• Blog
  • About
  • EQ Training
    • Tech Know Quilters Electric Quilt 8 Membership Training
    • Shoot for the Stars with EQ8
    • Electric Quilt 8 Sneak Peek
    • Scheduling a Workshop or Lecture
  • Store
  • Card Making
  • Contact
  • Free Stuff
    • Other Video Tutorials
Picture

SVG Files from EQ8

5/18/2019

 
Picture
From EQ8 to SVG Files
 In a Facebook group this week, there was a discussion on creating files that could be used by cutting machines such as Silhouette Cameo, Brother Scan and Cut, Cricut Explore Air and Cricut Maker.  These cutting systems all have proprietary software that makes sharing designs between systems problematic.  However --- all of them allow for use of SVG files.

So what is an SVG file?  An SVG file is a graphics file that uses a two-dimensional vector graphic format.  Unlike raster formats such as JPG, GIF, and PNG, an SVG image remains crisp and clear at any resolution or size.

Since Electric Quilt exports to raster formats, we need to be able to transition from those formats to SVG.  

In my free Electric Quilt video tutorial, I will share how to go from a block in Electric Quilt to an svg file.  The intermediate software I use is Inkscape. Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source. 

​It can seem overwhelming to use when you open it for the first time. However I will share with your the few items you need to create your SVG file from Electric Quilt.  You can download Inkscape here.

Once you have it downloaded it is super simple to convert your files. 
You may never need to purchase an SVG file again -- just use blocks from the Electric Quilt library or draw your own.  You could even use these designs in creating personal cards.

​Shoot for the Stars with EQ8

Picture
Are you just getting started with Electric Quilt 8 and need some help? 

Shoot for the Stars is designed to get you started with Electric Quilt 8 through training delivered straight to your inbox.  This series includes 14 short (ie. 5-10 minute) videos delivered over the course of a month allowing you to learn the basics of this complex program in bite size increments.

​The class is currently on sale for $35 (regular $50).  Join now.
Purchase Shoot for the Stars

Introduction to Electric Quilt Class at Minnesota Quilt Show

Picture
Picture
Would you like to join me for an in person hands-on Electric Quilt class?  I will be teaching at the Minnesota Quilt Show in Rochester MN.  This is my only scheduled in person class for 2019.

The class, Introduction to Electric Quilt 8 is a full day class on Saturday, June 15, 2019.  You can learn more and register here.  

I look forward to seeing you there.

Picture
Happy quilting.

​Kari

​Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.
Picture
Chris K.
5/18/2019 08:28:20 am

Wow, that was instructive, although I wish I could slow down the video to take notes. I had worked out my own method for doing this: Trace the applique in EQ8 and print to a PDF file with seam allowance. Use Import PDF File in Inkscape, then simply save as PDF. When it's imported into Cricut Design Space, you actually have two versions of each piece, one with seam allowance and one without. Very handy if you want to cut Templar as well as fabric.

Kari Schell
5/18/2019 10:24:32 am

Thanks for sharing your method of using Inkscape and Cricut Deesign Space! By the way, you can stop the video at any time or scroll back to replay at a particular point.

Carol Ruggins
5/18/2019 08:50:17 am

Thank you for showing us how this can be done. Such a powerful tool!

Barbara Grandon
5/18/2019 10:26:01 am

Thank you Kari. I'm so interested in this. I have a Cameo (in the box still) and I'm learning appliqué. The pattern I'm using is taped together over 9 sheets of paper for the block. I'm wondering how I get that pattern as once piece into EQ8. I do see the pattern all together in a part of the instructions however the pattern is small compared to how large it actually is. I don't know if I'm making sense. But I am so excited at the possibilities.....exchanging hand cutting templar and fabric!

Kari Schell
5/18/2019 12:34:04 pm

Hi Barbara. You may wish to tape your large pattern on the wall and take a photo of it. Then input the photo as a tracing image in EQ. Also -- do some testing on cutting fabric on your Silhouette. Did you catch the blog post https://www.onpointquilter.com/blog/cutting-out-a-paper-snowflake as it specifically talks about using the Silhouette.

