Support Forum

Note: I tried uninstalling the programl, rebooting, and then reinstalling...definitely still have the problem.

Further, the problem manifests in other files I open as well. Somehow my macro library is corrupted. Any fixes to this?

Thank-you,

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 18, 2010 08:56AM

Hello Mike,

Thank you for reporting this issue. Can you list the specifications of your computer, including hardware and operating system?

Also, which version of Front Panel Designer are you using?

Was the attempt to add a folder to the Macros menu done in the software or in the program directory itself?

Thanks for the additional information. We will attempt to recreate the issue if possible, and it will be reported either way.

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 20, 2010 06:37PM

Hi Paul, thank-you.

Computer: Win 7 x64, Core I7 920 processor

Front Panel software: 4.1

Method for adding folder: done in the software itself.

I get the error no matter what file I open, so I believe the program itself is corrupt somehow.

I did try uninstalling/reinstalling it, but that didn't help.

I have not touched the folders structure on the hard drive.

Glad to know this is not a rampant problem; any thoughts on a fix? If not, I can live with it; but it is annoying. It also has removed the Standard directory and all I have is the user directory.

Thanks,

mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 20, 2010 11:17PM

Update.

Simply uninstalling/reinstalling the program has not worked.

After many unsuccessful attempts to get this working again, here is what worked and finally fixed the problem:

1) I deleted the reference to my custom macro folder (Macro files option in the settings under Edit.)

2) Uninstalled the program

3) Removed all references to SchaefferAG in the registry

4) Deleted the whole Users/Username/AppData/Roaming/FrontDesign folder (which had contained the personal macros).

5) Reinstalled the program.

This worked.

When this corruption occurred, I was not doing any funny business; I simply tried to make my own folder for a macro, using the new folder button in the macros pane, and immediately all the trouble started.

Now, however, I am able to add my own categories without an error. I don't know why this occurred, but I trust you will log it and the fix in case this comes up again.

Thank-you,

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 21, 2010 10:47AM

Hello again Mike,

Thank you for following up on this problem; your complete report will be very helpful for our software developers.

If you right click on the "User" directory in the macro pane and select "Import Old Macros", are you able to bring your old macros back into the software?

I suspect there was just a small hiccup during the installation of the newest version of the software, and your efforts to clean out the original software version entirely allowed the new installation to perform as intended.

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 21, 2010 05:23PM

Hi Paul, it's a great suggestion.

I tried it, but the program doesn't "see" the file at all. It's sitting on my desktop, but it does not appear in the import list when I navigate to the desktop using the method you described. I suppose it must be corrupted somehow, as the message kept saying "Catergory Tree is Corrupted!" (misspelling is in the error message too! ;)

Anyway, thanks for the followup, and I'm just raiding my existing project to build up again the macro library.

Take care and stay warm and dry!!

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 21, 2010 10:14PM

Hello Mike,

Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.

We do actually have a way to adjust the nudge value. As a default, the nudge value is set equal to whatever you have the grid set to.

I would recommend turning your grid to "User" initially, then set the grid to 0.01mm. Next, turn the grid off. This will allow you the greatest nudging flexibility, and will be really helpful if you need to line up engraving objects or the edges of objects.

If you run into any issues getting this to work, please let me know and I can likely provide an alternate method.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 20, 2010 05:38PM

Hi, I can't seem to get it to set to .01mm. And I can't find a "user" mode.

I'm sure this is simple, but it doesn't seem to be in the settings menu. I am able to make the grid smaller, but when I set it to .01mm it then turns to 0.

Thank-you,

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 21, 2010 04:04AM

Hello again Mike,

On the very bottom portion of the main software window, you will see the box on the left that indicates the position of the mouse, then a box to select your units just to the right, then just to the right of that is a drop down box for the grid.

If you are unable to set the grid to 0.01mm, do your best to set the grid to the smallest value possible. Anything under 0.05mm should be helpful.

If the grid settings present an issue, you can always right click on an object and click "Move". Set the dX or dY to 0.01mm in whichever direction you need, then click OK. Click Ctrl+R to repeat the move, *nudging* the position of that object.

