Latest version very buggy

[Blackdog]

I'm having a major problem getting the latest version of Protocase Designer.
I cannot change the size of the panels or cases. It always reverts back to a size that it wants. This happens also if I try to change the size of a cut out.
I've also tried to import a dxf file to see if that would solve the issue. The software just hangs on a blank screen.
OS is Windows XP (all updates)

[dronne]

Version 4.2.13 had some major under-the-hood architectural improvements intended to make some future changes much easier. However, several bugs did slip through as a result. The problems re-sizing the cutouts for instance.

I am not aware of any trouble with the enclosures re-sizing themselves except when you ask for a size that is not allowed. Sheet metal manufacturing has a number of constraints, and if you try to size an enclosure to a set of dimensions we can't build, it does revert back. If you think this is not what is happening, can you tell me specifically which templates this is happening with and what sizes? (Such as Rackmount, 20" deep, 3U height).

DXF's are a whole issue in themselves. The dxf standard is large and variable. It often changes drastically year to year and not all software implements the standard correctly. So if you have trouble with a specific dxf cutout send the dxf file to info@protocase.com and say it cannot be imported into protocase designer. We will fix it and get back to you.

Finally, we are almost complete with a new set of changes to designer that fix most of the issues with 4.2.13. If you desire, you may download a pre-release version:

http://www.protocasedesigner.com/RELEAS ... -May4b.exe. It will be released as soon as we finish testing.

Sincerely,

[Blackdog]

I can understand the software not allowing something you can't build. However I'm referring to a panel 165mm x 51.5mm. As soon as I edit it and go back to 3D it resizes the panel to 4191.0 x 1308.1. Just a little bigger than I need.

[Blackdog]

Well, I installed the pre-release version from the link. Much better. I can resize, edit and see what I'm doing fairly well. However I did come across a couple of issues. Sometimes it's difficult to grip an object for editing. So basically you don't get the edit box. When it works it's fine, but a lot of clicking to get there. Also when doing a panel only, with rounded corners, the face edit screen does not render the part properly. It's quite distorted. All others work fine.
One thing I'd like to see is better font set up for silk screening. Particularly justification. When you put silk screen over a hole, it would be nice to center it without a lot of guesswork.

Thanks

[dronne]

The rounded corner panel is still being developed, I am encountering the same trouble with it you are.

When you say it is difficult to grip an object for editing, what exactly happens? Is it grabbing the resizing points instead? Or just not selecting the object when you click on it?

We will add more font stuff eventually, but for what you are after I think you can just use the alignment tools. Click first on the cutout you have placed, then hold shift and click on the text you have entered. Then on the right bar, towards the middle, there is an align centers vertically button. It looks like a few objects aligned along a vertical axis through their centers.

[Blackdog]

I figured out why I couldn't grip the part and get all the properties to come up. It was too small. It's a circle and all I could get was the change radius window. If I zoomed in, I get the position and diameter etc. It works fine. Just a matter of resolution I guess.
As for the alignment tools, works great thanks

[dronne]

Good to hear that.

If you have any suggestions on how the radius grabbing vs the circle grabbing should work when the object is small, please feel free to share them with me. I am not entirely happy with how it does work, but on the other hand I can't figure out a better way either.