What to use to design the panel & case with?

[MEEF]

I've had an offer from a friend who can get me a CNC cut casing/panel but he seems to be quite unhelpful when it comes to telling me what software/file format i should be using for guy who will cut it. I thought that autocad would be fairly standard but ive no idea what CNC needs, does it need to be a specific program or could i even give him a handdrawn design on graph paper (id actually rather do this if auto cad is anything to go by, i used it at school but had a go recently & i cant remember anything & dont find it very intuitive)?

what do you do all your designs on?

[stryd_one]

The required file format will depend on the CNC machine. Most places take DXF, but that means nothing. Your friend will need to answer.

[dengel]

Meef, usually DXF will work. If you can get TWO panels cut (  ;) ) I'd be happy to work up a front panel for you based on your sketches. I would need EXACT dimensions for all the holes, though; These can be obtained from the data sheets of the switches,pots, encoders, and LEDs that you have decided to use.

[rambinator]

Yes, most cnc machines can somehow read autocad format. If not it should not be difficult to convert dxf or dwg

[MEEF]

hey thanks for the offer dengel, i'll ask my mate & see what i can do.