Computer programs for creating graphics for panels

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Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by AB4D on August 14, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Have any of you used a computer program to create the panel graphics for your projects? I am looking for a program that can create near professional quality graphics onto paper stock. What do you suggest? Would something like Photo Shop be able to create quality graphics? I am trying to avoid dealing with outside companies like Front Panel Express to make the panel. 73 Jim

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by K8AC on August 15, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Take a look here http://www.k8ac.net/VFOPhotos.html and see what you think of the panel. It was made with OpenOffice Draw (totally free) and printed on photo paper. I printed the panel with an ink jet printer, let it dry 24 hrs, sprayed 3 coats of clear Krylon, then one coat of satin Krylon. The photo is then glued to the metal panel with Elmers spray-on glue. Here's another project I used the same approach with: http://www.k8ac.net/BalancedTuner.html I drill and cut the holes in the metal panel first, and after the photo is glued on, I trim the square holes with a razor blade, and the round ones with a very sharp hobby knife. To ensure that the panel holes line up with the photo, I lay the cut metal panel on a piece of paper, trace the edge, and outline the holes with a pencil. When I have the design done with Draw, I print samples on plain white paper and hold them up to the metal panel to make sure things are properly aligned.

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by AB4D on August 15, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Thank you for the response, your front panels look nice,it may be what I am looking for if it allows the user to draw lines and boxes in different colors. Thanks again. 73, Jim AB4D

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by VK2TIL on August 16, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I use MS Publisher; http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1200/photo018m.jpg Print on paper colour of your choice and laminate with Marbig Quick Laminate.

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by K8AC on August 17, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
The Marbig stuff isn't available here, but I've tried some clear stuff with an adhesive back with unsatisfactory results. Is the Marbig stuff applied with heat or just cold and do you roll it to get a good appearance?

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by VK2TIL on August 17, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
The Marbig stuff is dry-laminate; it has an adhesive. It gives a slight "diamond-dust" appearance that I quite like; it's regular and doesn't look like blotchy glue. Here are some examples; http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5834/exteriort.jpg http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6970/photoexterior.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9232/finalcase2.jpg

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by VK2TIL on August 18, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I didn't answer your specific questions clearly; sorry. No heat; you just peel-off the backing then press it on. Starting at one end and "rolling" it on avoids air bubbles but it's very forgiving. I rub it down hard with a wad of cloth or tissue. I glue the finished sheet to the panel (usually PCB) with UHU Stik office paste; this doesn't "bleed" through the paper. This is the Marbig product; http://www.marbig.com.au/products/Prod.aspx?P=14016341

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by KC9KEP on August 28, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I use CorelDraw graphics suite 12. 73

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by W0BTU on August 30, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
We use Photoshop to create a very professional looking label for a product that we manufacture and sell. It's printed on special paper, then heat-laminated between two sheets of special clear plastic made for the job. We then punch three holes in it and use a double-face tape dispenser to fasten it to the enclosure. You can see it at http://www.negativeiongenerators.com/iondetector.html ...but the photo doesn't do it justice. 73 Mike

RE: Computer programs for creating graphics for panels	Reply
by K7GLM on September 3, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
If you're looking for free, search for Paint.NET on the web. It's a very complete drawing program.

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