Galaxian Verticade Artwork Ideas

[roknrol]

Hi all,

I've been working on the ideas and all the various parts and pieces toward a Galaxian bartop for some time now. When looking through all the cabs and constructs on this site and others, I decided to build an homage to Galaxian using Koenigs' Verticade design (it looks pretty futuristic and alien). Somewhere along the line (I think it was opt2not's build), I ran across the Bertolino artwork for (I'm guessing) the European release of Galaxian. It's beautiful work, and what I intend to use as a base.

I'm working on the overall artwork design right now. I'm going to use the Bertolino marquee as-is, and I think I have a pretty good plan in mind for building a custom CP layout using elements from the Bertolino bezel and kickplate to assemble something to fit the cabinet.

However, the side art is where I could use some ideas or suggestions. I was originally planning on using the left and right side art as-is, but when test fitting it to the side of the Verticade it maybe gets a little "lost."

I don't think the white space at the top is such an issue, but should I create something for the area to the left? I was thinking I could take the green "border" outline rectangle from the marquee and replace the "Galaxian" text with an "alien bug" pulled from the kickplate along with a couple of explosions on a blue/orange gradient background ... but I don't know.

Then again, maybe I'm overthinking it and should just leave it as I have it mocked up below.

Thoughts appreciated!

[JDFan]

Perhaps warp the image so that it fits the profile better -- Something similar to this :

[404]

some inspiration perhaps?

[nitz]

Cool to see someone doing a Galaxian theme.    I love the artwork on Galaxian and while I think I like the Midway version just a little better, the Namco looks pretty cool too.

some inspiration perhaps?

I haven't seen that before, love that cabinet! Got a link to a build thread/blog?

[roknrol]

@ JDFan: I originally tried doing something similar, but wasn't liking the effect too much. I might try again, but a little less severe.

@ 404: Twice in one week, you've hooked me up! I'm not the most creative guy, but I can copy stuff real good.    One thing I really liked about the Bertolino artwork was that I considered it great as-is. (I'm not usually one to fix sumthin' that ain't broken.) But I have to say, a similar approach to modifying the original to better fit the shape of the verticade may be a really great avenue to pursue. Thanks for the inspiration! In fact, that CP is pretty close to what I was thinking.

@ nitz: I was going to ask 404 the same thing. If I'm gonna steal an idea, I'd love more inspiration! 

[JDFan]

I might just have to steal this idea if you don't mind -- Was trying to think of a theme for a Namco Pac Man Plug n Play 12 game unit I recently picked up and it has Galaxian as one of the 12 games so this would fit well !

Was thinking a weecade based bartop adjusted for the 13 inch TV I'll be using and really like the way the side art came out with some adjustments.

[Malenko]

that image warp looks TERRIBLE, please dont do that.  if you post up a template of your sides I can try to put something together for you.

[404]

@ 404: Twice in one week, you've hooked me up! I'm not the most creative guy, but I can copy stuff real good.    One thing I really liked about the Bertolino artwork was that I considered it great as-is. (I'm not usually one to fix sumthin' that ain't broken.) But I have to say, a similar approach to modifying the original to better fit the shape of the verticade may be a really great avenue to pursue. Thanks for the inspiration! In fact, that CP is pretty close to what I was thinking.

The next one will cost you 

[JDFan]

that image warp looks TERRIBLE, please dont do that.  if you post up a template of your sides I can try to put something together for you.

That is just a quick WIP image to show the concept -- If I do use it will spend more time getting it looking right (by using the original image and refitting rather than warping the pieces other than the outline.) Still have plenty of time while waiting for parts from China ! Here's a new version that I spent a bit more time on rather than just quickly warpiing the entire thing : (reduced in size for posting due to 2048Kb limit)

[Malenko]

its better but it still looks forced :/

[JDFan]

its better but it still looks forced :/

Made a few adjustments and the other side panel - will be making further adjustments but here's where it currently stands.

[nitz]

I found the site where the pic 404 posted came from by googling the image URL: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img542/6862/uxj6.jpg

It's an Italian forum that has a few more pics, though not a lot of details about the actual build.

[roknrol]

Made a few adjustments and the other side panel - will be making further adjustments but here's where it currently stands.

I think the perspective of the planet scene and main "bug ship" is pretty solid, but the stretching of the "Namco" at the bottom and "Galaxian" at the top is pushing it a little too far. Also, I think the middle is a little too busy. Maybe edit down to one galaxip, one intact bug, and a couple of explosions.

