FAQ - Revision history

Mrodden: Added Minimum System Requirements

2017-10-04T17:56:44Z

Added Minimum System Requirements

Jfinney: /* I get an error when trying to register in Protocase Designer */

2017-08-14T14:50:02Z

‎I get an error when trying to register in Protocase Designer

Jfinney at 13:46, 14 August 2017

2017-08-14T13:46:37Z

Jfinney: /* The basics */

2017-08-03T19:39:32Z

‎The basics

Dronne: /* Display questions */

2016-10-07T12:53:30Z

‎Display questions

Stownsend at 13:17, 28 April 2016

2016-04-28T13:17:47Z

Stownsend: /* I'm now using digital printing instead of silkscreening. How do I make digital my default method? */

2016-04-27T14:34:49Z

‎I'm now using digital printing instead of silkscreening. How do I make digital my default method?

Stownsend: /* On what side do I place self-clinching fasteners (PEMs)? */

2016-04-12T15:44:34Z

‎On what side do I place self-clinching fasteners (PEMs)?

Stownsend at 14:29, 23 February 2016

2016-02-23T14:29:52Z

Stownsend: /* Can I apply graphics to any face? */

2016-02-11T17:30:52Z

‎Can I apply graphics to any face?

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ==The basics==
 ===How do I get started with Protocase Designer?===
 For a description of Protocase Designer, who uses it, how it works, and how you can get started, see [http://protocasedesigner.com/learnmore.php Learn More]<br>

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 For a description of Protocase Designer, who uses it, how it works, and how you can get started, see [http://protocasedesigner.com/learnmore.php Learn More]<br>
 For a guide to installing Designer and a walk-through of its main features, see [[Quick_Start| '''Quick Start''']].<br>
-===I get an error when trying to register in Protocase Designer===
+===Why do I get an error when trying to register in Protocase Designer?===
 The most likely cause would be that you are on a network that uses a proxy server or firewall. If you are using a proxy server, configure Protocase Designer to use proxy settings. See [[Quick_Start#Installing_Protocase_Designer|'''installing Designer''']] for details.
 <br>
 If you are using a firewall, an exception for Protocase Designer should be added.
 ===My company computer accesses the Internet through a proxy server. Can I configure Designer to use the proxy settings?===
 Yes! See [[Quick_Start#Installing_Protocase_Designer|'''installing Designer''']] for details.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 For a description of Protocase Designer, who uses it, how it works, and how you can get started, see [http://protocasedesigner.com/learnmore.php Learn More]<br>
 For a guide to installing Designer and a walk-through of its main features, see [[Quick_Start| '''Quick Start''']].<br>
 ===My company computer accesses the Internet through a proxy server. Can I configure Designer to use the proxy settings?===
 Yes! See [[Quick_Start#Installing_Protocase_Designer|'''installing Designer''']] for details.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===How do I save a Designer file as a PDF or DXF?===
 Currently, the only conversion that can be done is manually, by our Engineering & Design Services team. If you order from us, we can provide you with any format you wish, or if you want it converted, we can do so for a small fee.
 <br><br>

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ===How do I zoom in the 3D View?===
 If your pointing device has a wheel, rotate it to zoom. If your pointing device does not have a wheel, open the Face Editor and use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons on the toolbar or the Zoom commands in the View menu. See [[3D_View_Window#Zooming| '''Zooming''']].
-===Why is nothing displayed when I launch Designer?===
+===The Software Hangs on the Splash Screen (Nothing displays in designer)===
-Upon launching Designer, if nothing is displayed in the window and there are random drawing errors when you move the window, upgrade your graphics card drivers (from the vendor's website).
+Upon launching Designer, if the splash screen appears and nothing is displayed in the window, your graphics cards don't support the OpenGL we use (version 2). Upgrade your graphics card drivers (from the vendor's website - amd, nvidia, or intel generally).
 ===Why are objects disappearing after I merge them?===
 If objects being trimmed and/or merged are very close to matching in size but are not perfectly matching, Designer can encounter redrawing issues that result in the cutouts disappearing and reappearing in the display. To avoid this problem, use the grid or specify object positions in the Properties panel to ensure perfect matches, as described in the topic on '''[[Creating_custom_vents | Creating custom vents]]'''. Or, to fix such problems while retaining inexact matches, trim all the segments that are causing the problems as described in '''[[Face_Editor#Solving_problems_with_merging_objects | Solving problems with merging objects]]'''. (Although the instructions in both topics use vent slots as an example, the same general methods apply to any merged cutout.)

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ===I'm now using digital printing instead of silkscreening. How do I make digital my default method?===
-In Version Oct22,15 digital print is the default printing method and a valid option for all graphics unless the image is over 46"x46" or is on a bare or grained finish. To check and set your own default printing method:
+In Version Oct22,15 digital print is the default printing method and a valid option for all graphics unless it is larger than 46"x46" or is on a bare or grained finish. To check and set your own default printing method:
 #In the 3D View or Face Editor, choose '''Edit''' > '''Preferences'''.
 #In '''Graphics Type''', click the down-arrow and select '''DIRECT_PRINTING''', '''SILKSCREENING''', or '''ASK''' from the list. (If you choose ASK, Designer will prompt you to choose the method each time you add graphics to a face.)

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 '''Notes''':<br>
 *The Face Editor toolbar is context-sensitive. If you are placing items on a panel, the buttons are labeled '''Front''' and '''Back'''. The buttons are labeled '''Inside''' and '''Outside''' for all enclosures except for the front panel of a rackmount enclosure.
-*If the PEM is a nut, usually nuts stick out a bit from the back of where you want to screw them in, so if you are screwing them in from the outside or front of the enclosure, you would place them on the inside or back. This is not required, but allows a flush connection. For details, see '''[[Selecting height of self-clinching fasteners based on material thickness]]''' in our [[Tutorials]].
+*If the PEM is a nut, usually nuts stick out a bit from the back of where you want to screw them in, so if you are screwing them in from the outside or front of the enclosure, you would place them on the inside or back, respectively. This is not required, but allows a flush connection. For details, see '''[[Selecting height of self-clinching fasteners based on material thickness]]''' in our [[Tutorials]].
 ===If a PEM is specified as 0.5” long, is this referenced to the outside or inside of the enclosure in which the PEM is placed?===
 All PEMs except concealed head fasteners and nuts are fully inserted into the hole, so if it is placed on the inside or back of the case, its size is referenced to the outside or front of the case. For example, if a PEM is 0.5" long, it will stick out 0.5" minus the thickness of the material.

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 Graphics cannot be applied to a face that has any part sticking up from its (exterior) plane, because it would interfere with the printing or silkscreening process. Sometimes faces are joined, such as these four faces of the cover of the Tiered Consolet. You cannot apply graphics on the faces indicated by yellow arrows, because each has an attached face that angles up from its (exterior) plane. The faces at each end of this cover can have graphics, because each attached face angles down, not up, from the face plane.<br>
 [[File:tiered_consolet_faces_noprint.png|200px]]<br>
-If you attempt to place graphics on such a face, you will receive a warning with the option to accept or reject the graphic. If you click '''Accept''', you are asked to contact our technicians, who will assess the face to see if they can cut it in two, print it as desired, then rejoin the pieces. You will be notified if it can be done and, if so, at what additional cost.
+If you attempt to place graphics on such a face, you will receive a warning with the option to accept or reject the graphic. If you click '''Accept''', you are asked to contact our technicians, who will assess the face to see if they can cut it in two, print it as desired, then rejoin the pieces. You will be notified if it can be done and, if so, at what additional cost.<br><br>
 ==Help questions==