Support Forum
-
Bugs in Mac FPD
Just wanted to pass along a few bugs that exist in the mac version of the FPD software. This is regarding version 4.11, the intel version, and I'm running it on a 2007 macbook running os x 10.6.7.
The mouse scroll wheel behavior is settable via the edit>settings>interface menu, but the setting does not stick outside of the current session as it should. Currently I need to reset this setting to my preferred setting - scroll wheel scrolling the file rather than zooming it - every time I run the software. There should be a way to make a users choice of this setting a default setting.
Changing the fill color in hpgl engravings doesn't change them - they always revert to whatever they were originally. I have to reopen the file in a windows based version of FPD to change it and have the change stick.
Ordering - currently there is no way to order more than one panel design in a single order. Although there are slots for this in the order window, there is no way (that I've found) of adding other panels.
Hopefully these can get passed on to whoever can fix these bugs - thanks!
Posted By: Stephen Drake on Apr 14, 2011 02:03AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Stephen,
Thank you for contacting us regarding these issues in the Mac version.
We will report them to our software designers so they can be addressed.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Apr 14, 2011 05:41PM
ReplyHello again Stephen,
We have heard back from our developers on these issues.
On the HPGL color issue, there is a workaround for now where you can hit return after making a color change to force it to stick.
On adding additional panels in the ordering program, there is a button in the upper left-hand corner with a blue "+" on it that allows you to add multiple panels to an order.
If you run into additional issues, please do not hesitate to inform us, as it is extremely helpful for us.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Apr 14, 2011 05:57PM
ReplyThanks - I had the "+" button pointed out to me by another of your staff - I had missed it somehow. For some reason on my computer the ordering window opens at the bottom of the page, and I need to scroll up to see that one row of stuff at the top.
Posted By: Stephen Drake on May 02, 2011 04:40AM
ReplyOn the HPGL color issue, there is a workaround for now where you can hit return after making a color change to force it to stick.
Maybe you could elaborate on this workaround? I can't get it to work.
Posted By: Stephen Drake on Jun 24, 2011 11:23PM
ReplyAlso, the insert macro feature does not work. Clicking the Macro button does not bring up the macro sidebar.
Ron
Posted By: Ron Lee on Mar 14, 2012 02:09PM
ReplyHello Ron,
Thank you for contacting us regarding this error.
We have informed our software development team to fix this issue for future releases.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Front Panel Express
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Mar 14, 2012 11:13PM
ReplyHello again Ron,
While looking into this issue, we discovered that the following information would be really helpful for us to replicate this problem:
1. Does this always happen, or did it work once and then stop working?
2. Which OS X version are you using?
We really appreciate your contribution to our software development.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Front Panel Express
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Mar 15, 2012 05:31PM
ReplyI'm having the same problem with Macro Objects.
When trying to insert a Macro object (K) the reference panel pops up and the cursor goes into cross hair mode, but when you click a small message window pops up:
----------------
Front Panel Designer Error
Please select the macro object you want to insert from the macro sidebar.
----------------
But there IS NO macro sidebar.
Also:
The drop down menu item check-mark under "View":"Macro Objects" cannot be deselected (and there is no Macro Panel).
This always happens now using version 4.14 of FPD, Intel.
I'm using Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L30)
Please help soon, and
Thank you very much!
Posted By: Joe Torre on Jun 29, 2012 04:32PM
Reply -
Beveled Oval Slot
I wish to make an oval shaped slot that has beveled edges. how can i do that?
So for example I want a .5" wide by 2" long oval slot with a 45 degree bevel on the inside edge. (not actual dimensions just for example)
Posted By: Dave Meyers on Apr 04, 2011 01:57AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Dave,
Thank you for contacting us with your question.
I sent you an e-mail today with the desired object. Essentially, I created the oval in a 3rd party CAD program, then imported it as a free contour.
The beveling is done by special request. Notes for this can be left in the Remarks for Production in the front panel properties, or in the Shipping and Other tab in the ordering program.
Do not hesitate to let us know if you have additional questions.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Apr 05, 2011 09:27PM
Reply -
Uncertain Thickness of Panel
I will be sending in my own panels for machining, however I am unsure as to how thick I should state they are in the FPE software.
The panels have "flanges" along their "circumference," used for mounting the side and top panels to the front and rear panels. Think of these as angle brackets which are permanently welded to the panel.
Further, the panels have actually been milled so that the bulk of the area is thinned out even further. This picture should (I hope) demonstrate what I mean:
All cutting would be in the thinned area only.
Given the thinned part is 4mm thick, the panel proper is 8mm thick, and the panel + flanges is 12mm high when laid on its back, which number should I put into the software?