Diane Satterfield
5/18/2019 03:27:46 pm

Fantastic tutorial!! As always. As someone who thinks that "hand" is a 4-letter word, I love being able to use EQ with my Cameo and with my embroidery module to create quilt blocks. It ends up taking much more time than if I had just done it by that 4-letter word, but it's so much more gratifying figuring out how to use all my toys.

SHARON GROVES
5/18/2019 06:12:28 pm

thanks! I have a Scan n Cut & inkscape, but never thought of doing this. Oh the possibilities!

adrienne quinlan
5/19/2019 04:09:35 am

Kari
I went back over my notes on how I do this for the Scan-N-Cut.
As I know how to use the Brother software I wanted to use Inkscape as little as possible.

EQ
Open applique block
Print export Metafile (make sure “Outline and fill” is ticked)
Save as Metafile

Inkscape
File import Metafile
On the top bar
set the X and Y axis to 0
change the measurement to inches
use the lock to keep the dimensions correct
Set the width of the block to be the same as in EQ.

Save as Plain SVG (this brought it into Scan-N-Cut at the correct size)
Close Inkscape

Open Canvas
File>> Import SVG
Moved the cutting lines off the original picture and then deleted the coloured elements
Export or Transfer FCM file

Open in Machine and Cut

Kari Schell
5/19/2019 09:55:24 am

Awesome. I've never tried the metafile export with Inkscape. Thank you for sharing.

CJ Tinkle
5/19/2019 05:39:09 am

Hi Kari,
I do it the same way right up until you use Inkscape. From your last step in EQ, I simply print my separate appliqué to a .pdf file.

I use a Silhouette Cameo. From the Silhouette software (I am using the Business edition, but this works also in Designer edition) I simply import the .pdf file, make certain to select ungroup, and it imports and breaks apart the separate appliqué pieces. That's all there is to it.

Kari Schell
5/19/2019 09:57:20 am

Very valuable information. Thank you for sharing. I've always gone from an image file directly to Silhouette. I look forward to trying this with a pdf file.

Marie Naves
5/20/2019 03:04:07 pm

I've watched your video several times and have made notes. Following your directions, I saved the Sun Hat 1 and Sun Hat 2 files. I open Inkscape and open my Sun Hat 1.bmp file. I click Select and click on the file. I choose Path and Trace bmp. I change colors to 6, uncheck smooth and stacked. I check remove background. When I click okay, the whole image is not selected. It only selects the small dark green part on the lower left. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I'll view your video again to see if I can pick up anything I may be doing wrong. If you can help, I would appreciate it.

Marie Naves
5/20/2019 03:38:28 pm

I got it! I didn't have Colors checked in the Inkscape dialogue box! Duh! I'm glad I decided to watch your video again and note every setting. Now maybe I can continue with the video and not screw up again! Thanks, Kari for such great videos.


Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Free guide available for newsletter subscribers
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Kari Schell

    Electric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer.

    Categories

    All
    Art And Stitch
    Cricut Maker
    Dear Jane
    Electric Quilt 7
    Electric Quilt 8
    Goose Goose Duck Challenge
    Inkscape
    Longarm Quilting
    Patterns
    Silhouette Cameo
    Stampin Up
    Summer Games
    Tips And Techniques
    Tools And Rulers

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    RSS Feed

Contact:
On Point Quilter
e-mail:  onpointquilter@comcast.net
phone:  763-566-6536

GET MY NEWSLETTER FOR REGULAR EQ AWESOMENESS!

* indicates required
  • Blog
  • About
  • EQ Training
    • Tech Know Quilters Electric Quilt 8 Membership Training
    • Shoot for the Stars with EQ8
    • Electric Quilt 8 Sneak Peek
    • Scheduling a Workshop or Lecture
  • Store
  • Card Making
  • Contact
  • Free Stuff
    • Other Video Tutorials