Difference between revisions of "Creating a custom cutout for a connector"

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m (→‎Method 2: Creating objects in the Cutout Editor)
(→‎Create the connector cutout in the Face Editor)
 
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==Determine mounting specifications==
 
==Determine mounting specifications==
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#Determine the mounting specifications (mounting hole and cutout dimensions) for the connector.<br><br>[[File:sketch-customconnector.png|400px|thumb|center|Custom connector mounting specifications]]
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#Determine the mounting specifications (mounting hole and cutout dimensions) for the connector.
 +
#;[[File:sketch-customconnector.png|400px]]
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The cutout for the connector is 3.5" long and 2" high, and the mounting holes are 0.5" in diameter and are set 0.5" from the left and right edges of the connector cutout.
  
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==Draw Cutouts==
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==Create the connector cutout in the Face Editor==
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There are two methods to create a custom cutout in the Cutout Library.
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You can create cutouts directly in the Cutout Library, or create them in the Face Editor and then add them to the Library. This tutorial will create the cutout in the Face Editor.
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*Method 1: Grouping objects and adding to the Cutout Library
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#In the Face Editor, click the '''Grid Size''' [[File:Button-gridsize_NEW.png|30px]] button and set the grid to 0.25" x 0.25".
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*Method 2: Creating objects directly in the Cutout Editor
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#;[[File: connector_tutorial_1_-_grid_NEW.png]]
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#Click the '''Grid''' [[File:Button-togglegrid_NEW.png]] button. This displays the grid, and also causes objects to snap to the grid.
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#To draw the connector cutout, draw a rectangle (anywhere will do, but near the middle of the screen is easiest).
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#Click the '''Edit''' tool and, with the rectangle selected, in the Properties panel set '''Width''' to 3.5" and '''Height''' to 2.0".
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#;[[File: connector_tutorial_2_-_rectangle_NEW.png]]
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#To draw the mounting holes, draw a circle that snaps to the center of one edge, 0.5" from the edge.
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#Copy and paste the circle to the opposite side.
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#;[[File: connector_tutorial_3_-_holes_NEW.png]]
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#To check the measurements, click the '''Measure''' tool and measure from the center of the lefthand hole to the center of the righthand hole. The '''distance''' shown in the Properties panel should be 4.5", as indicated in the original drawing.
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#;[[File: connector_tutorial_4_-_measure_tool_NEW.png]]
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#When grouping objects, the origin of the first cutout you select becomes the origin of the group. If you draw an edit box around the objects, the first cutout and therefore the group origin will be random, but if you hold down <Shift> and select each cutout, the origin of the first cutout you select will be the group origin. To move the origin of the final cutout to a particular location, create a Construct circle over the point you wish to be the origin and choose it first when creating your group. In this tutorial, you will place the origin at the center of the final grouped cutout.
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#:*Choose the '''Construct''' mode.
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#:*Click the '''Circle''' tool and draw a circle anywhere on the canvas, but large enough so that it will stick out past the top and bottom of the rectangle, so that you will be able to select it later. (You need to do this because currently objects drawn in the Construct mode are not visible on top of other objects. This is a defect that will be fixed in an upcoming release.)
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#:[[File:connector_tutorial_construct1_NEW.png]]
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#:*Click the '''Edit''' tool.
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#:*Hold down the <Shift> key and click first the rectangle, then the construct circle.
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#:*Click the '''Align Centers of Objects Vertically''' button [[File: Button-align-centervert_NEW.png|30px]], then click the '''Align Centers of Objects Horizontally''' button [[File: Button-align-centerhoriz.png|30px]]. The construct circle is now centered in the rectangle.
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#:[[File:connector_tutorial_construct4.png]]
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#:*Click anywhere on the canvas (to clear the edit selections).
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#:*Hold down <Shift> key and select first the construct circle and then the rest of the cutouts.
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#:*Click the '''Group''' button in the Properties panel.
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#:[[File:connector_tutorial_final_group_NEW.png]]
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#:*Notice that the origin is now shown in the center of the group. The green construct circle will always be displayed with the cutout, but it will never interfere with anything.
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#Click the '''Add to Library''' button in the Properties panel.
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#In the Edit Properties dialog that opens, enter a '''Name''' for the cutout.
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#:'''Note''': If you wanted the cutout origin to be the lower left corner of the grouped cutout, you could change '''x offset''' and '''y offset''' to 0.
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#:[[File:connector_tutorial_6_-_Edit_Properties_dialog_NEW.png]]
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#Click '''OK'''.
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#:The connector cutout is now available in your '''personal library''' section of the Cutout Library, and can be added to any face.
  
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====Method 1: Grouping objects and adding to the Cutout Library====
 
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{{Procedure|
 
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#On the 3D View toolbar, click '''Edit Face''' [[File:button-editface.png|40px|bottom]], then click a face to edit.
 
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#In the '''Face Editor''' window that opens, create the cutouts required to mount the connector (such as port and mounting screw cutouts). Use the '''Grid''' or '''Measure''' tool to accurately place each cutout.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-ushape-customcutout.png|500px|thumb|center|Several cutouts created to mount a connector]]<br>
 
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#Select all the objects to include in your custom cutout.
 
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#On the '''Properties''' panel, click '''Group'''.  A bounding box is drawn around the objects and controls are added to the '''Properties''' panel for the group. The origin for the new group is based on the origin of the first object created in the group.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-ushape-customcutout-group.png|500px|thumb|center|Several cutouts selected and grouped]]<br>
 
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#On the '''Properties''' panel, click '''Add to Library'''. A dialog box opens.<br><br>[[File:dialogbox-addtolibrary.png|600px|thumb|center|Add To Library Dialog Box]]<br>
 
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#Enter a name for the group.
 
