How to Make Scalloped Edge Designs in Silhouette Studio (Part 1: Scalloped Squares)

So sometimes a plain ol' square or circle isn't going to cut it - sometimes you need to put your fancy pants on (and get out your calculator) and add a scalloped edge. Today I'm sharing a tutorial on how to create scalloped edge designs in Silhouette Studio.

Putting scallops around a square or rectangle is easy; putting scallops around other shapes requires a little workaround (and of course I have one for you) to add scallops to other shapes so that will be Part 2.  
Start by opening up Silhouette Studio to a new work area.
 
From the left sidebar use the Draw a Rectangle (1) tool to draw a square. You can hold down shift to get a perfect square.

Next click the Draw an Ellipse (2) tool to draw a circle. Again, hold down shift while drawing the circle to get a perfectly dimensional circle.

I usually don't like to keep the center rotation on (that little bullseye looking thing in the center of a shape), but for this type of designing it's actually helpful.  If you select a shape and you don't get the center rotation, go to Preferences > Defaults > Show Center Rotation (3).

Now you want to know how big to make the circle so it fits perfect across each edge of the square? There are two options...pick yours!

Option 1: For MATH PEOPLE

I'm not a math person at all...it's kinda scary. BUT if you want to avoid the trial and error of getting the circles to perfectly fit across the square you can use the following equation: 

LENGTH OF SQUARE SIDE 

(DIVIDED BY) 

NUMBER OF DESIRED CIRCLES LESS ONE = Circle Diameter

For instance 5" square / (13 Desired Circles -1) = .416

5/12=.416

Select the square, in the Scale window (blue along the top tool bar below) enter 5" for height/length (be sure "Lock Aspect" box is checked). 

Select the circle. In the Scale window enter .416 (be sure "Lock Aspect" box is checked). 

Place that circle's center rotation on the top left corner of the square (zoom in if you need to). Pick up below at the *.

Option 2: For NON MATH 'Eyeball-It' PEOPLE

Eyeball the size of the circle to your liking for the size scallops you want. Line the circle's center rotation up with the top left corner of the square.

* To quickly replicate the circles across the top line, select the first circle. Hold down COMMAND and press the right arrow key on your keyboard. Every time you press the arrow key a new circle will appear directly next to the previous on.

Repeat until you have circles all the way across the top of the square.

OPTION 2 PEOPLE ONLY: Once you have circles across the top of the square, select the last circle in the line to double check where it's center rotation falls on the box. If you didn't 'eyeball it' exactly and you need to slightly adjust the size of the circles (or the box) to ensure the center rotations of the first and last circle are on the corners, select all of the circles at the same time while sizing.

No matter which way you achieve the correct circle size continue on  by putting circles across the other three sides of the box. Select that circle at the top right corner of the box then  hold down COMMAND and hit the DOWN arrow key several times. When you get to the bottom of the box > hold down COMMAND + LEFT arrow key. Continue this replicating method until all four sides of the box have circles.


If you want a simple scalloped edge you can select all of the circles and the square > right click weld.

If you'd like a little bit of a fancier scallop, don't weld yet. Select all of the circles, but NOT the square. Pick the Offset tool along the top tool bar.

Click the internal offset and adjust the distance to your liking. Click apply.



Again, select all of the circles and their internal offsets, but not the square.

TIP: It's easiest to make a big selection box around the entire design and then deselect the square. To do so: Select everything > hold down shift > click the square to deselect it.

With only the circles selected make them a compound path: select circles > right click > make compound path.

Now select everything - circles and square and weld them together (select all > right click > weld) to make your scalloped edge.

Ta da!

Tomorrow I'm going to show you a workaround to add a scalloped edge around any other shape such as a circle...and I promise, no math involved!

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