Hopefully these suggestions have been helpful.

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 21, 2010 05:30PM

Of course the suggestions are helpful! You de man!

Thank-you, I'll give it a shot.

Take care,

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 21, 2010 10:15PM

Hello Mike,

Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.

You can indeed combine simple shapes to make complex hole cutouts just as you say. Simply lay out the shapes on top of each other the way you need them, select them all (shift+left click each, or left click and draw a dashed box around them all), then group them together.

If this group is something you will use repeatedly, you can left click on the group and save it as a named macro file for use later.

Additionally, if you have third party CAD or graphics software, you can draw the shape you need as a DXF, then import it using the Insert -> Free Contour function built into the software.

If you need any assistance creating a custom shape, feel free to e-mail us for assistance.

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 20, 2010 05:26PM

Hi Paul, thanks for the info.

I understand how this could be used to make larger objects out of smaller ones...but how could I actually cut out material from, say a circle?

I want a circle, minus a rectangular tab for the keyway...If I just group them, how will the software know to keep the tab for the keyway, since both objects are "holes" or negative space?

Thank-you,

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 20, 2010 11:20PM

Hello again Mike,

In our Front Panel Designer, use the "Insert" drop down menu, then select "Macro Object". A menu will appear on the right pane of the main software window (or a pop-up will appear in older versions of our software).

If you open the Standard folder, then Switches and Buttons, you will see several keyed holes available for your use.

Again, you can also use a DXF as I mentioned earlier, since you have experience with graphics software.

If all of that is not working for you, let me know and I can also show you how to use three D-holes to make a pattern for a keyed switch.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 21, 2010 12:09AM

Great, thanks.

Stellar customer support!!

Unfortunately the dxf's I make in Corel and export arrive in front panel express distorted. They are out of round, and in some cases the size goes from 10mm to hundreds of mm's, just importing. I have no idea why. Just a standard export from Corel X5.

I will look into your suggestions.

I still think it would be great to have the feature to be able to combine shapes directly in fpe; this would also facilitate a faster library build-up for your client-base since it will be so much easier to do. Just my $.03.

Wanted to add: tried the D-hole; it fit my needs. Great,thx.

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 21, 2010 01:28AM

Hello Mike,

Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.

We have indeed received several suggestions about layers, especially for a layer that can be used for notes or references.

We are working hard to come up with a solution that does not alter the "what you see is what you get" principle behind our software, as "hiding" a layer of milled objects on a panel can lead to the designer forgetting they are there.

For now, if you complete a layer of objects and you want them out of the way, consider grouping them and using the "move" command to send them well off the panel vertically. Once you have finished each layer, you can bring them each back onto the panel before ordering.

Let us know if you have any other questions or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 17, 2010 06:29PM

HI Paul, it's a good point. A simple solution would be to implement the layers idea, and then if a layer is hidden present an alert to the user prior to ordering.

Additionally, you could keep a hidden layer very slightly visible, like 20% transparent. I'm sure there's a clever way to implement this.

Thanks for all you guys do.

Mike

Posted By: Mike Phillips on Dec 18, 2010 06:30AM

I'll second the lock feature for position and especially sizing. One slight accidental resize of my macro objects can ruin the whole panel.

Posted By: Curt Koopman on Jan 08, 2013 03:49PM

Hello Curt,

I definitely agree that a lock/layer feature would be very useful. But I don't understand what you mean by 'accidental resize'. How can Front Panel Designer support better in such a case?

Thank you,

Diane

Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jan 08, 2013 10:13PM

Accidental resizing would be if you select and resize the object by mistake. Shouldn't happen if you're careful but it can happen without locks/layers. More likely to occur is accidentally moving an object. Say an object is selected but out of view, if the arrow keys are pressed the object will move and you would not know it. I also don't like that you can save into a read-only file.

Posted By: ckoopman on Feb 13, 2013 05:11PM

Got my vote!

Posted By: R_Phoenix on Feb 16, 2013 05:02PM

Thank you ckoopman. Yes, accidental moving is a problem. And I like the read-only file idea.