BTW: Does anyone happen to know the CMYK or RGB value for the Galaxian green t-molding? I have a sample (was planning on using the t-molding on the 3/4" sides), but doesn't seem to match up with any of the greens in the Bertolino side art. I was wanting to include a little bit of it as an accent color for consistency.

[JDFan]

Made a few adjustments and the other side panel - will be making further adjustments but here's where it currently stands.

I think the perspective of the planet scene and main "bug ship" is pretty solid, but the stretching of the "Namco" at the bottom and "Galaxian" at the top is pushing it a little too far. Also, I think the middle is a little too busy. Maybe edit down to one galaxip, one intact bug, and a couple of explosions.

BTW: Does anyone happen to know the CMYK or RGB value for the Galaxian green t-molding? I have a sample (was planning on using the t-molding on the 3/4" sides), but doesn't seem to match up with any of the greens in the Bertolino side art. I was wanting to include a little bit of it as an accent color for consistency.

Was thinking the same on both the texts  - already changed the Galaxian Print (also didn't like the arched text so straightened it back out ) - still a WIP but here is the latest version with the text change.  Also have the ships and explosions on separate layers so can play with the number\position of them easily (I agree currently there is too many)

EDIT : Fixed Namco Text on bottom and posted update pic.

Not sure what the green values are but taking a color sample of T-molding.coms pic of the color matched they sell comes up with R 131 G 232 B 74 or C 48% M 0 Y 94% K 0 (doubt that would be very accurate but if you have a sample handy might give you a starting point to test print !)

[Malenko]

looks WAY better. Id suggest making the Galaxian text smaller vertically and extending the line work up to it. still great job.

[JDFan]

looks WAY better. Id suggest making the Galaxian text smaller vertically and extending the line work up to it. still great job.

Yeah it's getting there -- You mean something like this :

[Malenko]

yup, maybe curve the lines to match the shape of the cab, but yeah the text looks infinitely better like that. 

[JDFan]

yup, maybe curve the lines to match the shape of the cab, but yeah the text looks infinitely better like that. 

Made them Curve to Shape and a few other adjustments. Here's the current version

[Malenko]

You get the Malenko seal of approval Thats how I would have done it 

[roknrol]

I found the site where the pic 404 posted came from by googling the image URL: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img542/6862/uxj6.jpg

It's an Italian forum that has a few more pics, though not a lot of details about the actual build.

I think it's Spanish. At least that's what language Google wanted to translate over for me. Very cool build. Loved the extra touch of the galaxian-themed speaker grilles and the three LED pinhole lights illuminating the CP.

I'd use my own words to describe it, but I don't think I can do better than Google Translate:

"... the effect of illumination on the panel is scrotumtightening well."

And, well, there you go. 

[JDFan]

BTW: Does anyone happen to know the CMYK or RGB value for the Galaxian green t-molding? I have a sample (was planning on using the t-molding on the 3/4" sides), but doesn't seem to match up with any of the greens in the Bertolino side art. I was wanting to include a little bit of it as an accent color for consistency.

Looked around a little and came across this artwork book for the original that lists the green in the mothership as Pantone 374 or DIC 90 -- My Photoshop shows Pantone 374 as R 143 G 212 B 0 and DIC 90 as R 170 G 211 B 82 -- so maybe try those also !!

[roknrol]

That's a great little resource! Is there any additional information regarding the original artwork? I was beginning to suspect that the artwork that I'm using as the "source" (from the vectorlib.free.fr library) was a little different than the original. The underside of the wings was where I was thinking of incorporating the same green as the t-molding.

As seen on opt2not's cab: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,86941.0.html

You can also see that his cab has the mothership body as blue -- and also same for the ground and frame surround.

Going by just eyeballing it on my monitor versus the t-molding sample, it looks like the Pantone 374 is the more accurate of the three readings.

[JDFan]

That's a great little resource! Is there any additional information regarding the original artwork? I was beginning to suspect that the artwork that I'm using as the "source" (from the vectorlib.free.fr library) was a little different than the original. The underside of the wings was where I was thinking of incorporating the same green as the t-molding.

As seen on opt2not's cab: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,86941.0.html

You can also see that his cab has the mothership body as blue -- and also same for the ground and frame surround.

Going by just eyeballing it on my monitor versus the t-molding sample, it looks like the Pantone 374 is the more accurate of the three readings.

Not sure as the pic was on a japanese blog ( http://ugsf-series.com/blog/?p=328 ) so using google to translate to english make it pretty hard to really get any other info ! Figure as long as you use the same color scheme for all of the pieces even if they are a bit off from the originals it should look good. 

