You use your computer and the program that came with the Cameo (you can also download it from the Silhouette website). You would have to open the graphic files in the software, and then trace them, then send that to the cameo to cut (you connect the cameo to your computer using a printer type cord). If the applique shapes are on a pattern or something, then yes, you would need to scan them. I've never done it so I don't know about how to keep them the same size, etc. There is a grid in the software that corresponds to the mat and you can resize shapes pretty easily too.