Front panel design tools / tips

I've found a very helpful local engraver who will work from DXF files.  I don't have anything suitable (Illustrator, AutoCAD, etc) but have Front Panel Designer 4.31 (for Macintosh) which will export DXF files

I've just started playing with FPD.  I've been using Sketchup a lot and find it great for mocking up things but it doesn't seem to support text objects on models, just text as labels.  Sketchup has some great tools, and simple guides, so I was expected FPD to be similar.  It's not…

Is there any way of creating guides in FPD?  Most holes, text, etc is aligned to a couple of lines on a panel but there seems to be no way to achieve this.  Any tips?

You can group objects & copy them but there seems to be no way to align them to the first group so you have to move each one individually, negating the benefit of the group

Is there any easy way to create radial markings round a hole for a pot?

Finally, is there a better tool than FPD on the Macintosh?

Nick Froome

Inkscape is free and very good. The raster to vector tool is excellent (a graphic designer friend thinks it's better than Illustrator's) and easy to use. I make a design in Photoshop at high res, import into Inkscape, and turn it into a vector. You can then export as a pdf, which most everyone will take.

Also, http://stiftsbogtrykkeriet.dk/~mcs/Scale.html

I gave up on FPD. Even if I got something close to what I wanted, the CAM software at the CNC shop could not open the "DXF" export file. That software has no problems opening DXFs from any other programs like autocad etc.

I finally just switched over to SolidWorks and the step files go right into GibbsCam and no issues.

Some interesting suggestions - many thanks.  There is a version of AutoCAD for Macintosh now - it's about £1000.  SolidWorks is probably as expensive - I can't find any prices online
DraftSight
http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight/download-draftsight/#

As it seems I can't use Sketchup - which would be my preferred way of doing the panels - I'll try doing the layout in Photoshop, exporting it and converting to a vector file

I will also look at the various Sketchup plugins.  Here are a few links:

http://help.sketchup.com/pt-BR/article/114272
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/sketchup/9hTGUNLpnfc
http://www.instructables.com/id/Converting-a-Google-Sketchup-Design-into-DXF-forma/step2/Convert-file-in-Raster-to-Vector/
http://www.instructables.com/id/SketchUp-Inkscape-and-Ponoko-Laser-Cutting/
http://code.google.com/p/sketchup-svg-outline-plugin/
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=47957

I am beginning to realise I am a big Sketchup fan!

Nick Froome