Question 1

Will the included software allow you to make a bespoke design and then print/cut it?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does, within limits.  I've not had this long so I don't have a comprehensive knowledge, but this is what I've discovered so far.  The supplied software lets you use text in any font you have installed to create designs.  You can import all the common graphics formats for printing support on your normal printer, but for cutting support you need to use the bespoke Silhouette items or import one of the supported formats.  Unfortunately the most common format for free templates is .SVG and this is only supported if you pay for the Pro software.  However, you can use a free tool like Inkscape to import .SVG files and export them to .DXF which is supported, so that's not too much of a blocker.As for creating designs, the supplied software lets you create cutting paths using the normal drawing programme primitives such as rectangles, ellipses, lines, Bézier curves etc.

Question 2

Will this cut sheets of masking paper (A4) to my chosen font and my own designs or am I limited to whats on the discs?

Accepted Answer

I've only just starting using the Silhouette Portrait as it was a Christmas gift so I'm certainly not an expert but I'll try and help.  You are definitely not restricted to just the designs on the discs, I have managed to successfully cut out text using the fonts on my computer on an A4 sheet of paper and you can draw any shape with the tools on the Silhouette programme that can be cut out as well.  I've also cut out pictures that I downloaded from the internet, printed on the computer and then put on the cutting mat and cut with the Silhouette.  There are lots of useful videos on You Tube that show you how to do various things.  I think that you can use most sizes and types of paper, up to the size of the cutting mat as well as certain materials and chipboard.  The Silhouette does come with a download card for $10 which you can use  towards any shapes you might want from the Online Store and every Tuesday you can download the free shape of the week.  I hope this helps but please contact me again if I you would like any more information.

Question 3

I live in the uk does it come with the US plug or Uk plug?

Accepted Answer

I tomes with a UK plug and uk support. We are the official UK distributor

Question 4

Can the Silhouette Portrait cutting machine cut 2mm balsa wood

Accepted Answer

No, this machine only cuts materials up to 0.8mm. Cameo cuts up to 2mm and I think that Curio too.

ASIN	B009GZUPFA
Active Surface Area	96 square inches
Best Sellers Rank	297,544 in Computers & Accessories ( See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories ) 36 in Wide Format & Plotter Printers
Brand	Silhouette
Colour	White
Compatible Devices	PC
Customer Reviews	4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,607)
Global Trade Identification Number	00819177020434
Included Components	50 Exclusive Cutting Designs, 8-Inch Cutting Mat, Ac Adapter, Basic Instruction Guide, Download Card, Power Cable, Silhouette Portrait, Software Cd, Usb Cable
Item Dimensions D x W x H	20.3D x 45.7W x 22.9H centimetres
Item Type Name	cutting machine
Item Weight	1.6 Kilograms
Manufacturer	Silhouette
Manufacturer Part Number	Silhouette Portrait 2
Material	Plastic
Model Number	Silhouette Portrait 4
Number of Items	1
Operation Mode	Automatic,Manual
Print media	Fabric
UPC	819177020434
Unit Count	1.0 count

Portrait Silhouette Electronic Cutting Tool, White

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