Both goes on the IT wish list.

Thank you for your input.

Diane

Posted By: DianeHaensel on Feb 17, 2013 10:05PM

I would just like to add that I too would love to be able to lock objects from selection/moving. I have accidentally moved objects before and it's quite frustrating. Fortunately I draw all my panels in PowerCADD for Mac OS first, then redraw into FPE. If I accidentally move an object in FPE, I still have the locked object in PowerCADD for coordinate reference.

Posted By: Greg on Nov 21, 2016 02:12AM

Locking objects and lock origin would be very useful additions.

Posted By: Gary on Jun 30, 2017 05:16PM

Hello Peter,

Thank you for contacting us today regarding macro objects.

In order to view the individual items in a macro, you will want to right click on the macro placed on the panel, then click "Ungroup all groups".

Next, you can double click on any individual item to view its size or change its attributes (like perhaps to make the flanking drill holes larger or tapped holes).

Do be aware, however, that it is best to regroup the items before moving them around the panel after they have been ungrouped.

Let me know if you run into any additional issues.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 14, 2010 05:27PM

Hello Kim,

Thank you for contacting us about Front Panel Designer. The pricing issue you have discovered has been remedied in the newest version of our software, Front Panel Designer 4.11. (The correction was more to lower the price of the cavity instead of increasing the price of the blind hole)

Click on the photo below to see pricing for a 1.25" x 0.03" deep cavity and blind hole in FPD 4.11.

[img>http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4561/drillholecavity.png[/img>

There is no danger of using a blind hole instead of a cavity, just be sure to leave at least 0.5mm of material below the blind hole.

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 08, 2010 05:15PM

Thank you, I will download the latest version.

Posted By: Kim Beumer on Dec 08, 2010 08:44PM

I just downloaded the 4.11 version and it still has the price difference, $5.06 for the cavity and $3.04 for the blind hole. Is there a way to update the pricing file?

Posted By: Kim Beumer on Dec 09, 2010 01:26AM

Hello Kim,

You are correct, those two items are not properly aligned (I previously had not set the depth to 3mm).

I will report this to our software designers and we should see this issue corrected in the upcoming release.

For now feel free to use the drill hole and take advantage of the lower price!

Kindest Regards,

Paul Birkeland

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 09, 2010 01:48AM

I have another cost question. It appears that a hole plus a blind hole is a lot cheaper than a countersunk hole. Is this true and I am kinda curious as to the reason.

So when doing a countersunk hole are some configurations cheaper than others and if so which ones?

Kim

Posted By: Kim Beumer on Dec 12, 2010 07:30AM

Hello Kim,

You are indeed correct, there are major differences between the prices of counter-bores and countersinks.

In order to make an angled countersink, the milling tool has to make a great many small stepped passes to cut the conical shape. For a counter-bore (no steps), an end mill can make a few passes and cut the shape much more quickly.

If your project involves material 4mm or thicker, you can take advantage of this by using hardware like standard socket cap screws along with the through hole in a blind hole.

As always, let us know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 13, 2010 04:54PM

Paul,

I am sorry if I keep asking silly questions but where do I find the difference between counter-bore and countersinks in the software. Going through a number of different holes the trend seems to be that metric DIN74A is cheaper than ANSI 82 degrees for essentially the same hole while some manually controlled ones can be even cheaper than that (sometimes that is). Somehow I am not capable of finding any logic in the pricing structure.

Posted By: Kim Beumer on Dec 13, 2010 08:01PM

Hello again Kim,

A counter-bore is a countersink with a 180 degree head angle. There is no separate item for this type of countersink, but instead it is simply entered with manual parameters.

The DIN74A is cheaper to mill than the ANSI 82 degree countersink (assuming 3mm hole size) because the DIN74A requires less milling time.

Going too in-depth into how we calculate pricing would probably not make me very popular with our software developers.

If you would like to discuss it more in detail, feel free to give us a call.

Sincerely,

Paul Birkeland

Customer Service

206-768-0602

Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 14, 2010 05:23PM