Good to see you back over on the blog. Due to plans this week, I’m doing another back to basics post for new Silhouetters! This post focuses on how to convert or adjusting cut files: imperial to metric. You might find it’s ok to use imperial for some projects, but when it comes to papercraft projects it can often be easier to use metric as our paper sizes are different from the US. This post shows you a simple way to convert a layered die cut card from imperial sizing to metric with just a few simple clicks within the software.
PRODUCED AS PART OF MY DESIGN-TEAM WORK FOR Silhouette UK - SEE END OF POST FOR MORE DETAILS
Once you have located a design in the design store, add this to your design mat. Up on the top toolbar, you will find a diagonal arrow with the width and height measurements of your layer when selected.
As you can see this is currently set to US card sizes: 5.5″ x 4.25″. However, UK cards usually measure around 103mm by 147mm, and sometimes doing the conversion into imperial isn’t too easy. So instead, we can simply change the measuring units within the software from inches to mm.
To do this, select the settings icon; this is the little cog down in the right-hand bottom of your screen and will bring up the preferences window.
In the ‘General’ tab within this window, you will find the ‘unit of measurement’ section. When you click the drop-down menu, you will find a variety of units of measurements to choose from. Simply choose the measurement your feel is best suited for you. For this project, I used the millimetre measurement.
Now, in the object measurement window (when you press the diagonal arrow up in the top toolbar) you can adjust the size of your objects by inputting your mm measurement. However, make sure you adjust all the layers within the cut file to the same size to ensure the ratio of the layers is still correct.
You can easily check the layers still overlay correctly by using the transform centre option. Whilst selecting all three layers, open the transform window from the right toolbar. In the first tab, select the right centre option – this centre option centres all items with one another. If you were to use the left option, this would centre your objects to the page.
The first card used three layers which were cut out using navy, light blue and white cardstock and adhered together with Gina K Connect glue. Once cut, the layered die-cuts was adhered to a UK A6 white card base. To finish the card off, a layered ‘Happy’ die-cut was added, using the Altenew ‘Fine Alphabet Dies’, to the front along with a heat embossed sentiment. For added interest, the ‘Happy’ was covered with glossy accents for some shine and the card was finished off with a few black Nuvo drops.
For the second card, only the top layer of the cut file was used. This was die cut 3 times out of white card and adhered together for dimension. Before adhering this down, an ink blended card panel was created using Chipped Saphire, Blue Print Sketch and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxides for a radiating look. A layered die-cut sentiment (Birch Press Designs – Thanks Sugar Script) was adhered to the front with a white offset shadow along with a heat embossed sentiment. A few soft blue Nuvo drops were added to finish the card off.
Back to basic - Adjusting cut files: imperial to metric
Gallery
take a closer look
(click to enlarge images)
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Silhouette UK
wHERE YOU’LL FIND Full details on how I made this card AND LINKS TO SUPPLIES
Supplies:
Supplies sent to me as part of my various Design teams creative work:
- A2 STACKING CARD BASE BURST BY LORI WHITLOCK, DESIGN ID#165913 (Cut File)
- Birch Press Designs – Thanks Sugar Script Die
- Altenew – Fine Alphabet dies
Supplies purchased at my own expense:
- Card stock – White, Navy and Light blue
- Tonic Nuvo Drops – Duck Egg and Black
- Distress Oxides – Chipped Saphire, Blueprint Sketch and Tumbled Glass
- Silhouette Cameo 2
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Design team work:
DISCLOSURE
This post was produced as part of my design team work for Silhouette UK have not been paid to make this post, but I am given supplies from Silhouette UK to use. However, I create projects with creative control and produce projects I am proud of and with products that I love. The information provided is based on my own personal experience – I am not an expert.
2 thoughts on “Adjusting cut files: imperial to metric (Back to basics)”
Verity, these are beautiful! ❤️
Thank you Michelle ?