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Thinking about using a silhouette cameo to try to make some airbrush stencils. Has anyone tried this, or had any success with it?

Absolutely! It's why I bought mine. Here's some examples:

10mm Dropzone Commander Vehicles:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dullspork/15265681200/

Imperial Shuttle for X-Wing
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dullspork/15148617020/

I've gotten the best results with Artools Ultra Mask. Use the cutting settings for vinyl and you should get good cuts.

Takes some experimentation before you get really comfortable with it. Their software is really nice. I haven't yet pulled the trigger on their other piece of software that allows you to import Illustrator files as it just hasn't seemed necessary yet (which is pretty nice).

Don't overlook the fact that you can also use it to cut thin plasticard for scratch-building projects.

For those who don't know what we're talking about. It's the Silhouette Cameo cutter (actually, I have the Portrait). It's like a desktop printer with a cut head instead of a print head. Great for cutting stencils.

I did a video on painting that shuttle that covers how the stencils worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAEo6C6vp9U

I also created some Palm Fronds with it - http://jayadan.tumblr.com/post/84536275322/a-while-back-i-discovered-the-silhouette-portrait
http://jayadan.tumblr.com/post/84767486247/my-finished-palm-tree-i-think-it-was-successful

I have a Silhouette Cameo and I use to make stencils as well.

It takes some messing around to figure how to make stencils, especially if you use art that you import. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube on how to do just about everything with the software though, so it doesn't take long to figure it out.

It's over $300 in Australia, not an insignificant sum. Still, it looks like a lot of fun, and my boy could probably use that when he starts going to primary school.

I'll have to see if the Financial Controller will approve a Cameo in the budget .

I have always wanted one :/ just seems ever so slightly pricey :/ But glad people get good use from them might have to put a few pounds together.

Whats the smallest resolution you can achieve?

Solar Shock wrote:
I have always wanted one :/ just seems ever so slightly pricey :/ But glad people get good use from them might have to put a few pounds together.

Whats the smallest resolution you can achieve?

It balked when I tried to get it to cut out 8 point type. I mean, it tried. The results just weren't usable.

Look at the DZC APCs, though. Those are 10mm miniatures - only a couple of inches long. I was able to do a reasonable hex-based camo pattern on them.

Glad to hear it, I definitely have some messing around to do with it. The first few things that I have tried to do have come only scored. I am currently using some thicker paper that I had lying around, but should probably invest in some frisket film or something.

Otherwise I guess I just need to dial in the adjustments. I did pick up a replacement blade just in case that was the problem.

Suks wrote:
Glad to hear it, I definitely have some messing around to do with it. The first few things that I have tried to do have come only scored. I am currently using some thicker paper that I had lying around, but should probably invest in some frisket film or something.

Otherwise I guess I just need to dial in the adjustments. I did pick up a replacement blade just in case that was the problem.

Don't use frisket. It's just too thin to do much with. You want something a little heavier to get good stencils. The UltraMask was perfect but I'm probably going to do more experimenting.

http://www.amazon.com/Grafix-Clear-Plastic-Thickness-12-Inch/dp/B001K7Q6Z0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415918395&sr=8-1&keywords=stencil+sheets

How does that look to you? 10 bucks for 25 sheets could go a pretty far way, and I saw someone else that recommended it.

Suks wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/Grafix-Clear-Plastic-Thickness-12-Inch/dp/B001K7Q6Z0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415918395&sr=8-1&keywords=stencil+sheets

How does that look to you? 10 bucks for 25 sheets could go a pretty far way, and I saw someone else that recommended it.

Should be good for non-adhesive stencils.

I did get on with it and mess around a bit last night. I got 2 pretty decently sized hex grid patterns to cut. I was just using some design paper, and must have had the blade too thick. I damn near cut through the mat that you put the paper on.

I'm going to order some of those stencil sheets, and I think i'll be in business. Do you have a good source to get Artools Ultra Mask from? It's not on amazon, and it seemed a little on the pricey side from my very brief google search?

Thanks!!

Nip into a good vinyl signwriting supplier and you will get all the films you need, I use Aslan paint masking film for most of my airbrushing needs as its low tak and wont lift previous layers of paint, but any vinyl will do the job if your careful. as for a price comparison, get a 10 meter roll and it will cost about £12. thats a helluva lot of small stencils.
Also you can get a blade adapter and a steeper blade that will allow smaller finer cuts to be done. 8pt can be done.

Suks wrote:
I did get on with it and mess around a bit last night. I got 2 pretty decently sized hex grid patterns to cut. I was just using some design paper, and must have had the blade too thick. I damn near cut through the mat that you put the paper on.

I'm going to order some of those stencil sheets, and I think i'll be in business. Do you have a good source to get Artools Ultra Mask from? It's not on amazon, and it seemed a little on the pricey side from my very brief google search?

Thanks!!

I picked up my UltraMask at Gencon and I've noticed that you can't find it on Amazon as well so I don't really have a recommendation for you. It is on the pricey side but you will get a LOT of use out of a roll.