First build - Zelda Arcade - Need feedback / tips on Artwork

[djuret83]

Hi Guys!
So i've finally managed to come so far that I need to start thinking about the Maruqee and other Graphics. I do have an Idea of what I want to do.
Black-Yellow-Gold and Red will be the primary Colors for the arcade.

This is the Cabinet so far:



This is what I got in the Art direction so far, feel free to critizise and comment.

The Maruqee
This is my biggest concern. I have no idea if this will look good once it's on. Do I need more black, should I skip the two figures on the sides? add a Starsky? Ideas? Help =/


The Control Panel
Im using the front of "Hyrule Historia" for inspiration. Copied some arrows and styles to fit around the buttons. I think im going to add the corner pieces in order to frame everything.


The Admin Panel (Triforce) (Im wondering if i should skip the photos of the controllers), also nothing is centered or correctly scaled yet.


Others
Plan is to have a pattern / border (the one seen in the Hyrule Historia circle) that goes around the coinfront. Maybe have Zelda and Link down there. Same border pattern will frame the sideart.


I have the Sideart Decided
Adult Link Fighting
Baby Link holding a bomb


Any Comments Critizism is welcomed with open arms!

[djuret83]

And Instantly changed my mind and decied to go with these sidearts as the colors fit better.
Sand fight
Baby Link with Bomb

[bfauska]

I think it's looking nice.
I'd probably lose the characters on the side of the marquee.
I like the little images with the admin panel instruction card.

[yotsuya]

I'll start with a positive comment - I ***love*** the idea of the Tri-force buttons as your admin stuff.

But I would also really, really, really test those consoles you want to emulate on your arcade controls and make sure they play right for you before you invest too much time and money into it.

[a1pharm]

Marquee:
1. Get rid of the characters on the sides
2. Be creative in how you put LEDs behind the marquee (don't illuminate the whole thing, just the white text, and maybe Link to the right)

Control panel:
1. It looks good, pretty basic, but good.
2. Could you make the buttons be the "holes" in an ocarina?

Side art:
1. Make sure it still works when you cut it to the shape of the cab.

Admin panel:
Fantastic!  Don't change a thing!

 

[djuret83]

Marquee Update
OK Let's start with the Marquee.
Removed the Guys, added something on the left so it matches somewhat to the right side.
Also made the text a whole lot bigger.

Regarding Lighting the Marquee, the LED is already installed and is rather bright.
I think I'll be able to put in a piece of cardboard on the inside of the Marquee in order to control how the lighting.


I'll continue to work with the CP now.

[djuret83]

Or this

[yotsuya]

I'd get rid of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator text. Zelda's a console game, so it just seems off to me.

[bfauska]

I agree with the instinct to balance the image but I think the choice of the random rock texture on the left side doesn't really work. It makes me spend time trying to figure out what it is supposed to be when the focus should be on the words, or maybe link.
I kind of like the idea of mentioning that it's a MAME machine somehow but I don't know if the current way is it. I usually don't like the word MAME on the marquees but in this case I almost think it's important because it isn't a Zelda cabinet, there is no Zelda cabinet, it's a MAME cabinet with a Zelda theme.

[yotsuya]

 It's clear by looking at it that it is what it is. You don't see "Dodge Charger Truck" on the back of a vehicle, do you?

[a1pharm]

Replace the MAME text with:

"A Link to Games Past"

Kind of get's the point across without getting all MAME-y

As for balancing the left side of the marquee:
1. Don't do it
2. Leave it unbalanced OR leave it unbalanced and move the text to the left a bit to "match" the asymmetry

You're SOOOO close!  Nice work!

 

[yotsuya]

Replace the MAME text with:

"A Link to Games Past"

Kind of get's the point across without getting all MAME-y

That's a GREAT idea, a1pharm. 

[bfauska]

Replace the MAME text with:

"A Link to Games Past"

Kind of get's the point across without getting all MAME-y

As for balancing the left side of the marquee:
1. Don't do it
2. Leave it unbalanced OR leave it unbalanced and move the text to the left a bit to "match" the asymmetry

You're SOOOO close!  Nice work!

 

Yup. Good call.

