you click on it- so name it appropriately.

Open the Make the Cut software and import SVG- click on the file and the SVG shows up on a mat on the screen.

I click on the above group of images together and I see red arrows at the corners- just like a digi resizing- I just move one of the corners out to the size I want my SVG to be (the mat is in inches and it looks just like the mat on my cutting machine).

 Next, I take my cursor and move one of the layers from the "DAD" over to the right as seen below.

The box with the shape is outlined in blue-above.  I have a little area for layers- so I hit a little plus sign (not shown) and it adds my layer of the shape I have chosen.

and then I move the "Dad' letters over too.

I drag a box around the "DAD" letters and hit plus and it makes the letters a separate layer.

I continue with all of the shapes- there are 5 total:

 If you look closely above, you see a little eye- I have the eye closed on all of the layers except the Dad and the shape just behind it.

Now- notice the shapes all have a plus sign in the centers- so I can put Dad back over the background and make sure they are lined up perfectly.   (I added more pictures below- so all of the shapes are not on their own layers anymore....)

I now turn off the layers I do not want to cut by closing the eye- place my paper on the mat- it goes exactly where the measurements show on the virtual mat and hit the cut icon on my software.

You can see the shadow of the letters that I have the eye off- they will not cut yet.

You can moveyour layers where ever you want them to go- and lay out all of your papers where you need them and cut all at once-using the same or different papers. My next challenge will be to import a digi image to trace the outer shape and get it to match the size of a digi image exactly- no more fussy cutting.......! 

Viola- you have cut out your SVG.

On my card, I took this shape layer and added ~ 1/4 of an inch to put under the cut DAD layers and the brown card stock- that is the far back cream layer.  The keys at the top of my card are a seperate SVG - I used only three of the keys and they are smaller than an inch each. I added Spica glitter pen to them for some sparkle.

That's it- simple and easy once you just do it!

Shelly