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PANEL PRO
The following describes techniques used to create a DXF file that Panel Pro will use to
cut out an instrument panel. This assumes that the reader is already familiar with
AutoCAD and highlights techniques used with the Panel Pro.
The entities to be cut need to be on the desired layer, usually layer 2. Entities not
intended to be cut such as bezels or text notes should be on another layer.
IMPORTANT!
An efficient instrument panel drawing technique breaks a drawing into manageable
pieces. Draw each instrument cutout and save it in a convenient directory organized by
manufacturer. The same can be done with the drawing of the panel outline itself.
These drawings can then be combined at a later date to create whatever panel is
desired. The process to do this is open a new drawing, insert > block panel name.dxf
or dwg at 0,0. Then insert>block instrument names at wherever. Save the file as a
dwg. Then save as a dxf. See a later discussion on the save as procedures.
Drawing concepts:
The following describes the techniques used to hand draw an instrument. It is
presented to familiarize you with the techniques used to draw an instrument or other
cutout.
When actually preparing a panel to cut however, you should insert the instruments and
other cutouts as blocks either from the drawing library or if they are not in the library,
use the “new cutout” utilities in AvCAM. These tools will create a dxf file with only the
instrument entities in it. A typical instrument cutout can be made in about 15 seconds
using this method.
AutoCAD has the ability to “cut and paste”.
Avoid
using this technique for panel
drawings. AvCAM supports originally drawn and block type entities.
Some methods of drawing also make use of symbol libraries. This method is also not
supported.
The best place to start is by drawing a single instrument cutout, but first a couple of set
up items.
Open a new drawing using model space as opposed to paper space. The drawing
must be made in full size. Paper space is used to scale large objects for a given sheet