I know you don't see "truck" on the back of a truck, but that's because you are looking at a truck. This isn't a Zelda game so I thought some reference to what it IS would be nice.

The tag line solution is a good one (of course I'm biased, I just realized my marquee says nothing about MAME, looks like it could be a game title but isn't, and has a tagline that say "bringing arcade classics back to life".

[yotsuya]

You're looking at an arcade cabinet,  regardless of theme. I doubt anyone would think otherwise.

The question really is, should you use a console theme on an arcade cabinet,  but we'll leave that unasked.  I like a1pharm's idea.

[djuret83]

"A Link to Games Past"

I really Like that! And now I have to reconsider if I should use the Link to the Past-style Logo.

[a1pharm]

"A Link to Games Past"

I really Like that! And now I have to reconsider if I should use the Link to the Past-style Logo.

I like this idea (not just because that was my favorite Zelda game either).

This cab is going to be slick...
 

[djuret83]

Kickplate / Coinmech art


CP


Admin panel


Maruqee.
Im thinking maybe less is more. Maybe it'll get too cluttered with anything else but the title...
What do you guys think? less is more?

[a1pharm]

I'm not a fan of that marquee.  More is more, this is 'murica (unless you're not in 'murica, but the rule still applies...)!

[Le Chuck]

The marquee should match the rest of the art, I mean, be in a similar style and telling the same story.  The Marquee is the face of your cab, it's what draws people in from a distance. 

I like what you're doing with the kickplate - but not if you do it as a vinyl print.  That should probably be stenciled, gold leafed if you're feeling totally froggy.  CP is alright but I'd lose the sword graphic as it conflict visually with the strong gold borders you're using.  Frankly I think that this should all be worn gold leaf on on aged wood.   

Then if you do that it opens up a lot of options for the marquee. 

[JDFan]

Maybe something like this to tie it in the with rest of the art

[djuret83]

Hi Guys thanks for the feedback,
I agree that I should probably add more of the elements used on the rest of the cab in the Marquee.

Maybe something like this to tie it in the with rest of the art

Im going to do something similar. Im thinking maybe I should remove the Link in a cave shilouette and instead have something else.

I like what you're doing with the kickplate - but not if you do it as a vinyl print.  That should probably be stenciled, gold leafed if you're feeling totally froggy.  CP is alright but I'd lose the sword graphic as it conflict visually with the strong gold borders you're using.  Frankly I think that this should all be worn gold leaf on on aged wood.   

Unfortunattely It's going to be a vinyl print. But im thinking I might be able to squeeze in some more artwork at the bottom of the kickplate.
Also maybe the border is a bit to wide - I should probably redesign the border so that it matches the width of the T-molding (19mm). That will probably make everything look better.

[djuret83]

Ok, Maruqee is coming together!
I figured I'd add a border to the Marquee just as JDFan and Le Chuck suggested.
What do we think of having MAME characters on the sides of the Marquee. - Bad guys on the left and good guys on the right. - Or will it get too cluttered?

Without Title. Just a Triforce


Glowing Triforce with cartoon chars.


Classic Zelda (I think this one's my fav)


The Legend of Zelda A Link to the past

[djuret83]

Without the characters

Classic


Triforce

[Le Chuck]

Dear mother of god without.  WITHOUT!

[djuret83]

Kickplate with border the same width as the T-molding
added graphics. (the kickplate is lit from the bottom of the CP).

[bfauska]

Dear mother of god without.  WITHOUT!

This.

Kickplate with border the same width as the T-molding
added graphics. (the kickplate is lit from the bottom of the CP).

Also without the graphics.

[djuret83]

Updated CP.

[BorgDog]

The Legend of Zelda A Link to the past

I like the text on this one better than the plain text, but without the sword and shield. And I'm with the rest, lose the characters, especially on the marquee

[a1pharm]

Dear mother of god without.  WITHOUT!

I threw up a little in my mouth!  Definitely WITHOUT the characters.

Among the remaining options, I like the Link to the Past logo best, but you know my bias is towards SNES.

[JDFan]

I'd agree without the characters - But I do kind of like the Triforce in the center. Perhaps something like this :

[EMDB]

I like this one the best:



The characters add to the Nintendo feeling. The marquees without them look kinda boring...

