Knowledgebase - Known Issues
The following issues might be encountered in the latest release.
Unable to export to STEP or IGES on Ubuntu
Some customers have experienced issues with exporting to STEP and IGES formats when using Ubuntu. We are working on a solution.
Imported STEP / IGES files missing features in Designer
The STEP and IGES export features are currently only suitable for archival purposes. They cannot currently be imported back into Designer and used as fully featured models. That ability is in development, and planned for the next release of Designer. Until then, if you have a STEP / IGES model that you would like to convert to a PDA, please contact your Account Manager or email info@protocase.com
Hanging splash screen on linux - Designer 4.7 not compatible with OpenJDK included in Ubuntu 18.04
Designer will not launch with the current version of OpenJDK. This may cause the splash screen to hang when attempting to load Designer. We suggest using the Oracle JDK with Designer.
Default Ubuntu 18.04 Driver issue
There is an issue in JOGL that prevents the loading of Designer 4.7 on Ubuntu 18.04 with the default Nouveau graphics drivers. You may need to use the drivers supplied by your graphics card manufacturer to use Designer.
Maximum Pocket Depth
In the new version of Designer, we have introduced the ability to add pockets. As a general rule, the maximum depth of a pocket for a given metal thickness is the (metal thickness - 0.06" (0.1524cm)).
Min Pocket Radius
There are limitations as to the pocket corner radius we can cut with certain tools. The following table outlines the min corner radius for a given depth of pocket.
| Depth Of Pocket | Min Corner Radius |
| Up to 0.47" | 0.016" |
| Up to 0.95" | 0.063" |
| Up to 1.875" | 0.125" |
| Up to 5.5" | 0.5" |
| Depth Of Pocket | Min Corner Radius |
| Up to 0.13" | 0.022" |
| Up to 0.188" | 0.032" |
| Up to 0.26" | 0.063" |
| Up to 0.5" | 0.094" |
| Up to 0.626" | 0.125" |
| Up to 1.0" | 0.188" |
Importing large SVG files
If importing a large SVG file, Designer may appear to freeze. Please be patient and give Designer time to process the file. We are working to add a status screen to provide better feedback when importing large files.
Issue when changing your home directory
In the latest version of Designer, there is an issue when changing your home directory to a root directory. (d:\, for example). This may cause Designer to freeze. Creating a directory off of the root and setting that to your home directory is the current workaround for that. This will be resolved in the next release of Designer.
Registration issue when registering for the first time
In the latest version of Designer, there is an issue that prevents registration information to be sent to our servers the first time you attempt to register. In this case you will not receive the confirmation email to activate your registration. We have a solution for this and it will be in the next release of Designer. If you experience this, please try registering once more, and if you still have trouble, please contact us at info@protocase.com.
Invalid Design Check on 5-sided Enclosures
In the latest version of Designer, there may be a design check thrown indicating a graphic can't be placed on the front or rear face of 5-sided enclosures. This is due to Designer incorrectly detecting the presence of wall mounts. This will be corrected in the next version of Designer. Until that version is released, please work with your Account Manager or email us at info@protocase.com to order or quote these enclosures.
Running Designer on Linux with MESA
While running Designer on a Linux virtual machine with the latest version of MESA, we encountered a glXCreatePbuffer error. This is due to an issue in the graphics library used in Designer. Until this is resolved, we do not recommend running Designer with this combination of software.
Cover on 5-sided enclosure may appear shifted on reload
In version 4.6.16, if seam weld is selected on a 5-sided enclosure with a one piece base, the cover may appear shifted from its origin when reloaded. This may cause confusion when trying to align objects on the cover. This will be corrected in version 4.7.
Consolet templates may cause Design Check issues
In version 4.6.16, when designing a consolet enclosure, the bottom screws may cause design check errors, even with default options. This will be resolved in the next version of Designer, but for now setting the base thickness greater then 0.060" (1.52mm) should avoid this issue. If you have trouble with this, please contact your account manager or email us at info@protocase.com.
Unable to change Silkscreen Colors Issue
In version 4.6.15, there is an issue that prevents users from changing the color of text after it is placed. Please download the latest version of Designer to resolve this issue.
