Non-cutting annotation in Inkscape

One of the advantages of using .svg files, as opposed to .scut files, is that you don’t need the font loaded for the file to cut. But recently I opened an svg from a little while back and needed to change the wording. All of it had been converted to outlines for cutting and I had no idea what font I had used. If only I had noted that somewhere.

It dawned on me that I could put notes like that, and any other text I want, in the Inkscape file itself, and, as long as I don’t convert it to a path, it won’t affect the cutting. I could put it on a hidden layer, as well, but I’ll be much more likely to find the notes if they are right there, and so will anyone I share the file with. See the results of my annotation test below.

How the file looks in Inkscape (Outline View)

How the same file looks imported into SCAL

If you want to check if text is converted or not, double click on it. Regular text will have rotation arrows while text that has been converted into a path will show all its nodes. And just to be sure you don’t interfere with scaling, don’t select the annotations when transforming your design.

A Free SVG Every Day

Eleanor at the Vendibles Blog has a very ambitious goal to create a free SVG for every day for a year. She’s about a month in and her track record of quality and reliability is impressive so far. These SVGs are designed for cutting and are trendy and adorable as you can see from a few examples below. Stop by and treat yourself.

Easter (basket) parade

I’m heavy into the technicalities these days, but some of you may actually be interested in making things. Easter is right around the corner (or is that, just down the bunny trail) and I want to give you a link to some couldn’t-be-easier files as well as some awesome inspiration on decorating your cutouts. 

ScrappingTable.com has updated her site with a bevy of free svg baskets like this one. (It’s a 3D basket like her Valentine ones, this is just the front view.)

I often visit Capadia Designs for the clever tips over there, but the wonderful designs always catch my attention, too. Pick up a free .cut file as well as detailed instructions for embellishing these adorable bunny baskets/candy holders.

Edit: here’s another nice Easter basket freebie

Disclaimer: This post does not imply an endorsement of the Easter Bunny. Let me know if you find some faith-based files I should check out.

A giant source of public domain SVG files

Finding art that is legal to use can be frustrating, but here’s a tool for images you can know are OK for just about any purpose. The Open Clipart Library is a repository of SVG files started by the folks that develop Inkscape. It is a growing source for public domain artwork. If you have created original art in SVG format, you might consider uploading it to the open source community there. Some versions of Inkscape have an openclipart import/export feature in the file menu, making it even easier to download or upload images. The disadvantage of the OCL has been the lack of thumbnails and inefficient search tools. But now another site, clker.com has made the contents of the OCL available with thumbnails. The search function is still kinda quirky, but at least you can scan visually to find images that might be cut-friendly.

Screen shot of clker.com

Free SVG silhouettes at UberPiglet

For those of you that were frustrated with the earlier vector packs because of the conversion required, you are going to love this site. Uberpiglet.com has an outstanding collection of silhouettes that are already in SVG format. All you need to do is open them up in Inkscape and save the image you want into a new document for import into SCAL.

Some examples include the Safari and Farm Animals set from Spoon Graphics:

and the Transportation Pack from D.A.T.:

There are 15 sets in all covering business people, dancing people, sports, florals and more. SCAL users are going to want all of them!

Free SVGs from DragonArtz Designs

There are many sites where you can get free vector art and I’ll be profiling some of them in the coming days. The freebies at DragonArtz are beautiful, abundant and best of all, come in SVG format.

Now just because something is in SVG doesn’t mean it is ready to cut, or even cuttable at all. To use these with your cutter, open them in Inkscape, select object>ungroup as necessary, delete unwanted items, and then recombine elements with appropriate path commands, separate colors, etc. Then save your edited version and import into SCAL.