Front panels

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

Does anyone have any tips please on how to make 'pro' looking front panels.
I'm making 10-step sequencers in a 1U rack and a decent front panel is important as I intend to sell them.
These are CV/gate out and 1 to 10 steps, voltages on pots.

Thanks, John

slave to this · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:49 am Post subject:

i'd start here at the synth diy (if you haven't already gone this route). just by typing front panel, i receieved a bunch of hits.

http://search.retrosynth.com/synth-diy/index.html

these other two are more diyers that created some how to's that could be of use that i have found over time.

http://www.mikmo.dk/synthpanels.html

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/drill_howto.htm

hope this helps at least some.

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:03 am Post subject:

Here's the new artwork for my dual saphire flanger. The actual image is three times this resolution, and when I print it I'll turn off the "controls" layer and replace it with cross hairs for drilling. It's all done in photoshop. I'm going to print it onto Lazertran and then bake it onto the panel, which I'll paint yellow first. (guess where I got that idea from!)
I like doing it this way 'cos I can turn layers on and off, add effects, change fonts etc. and get a really good idea of what it will look like.
Any questions, you know where to find me. Smile

Front-Panel.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

59.37 KB

Viewed:

1608 Time(s)

zonkout · Joined: Oct 12, 2006 Posts: 33 Location: ozztin, teggsitz

I plan to use this method:
http://www.sdiy.org/xyzzy/panels/
http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-13993.html

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

Thanks guys, I'm going to try Lazertran

Any suggestions on layout s/ware ?

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

There are dedicated panel design programs, but I like Photoshop. Mostly because I've just gotten to the point where I know how to do what I want to do and I don't have time to learn another program. I also use Photoshop for image manipulation in general, and website design, so it makes sense for me to use it alot. Plus, Adobe just bought Macromedia, so I think we're all going to be using Photoshop (or something like it crossed with Flash) for a while yet.

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

Indeed, I use Paint Shop Pro.
I could use Visio as well, it has the symbols.
But I se PSP instead, because I'm happy with it for all my artwork, not just panels.

Mikmo · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject:

Check my site (mentioned above) www.mikmo.dk

I use a program called front designer (not to be confused with front panel designer)

It's really good

demo downloadable here www.abacom-online.de

bugbrand · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:34 am Post subject:

In the past I've used Front Panel Designer and then printed it to file (maybe by printing it as a pdf document - you can get a free demo software called Virtual PDF). This PDF can then be taken into Photoshop (or other editing software) for the final tweaks and whatnot.

Its a shame that the www.cncpanels.co.uk guy has had to stop doing his service 'cos it looked very good and well priced.

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

I've got Front panel designer but it's a bit much, all I want to do is lay out some pot dials and switch legends.
I could do that in Word or Paint Shop Pro or Visio.

All I need is the 'dials' images etc ... any ideas please ?

jksuperstar · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:21 am Post subject:

Do the dials really need to be fully labeled with a ring & numbers to scale? or will simple markers or numbers suffice (such as just labeling full swing and minimum)? Maybe add an extra marker for the midpoint, or wherever zero db is? That might end up with a cleaner looking panel, rather than printing & grahpics all over the place, which also probably has more chance of failure (during baking, transfer, etc). The kno

I think a lot of it depends on the size of knobs you use also (big old fashion style, or small ones).

fluxmonkey · Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 686 Location: cleve

Yorky · Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: Boston, UK

yes it's for a sequencer, so the dials do need a full set of numbers

bbob - many many thanks for that scale-o-matic link, it's just what I need

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:11 am Post subject:

For dials in Photoshop I just draw a line, and then copy it onto itself. Then I go into the rotate tool and set the centre of rotation in the middle of the line. Then rotate it in 30deg increments leaving a copy as you go. Then add a circular mask and wipe out the middle and the outside.
I know it sounds daunting, but you only need to do it once. You'll be surprised how professional it will look with only a minimum of practice.