Control Panel Overlay Request -- Will pay!

[sofakng]

I'm looking for a control panel overlay for my first arcade cabinet...  The cabinet won't be completed for another couple of weeks, but before I can build the control panel, I need an overlay.

My absolute favorite overlay can be seen here:
http://www.runriot.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arcade/images/ControlPanelRenderSolid.jpg

I'm using the exact same controls as him (the same number of blue buttons, black buttons, etc).  The only difference is I'm using a white trackball instead of a blue one.

Now, I'm also using the Project Arcade book (which uses LuSiD's plans), so my control panel is 34x15 (at least I'm almost positive).

Would anybody be interested in designing one for me?  I'd be willing to pay of course.

Also, I'm leaving for vacation early tomorrow so I won't be able to check for any replies, but *please* e-mail me at jmk396@psu.edu and I'll check it as soon as I come back.

Thanks in advance!

[SNAAAKE]

I will,check PM

[GSXRMovistar]

If you are gonna pay for that sort of artwork try not pay too much as mines going up on my website soon for download (free).

[SNAAAKE]

I cloned yours last night  
(nah its not finished yet still working on it)

Don't worry,I asked like next to nothing for the work.
I like messing with photoshop and try different kinds of things(learning purpose)

[Floyd10]

lol

[GSXRMovistar]

At least use a slighty different background image, there has to be about 50-100 different blue space images floating around on DeviantArt  

Btw, Snaaake you've got a PM

[big_garryb]

only thing is that you cant search on DeviantArt anymore unless you subscribe and pay at least $4.95 per month for access  

But i found a couple of good ones just spending a couple of hours looking - some great artwork onit!!!!

garry

[blue]

If you looking for great art work in DevArt take a look at computerologist his stuff is amazing! But i'd drop him a line as ask if it would be ok.

[SNAAAKE]

Yo uh..peep the final pic  

[SNAAAKE]

Messin with color

[Witchboard]

but before I can build the control panel, I need an overlay.

Do I just think backwards?  Why would you need a CPO before you build your CP?  I would think you would build your CP then design your CPO to fit.  

[pathdoc2]

I think it may easier to build a cab and and control panel using the  overlay as a template.  Just a thought.

[ThePaul]

but before I can build the control panel, I need an overlay.

Do I just think backwards?  Why would you need a CPO before you build your CP?  I would think you would build your CP then design your CPO to fit.  

I think I would have to agree with you. Using artwork as a template to cut wood seems like a good idea (and maybe it is if you are a good craftsman), but for me it is easier to adjust the artwork to fit the wood than vice verca...

[Sylentwulf]

Problem is, if you have the artwork, you make the CP so that everything WILL line up. If you make the CP, and then order the artwork, you won't know if it's exact until it's too late (what do you do when you have a mismatched artwork in your hand that you just spent $45 on?)

[Witchboard]

Okay, we must be thinking about two different things.  I'm talking about making my own CPO, not buying a pre-fabricated overlay.  I could see why you would wait if you were making, let's say a defender cab.  Maybe we're talking about people who don't design their control panels in Visio or something.  I use my Visio drawing in Illustrator to see where my controls are when I'm making my CPO.

[Sylentwulf]

No, we're talking about the same thing, but if you cut out your control panel, then get your artwork in, and find out that you cut that one button an eighth of an inch too far to the left, you're stuck with off-center artwork, or re-doing the entire control panel for that one eighth of an inch.

I just realized, I don't like typing eighth, is that spelled even right?

[Witchboard]

No, we're talking about the same thing, but if you cut out your control panel, then get your artwork in, and find out that you cut that one button an eighth of an inch too far to the left, you're stuck with off-center artwork, or re-doing the entire control panel for that one eighth of an inch.

I just realized, I don't like typing eighth, is that spelled even right?

I prefer to say, "1/8" so I don't have to worry about spelling.    Just seems backwards to me, but maybe I'll figure it out when I hit that part of my project.  I don't want to have to change my layout just to make a CPO work.

[krion]

I love the background of that CP.  Is there any chance someone could post just the background?  Really really appreciated, thanks

[cyberphox]

Cmon post it already!  

You've been moving and on hold since last October! Stop teasing us...lol...

If you are gonna pay for that sort of artwork try not pay too much as mines going up on my website soon for download (free).

[GSXRMovistar]

Well I move this Friday now (hopefully!!), so all going to plan I should be re-starting work on my cabinet in the next couple of weeks. I should have things finished fairly soon and be able to upload all my source work.

Cmon post it already!  

You've been moving and on hold since last October! Stop teasing us...lol...

You do realise in the time you have waited you could have eaily mastered most design packages and put together your own design.  

[motorfish]

That artwork looks familiar. Here is one that I did for one of my cabinets. ^_^

[njchan]

these CPOs are amazing! ...

I'm definitely new to the scene and would like to build the control panel first - but thought I should start with the overlay (I anticipate the whole cabinet to be build over the course of a year - just don't have a lot of time - and would prefer to do things right).

I love Motofish and GSXR's CPOs ... how did you guys design these? ... did you make the graphics yourself?  what software package are you using?  

I'm VERY new and don't know much about photoshop/illustrator or many other graphic programs, but would love to get into it!

[mahuti]

Most of these images were probably made with a combination of vector (illustrator) and raster (photoshop) art.

You can start with a free 1 month trial of Adobe Illustrator. You can learn how to use it with Frostillicus's excellent vector tutorial

[cyberphox]

His website has been down for a few weeks now

[DougHillman]

I'm VERY new and don't know much about photoshop/illustrator or many other graphic programs, but would love to get into it!

I've found that having an actual task you wish to get done is the easiest way to learn for me.  Instead of just "playing around" with the program, I just jump in and try to do something.  So njchan, I'd suggest picking up Illustrator and/or Photoshop (or any of the other options) and trying your hand at designing a CPO.  

FWIW, I always design the CP layout in Illustrator first.  Make a template to print out and use it to drill the CP blank.  I can then design the CPO over the top of that template layer and know that it's going to fit exactly.  (Just ensure that if you make any changes after you print out your first template, you throw out that old one.  You don't wanna accidentally cut out your CP according to a wrong template and then not have the CPO line up when it arrives.  Not that that's ever happened to me.   Right?     )