Enclosure design (templates etc..)

[illuminatiNPS]

hey guys,

  Just thought i would pick some brains on what you guys are using to design enclosure graphics. i currently have photoshop but was wondering if there are library's around with knob graphics(actual size) etc.. that i can drag in and use to set up a design for 1590 b and 1590bb. Just wanted to see what your guy's process was. Currently i use water slide decals and clear coat. Just need to keep the surface level though to avoid runs. let me know what you guys use.

[stevie1556]

I had a few of my boxes laser etched a while ago, and the place that did them couldn't get my files to work so they taught me the basics of CorelDRAW. I really like the guide lines that you can drag across to keep everything level.

When I design my labels, I don't use templates for the components, but I draw circles on where the knobs are so I know that none of the text/graphics will get covered up. I've got my own laser setup in my garage so I use that, I do 2 passes with it so it's a really clean etch and takes around 3 minutes per enclosure.

[Vlad123]

I also use CorelDRAW for desinging enclosure graphics. Thumbs up for laser etching, thats best way to label things, and it stays forever. The silk screen is also a great way for graphics(i think mxr does that), but you should put some clear coats over, for protection

[Groovenut]

One more vote for Coreldraw. Been using it since the late 80's. Works great (although I have had issues with it in Win10 not showing menus correctly) and provides industry standard file types.

[287m]

photoshop guy?
http://juansolo.co.uk/stompage/pstemplates/
thanks to him

[davent]

You want this.
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=47294

[cab42]

I use Gimp. Its free and there is a ton of tutorials, handy when you just are a casual user.

Thanks for the link, Dave. That was just what I needed.

[deadastronaut]

i use that vector pack always...

[Kipper4]

I'm using Coral draw too.
vector works for me.

[duck_arse]

I used corel many years ago. also fig and xfig, precursors to inkscape (which baffles me to the n^th degree, every single aspect). since many years now I've been using gimp, in linux, for anything graphic.

I looked at that vector pack, now have to ask "what do you do with it, and how do you?"

[davent]

I use the Vector pack with Inkscape just to get a better visual representation of what i'm trying to do. For the layout i use a CAD program then import the layout into Inkscape. I'll then import a Vector page with the bits i want and overlay the bits on my CAD drawing see if it's going to work for me, it's play time.
dave

[deadastronaut]

DA. the trick is to ""ungroup / seperate the vector pack  parts in inkscape, then regroup the part you need, then copy paste to your own dooby doo....project,,

thats how i use it...

that and a set of digi calipers to make your own enclosure "useable areas" and your sorted...