Guide to the Custom Plate Creator

DataPro Help > Guide to the Custom Plate Creator

Welcome!

DataPro's Online Plate Creator is an easy, flexible tool for creating a huge variety of custom wall plates, rack panels, interface panels, and more. Read on for a complete guide to its usage and functions!

1. Choosing your Base Plate
2. Adding Cutouts
3. Adding Couplers & Cables
4. Changing & Removing Items
5. Labeling
6. Saving & Ordering

1. Choosing your Base Plate

DataPro offers a wide variety of plate sizes and styles for customization. First choose a category, then select a plate by clicking on its icon.

Note: If you need a size or shape that's not listed, we can custom fabricate nearly anything as a custom panel.




When you choose a plate, the material selection area below will change to reflect that plate's available options. Materials that are able to be laser marked are signified by an orange banner.





As you proceed through the Plate Designer, the left sidebar will show your current plate, along with real-time pricing. At the bottom of the sidebar are the navigation buttons which allow you to move to the step, go a step, or from the beginning.

2. Adding Cutouts

On the right side of the screen is the cutout list. Click on a selection from the list, or enter a keyword in the search box. Beneath your blank plate you will find one or more buttons. Each button corresponds to a column of your plate; the wider your base plate, the more columns you will have available.

3. Adding Couplers & Cables

When a cutout is added to your plate, a menu will appear to the right and display a list of all couplers and panel-mount cables that are compatible with that cutout. If there are multiple lengths or colors for a cable, a dropdown list will allow you to make a selection.

If you do not want to add a cable or coupler at this time, click on the button at the bottom of the menu.

Note: Suggested products are based on the cutout type selected. For example, adding a "VGA" cutout will only show VGA cables, and adding an "RS232 Serial" cutout will only show 9-pin cables, even though they are both the same size and shape.

4. Changing & Removing Items

Moving & Removing Cutouts

Cutouts in a column appear in the order that they are added, but this order can be changed using the arrows under each cutout. and move the connector up or down, respectively. Note that to move a connector up or down an empty column, you must add "Blank" cutouts from the cutout list. To remove a connector, click the . To remove the cutout itself, click the one more time.

Changing a Cable or Coupler

To change the coupler or cable mounted in a specific cutout, click on is graphic. An orange border will indicate that it is selected, and a list of other compatible products will appear on the right. Clicking will remove the existing cable or connector, and replace it with the selected alternative.

Adding Cutouts Side-by-Side

To add cutouts side-by-side in a single column, add the left-most cutout as normal. Then select the next cutout. If the selected cutout is narrow enough to fit in the same column as the first one, an button will appear under the list. Click this button to add the selected cutout next to the previously-added one.

Note: Side-by-side cutouts in a single column act as one row: the arrows shift the entire row up or down; the button clears the whole row.

Spacing Out the Connectors

If you do not like the automatic spacing on your plate, you can influence the vertical placement of each cutout by adding "~Blank~" placeholders, which can be found in the list of cutouts. These empty spaces are added just like other cutouts, and can be moved up or down in the same fashion. The plate creator takes the blanks into consideration when calculating the automatic spacing, which allows you to offset the other cutouts to your liking.

Note: Blanks can also be inserted next to another cutout using the button. This can be used to push cutouts left and right.

5. Labeling

Labeling cutouts is possible on many plate finishes. The fields above and/or below the cutouts allow you to specify what text you would like marked in that space. There is a 20 character limit on each cutout.




Because the example plate has 3 rows of cutouts and one blank row, the labeling options are limited to below the cutouts. A plate this size with only 3 rows of cutouts will have the option of entering the label above or below the cutout. Once you move to the step, you will see the approximate size, font, and position that the labels will be (shown in the right image).

6. Saving & Ordering

On the final step, you will have a chance to review your complete plate. Underneath the plate is our default description; if you would like a custom name or description to appear on your order (and invoice), you may enter one here.



On the left sidebar you will see the price of your plate, and options to or . Adding the plate to your cart will also add all associated connectors or cables. Sharing your plate will generate a unique link that can be shared.