To start off with, draw on paper an outline of your panel. This is more a guide on what you can do with the software and how to get finished front panels for cheap. I'm not planning on showing you exactly how the software works. However you can print it as a layout (with drill holes) and/or a finished looking design. The software is free, easy to use and lets you design front panels (ultimately to be professionally made). The one I used for this project was Front Panel Express.
Just do a google search for free panel design software. There's a lot of free software out there.
