I need software that would facilitate control panel design… What does everyone use?
Here’s what I want it to do. This is for a club layout so I need to be able to replicate the design multiple times. Optimally, once the design is finished I’d like to be able to print out the design to full scale on a plotter/cutter to make painting masks; as we use plexy and the design is painted on the underside. That also means the after the design is completed it would have to be able to be ‘reversed’…
I use MS Paint. I send it to a local print / copy shop to run it out on a decent laser, then laminate the printout onto a piece of cardboard, which then gets cut out to accept the switches and what not. Once assembled, the whole mess gets installed to the fascia.
Why not design the panel on you home computer using any of the available ‘paint/draw’ programs and print it out on heavy stock? Mount it behind the ‘plexi’ and be done with it. Masking/paint is ‘old school’ and so messy! My old Pre-DCC panels were Masonite with chart tape for the track diagram. My ‘new’ small turnout panels are printed on my color laser printer and sandwiched between 2 plexi panels - I built and wired them in one week-end. I spent 3 weeks building the 3 DC panels, and another 3 weeks of evening running 2000’ of wire!
I would skip the painting masks part and just use the computer print outs. If you get them done on a nice laser printer they will last a long time. I print mine on a color laser printer and place them between two pieces of 1/8" Lexan (polycarbonate) from Lowe’s. If you use a drill press (and sharp bits) to drill the holes you won’t have any problem what-so-ever with cracking. My panels ( 7 and counting) on my current layout are only 3"x8" as they are distributed around the layout and not in a central location. I have, however, used this technique on panels up to 18"x24" in size( for a club I belong to).
I use Microsoft PowerPoint for my designs. I cut the design out, Sandwich it between two pieces of 1/8" lexan, and use a squeeze clamp to hold the two pieces tightly together while I drill the mounting screw holes. I then put the screws thru (#2-56 machine screws) to hold the panel together while I drill the rest of the holes. I press my finger down right next to where the holes are drilled while drilling so I get a nice hole and don’t get any separation of the two pieces of lexan.I also start with a small drill and drill all the holes and work my way up to the larger sizes. I use a 1/16 bit (on all the black and white) to start then an 1/8" bit for the LED holes (black dots) and then a 17/64" bit ( for the large white dots) for the push-buttons/Switches.
More info on these can be found on my website here. I have posted the PowerPoint documents of my artwork.
One other suggestion- if you print it out on medium cardstock - or even just bright plain copy paper- get it laminated (try your local public school media center- if they are willing) at an OfficeDepot/FedExKinko’s/Staples services desk before placing it between plexi layers- the lamination will prevent humidity from damaging the sheet.
I have laminated signs in my workplace that have stood up to A/C power outs during FL summers with no problem- for years.
And- BE CREATIVE with your design- don’t be afraid to put your layout logo image on it!!!
