**Please note that this tutorial is using the old version of Silhouette Studio, not v3. Per Michelle, an awesome reader who left a comment below, here are the instructions for the upgraded version: “Go under “Object”, then adjust the size on the right hand side of the screen, then hit “Apply”.” Thanks, Michelle!****
So all the experienced Silhouette users are probably going to giggle at today’s post, but for some reason it took me ages to figure out how to do this! I’ve had my Silhouette for a few months now, and I’ve needed to adjust my shape size to an exact measurement a few times. I could never figure out how to do it! I even did a quick Google search and nothing came up. So, for anyone trying to adjust their shape size, here’s how to do it! How to Adjust to Exact Shape Size in Silhouette Studio:
With the Silhouette Studio open, create the needed square or rectangle shape. Now, let’s make it an exact size.
Go to “Object” and click on “Transform”.
Then click on “Scale Options”.
Now go to the right hand column and enter the exact size under W and H.
If the size is in a fraction form, convert it to a decimal before entering it in the space.
Now my little square is the exact size that I need it for a special project. Come back tomorrow to see what that special project is!
Thanks! I learned a new way! I always do things the hard way on my Silhouette!
Thanks for this – I didn’t know about it either!! 😉
THANKS!!!!!!!! I so needed this tutorial, Melanie!
Thank you! It’s the little things that make all of the difference!
thanks, it help me a lot
Great tips! Pinned!
Thank you for this tip!
Anytime! I know I was excited to discover it! 🙂
Thank you very much……much needed info xxxx
Only had mine a week, but I was already getting frustrated trying to use the size handles, so thanks for this 🙂
I am so glad that it helped.
oh man. I followed the directions and nothing happened. Any one else have a problem getting this to work.
Hmm…I haven’t had anyone say it doesn’t work. It seems to have been a solution for many. Do you have the Designer software?
So sorry I failed to “select” the image. When I did it worked perfect. Just had my silhouette for two days. A real learning curve for me. But love it!
Ok, good! There is a large learning curve, but before you know it you will be cranking out all kinds of projects!
Thanks!! I have been trying to figure this out since January when I got my Cameo. I”m so glad you posted this tutorial because I had been adjusting the size manually and never could get the size to be exact. I can’t tell you how many times I said, ‘oh crap’….or something close to that…..lol Thanks again!!
So glad to be of help!
So now with the new software release in April you just do Object and go straight to Scale – correct?
I am actually not sure- I have not updated my software yet!
i had to use the Panel then transform and scale
Thank you so much!!!
You are very welcome!
I feel stupid asking after having my Cameo for over two years and regular usage, but some things just aren’t clear to me: When you have the square shape(cut lines in red) then you have the black lines around it that include the measurements. Which lines are the ACTUAL size? The black or the red cut lines? I have sometimes enlarged something using the “transform object” but it seems to line up with the black lines while the cut lines are 1/8″ off. I would love for someone to explain this to me like I’m a three year old because it confuses me every time.
The red lines are the cut lines, and the black lines give the maximum height and width of the item. For instance if cutting a word that has a “tall letter”, the measurements given are the measurements for the tallest point in the word and the overall width/length of the word. It may not represent the size of all the letters in the phrase if they are all different heights. The black lines show the measurement but it’s not necessarily the size of what you’re cutting, since there could be padding inside the size box. Does that make sense?
Hello, I do cards and I use this function a lot. However, I’ve noticed that the rectangles I cut are always a little bit longer and wider (not much… a few milimters, but that means I have to recut … Argh).
I’ve asked someone else with another cameo, and she had the same problem. I even emailed Silhouette, but their answer was quite deceitful: They told me I should upgrade to V3 (it was just before they released it). But it did nothing! 🙁
Have you had the problem too?
Another commenter and I were talking about the size discrepancies. I have not upgraded to V3 yet. I’ve heard of too many users having issues!
I don’t have the “transform” option when I click on object. Is there another method to do this?
hello I don’t have the transform option either?
You may be running a newer silhouette studio version. I have not updated mine since this post. You may want to check the Silhouette School site to see if they have any answers.
Nevermind; I figured it out!
In the upgrade, go under “Object”, “Scale,” and then adjust your sizes on the right hand of your screen (similar to the last picture you have listed here). Then hit “Apply.” Should work!
