[sdiy] DRILLING TEMPLATE/GUIDE??? Front Panel Designer

Tue Jul 22 10:46:35 CEST 2008

This is probably a dumb question. Why are you guys making knobs and  
display it with Front Designer? Aren't the markings of the poti (the  
scale ) enough? And drilling. I wouldn't want a knob engraved on my  
panel or am I missing something here ? :)

Csaba
On Jul 22, 2008, at 10:20 AM, Tom Bugs wrote:

> Probably the most valuable tool I got since beginning to use  
> FrontDesigner was a cheap set of digital calipers off ebay - cost  
> under £10 inc postage, I think.
>
> Yes, its a bit of a sweat, but you gradually begin making your own  
> library -> I've made knob templates, but also 16mm pot templates  
> (just to check that things fit), switches etc (with markings showing  
> typical hole size & size of the washer & switch body size). You'll  
> also get to know your parts a load better this way too (fnar).
> I don't think anyone has particular libraries 'cos everyone uses  
> different standards....
>
> The libraries that came with FrontDesigner were totally useless!
>
> Best,
> Tom
>
> Dan Snazelle wrote:
>> Ok
>> I am trying to use Front Panel Designer but it looks as if you must  
>> MAKE all your own objects. This is hard for me as i dont know how  
>> to figure out what size hole (or area for labels,etc) to use for  
>> the toggles i get from futurlec, the pots i get from futurlec, vs  
>> the ones i get from allied,etc. i think i normally use 16mm pots  
>> (which i assume means i would draw a 16mm circle?)
>>
>> but what about rotary pots? and LEDS? how big a circle for those?
>>
>> I was sort of hoping that it would be similar to EAGLE where you  
>> have a library of parts. But the library that came with it is about  
>> three parts long.
>>
>>
>> I am having a real dilemna as i am trying to figure out how many  
>> pots i can realistically fit on a panel 19" across by 10.5" tall.  
>> so i not only want to draw the drill holes but the AREA that they  
>> might take up with a knob. is this possible?
>>
>>
>> Am i Missing something? are there libraries i missed?
>>
>> thanks so much
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------
>> check out various dan music at:
>>
>> http://www.myspace.com/lossnyc
>>
>>
>> http://www.soundclick.com/lossnyc.htm
>>
>>
>> http://www.indie911.com/dan-snazelle
>> (or for techno) http://www.myspace.com/snazelle
>>
>>
>>
>>> From: czvekan at gmail.com
>>> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>>> Subject: Re: [sdiy] (MOTM style) DRILLING TEMPLATE/GUIDE??? ready  
>>> to start makng better looking panels
>>> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:40:50 +0200
>>>
>>> Ohh my god . I just reinvented the wheel. This is so awesome. In  
>>> Front
>>> Designer we only have to change the pen to engraver or mill what  
>>> ever
>>> you need. I have chosen 0.3 mm engraver. Then changed all objects  
>>> with
>>> that pen. Exported the thing to a *.plt file. Imported it with  
>>> LazyCam
>>> and it calculated like a minute or less and voilà my Gcode was
>>> generated and I can see my design in MACH3. Awesome! . Now I know  
>>> how
>>> this is being done. A thirty bucks program Front Designer and and a
>>> 125$ gets me engravings. This is really cool. You made my day,  
>>> Tom . :)
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>> Csaba
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 20, 2008, at 3:46 PM, Tom Bugs wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> I don't have Mach3 on this computer so can't check, but I've used
>>>> FrontDesigner outputs to engrave panels with Mach3. You import  
>>>> stuff
>>>> through, if my memory serves me right, EasyCam that comes attached
>>>> to Mach3 (or it did in my case). I can't remember the exact details
>>>> offhand, but I didn't need any extra software, just FrontDesigner
>>>> and Mach3
>>>> Best,
>>>> Tom
>>>>
>>>> Csaba Zvekan wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Also I always wondered how to make a G-Code out of a HPGL file. Is
>>>>> there a converter?. I am using MACH3 has anybody some suggestions.
>>>>> I really would like to engrave my panels with my DIY CNC in the
>>>>> future. I just don't know how ? Or would I import it in AutoCAD  
>>>>> and
>>>>> re-import in MACH 3 ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Csaba
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 19, 2008, at 6:22 PM, Samppa Tolvanen wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 6:48 PM, Tom Bugs wrote:
>>>>>>> And there's also FrontDesigner from Abacom (www.abacom- 
>>>>>>> online.de)
>>>>>>> - only 30euro or so
>>>>>>> This *may* be more versatile than FrontPanelDesigner as you've
>>>>>>> got more
>>>>>>> exporting options including HPGL for engraving / milling
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> At least it does scales automagically (Not a big deal in FPD
>>>>>> anyway).
>>>>>> HPGL originates from pen plotters, but I haven't found a driver
>>>>>> thats
>>>>>> output is treated good by FrontPanel Designer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.emachineshop.com/ also has a fairly simple free CAD  
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> mechanical design with .dxf support.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Samppa
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