More About PixScan

The new PixScan software was released yesterday. If you haven't downloaded it yet you may want to get it now. Here is the link: Studio 3.1.417 PixScan

I've had the PixScan software and mat for at least three weeks. Since so much has been going on around here I haven't been able to dedicate as much time as I would have liked. I finally, buckled down and was determined to at least get my camera calibrated so I could try out the camera feature of PixScan. Once I realized what I was doing wrong when trying to calibrate my camera it was easy as can be. I was was taking the photo at too much of an angle. You need to take a photo of the calibration page (which is a bunch of black dots you'll print out on regular copy paper) from a "bird's eye view". Once I was able to get the right photo, it was like magic! The new software recognized my camera and even named it. All I had to do, was import the photo on the calibration page, click on the plus under the PixScan calibration area and there it was "Cannon, Powershot SX120". 

From here, I couldn't wait to try it out so I grabbed an old card that had a bunch of daisies on the front. I auto traced the center daisy and then auto traced the centers of the other daisies to use at a later time. Next, I opened up some shapes like stars and wheels, duplicated them and had drawn a square around the top portion of the solid blue and then chose this as my selected "Nesting" area, then chose "Use Selected" to use the square I had drawn as the area I wanted the shapes to fit into. I then clicked on the "Nest" and again, like magic they all nested perfectly into the area of blue I had drawn the square. I then deleted the square to make sure it wouldn't cut. I just wanted the stars and wheel shapes to cut. 

This week I will be having a phone conversation with a representative of Silhouette. He will be walking me through the steps of using the scanner. For some reason, I just can't figure this out. I've been close, but just cannot figure out how to "stitch" the image of the mat. Like most, I only have a regular flatbed scanner which does scan the size of the Cameo PixScan mat. 

Since I am in no way affiliated with Silhouette, I don't receive discounts, payment, or any other perks I am allowed to give my honest opinions. I can honestly say, Silhouette is not like some other companies whom pay for positive feedback and reviews from blogs, YouTube and other media sources. Nor do they ever have any plans of doing such a thing. When I told them the only thing I want to be able to do is give my honest opinion on anything I test they told me this is what they wanted and I am entitled to do so. Right now, I'm not on board with the scanning feature, but hopefully after the walk through I'll get the technique down and will be able to report back with some nice results. 

I did want to let everyone know the PixScan mats are only for the Portrait and Cameo cutting machines. I've noticed a drop in price on the Cameo cutting machines and believe there is a new cutting machine on its way. This is just speculative. Silhouette will not speak of this to me. Of course, I asked....lol. 

For those who don't believe Silhouette places their consumers first I would like to make a few comments. Over time I have corresponded with Silhouette contacts. I have asked and even nagged about having certain features. I asked for layers, the ability to bring in PDF files and auto trace them. I've also asked for a cutting machine that will have the ability to cut heavier materials easily and so much more. There are many things I have requested along with other Silhouette users. I have to give a round of applause to the Silhouette America company. They have delivered to us, their valued customers, so many nice things. I also asked to have the ability to save files as .svg files. No, we don't have this ability yet, but I know they listen and if they don't add this ability it's because of good reasons I may not understand. Some have set out to nit pick the company and their efforts completely apart. They obviously do not know nor have they learned the things I have learned about how much they value their customers and their customers opinions. Yes, there was an error made when the first release of Studio V3 came out, but they left us options to use V2 and continued to work hard and pay a lot to get the software perfected. They were simply trying to keep us, the consumers happy by introducing new software we wanted. I love the cut by color, line color, and layer features. 

This may sound off the wall and paranoid and is not the thoughts of any Silhouette America employee. This is all me. I have wondered from time to time when I've read negative things about Silhouette; if  these people are plants to sabotage the good name of Silhouette and all of the tireless efforts they have made to bring us the best. Every day, Silhouette employees work hard, throw around new concepts and ideas to bring us better and better.They are not perfect, they will make mistakes, but they are the most consumer friendly company I've ever dealt with. Even before I ever knew one person at this company I was able to get superior customer service and technical support. Silhouette technical support has been my teacher and never did they get tired of hearing from me. Again, I applause this company, their employees, technical support and customer service.  

Oh, while I was carrying on I forgot to mention another belief I have. Seeing the price of the Cameo going down, the new "Business Edition" of the software I really think there is a new Silhouette in the making. Again, I have not and probably will not be told one way or the other, but I do believe....lol time for me to start saving some crafting dollars. You all know I'll have to have one...lol.

Now that I have this off my chest....lol. I want to show a picture of how the "daisy card" image came into PixScan. This was easy, I just did a screen shot. I'll try and get the other pictures shared when I get the time. We are doing some kitchen remodeling and things are topsy turvy.