I just set up my cameo and i don’t have the transform or scale option under the objects list 🙁 HELP
Hi, This tutorial is about 4 years old, and I do not currently have the latest software. I’ve been using a Cricut for the past year or so. I did find this: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/printer-friendly/faq/sizing-text-to-specific-measurements I hope that helps!
Holy Cow!! This is the one thing that has always frustrated me and I consider myself an intermediate user! Thank you SOOO much for sharing this invaluable tip!!
You are very welcome. Glad to be of help!
There is a quick use key that has 3 escalating squares surrounded by a dashed blue square, like stair steps, on the upper right tool bar. It is right next to the rotation button on Studii Designer Edition 3. This is faster and does the same thing. Click your object, click the stairs and scale window opens. When I am working with multiple layers I randomly lay out rectangles and scale them all one after the other.
Thanks, Kim! I’m still rocking the old version, and that is what this tutorial was for. Thanks for clarifying how to change the size for the new version!
I hope you can help me with my problem, when I set an exact measure to my letters it cute smaller than what it’s set on. ( if it’s at 6 it cuts around a 4 or 2)
Hi,
The shape has a built in sort of border around it. When you specify the size, you are actually specifying the size of the box that encloses the shape or number or letter or whatever you are making. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out a way to determine 100% the exact size of what is inside of the box. However, it should be very close to the size of the box itself. If your box is supposed to be 6 inches and it is cutting the shape at 2″, then I would contact Silhouette support and see if they can help you. It should definitely not be that much of a difference!
I have the exact problem, it cuts my numbers smaller than the box. (my 7″ box only cut my number 4.5, it is really deceiving.) I have other programs (I cut vinyl on a roland machine) and I don’t have this problem. Using the scale method only changes the size of the box not the size of the font. I’ve adapted by using the straight line on the menu on the left. make it the height you want the numbers or letters and it should be the true length. Then size the number or letters accordingly (using the number not the box around it). I have version 3.6
If you make it a compound path I think it then gives the right measurements, you just can’t alter the text again once you do that
Is there a reason my silhouette studio doesnt have a transform option under object??
You may be running a different software version that I was at the time of this tutorial. I never liked the newer version, so I am still using an older one.
Thanks so much for taking the time to show us how to do this.
You’re welcome!
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!! I have had my silhouette for about 2 years and I never knew this was possible!! I even have DE! I have made over a hundred or more designs and I always use a box for scale. I have always adjusted it the best I could but never got it to the exact size. Again, thank you!!
on nc studio 5.4.5 if cut a 80mm squre it cuts a 60mm squre can i fix this and how
If you read through some of the comments, this has been an issue for others, as well. Some have called Silhouette Customer support.
THANK YOU!!! This saved me so much time!!!
I realise this is a six or seven year old Post, but see more recent replies. If you buy a saying, or whatever you call them, in the store, can it not be sized down to fit a tumbler or sized up to fit a t-shirt? If not, is there a way to know the size of the graphic before you purchase? I get frustrated with these “for newbie” tutorials on YouTube and blogs. They assume we have prior knowledge. Don’t name it for newbies then lol lol I taught junior high and high school math. I had to assume they had prior knowledge in arithmetic when I taught algebra, but even THAT got me in trouble! SMH. When you see an eleventh grader get the concept that 1/2 times 10 means if you’ve got $10, I’m taking half if it! Or 1/3 times 1000 means is you make a grand at your job, the government is going to take a third of it! They got it! They’d ask me, “why didn’t my 5th grade teacher tell me that way instead of all those rules?” Me: “Because you’re supposed to figure that out on your own when you’re doing your homework!!!!” Doh!🤦 There is a reason hehe anyway. I’m feeling like an idiot behind this software. I’ve not had a computer in a decade! Shortly after I retired mine died and I got a tablet. Not only am I dealing with no right or left click buttons lol (I’m sure it’s not as hard as I think if I’d stop trying to figure it out and watch a video or read how to do it! I’ve been messing with this a week and cut nothing! When I’m connected via blue tooth the computer says we’re connected but in the bottom right corner it says “unavailable”, when I connect via USB, it says “trying to connect” and it’ll say that for days if you let it. It’s Christmas day so I’ll have to try to call someone later. I got this in a little overweight before Christmas and thought I could get Christmas presents done LOL I had my tumblers all done and ready for the vinyl so I wasn’t starting from scratch 😉
Hi, yes, this tutorial is older, and I am sure that the software has been updated. I have since moved to solely using a Cricut machine, but I recommend Silhouette School for Silhouette tutorials. You can find her website here: https://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/