Support Forum

You can find 'ungroup' in the toolbar menu -> Selection or in the right-click menu.

We added a new program - Scale Generator - in our Tips & Tricks section. This script enables you to design both round and linear dials. Instead of designing engraved dials from scratch in Front Panel Designer, they can be created as a hpgl file with Scale Generator.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Sep 30, 2008 02:31AM

Hello Raph,

You can group a drilled hole and a rectangular cutout to get the Deltron cutout and save it as a macro object.

Deltron DIN

Regards,

Diane

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 05:59PM

Perfect! That's what I was hoping.

Are there any restrictions/limitation to making complex objects this way?

Posted By: Raph Wlodarczyk on Aug 27, 2008 10:18PM

Perfect! That's what I was hoping.

Are there any restrictions/limitation to making complex objects this way?

Posted By: Raph Wlodarczyk on Aug 27, 2008 10:31PM

No, you can group as many objects as you want.

If the shape of the final object will become too complicate and the effort to design it with Front Panel Designer would be too big, you can also send us a dxf file. We can import the contour for a small additional one-time charge (usually $15 to $30) on your panel.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 11:11PM

Hi Jeff,

Both file types will work fine. The difference is in some additional information about line thicknesses given in HPGL2 for plotters. The thickness of engraving lines can be selected by tool choice in the HPGL properties in Front Panel Designer so that the extra information coming with HPGL2 is not needed.

PLT is the file extension for HPGLs and the export from Autocad will work fine.

Please keep in mind that in Front Panel Designer imported HPGLs can be only used for engravings. All drilled holes, cutouts and cavities need to be designed with Front Panel Designer. Reason is the missing information in Z (depth of objects) because of 2D drawings (important for countersinks or threads and depth of cavities).

More information about HPGL import can be found in our Tips & Tricks section, Tips for generating HPGL files for logos or other engravings

Regards,

Diane

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 08:08AM

If set to cutter, does that mean it cuts completely thru?

No, it doesn't cut through. All hpgl imports are engravings with the same depth of .016", no matter which tool was selected.

But there is an option to get it to cut through.

Add a note for us in the 'Remark Box' in 'Front Panel Properties'. We can reprogram the depth for a small additional fee (usually about $20). Please make sure you use at least the 1mm tool for your contour.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 31, 2008 01:14AM

Diane,

Does the option to have an HPGL engraving cut clear through still valid if a 1mm or larger cutting tool spec'ed? And if so, is it still an extra $20 per panel?

I have an enclosure project coming up that this would be ideal for.

Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 19, 2012 06:57PM

We made a couple of improvements in Front Panel Designer since I answered this in 2008.

You can now import dxf files in addition to hpgl files. The hpgl format is still valid for engravings and the newer dxf format can be used for cutouts and cavities. The latter offers 1mm as the smallest cutting tool.

No additional charges apply since we no longer need to modify the mill program. All machining information comes with your design file.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 24, 2012 01:58AM

Hi Diane,

Can I still use an HPGL instead of the DXF for cutting designs clear through as was done in 2008?

I have tried importing a DXF version and keep getting errors about my file. I think it is because my graphic is not composed of closed contours and instead is made up of a series of lines, many of which cross over each other.

Anyway I am quite happy with what the HPGL graphic looks like, and the cutter tool sizes available are perfectly good for what I need. So can I still use the HPGL method, and specify a clear through cut be made?

Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 26, 2012 01:07AM

Hi Michael,

The "old" hpgl way does of course still work. However, you got me now curious why the dxf doesn't work in Front Panel Designer. I would like to check out if the program caused the problem.

I am happy to have a look and clean up the dxf for you if needed. Can you please email me your fpd file with the hpgl to info@frontpanelexpress.com?

Thank you,

Diane

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 27, 2012 01:38AM

Hi Diane,

I sent you my files a few days back. No sweat over the DXF import problem as far as I'm concerned. So long as the old way still works, that's fine by me.

However if a potential bug in the program can be fixed, so much the better for everyone.

Speaking of the program, I am using the Linux version and I've got to say other than this minor problem with the DXF import, it has worked like a charm.

Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 29, 2012 06:26PM

Hi Michael,

I got your files, thank you.

After looking at your files I can say it is not a bug. You are challenging the capability of Front Panel Designer with your design :-)

The dxf import needs closed contours and can't deal with groups of lines. I would like to discuss this with our IT department. Please use the "old hpgl way" in the meantime and leave us a note to cut all the way through the panel.

I am glad the Linux version works well for you.

Thank you again for your feedback. It helps tremendously to improve Front Panel Designer.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 03, 2012 01:56AM

It would seem like the HPGL method still has some advantages over the DXF import for contour cutting. Perhaps the option of cutting clear through can be added as a choice in the "pen color" selection box for the HPGL engraving.

If nothing else, this would make for automatic machine setup and price adjustment, and probably be more clear then putting a note in the remarks box.

Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Aug 09, 2012 07:39AM

Just a quick update.

I got the latest developer version that allows dxf contours with open contours (lines, arcs, etc.) in the machining code.

Next step is to implement it in Front Panel Designer to make it available to our customers. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 11, 2012 01:08AM

Just a quick update.

I got the latest developer version that allows dxf contours with open contours (lines, arcs, etc.) in the machining code.

Next step is to implement it in Front Panel Designer to make it available to our customers. I will keep you posted on the progress.

If you think this will be available fairly soon, perhaps I'll hold off on ordering my enclosure panel set and give this a try.

Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Aug 17, 2012 06:39AM

Probably not in the next update. There are still a few issues we need to figure out.

I would say the hpgl method is the one to go for now.

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 17, 2012 10:05PM

Just place the order with our program and add the confirmation (reference) number to your panels when sending to us.

If you want to send the panels before placing the order, we can also match order files and material with your address. A CD is not necessary.

Best regards

Diane

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 28, 2008 09:29PM

We do not do any bending at our facility. We just manufacture the flat panels.

But if you like to consider a thicker material, e.g. 6mm, we can tap the side edges. Or you can use one of our extrusions (more here)

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jun 13, 2008 06:37PM