CorelDRAW faceplate layout

[mresistor]

I downloaded a trial copy of corelDraw x6 and have been trying to learn it, and it's really frustrating. Anyone here already have a faceplate
layout drawn-up in CD? I need to make a faceplate for the Baldwin PA guitar amp I'm making. Would have holes and text for input, volume, bass, treble, raw, power and power lamp. Dims are going to be 3" x 12".
My local guy needs it to be in ver. 12 or older though. Anything that would work with CD-12.

I'll keep pluggin along with CD but it will be some time before I'm able to say I know how to use it...   

[bluesbear]

I do mine with Adobe Illustrator. Sign shop computers usually have that program. I have them printed on the sticky-back plastic stuff that's meant for ads on cars. It's strong, water (beer) proof, and wears like iron. It also has the added advantage of being able to use white lettering, something I couldn't do with decals.
Dave

[JayB]

I'm pretty sure you can save it to any lower version within the save as dialog.

[bnwitt]

Use any vector drawing program you want (I use Visio)to create the plate, print it to PDF, open it with Corel Draw and save as Corel Draw version 11.  Boom! No Corel Draw learning curve and right to the engraver in a file he/she can use.

[daveyajd]

Here is something I just threw together in Inkscape. That is a great program btw. Don't know what you are going for but here is a file that should open in Corel. If you like it I can modify to suit you.

Aaron

[mresistor]

Hey guys - thanks for the help. Aaron that's a pretty cool plate, I think I'd prefer something other than 'Baldwin' on it (absolutely no offense intended) ... I mentioned to my local musical instrument purveyor downtown that I was deconstructing a Baldwin organ and he seemed oddly delighted by that..  LOL   They aren't Hammonds...   (doh)

[Boots Deville]

I do all my faceplates in CorelDraw 12.  Let me know how I can help. 

Attached is a pdf example of one that has similar controls as what you mention. 

[Ed_Chambley]

There is usually no problem with Corel and the learning curve is fairly short.  Industry standards in design dictate Adobe Illustrator.  While there are many commercial sign shops, engravers and printers who accept Corel, most simply like to get a vector based .eps file.  If the company you want to use prefers Corel, then by all means learn Corel.

Everyone here seems to like different programs, but all drawing programs are similar in nature.  This is what I do for a living.  I am an illustrator.  If I were going to learn a program it would be Adobe Illustrator, but some of the Visio files I have gotten from some of the others here are really nice as well.

The main thing with Corel is to study the properties pallet and type in your guides, do not try them by freehand.  Typing the values of the guides will place exact positions.  Set your page size, set your guides where they intersect at your exact drill holes.  After that it is just a matter of filling in the areas with the text and numbers you want for your knobs.

It is frustrating in the beginning, but it will not take you long.

[daveyajd]

No offense taken. You should be able to open either of the files that Boots or I attached in Corel. Then ungroup them and modify locations and text. Let me know if I can help.

Aaron

[mresistor]

will do, however, I am very slow right now due to work and family taking the majority of my time...

:-)