U-Shape Enclosure With Divider - template bugs

[Dan]

Hi, I love this software, and it works great for regular U-Shape Enclosures, but the U-Shape Enclosure With Divider template seems to have a lot of bugs.
System: Linux Mint 17 64-bit

To reproduce bugs:
1) Start ProtocaseDesigner and select "New File"
2) Select the "U-Shape with Divider" template (in the U-Shape Enclosures group)
3) Accept all defaults by clicking "OK"

Bugs:
1) U-shaped cover is missing all cover-fastening and divider-fastening screw holes
2) U-shaped cover has four unneeded and oddly-placed studs
3) Divider has no bend with fastening nuts at top

[Colin]

Hey Dan,

we really appreciate the kind words towards our software, thank you!

As for the bugs in the U-shape with designer, I am not able to reproduce these. The most likely cause is that you are running an older version of our software.

Here is a link to our most recent build:
http://protocasedesigner.com/RELEASE/pr ... ,16.tar.gz

Could you try running this version and let us know if you still encounter the bugs?

If this is not the right version for your OS, or if you have any other questions, feel free to email myself directly at cpoushay@protocase.com or our team (designer@protocase.com).

Thanks,
Colin

[Dan]

I'm running 4.5.2. The link you provided seems to refer to a 0 byte (size) file? Not working for me.

"U-Shape with Divider" not "U-Shape with Designer"

[Colin]

Hey Dan,

sorry about that, this link should be fine:

http://protocasedesigner.com/RELEASE/jd ... 16-x64.deb

I was able to recreate the bugs you mentioned in the 4.5.2 version, but they are fixed in this version (4.5.3).

Please let me know if you are still experiencing problems with the download/Protocase Designer.

Thanks,
Colin

[Dan]

Thanks, 4.5.3 fixed the missing screw holes and unnecessary studs issue.

I'm still frustrated that the divider is missing any bend at the top and any attachment at the top center. I think it would just flex back and forth too much for my application. Also, shouldn't the other two vertical faces have attachment points for their top centers too? All the other edge joints have center attachment points for (I presume) extra rigidity.

Is there a way for users to create/modify template files? It'd be cool if I could customize the template myself instead of asking someone else to do it. I spent a couple of hours reading the documentation and playing with the software without finding a software capability. I also tried opening the PDA file in a text editor with the idea of hand-modifying it, but it looked pretty daunting. Any thoughts?

[Colin]

Hey Dan,

Currently, there is no way to modify the templates in terms of adding bends/flanges other than hand-modifying them. Sorry for this inconvenience.

Our design team can definitely accommodate the changes you have mentioned. The best way to have your changes made would be to leave notes in the file.

For example, you wanted a bend/flange on the top side of the divider (so that the cover and the divider can be fastened together, I assume). This could be achieved by opening the divider face in the face editor, clicking the face (text area for entering the note will appear on the right side of the editor window), then creating a note with your directions (add a flange to the top side of the divider so that the cover can mount to the divider).

I think you have a good idea for our U-Shape with Divider template; the divider could have the option to have a flange at the top. I would like to incorporate this change as soon as we have the time available to update the template.

I appreciate the time you took to look into our software. Please feel free to let us know if you have any more requests or run into anymore difficulties, and we will address them as quickly as possible.

Colin