Add Waffle-block style tabs, refactor tab and layout code

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # BoxMaker: A free tool for creating boxes using tabbed construction
 
-_version 0.94 - 5 Jan 2017_
+_version 0.96 - 24 Apr 2017_
 
 Original box maker by Elliot White - http://www.twot.eu/111000/111000.html
 Heavily modified by Paul Hutchison
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Heavily modified by Paul Hutchison
 ## Release Notes
  So far no serious bugs( i.e causing runtime errors ) have been found. The program works with python versions 2.6.5, 2.6.7 and 2.7.2, other version have not yet been tried except python 2.5.1 which fails with a syntax error.
 
-This version has been tried on windows XP, windows 7, Ubuntu and Mac OS X with no serious problems ( the live preview works most of the time but can be flaky).
+Version 0.94 has been tried on windows XP, windows 7, Ubuntu and Mac OS X with no serious problems ( the live preview works most of the time but can be flaky).
 
  Only crude input checking has been implemented in the program but as the only output is a drawing the worst that can happen is a messed up picture ( control-Z cures that problem ).
 
@@ -47,6 +47,17 @@ In order of appearance:
                                  equally into tabs and 'spaces' with the tabs size 
                                  greater or equal to the Tab Width setting
 
+* Tab Style - there are three styles of tabs avaiable:
+    * XY Symmetrix - each piece is symmetric in both the X and Y axes
+    * Rotate Symmetric ("waffle block") - each piece is symmetric under a 180-degree rotation
+      (and 90 degrees if that piece is square)
+    * Antisymmetric - tabs on opposite sides go in opposite directions
+
+* Tab Dimple Height - the height of the dimple to add to the side of each tab, 0 for no dimple
+
+* Tab Dimple Tip Width - the width of the tip of the dimple; dimples are trapezoid shaped with
+  45-degree sides; using a dimple tip width of 0 gives a triangular dimple
+
 * Material Thickness - as it says
 
 * Kerf - this is the width of the cut ( e.g for 3mm acrylic on an epilog cutter this is
@@ -55,13 +66,9 @@ In order of appearance:
 * Clearance - this value is subtracted from the kerf in cases where you deliberately want
              slightly slacker joints ( usually zero )
 
-* Layout/Style - { This is where additions/changes will most likely occur, also having a
-                problem with live preview: it is best to turn preview off when changing this 
-                setting }
-                this setting determines both the type of drawing produced and the way tabs
-                are used on the sides of pieces.
+* Layout - controls how the pieces are laid out in the drawing
 
-* Box style - this allows you to choose how many jointed sides you want. Options are:
+* Box Type - this allows you to choose how many jointed sides you want. Options are:
     * Fully enclosed (6 sides)
     * One side open (LxW) - one of the Length x Width panels will be omitted
     * Two sides open (LxW and LxH) - two adjacent panels will be omitted
@@ -72,8 +79,9 @@ In order of appearance:
 
 
 * Dividers (Length axis) - use this to create additional LxH panels that mount inside the box 
-						 along the length axis and have finger joints into the side panels
-						 and slots for Width dividers to slot into
+  along the length axis and have finger joints into the side panels
+  and slots for Width dividers to slot into
+    * Note: dividers only work properly when using XY-symetric tabs
 
 * Dividers (Width axis) - use this to create additional WxH panels that mount inside the box 
 						 along the width axis and have finger joints into the side panels
@@ -87,6 +95,8 @@ In order of appearance:
 
 * Space Between Parts - how far apart the pieces are in the drawing produced
 
+* Live Preview - you may need to turn this off when changing tab style, box type, or layout
+
 ## Use - Schroff enclosures
 
 Much the same as for regular enclosures, except some options are removed, and some others are added. If you're using Elby rails, all you'll need to do is specify:
@@ -122,3 +132,5 @@ version | Date | Notes
 0.93 | (21 Sept 2015) | Updated versioning to match original author's updated v0.91 plus adding my 0.02 
 0.93a | (21 Sept 2015) | Added hairline line thickness option for Epilog lasers
 0.94 | (4 Jan 2017) | Divider keying options
+0.95 | (20 Apr 2017) | Added optional dimples on tabs
+0.96 | (24 Apr 2017) | Orthogonalized box type, layout, tab style; added rotate-symmetric tabs

boxmaker.inx

@@ -28,6 +28,17 @@
     <_option value="1">Proportional</_option>
   </param>
 
+  <param name="tabstyle" type="optiongroup" _gui-text="Tab Style" appearance="minimal">
+    <_option value="0">XY Symmetric</_option>
+    <_option value="1">Rotate Symmetric</_option>
+    <_option value="2">Antisymmetric</_option>
+  </param>
+
+  <param name="dimpleheight" type="float" precision="2" min="0.0" max="10000.0"
+    _gui-text="Tab Dimple Height">0.0</param>
+  <param name="dimplelength" type="float" precision="2" min="0.0" max="10000.0"
+    _gui-text="Tab Dimple Tip Length">0.0</param>
+
   <param name="hairline" type="optiongroup" _gui-text="Line Thickness" appearance="minimal">
     <_option value="0">Default</_option>
     <_option value="1">Hairline (0.002" for Epilog)</_option>
@@ -37,11 +48,10 @@
   <param name="kerf" type="float" precision="3"  min="0.0" max="10000.0" _gui-text="Kerf (cut width)">0.1</param>
   <param name="clearance" type="float" precision="3"  min="0.0" max="10000.0" _gui-text="Joint clearance">0.01</param>
 
-  <param name="style" _gui-text="Layout/Style" type="optiongroup" appearance="minimal">
+  <param name="style" _gui-text="Layout" type="optiongroup" appearance="minimal">
     <option value="1">Diagramatic</option>
     <option value="2">3 piece</option>
     <option value="3">Inline(compact)</option>
-    <option value="4">Diag Alternate Tabs</option>
   </param>
 
   <param name="boxtype" _gui-text="Box Type" type="optiongroup" appearance="minimal">