I would guess 4mm, since this is the thickness to be cut. However, I am uncertain of how the cnc software actually works, if it is concerned with the thickness to be cut, or the total height of the total piece of metal.
I hope this all makes sense, it is rather confusing :( I am happy to clarify anything and everything.
Posted By: Douglas Krause on Apr 03, 2011 10:06PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Douglas,
Thank you for contacting us regarding your project.
You are quite correct, 4mm is the correct choice in this situation.
It is also worth mentioning that we verify all panel dimensions when we receive customer provided material, and we will adjust the thickness if necessary.
If we can be of any additional assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Apr 04, 2011 05:07PM
Reply -
White macro text is not visible in preview
I have several macros that I use quite often that are just text.
Part Number
Cage Code
Company Name
Serial #
The text is engraved with a white fill color.
Since the background color for the Macro Preview window is white, the macro is not visible in the preview, except the insertion points.
If text = white, then text in preview should = black.
Posted By: Terry Best on Mar 30, 2011 03:57PM Category: Whishes
Hello Terry,
Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.
I will report this to our software developers. I believe that when "Outline Mode" is selected in the View menu, the Macro Object view should also be in outline mode.
This mode turns all the engravings black, so there is no ambiguity between colors. I will also mention that the background color of the macro view could be changed to an off-white color.
Let us know if we can make any additional improvements.
Kindest Regards,
Paul
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Mar 30, 2011 06:20PM
Reply -
Selection line engraving
Hi,
How can I select a line engraving not by the middle but by the left ou right corner. It's for join two line with 90°
In the older release, it's is possible.
Thanks
Posted By: NOËL François on Mar 13, 2011 10:08AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Noel,
Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.
In our current release, there are eight small black squares available around the perimeter of a line engraving when it is selected.
The centered black boxes at the end of each line can be dragged to lengthen the line, while the entire line can be selected and dragged to move its position (much like what I believe you describe from our previous releases).
The important consideration is that in order to move the line and not adjust its length or angle, you must click and drag within the body of the line.
It is possible that I have misinterpreted your question, so please let me know if I can provide any additional assistance.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Mar 15, 2011 10:37PM
Reply -
Macro features
Hi,
We use Front Panel Express frequently across our offices and as such we have initiated a plan for a company library of approved components. Here is a list of issues we have come up with that prevent us from managing and organizing this "library" efficiently:
* re-organizing of Macro shapes: please add support for dragging/dropping shapes to re-organize the library file
* "smarter parts": a lot of components have minimum or maximum panel thickness spec's. Currently there is no way to document this in a macro shape except in the name. Ideally, the Macro part would automatically adjust the mill-out depth depending on the thickness of the panel that the part is dropped own on.
* overlay/outline: a lot of components have a flange or similar that won't be machined. Currently, to facilitate proper placement of such parts (for example MIL style connectors), we have added a (red colored) outline to the macro part. This allows us to better visualize and space components on the front panel while guaranteeing that we don't have colliding flanges/parts, but we have to manually go in and un-group all the Macro parts and manually delete these outlines before ordering. As mentioned in another recent thread, a document or non-design layer would be very helpful.
* more "property" fields for macro's. These would be stored with the shape but have no machining effect. A little side-bar could show this information, or maybe add the fields to the "object properties" view? Fields we want to see are: vendor, part#, revision, Comments/Notes with the last being a larger text box. This would to some degree alleviate the fact that the parts are not smart as we could type in min/max panel thicknesses in the part comment section.
I'm sure I/we will have more questions/comments and requests, but mainly the main thing we have issues with right now are all related to the Macro implementation and features that are missing in that. We hope to see these improved soon!
If I was not clear on certain things, let me know and I can clarify. If you disagree, I'm open to discussions, maybe there is a better way or a good reason not to do something?
Thanks for reading!
Kjell
Posted By: Kjell-Edmund Ims on Feb 24, 2011 07:11PM Category: Whishes
Hello Kjell,
Thank you for contacting us regarding our software.
I will forward your comments along to our design team. There has been a lot of interest in integrating a non-design layer into the software. For several of your requests, a non-design layer would be very helpful (component outline, part number, vendor, etc.).
The panel thickness issue with macros is one that is quite tough to tackle. While some datasheets specify different cutouts for different panel thicknesses, others simply have a maximum panel thickness. On top of that, a designer could use cavities in our software to mount components to panels that are thicker than a datahseet allows. I have brought this up several times, and work is in progress for additions to be added to a later release of Front Panel Designer.
Keep the suggestions coming, many of the features available in the most recent version of Front Panel Designer were added from user requests.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Feb 25, 2011 09:59PM
Reply
