Re: gEDA-user:panel/case design

[John Dozsa <jdozsa@xxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 2005-06-04 at 19:55 -0400, Joel N. Weber II wrote:
> Are there any free tools that are helpful in designing cases or
> panels?  I think I'm basically looking for something that will let me
> lay out where a sheet of aluminum is going to have holes drilled or
> punched in it, as well as being able to lay out the silkscreen
> graphics.
> 
> Depending on what format vendors who offer this service want, I could
> imagine that PCB might well be able to generate the drilling
> instructions (although I'm not sure it represents non-square holes
> very well graphically), but I get the impression that pcb isn't really
> the right tool for making nice looking artwork for the silkscreening.
> 

Try <http://www.emachineshop.com/>  It's a free MS Windows download 3D
solid modeling program.  It's somewhat unique in that cost is a design
parameter.  Allows you to design and get a cost estimate on-line.  It
has a sheet metal design/bending module that allows design of "Bud" mini
box type cases. Since the program reads and writes dxf files designs can
be used wherever dxf files are accepted.

John