New Silhouette Products 2018: 3D Printer, But No New CAMEO

Silhouette America released its list of new Silhouette products for 2018 and the 3D Alta Printer tops the list.

The list of new products, tools, and partnerships was announced today at the company's annual Summit in Hawaii. Those holding their breath for a new Silhouette cutter will have to wait awhile longer as a new cutter was not among the new Silhouette 2018 products.

Silhouette Model Maker Tutorial: Getting Started with the 3D Software (and a Free Design)

There's always a lot of excitement around the release of a new product form Silhouette America and Silhouette Model Maker is no exception. The 3D design software is a one time paid upgrade and for paper crafters or designs it will likely be well worth the one time personal license fee.  But how do you use Silhouette ModelMaker to design, create, and cut designs with your Silhouette CAMEO, Portrait or Curio?

Before I get to the Silhouette Model Maker beginners tutorial I just want to lay it all out there.
Initially, I was not a huge fan of Model Maker. As a beta tester and one who has a pretty good pulse on what Silhouette crafters are looking for - my initial reaction to the software was it's way too advanced for the hobby crafters and designers who are using their Silhouette cutting machines to craft and run small business.  Silhouette America admits - and does not apologize - for the engineering-heavy software. It's definitely geared toward educators and the STEM classroom. You will feel that as soon as you open the software. Don't be tempted to shut it down and never go back.

Silhouette ModelMaker: Design 3D Shapes and Export as SVG with New Software

After months of Beta testing, Silhouette America quietly released Silhouette Model Maker software late Wednesday.  As a beta tester I have been using the software for several months and I have to say - while it's heavily geared toward educational purposes in the (STEM) classroom, there's definitely a use for it in the home crafting space....if you can get over the initial intimidation factor that will likely leave you looking like a wide-eyed emoji.

Many Silhouette paper crafters would love an easier way to design 3D shapes - and Model Maker is it. While the one-time paid software is focused on engineering and model making and - I admit - overwhelming... if you stick to the basics for creating 3D shapes for your crafting needs - you will be fine!