This command lets you insert a Horizontal Panel (or HPanel) into a drawing. A HPanel is drawn in a similar manner to a Poly and allows you to place horizontal sections that may form unusual shapes, which can represent benchtops or shelves for example.

 Watch the Video : A Minute with Mike on how to use the Horizontal Panel to create unusual shapes or benchtops.  You can also create for example, a border of a polyshape, for Export to DXF and then import this dxf file for reuse at a later time for machining.

Tutorial

In this tutorial we will create a shape for a skirting/capping profile using the Horizontal Panel Tool located on the Insert command tab.

Step 1 - Create Shape

To place simply select the tool and click the corner points on the plan view.

• You will usually want either Snap To Handle or Grid turned on while drawing HPanels.
• To aid in drawing straight lines, hold down the Shift key while clicking or use Movement commands for precise measurements.
• If you cross over or just incorrectly position any vertices, you can always drag them around after placement.
• You can further customise your shape, as per the following example, by making the corners rounded etc before saving.

Step 2 - Export to Profile

Once you the shape you want, right click and select the 'Export to Profile QPF...'

• the QPF file must be saved in one of the subfolders under Bitmap/Profiles/
  • this location and file name will be used when we create a jpg file in Step 3.

Step 3 - JPG Image

You will also need to create a .jpg image of the profile that you just created for CabMasterPro to display in the Drawing Properties.

• you can simply use the Snipping Tool  which is a utility provided with Windows, to grab a snip of the profile on your plan. 

Now you must save the .jpg in the same folder as the .QPF file saved in Step 2 with the same name.

Example 

Now you are free to make a new Moulding Material in the Materials Manager  that uses the new profile you have just created.

Video

A Minute with Mike : This video takes you on a fearless journey through the realm of horizontal panels. [2:06 mins]