I have a question for all the art kings out here..

[walls83]

When Making a control panel overlay how do you make sure you have the right size, buttons are in the right place, and all of that kind of stuff..?  Is it just simple trial and error with measuring things or what.  I would really like to make myself a CP overlay but Im not real sure how to get started. Thanks Brad

[General Zod]

I second that !!

Also , in addition , what's the common DPI thats used in designing the layout? And, are there any problems with size adjustments when using photoshop, like the printed image not being the dimensions you entered in photoshop?

Thank you,

Michael

[GSXRMovistar]

Not sure if I'm missing the point here, but if your cp is 26x15" then create an image which is 26x15".  Set the DPI to the same as your intending on having it printed (eg. 300dpi), then as long as you mesaure the locations of your joysticks/buttons/etc correctly you will be able to copy this onto your cp image.

[DarkFOG]

If you haven't cut the holes in your control panel yet, you could alway do what I did:

I measured the buttons and joystick's holes and did a blank template of my CP in Photoshop, by creating a wire frame the size of my control panel and adding wire circles for the buttons and joysticks.

You will need to have 2 embedded circles for each buttons/joystick. One circle will represent the outer edge of the buttons(or joystick cover) where you know you will be able to align text near the buttons/joystick and the other one will represent the size of the hole you need to cut.

Thereafter you can print the empty template on regular paper (altho you will probably need to tape two sheet together to recreate the size of the CP), and tape it to the plexi and/or wood to use as the template for drilling the holes.

When you are ready to create your CP's artworks, just redraw in your photoshop template knowing that all the holes will be at the exact same place.

I even have my printed template under my plexi until I finish doing the real artwork. Mine looks something like this:

When Making a control panel overlay how do you make sure you have the right size, buttons are in the right place, and all of that kind of stuff..?  Is it just simple trial and error with measuring things or what.  I would really like to make myself a CP overlay but Im not real sure how to get started. Thanks Brad

[Frostillicus]

Do what GSXR says, and here's some additional tips that I use:

Don't drill any holes until you have the finished overlay in your hand, already printed.  layout all the buttons/joysticks/etc in the design, and when it's time to print, replace them with tiny crosshairs.  Then just lay the finished piece on the wood and drive an icepick through each crosshair, marking the wood/mdf/whatever with the correct placement.

Perfect layouts everytime

[Dr. J]

I used adobe photoshop and sized my artwork to the size of my cp.  Then I used the side and top rulers to line up any graphics or button placements.  It came out perfect.

Some people do the overlay first and then mark and drill the holes.