Anyone need marking out templates for their enclosures?

[Beaker]

I've seen a few posts recently about templates for marking out hole positions on pedal enclosures.

Following a hint on FSB, I have found a great program that is amazingly simple to use (even for a computer Neanderthal like me),  and super accurate too. Simply specify the size of your enclosure using the drop-down boxes, then add your hole sizes in the required position. You can simply do this with your mouse, or by specifying the positions from a datum point. You can even add labels for your pot controls, or for the pedal name.

I was able to make half a dozen template layouts for various B and BB configurations in under half an hour!

I can't tell you the name of the program, as it is a proprietry program provided by a firm that will custom make rack mount face panels for you, to your own specs.

What I can tell you is that it for designing front panels. I hope that that is enough of a clue!

[Zanius]

Nice one, very handy!
 
The other day I was designing a decal and took me a few days to sort things out as I had no experience using design programs. And I thought maybe, there could be a database of ready decals for often-made effects for those who don't know or don't want to learn how to make one. If we can combine them with drilling templates it would be even better! What do you think?

[Beaker]

I'm pretty sure you can copy and paste the template onto your prefered graphic program, then overlay your decal design.

Chris - another hint - FPD.

And the company are in Germany.

[Chris60601]

LOL - Gotcha! Thank you sir! this will be handy

[Frank_NH]

Hmmm.  I don't use any design program!  I just cover the front and sides with regular masking tape, then use a drafters hole template and a ruler to mark out the desired positions for the pots, switch, LEDs, and jacks.  Then it's on to my drill press to drill the holes with a unibit.  I usually can have this all done in about a half hour or so.

The main thing I check over and over again in this process is the fit of the circuit board relative to the jacks.  Too many times, my input/output jacks have been uncomfortably close to the board, and I one case I had to scuttle the enclosure because I didn't check close enough (it was a PCB with board mounted pots).

BTW, while I do have all the holes sizes worked out beforehand I always check with the actual part (.e.g. input jack) to make sure the hole is large enough.

[Beaker]

I don't use a program either. As a toolmaker, measuring and marking out is second nature to me. Making jigs and templates is just part of the job. I made a bunch of templates from plastic card a while ago, just to speed things up a bit.

However not everyone finds it easy to get right, which is why I put this post up. This program is so easy to use, it's got to be a good thing for anyone who struggles with this.

[PedalPower]

Look into Inkscape...
https://inkscape.org/en/


Here are some handy vector renderings of commonly used parts.
http://www.ontheroadeffects.com/vectorpack/


One note on using Inkscape with EPS files.  For some reason it doesn't do this out of the box.  You need to download a program called ghost script and them setup an environment variable.  It's very easy to do and here is a tutorial on the process.  One thing to note, when the tutorial was written it was for version 9.14 so you'll want to change the path from “C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.14\bin;C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.14\lib” to “C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.16\bin;C:\Program Files\gs\gs9.16\lib” and you don't include the quotation marks.


http://clownfishcafe.blogspot.com/2014/05/importing-eps-files-into-inkscape.html

http://ghostscript.com/download/

Hope this helps...and the best part is that it's all legally free.

[vid.sicious]

I was just about to post about the Vector Pack, PedalPower! Hehe. The first couple of projects I did, I measured things out by hand and well, didn't work out too well with things being too close to each other or a slight misalignment here and there. But then I found the vector pack and combined it with my Photoshop skills.
Now my template technique is much more efficient and precise. I start out by putting parts out as if I was looking from the bottom of the enclosure to make sure all fits well, then create my drill template and lastly, align knobs and all on top of them to get my a blank template for any art I might want to put on it, Here are some examples:

http://imgur.com/a/BAFph

Then I print out the drill template and the picture out on a transparency paper, trim to size and get to work :)

[PedalPower]

Nice work.  Yeah, it definitely helps when you're trying to squeeze everything into a tight space.  

[Sensei Tim]

I use inkscape and that vector pack religiously!

from concept



to reality

[PedalPower]

Nice work!  It really is a great toolset for making a professional looking pedal. 

On Sep 24, 2015, at 12:14 PM, Sensei Tim [via Guitar FX Layouts] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I use inkscape and that vector pack religiously!

from concept



to reality

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[vid.sicious]

Careful though if you use pot condoms because the vector pack does not include them. I drilled out my 1590b for a fuzz factory ad my pots with condoms did not fit haha. Had to file down the lid screw shafts to make them fit haha. I think I'll update the vector pack slightly so this doesn't occure again.