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Homebrew Equipment A place to show, design and discuss the weird and wonderful electronic creations from the hands of individual members. |
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19th Aug 2007, 8:08 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chelmsford, Essex, UK.
Posts: 150
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Front Panel Design Software
Anyone know of a good Front Panel Design programme ? One that will let you print rotary cursors and labels ? I have downloaded a German one called FrontDesigner3, but when I scale the dial down to match my panel size the markings just blur into nothing. As the demo won't allow you to print, I don't know if this is just a screen problem or me ?
Any advice appreciated as I have a wicked HT power supply design waiting to go. John |
19th Aug 2007, 8:17 pm | #2 |
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,073
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
I normally use CorelDraw for this sort of thing, but it's a general vector drawing program so could be more work than something specifically intended for front panels. It's also expensive, though you can get older versions cheaply on eBay (I use version 7 which works fine on Windows XP). Older ones are less bloated too.
If you have use and experience of a general CAD program such as AutoCAD that could be used, but I wouldn't go there just for the one job as the learning curve is steep. |
19th Aug 2007, 9:28 pm | #3 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK
Posts: 2,136
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
Quote:
I've worked with AutoCAD for longer than is entirely sane and I'd be happy to draw up scales, panels etc. for any forum member. It's what I used to do for a living. Regards,
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Brian |
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20th Aug 2007, 9:18 am | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
I am about 75% through making such a thing; (my job is designing software). I have got as far as doing circles/arcs/graduations up to now. Sometime in the future I may even finish it! It is a single .EXE that may need one or two supporting DLLs.
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Mike. |
20th Aug 2007, 12:31 pm | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK
Posts: 2,136
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
Hi Mike,
Welcome back and if you need any help with beta testing, you have a volunteer here. Regards,
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Brian |
20th Aug 2007, 12:56 pm | #6 |
Pentode
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chelmsford, Essex, UK.
Posts: 150
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
Thanks for all comments and offers Guys, and welcome back Mike. I'll drop the software company an email first, if they want me to buy a copy then they might reply. I have always kept clear of CAD programmes due to the fact I don't have the time or need to use them in depth. I seem to remember that you used to be able to buy scales on sticky plastic once, I think they were made by Radio Constructor Mag - but it must be at least 30 years ago now. I did come across some in my loft a while ago, but stupidly didn't take them out and now I've forgotten where I found them !!
John |
21st Aug 2007, 8:05 am | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
When I do eventually get round to it (don't rush - might even be this year!) all here will be welcome to a copy.
I have managed with most things with M$ Paint - not the best, but free. Radial graduations and rotating text isn't possible easily, hence me knocking something up. I occasionally Paintshop Pro for the more difficult things like reducing the number of colours in a GIF or JPEG for smaller filesize.
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Mike. |
29th Oct 2007, 5:40 pm | #8 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Odense Denmark
Posts: 1
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
Quote:
So how far are you with your project or could you recomend something meanwhile. Do you have a Inspirator-software or is it all from scratch Claus Denmark |
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29th Oct 2007, 8:07 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
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Re: Front Panel Design Software
Hi Claus
It is on (a very long) hold at the moment, for various reasons. Never heard of Inspirator, but I was writing it from scratch as an .EXE.
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Mike. |