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#Leave the x and y offset values as is. The x, y offset defines the position of the bounding box corner relative to the group origin. The width and height define the bounding box size.
 
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#(Optional) Enter the '''Manufacturer''', '''Part Number''' and/or '''Description'''.
 
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#Click '''OK'''. Your custom cutout will now be included in the Cutout Library and the '''Cutout Library and Fasteners''' menu.
 
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}}
 
  
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====Method 2: Creating objects in the Cutout Editor====
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{{Procedure|
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'''See Also''':
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#On the 3D View toolbar, click '''Edit Face''' [[File:button-editface.png|40px|bottom]], then click a face to edit. The '''Face Editor''' window opens.
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*[[Creating_custom_vents|Creating custom slots]]
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#On the '''Cutout Library and Fasteners''' menu, click '''Cutout Library'''. The '''Library Manager''' dialog opens.<br><br>[[File:window-cutoutlibrary.png|500px|thumb|center|Cutout Library window]]<br>
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*[[Face_Editor#Solving_problems_with_merging_objects|Solving problems with merged objects]]
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#Click '''New Item'''. A dialog box opens.<br><br>[[File:dialogbox-cutoutlibrary-newitem.png|400px|thumb|center|New Item dialog box]]<br>
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*[[Creating_an_enclosure_to_mount_a_PCB|Creating an enclosure to mount a PCB]]
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#Enter a name for the cutout.
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*[http://www.protocase.com/products/mcf_custom_cutouts.php Sample custom cutouts to mount connectors, displays, switches, etcetera]
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#Enter the x and y offset values to position the bottom left corner of the bounding box relative to the origin. Entering an x value half of the Width and a y value half of the Height will place the origin in the centre of the bounding box.
 
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#Enter the Width and Height of the bounding box for your cutout. All your cutouts should fit within this bounding box area.
 
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#(Optional) Enter the '''Manufacturer''', '''Part Number''' and/or '''Description'''.
 
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#Create your cutouts using the drawing tools. You can also include silkscreen text and images.<br><br>[[File:window-cutouteditor-connector.png|500px|thumb|center|Creating a custom cutout in the Cutout Editor]]<br>
 
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#Click '''Accept & Close'''. [[File:button-acceptclose.png|40px|bottom]]<br>Your custom cutout will now be added to the bottom of the Cutout Library > Personal Items list.
 
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}}
 

Latest revision as of 12:35, 4 August 2017

Determine mounting specifications

  1. Determine the mounting specifications (mounting hole and cutout dimensions) for the connector.
    Sketch-customconnector.png

The cutout for the connector is 3.5" long and 2" high, and the mounting holes are 0.5" in diameter and are set 0.5" from the left and right edges of the connector cutout.

Create the connector cutout in the Face Editor

You can create cutouts directly in the Cutout Library, or create them in the Face Editor and then add them to the Library. This tutorial will create the cutout in the Face Editor.

  1. In the Face Editor, click the Grid Size Button-gridsize NEW.png button and set the grid to 0.25" x 0.25".
    Connector tutorial 1 - grid NEW.png
  2. Click the Grid Button-togglegrid NEW.png button. This displays the grid, and also causes objects to snap to the grid.
  3. To draw the connector cutout, draw a rectangle (anywhere will do, but near the middle of the screen is easiest).
  4. Click the Edit tool and, with the rectangle selected, in the Properties panel set Width to 3.5" and Height to 2.0".
    Connector tutorial 2 - rectangle NEW.png
  5. To draw the mounting holes, draw a circle that snaps to the center of one edge, 0.5" from the edge.
  6. Copy and paste the circle to the opposite side.
    Connector tutorial 3 - holes NEW.png
  7. To check the measurements, click the Measure tool and measure from the center of the lefthand hole to the center of the righthand hole. The distance shown in the Properties panel should be 4.5", as indicated in the original drawing.
    Connector tutorial 4 - measure tool NEW.png
  8. When grouping objects, the origin of the first cutout you select becomes the origin of the group. If you draw an edit box around the objects, the first cutout and therefore the group origin will be random, but if you hold down <Shift> and select each cutout, the origin of the first cutout you select will be the group origin. To move the origin of the final cutout to a particular location, create a Construct circle over the point you wish to be the origin and choose it first when creating your group. In this tutorial, you will place the origin at the center of the final grouped cutout.
    • Choose the Construct mode.
    • Click the Circle tool and draw a circle anywhere on the canvas, but large enough so that it will stick out past the top and bottom of the rectangle, so that you will be able to select it later. (You need to do this because currently objects drawn in the Construct mode are not visible on top of other objects. This is a defect that will be fixed in an upcoming release.)
    Connector tutorial construct1 NEW.png
    • Click the Edit tool.
    • Hold down the <Shift> key and click first the rectangle, then the construct circle.
    • Click the Align Centers of Objects Vertically button 30px, then click the Align Centers of Objects Horizontally button Button-align-centerhoriz.png. The construct circle is now centered in the rectangle.
    Connector tutorial construct4.png
    • Click anywhere on the canvas (to clear the edit selections).
    • Hold down <Shift> key and select first the construct circle and then the rest of the cutouts.
    • Click the Group button in the Properties panel.
    Connector tutorial final group NEW.png
    • Notice that the origin is now shown in the center of the group. The green construct circle will always be displayed with the cutout, but it will never interfere with anything.
  9. Click the Add to Library button in the Properties panel.
  10. In the Edit Properties dialog that opens, enter a Name for the cutout.
    Note: If you wanted the cutout origin to be the lower left corner of the grouped cutout, you could change x offset and y offset to 0.
    Connector tutorial 6 - Edit Properties dialog NEW.png
  11. Click OK.
    The connector cutout is now available in your personal library section of the Cutout Library, and can be added to any face.


See Also:

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