I have built every panel in my boat and it is amazingly easy and you can design the panels however you like and in any color and.or texture you wish. I use a program called VISIO Pro to do my designs. But whatever program you have on your computer can be easily used. A simple supplied mere Paint type computer program will work.
A few things to remember designing any panel. And that is it is easy to place switches lights and meters or whatever you wish on the panels and make them look amazing, but you also have to make sure the back-side of the panel has the space for those items. A typical switch is a mere small spot opening on the front side of a panel, but it takes a lot more room on the back side.
Once you get your design laid out with the nomenclature or labels, then save it and take it to most any trophy shop around where you live and they can make it in any color or texture you like. It is that easy and limitless as well.
Here is my progression in pictures; The first three are the program design, the final on the computer and the first constructed panel. Likewise the fourth through the sixth is the same process. I like the brushed aluminum layout and that is what I picked for my panels. Hope this helps...
