Introduction:  The instructions and video below show how-to create an E5-1a Exit Gore multi-panel sign in OpenRoads SignCAD.

The E5-1a sign shown below has three separate panels joined together into a multi-panel. Creating this exit gore number sign as a multi-panel makes it easier to align the text and arrow in the sign as well as maintain the equal left and right spacing on either side of the exit number when it is changed.

Step 1: Create the top panel.

a. Pick the Rectangular Panel tool and create the top panel using the values shown below. Left-click to place the rectangular panel on the workspace. Close the Rectangular Panel dialog.

b. Pick the Place Text tool. In the Place Text dialog, select Font: Highway E 2K, Size: 12. Click in the Place Text dialog and type EXIT.

c. In the Kerning Method drop-down, select Percent Spacing. Enter 225% for the spacing percent. Notice that the Actual Length value increases to 44.37. 

d. Press the Place Text button and position the text cross-hair over the top panel. Left-click to place EXIT on the panel. Close the Place Text dialog.

e. Select EXIT and pick Properties. In the Text Properties, click in the Alignment field and select the button with the three dots. Change the Alignment to Bottom, Center. Left-click in the Text Properties to accept the alignment changes.

Step 2: Create the left panel.

a. Pick the Rectangular Panel tool and create the left panel using the values shown below. Left-click to place the rectangular panel on the workspace. Close the Rectangular Panel dialog.

b. Pick the Place Text tool. In the Place Text dialog, select Font: Highway E 2K, Size: 18. Click in the Place Text dialog and type 44.

c. Press the Place Text button and position the text cross-hair over the left panel. Left-click to place 44 on the panel. Close the Place Text dialog.

d. Select 44 and in the Text Properties, click in the Spacing field and select the button with the three dots. Set the spacing as shown below. Left-click in the Spacing field to accept the spacing changes.

Step 3: Create the right panel.

a. Pick the Rectangular Panel tool and create the right panel using the values shown below. Left-click to place the rectangular panel on the workspace. Close the Rectangular Panel dialog.

b. Pick the Up Arrow tool. Set the Angle = 45, select Arrow size: 133 and Length = 30. Position the arrow cross-hair over the right panel and left-click to place. Close the Place Up Arrow dialog.

c. The sign details shown an arrow length = 29.25. Select the arrow and pick Properties. In the Up Arrow Properties, change the Custom Length = 29.25. Left-click in the Up Arrow Properties to accept the length change.

d. In the Up Arrow Properties, change the Spacing as shown below. Left-click in the Spacing field to accept the changes.

e.  Click in the Alignment field and select the button with the three dots. Change the Alignment to Top, Left. Left-click in the Up Arrow Properties to accept the alignment changes.

4. Check Panel Selection under the Panels group. Join the panels together to create a multi-panel. Select one of the panels and in the Rectangular Panel Properties, check the Edit MultiPanel box. Check the Dimension as Unit and Lock Arrangement boxes.

5. Save the file.