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How to convert a .SCUT file to SVG in SCAL2

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Note: This process is no longer needed because the latest versions of SCAL2 can save directly to svg. This post does show how to trace a screen shot so I will leave it up.

Ever since SCAL2 came out and more people are using it to design, rather than resorting to Inkscape, there’s been a need for a way to go backwards and change those SCUT files back into SVGs. This is because SVG is a more universal format, compatible with SCAL1 and MTC, for instance. You can also use the SVG to print your design in high resolution. Today I played around with this and got some great results so I wanted to share my steps.

1. Open the SCUT file in SCAL2 and fill the screen with the image you want to trace, either by zooming in or by resizing the image.

2. Click the Preview All button to create a solid preview. (If you have other layers in the way, click the appropriate eye icon on the layers palette to toggle off the unwanted layers.)

3. Take a screen shot of the solid preview, cropping fairly close, and save it as a .png or jpg. If you don’t know how to take and save a screen shot, click here for resources.

4. Click the Image button in SCAL2 and navigate to where your .jpg or .png screen shot file is saved to open it in the autotrace window. Set Brightness to 49 and leave the other settings at their defaults. If the trace does not look satisfactory, adjust settings and try again. Pay special attention to rounded shapes and to corners when evaluating the trace.

5. When the preview looks good, click the Save button. Name and save your SVG. It is now available to use in other programs or to share.

6. The new SVG will also be placed on your SCAL2 mat so you can compare it with the original. (Size is not maintained)

That’s it. I fully expect Craftedge to add a feature to render this unnecessary, but until then, hope this helps.

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Comments

  2. You did it again. I thought I’d seen something about this before but lost it.

    THANKS

    That’s two things I learned from you today.

    SusanE

  3. why would you need to do this? Scal2 has unbelievable trace options that actually work so why would there be the need to import into mtc?

    • Angela, this is so you can share the file with someone who does not have SCAL2 but who does have SCAL1 or MTC. You could also use it to generate a vector file for high resolution printing.

  4. Thanks so much Kay! I’ve been wanting to convert some of my scuts because they are difficult to resize; but converting to an SVG makes it so much easier to cut in SCAL2 or MTC, if one chooses to 🙂

    Carmen

  5. You are still doing “clever” things with SCAL and teaching the rest of us. Thanks for another wonderful tutorial.

  6. Thanks so much for this tip. I will use it often. I tried it and I got a close to perfect svg. Thanks so much for all you share.
    Lysa

  9. You never cease to amaze me! I had no idea I could save something to SVG from SCAL2. I’m ooing to have to give this a try! Thanks so much.

  10. Thanks so much. I’ve save the instructions in PDF, for my Instruction manual I’m putting together for myself.

  11. what if i can’t open the scut file? i’ve downloaded some scut files and extracted them from zip files, but they won’t open in inkscape. they won’t open anywhere. maybe you could help me figure out what i did wrong.

    • scut files will only open in SCAL1 or SCAL2. scut2 files will only open in SCAL2. Neither type will open by doubleckicking or rightclick-open. You have to open SCAL first and then open the scut files from there. You need SCAL2 to use this tutorial.

  12. Can you tell me how to take a file from the CDS program and add it to the MTC program? This may not be the place to ask this question, if I affend anyone I am so sorry but I need to find the answer.

  13. Can you tell me what font this is….I think it is really lovely 🙂 and thanks for your blog…it is a world of information!

  14. You are my HERO!!!!!!
    I made my first saved SCUT today, and was wondering how to convert it. Rock on with yer badbutohsoROCKINself. 🙂
    Cheers!

  15. HI Kay: I have scal2 and I think I must be doing something wrong. Once I’ve traced the new image that has been copied, my only options for saving are to save as a scul file or “all files”. Should there be an option to save as an SVG?
    Thanks in advance and as always, THANK YOU for sharing your extensive knowledge with us all.
    Donna

    • Donna,
      You have to click the save button below the trace preview screen to get the SVG option. However…
      the newest versions of SCAL2 allow you to save your whole SCUT file as an SVG (File>Export), not just the trace.

  16. Great tutorial. Exactly what I was needing.

    Question: But, when I save something there, it is tracing both sides of the outline so that there is a double image. So…you just have to leave it to the new user to delete the extra outline in their program? I can’t find a way to separate it down to one image. I’m not sure how yours worked actually, without cutting an outline border of the word rather than the full word fill-in like you’d want it to cut.

    Enjoying the possibilities, but a little stuck!

  17. Just figured it out last night while I was dozing off to sleep. LOL I’d have to color in the object with paint or photoshop rather than using an outline.

  18. I have been trying to find a way to convert cut files to svg – and found this.

    The first step here says to open the scut file in scal2. I’ve tried and tried – can you help???

    Thanks!

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