Question:

How do I create an overlay sign panel in OpenRoads SignCAD for placement on another sign panel?

Answer:

Panels can be attached to other panels in OpenRoads SignCAD, but a panel cannot be placed into another panel unless it is made into an overlay object first.

1) Select the sign in OpenRoads SignCAD that will become the overlay object (hold the <ctrl> key and use the Select tool to window select the sign). In the image below, the yellow EXIT sign is a Standard Sign Panel which shows the panel selection box in the middle of the panel.  Signs created using the Rectangular Panel will show the selection boxes on each of the panel corners.

2) Pick File>Create Object. The object is the panel without dimensions.  Add a Description in the Object dialog box (ex: E11-1a) and press OK.

3) Add the overlay sign panel object to the main sign panel. The Description entered in the Object dialog box for the overlay sign panel object will display in the object list information below the sign.

4) Keep the original sign panel(s) with the dimensions in the same file as the main panel with the overlay sign panel objects. Once a sign panel is made into an object, then the sign panel dimensions are only visible in the Object View and Edit window.  Objects can not be converted back to sign panels.