Graphics Hardware warning
In version 4.6.14 there could be an issue that causes Designer to incorrectly detect that your graphics capabilities do not meet requirements. This has been fixed in 4.6.15. Please download the newest version of Designer to resolve this issue.
IGES Export
We have been seeing an issue where a Protocase Designer file exported as an IGES file is unable to be imported into SolidWorks 2018.
This has now been resolved in the latest Solidworks update (Service Pack 1). Note, the Enable 3D Interconnect setting must be enabled. This can be found under Tools->Options->Import->General
Connection Issues when quoting / ordering
Connection issues have been resolved in the 4.6.13 release, but if you encounter an issue, please refer to the FAQ entry - Error when trying to register in Protocase Designer
Line on 3D Editor
This has been corrected in 4.6.13, but if you see this, you can send your design to designersupport@protocase.com and we will remove it for you.
Windows 10
There was an issue in Windows 10 Tablet Mode that would cause the Protocase Designer Menu Bar to be hidden.
This has been resolved in the latest Windows 10 automatic update.
Image Load Error for .JPG files
Some .JPG files do not import with the Java tools used for Protocase Designer.
If you receive an error message ("Unable to load image...") when attempting to place a .JPG file on a face, we recommend that you convert the .JPG to a bitmap format, such as .PNG.
If for any reason you cannot save the .JPG as a bitmap, one program that works very well for converting images is ImageMagick, which is free and runs with Unix, Mac OS X, iOS, and Windows.
Offset Grid
If you enter an Offset Width and/or Height to the Grid Size and then use Snap to Grid, objects do not snap to the correct coordinates.
Warning for grained finishes
When part dimensions are too small for a grained finish, Designer issues a warning that you cannot use grained finish on galvanneal, even when the part is not galvanneal.
Ignore the warning, but ensure the minimum dimension for a grained finish is 3” x 5”.
Computer enclosure templates
The computer enclosure templates allow you to specify dimensions that are below the minimum sizes required to accommodate the cutouts or PEM layouts.
Copying/pasting text boxes and grouped cutouts
Copying/pasting a text box does not retain the rotation of the box, and copying/pasting a group of cutouts mirrors the parts.
Computer enclosure welding
In the ATX and Mini-ITX templates, both the Has Seam Welds and Has Tack Welds options can be selected. If both are selected, Protocase will perform only the seam welds.
5-sided enclosure welding
Designs using the 5-sided enclosure template do not include plug welding in the quote.
Importing graphics templates
When using the Import graphics template command, Designer displays silkscreen-related prompts even when the face (or default) is set to Direct Digital printing.
Loading times
On standard machines, complex templates (such as a 3-Piece Rackmount, Recessed Consolet, or Tiered Consolet) could take a little extra time to load,
as could complex PDAs when first loaded after installing a Designer upgrade. Each release includes incremental improvements to these loading times.
Trimming ellipses and circles
Ellipses and circles will not intersect in the Trim mode with elliptical arcs or other ellipses.
For example, if you draw an ellipse and then place a different shape on top of it, such as a rectangle or circle, there is no problem. But if you add an elliptical arc or another ellipse across the existing one, the objects cannot be trimmed or merged.
Mirror Y
When you click Mirror Y for an object (including text), the object does not stay in the exact same place, and you can get a Boundary Warning even if it is nowhere near a boundary. Until this is fixed, simply accept the placement, then move it back where you wanted.
L-shape and rackmount enclosures
L-shape and rackmount enclosure designs created before January 2013, when loaded into the current Designer version, might have offset cutouts. If you encounter this problem, please email the design file to designersupport@protocase.com stating the problem, and we will manually convert the file for you at no charge.
Loading personal cutouts
Cutout Library Manager > Create Sub Assembly: When loading an item you have created, it is not yet displayed in the 3D View.
Placing a PEM
When placing a PEM, if you click any tool, the items are placed and shown in the 3D View exactly as if you had clicked the Accept & Close button, but those items are not accepted, quoted or saved.
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