[roknrol]

Oh heck, I thought you actually had that info in a book. 

[404]

I found the site where the pic 404 posted came from by googling the image URL: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img542/6862/uxj6.jpg

It's an Italian forum that has a few more pics, though not a lot of details about the actual build.

I think it's Spanish. At least that's what language Google wanted to translate over for me. Very cool build. Loved the extra touch of the galaxian-themed speaker grilles and the three LED pinhole lights illuminating the CP.

I'd use my own words to describe it, but I don't think I can do better than Google Translate:

"... the effect of illumination on the panel is scrotumtightening well."

And, well, there you go. 

It's Spanish actually. I am fluent in a few languages so i enjoy visiting lots of the other retro sites out there. You'd be amazed at how different the retro arcade gaming scene in general is in other countries. You can check out the showcase thread for the cab here

http://www.retrovicio.org/foro/showthread.php?26119-Taicade-Galaxian


The guy who made the build actually sells them so there isn't much around in terms of plans. However, the guy that made the artwork for him put up a sample and so i used that to make a template. I blew up the template and made some basic plans to accommodate a 24x48 inch cabaret side profile.

You guys already know how crappy my wood working skills are so i never made a repro of this cab. If any of you guys want to give it a shot, I can put up my basic side profile measurements.

[nitz]

I think it's Spanish. At least that's what language Google wanted to translate over for me.

It's Spanish actually.

Ok, I could have sworn it was Italian so I had to go back and check...yep it's Spanish. What threw me was the site I found it on had a .it domain, so I assumed Italian, and just hit google translate.

Anyway, that artwork is looking good JDFan. Wasn't sure how it would come out trying to conform it to those sides, but you pulled it off.

The guy who made the build actually sells them so there isn't much around in terms of plans. However, the guy that made the artwork for him put up a sample and so i used that to make a template. I blew up the template and made some basic plans to accommodate a 24x48 inch cabaret side profile.

You guys already know how crappy my wood working skills are so i never made a repro of this cab. If any of you guys want to give it a shot, I can put up my basic side profile measurements.

If you have it handy, I wouldn't mind seeing it, though if you have to go to any trouble, don't worry about it. My wood working is pretty crappy as well, but I've got it in my head that I really want to attempt a cabaret this summer, so I've been on the lookout for stuff I like and still trying to decide exactly what style I want to go with.

[roknrol]

I'm pretty set on using the Verticade profile. I wouldn't mind seeing anything else related to the artwork, though.

I took a look though the build thread, and it does show some good pictures of the CP artwork among other things. Still thinking through how to incorporate various pieces of the original artwork into the Verticade frame.

[JDFan]

I'm pretty set on using the Verticade profile. I wouldn't mind seeing anything else related to the artwork, though.

I took a look though the build thread, and it does show some good pictures of the CP artwork among other things. Still thinking through how to incorporate various pieces of the original artwork into the Verticade frame.

I can put together a copy similar to mine with the Verticade profile if you want -- Since I now have the layers setup of the various elements it is pretty easy to make some adjustments to change the shape. Something like this :

[404]

The guy who made the build actually sells them so there isn't much around in terms of plans. However, the guy that made the artwork for him put up a sample and so i used that to make a template. I blew up the template and made some basic plans to accommodate a 24x48 inch cabaret side profile.

You guys already know how crappy my wood working skills are so i never made a repro of this cab. If any of you guys want to give it a shot, I can put up my basic side profile measurements.

If you have it handy, I wouldn't mind seeing it, though if you have to go to any trouble, don't worry about it. My wood working is pretty crappy as well, but I've got it in my head that I really want to attempt a cabaret this summer, so I've been on the lookout for stuff I like and still trying to decide exactly what style I want to go with.

I forgot all about this. Here are the side profile dimensions i mocked up. I made a small change to accomidate as much cab onto a sheet of 24x49 sheet of mdf (as home depot sells 49inch slabs). In order to have more cab, i also cut off the bottom portion of the cabinet. This way i could also just use standard 1x4 or 1x6 wood for the bottom platform.

If you want to build one with the original, once piece recess at the bottom, the dimensions are 4" high and 1.75" deep from the bottom-front edge of the cabinet. Judging by the pics of his and customer cabinets, the cab normally uses a 19" LCD monitor at somewhere near 25" wide using two joysticks with 6 buttons each. I never got that far into calculating the radius of the front or the curved marquee. Those things are just going to have to be done using a little bit of ingenuity.

[nitz]

Cool man, that's helpful. Thanks.