best way to design my pedal box graphics?? any software? need to do it to scale

[dimebagslash123]

any ideas? iv got all my stuff but when i print out my design on decal paper i want to make sure that my components i.e pots and switch isnt in the way so i want to design the front with locations for where my pots will be, any software that lets u do everything to scale?

[Ripthorn]

Sketchup has become popular around here.  I like to use AutoCAD, sometimes in conjunction with another graphics program.  Lots of ways to do it.  Photoshop is also popular.

[ianmgull]

I use GIMP. It's free and does the job.

[dimebagslash123]

thanks dudes

[Processaurus]

Illustrator is a little quirky at first, but would be good for what you want, you could even do mechanical layout (from strictly a top view, probably) by making shapes to represent pots and switches, and then hiding them for the final output.  Put drill marks in the graphics.  I know a great local luthier that Illustrator is the only mechanical drawing software he uses.

A semi lo fi way would be to scan your drilled box, then in photoshop make your graphics in a layer over that, and the graphics will match up with the holes perfect.

A $25 pair of digital calipers are a really great help too in layout and mechanical stuff in general.

[ralley]

I use Inkscape, it's free and vector based so things scale easily.  I think I've posted the various component and case outlines that I use on another thread here.

Rob.

[thereverend]

A semi lo fi way would be to scan your drilled box, then in photoshop make your graphics in a layer over that, and the graphics will match up with the holes perfect.

thats the way i do it. not the easiest way. i guess the easiest way would be some templates for photoshop but i never bothered searching for some.

[The French connection]

A semi lo fi way would be to scan your drilled box, then in photoshop make your graphics in a layer over that, and the graphics will match up with the holes perfect.

thats the way i do it. not the easiest way. i guess the easiest way would be some templates for photoshop but i never bothered searching for some.

+1
I do it that way too, but make the layout before, print a ''draft'' with ''crossmark'', drill the box and then scan it and readjust the labeling on the original layout. I use paint shop pro, and more rarely, photoshop when i need brush finish or more refine effect...and finish the layout in Microsoft Word.... Yep! Word.