Lexan and artwork with modular panels

[botez]

I'm just trying to get an idea if anyone who is using modular control panels has used lexan and/or artwork with their modules?  I'm trying to decide whether or not it's worth the effort involved?

Troy

[GGKoul]

How is your panel modular?  Do you replace the whole panel or just sections of it?

[DougHillman]

I'm in the process of designing some for my modular pieces right now.  My girlfriend is a graphic designer and is actually shouldering much of the difficult work.  

I think that the approach we're gonna end up with is specific graphics on each peice, like some sorta shapes around the controls, with a simple background design that will mate up on all the pieces no matter how they're arranged.  A grid pattern (which would require alot of careful aligning & trimming to make sure that the grid works on both sides of all prices) or some sorta basic line art such as you'd find on a Tron CP.

I'll post some design pics next time I have access to them.

I'm really planning on eschewing the lexan overlay alltogether and just using a heavyweight printed vinyl.  The edges of the lexan will be far too prominent.  I don't want my modular CP to scream "MODULAR CP!"

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm still in the design phase for my artwork.
Actually making the modules has been occupying most of my cabinet time.
The decided factors are that the modules will be painted flat black all the way around, and then have granite speckle paint across the front curved portion like my old swappable panels did.

For the overlay material, I will probably go with .010 backprinted frosted Lexan like this.
It is basically the same stuff that the older control panels were made out of, and holds up really well to all but intentional abuse.
I can do it at work, so the cost to me is the same for that as it would be for printed vinyl.
If I were paying for it, I'd probably have someone print vinyl, and then put a 2-mil polyester overlaminate on it.
The polyester (mylar) is relatively tough, chemical resistant, and thin.
I've never been a big fan of the 1/8" lexan over graphics style control panels found on the newer machines.

As far as my art concept goes, I'm planning to do a jigsaw puzzle motif.
I don't know how well the overall concept is going to work yet, but that seemed like the logical design to go with.
My original idea was to have the edges of each piece flow off to the others, to tie them together; but I think it's going to be easier to do each piece separately, and just have the CP look like 3-4 puzzles depending on which modules are installed.
I'm also thinking that having black edges to each overlay will help hide the fact that the CP isn't a single piece.

Alot of the final art will depend on how much time I decide to spend on the overlays vs. building new modules.
I will probably do temporary art (on mylar covered vinyl) to get by for awhile, before undertaking the larger project of the permanent art.
I've got the pictures of the finished project in my head; but they have always included a new cabinet to complement the puzzle motif, so I may put THAT ahead of this art project as well.