[horizon]

Without the characters

Classic

I feel like this keeps the theme running through the entire cab, from kick plate through the side art, and gives you some continuity.  I personally would avoid the nintendo characters.  You have an original (to me) concept and sooooo many people have character collages in various aspects of their cab builds.

[ChanceKJ]

Without the characters

Classic

I feel like this keeps the theme running through the entire cab, from kick plate through the side art, and gives you some continuity.  I personally would avoid the nintendo characters.  You have an original (to me) concept and sooooo many people have character collages in various aspects of their cab builds.

I really like this one.   Make sure you leave room for your marquee bracket!!

[Sig00]

The Maruqee

I love this cabinet, it's going to be great. Personally, I'm a fan of the original marquee. It could use some slight changes still, but I prefer it far over the newer ones you had made. Keep us updated on the progress, this cabinet is going to be great!

[djuret83]

Hi Guys thanks for the feedback!
I've made some additional progress with the rest of the cab,
* Glass-Bezel spray painted and fit in place.
* Ledblinky is working (some configuration needs to be made).

But back to the Graphics!
Im having some dificulties with the sides, Since i don't have proper measurments of the sides, It's going to be a 'swing and a miss' with creating the borders.
I tried photographing the sides, but the perspective makes it difficult. The cab always gets slightly distorted or tilted. And when i adjust anything - something else gets distorted - ending up in that I cannot trust that the curves are accurate.

What I actually need, is to scan the side of the arcade in order to get the proper measurments. - but i dont know how.

SO my alternative solutions are:

* Just put on sideart without the borders.

* Place a graphic on the side and then add a border on afterwards, overlapping the sideart.
I can do this by Creating a bunch of borders in different angles and then use the ones that fit. I can even photograph the angles and curves pretty close and make borders that'll fit quite well. The straight lines wont be a problem since I can measue them.

* I guess I might be able to use those parts i Photograph and maybe be able to build the side of the cab inside photoshop.

Any ideas? anyone had the same problem?

[a1pharm]

I've grappled with the same problem with my first cab.  You're right: taking pictures leads to perspective distortion.  I like your idea of scanning the side, but you'll probably have to buy a piece of hardware to do that (a "wand" scanner is what you'd be looking for, I think).  Perhaps another option that might work:

1. Make a scale model of your cab in Google Sketchup
2. Create a scale side panel pic in Sketchup
3. Print this "template" to ensure it lines up with your cab
4. Tweak your plan if you need to, print the  template as needed until you get it correct
5. Use this template to base your artwork off of

[djuret83]

I have an idea.
I'll take a large piece of paper (international A3) , but not too big so i can't scan it. and trace the contour of the curves of the arcade. That way I can put them in a scanner and get an accurate curve. Also i can draw 10 cm / 1 inch or something so when I scan it i have a scale.

And then I can just piece all the curves together in Photoshop.

[Vipercgr]

Love the graphics you are making.  What are the chances you would post or email the control panel one in an editable Photoshop format.  I am making a Zelda themed cabinet and have little photo shopping / graphic design skills.

Thanks in advance

[Malenko]

he hasnt logged in , in like 4 years, so unless you have a time machine you might be ---fouled up beyond all recognition---. Nice necro bump though.

[opt2not]

I swear, we need a forum rule about new members and necro bumping. This is getting out of hand.

[Vipercgr]

My bad, I didn't know people died 4 years after they posted things on this forum.  Better get my stuff in order and prepare for my end.

I just seen some cool designs and though maybe this person might still be on this site and see this and maybe help me out.  But I should have know that only the trolls were left here waiting for some person looking for help to pop up and be an a**hole too.  Good job guys.

PS I had to google Necro bump for the definition.  Makes sense though.

[Malenko]

When you try to bump an old thread you get a warning pop up saying the thread hasn't been posted in for 120 days ; you posting anyway makes you the ---uvula--- not me.  You can also see that the OP (original Poster) hasn't logged in for 4 years. Typically when someone is away for that long , its a 1 way trip.


While necro-bumping isn't against the rules, using asterisks instead of typing out ---uvula--- actually is. Its considered bypassing the curse word filter.  I'd help you but I dont know anything about art and Zelda was a terrible arcade game.