Tutorial: Adding a shadow layer to a cutting file

Adding a Shadow Layer to a cutting file using SCAL2

The cutting file used in this example is from www.mypapercraft.com. The files are shown as they are imported into the program and in the final layout format. This is what the file should look like once it has been put together.

1. Open SCAL2 and import the svg (File: Import or Ctrl+Shift+I). Size it to the final size you want to cut. Make a copy of the image by clicking Ctrl+C and paste this onto another page. It is important to do this so that the shadow layer you are going to create and the cutting file are the same size. You can then cut your project using the original file on the next page.

2. Ungroup the image. (Object: Ungroup or Ctrl+Shift+G) Now select all of the pieces by “drawing” a square around all of the pieces.

3. Making sure the image is selected, you now need to weld the pieces together. (Path: Union) This is what your image will look like now.

      4. The next step is to make this image into a shadow layer. Go to the Appearance box which will be displayed when you click on the image on the mat. Choose the drop down box beside style and select one of the three shadow styles.

Click on each one in turn to see which will be the best for your shadow layer.

5.  This is your final shadow layer.

      6. The resulting layer will give you a background that is slightly larger than the original cutting file and can be cut in a contrasting colour. If you don’t want a shadow layer, you can cut the image before changing it to a shadow and use this as the base for your cutting file.