Author Topic: Please Review My CP - Marquee Added (Read 4103 times)

Dmod · « **on:** February 16, 2007, 02:51:25 pm »

I've just about completed my cabinet build and I've just started on the artwork for the CP and marquee. I'm a complete novice with Photoshop but I've come up with a first cut at a CP overlay.

I'm trying for a theme that will appeal to both kids and adults, and so I was drawn in the direction of using classic arcade characters. I should also mention that the princess was by request form my 7-year old daughter.

I think this combination works... the princess is reminiscent of a disney princess with dwarves/animals fawning over her, and with the current composition it looks as though DK is jealous of pac and the princess mooning at each other. I also like how the bubble bobble's eyes are goggling at DK as he readies the barrel.

I'm working up a related composition for the marquee with Daphne, Dirk, and Pengo (believe it or not)... and I'm thinking of titling the cabinet "VERSUS".

Let me know what you guys think. I'm pretty happy with the theme, but I'm sure you could give me some tips on sprucing it up with Photoshop.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Here's a pic of the unfinished CP with the controls so you can get an idea of where things go in relation to the artwork.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:52:26 pm »

I think that your buttons will get lost in the artwork. Try scaling them down the caracters or outline your buttons so they stand out.

Chris G · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:07:53 pm »

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of "super-sized art" CPs, but this looks like it could end up one of the better ones I've seen.

I love the classic characters theme (I'm doing something similar).
The art itself looks good.
I'm impressed with all the thought you've put into it.
I like the simple color scheme for the sticks and buttons.

Agree with KT's suggestions.

Hope to see the final version and marquee!

Crax · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:30:45 pm »

Looks pretty good. Not sure if maybe you should use a different color trackball or does this one light up?

Dmod · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:40:30 pm »

Crax,

Wow... I'd like to know how you blended those pictures together.

The trackball is a light up... but I'm not opposed to swapping out the color for another.

I had thought about trying to place rectangular overlays around the buttons, but my early attempts seemed to be more distracting than beneficial.

Crax · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2007, 06:01:07 pm »

Quote from: Dmod on February 16, 2007, 05:40:30 pm

Crax,

Wow... I'd like to know how you blended those pictures together.

Just did a bit of using skew and scale in photoshop on the image and then copied and pasted the controls over the top of it after I pasted the image into a selection of the control panel outline.

I think it might look pretty nice lit up. Just in that picture there I thought the trackball blended into the panel a bit too much, but lighting it up should bring it out.

Dmod · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2007, 04:29:24 am »

Better or worse?

For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to stretch the image into a trapezoid to map it onto the CP like Crax did.

Dmod · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2007, 05:49:13 am »

I'm able to map onto the panel now by changing the perspective on the panel and then merging the CP design on top. When I did it, I decided the blue buttons were lost in the blue overlays.

Here's another try with different color backgrounds.

Veinman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:56:32 am »

Pretty nice!

Kaytrim · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2007, 04:02:16 pm »

Looking good

Dmod · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2007, 03:24:12 am »

Here's a first cut at the Marquee. Again... first time I've done this so opinions welcome.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2007, 04:55:38 am »

I would definitly play more with the title text on your marquee...

Replace that font for sure. A great free font site I frequent is http://www.dafont.com ... if you want a place to start, try the "Sci-Fi" section, but definitely work as much of the site as possible, even in the sections you wouldnt think to use... you'd be surprised.

And as you come up with a better font it may give you different ideas about type color and desired effects...

Also, take a look at the many professional marquees done for actual arcade cabinets. Pick an era you would like to emulate and browse through them...

It's looking good so far... keep it up!

Dmod · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:08:06 am »

Quote from: OrganicJerk on February 20, 2007, 04:55:38 am

I would definitly play more with the title text on your marquee...

Replace that font for sure. A great free font site I frequent is http://www.dafont.com

Thanks for the tip. I've been tracking your own logo development with interest. While I don't think I have it in me to create a logo as good as yours, I think this one looks better and probably hits closer to the mark.

Better? Anything else you think I can do to improve it?

Kaytrim · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:47:17 am »

The hot dog dudes don't really look right behind Dirk. One of them looks like he is going to steel Dirk's backpack.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:03:43 am »

Try playing around with the glow on your text.. maybe changing it's color to a mid-light blue... that current color seems a bit plain for the application.

I also agree about the hot dogs... their location leaves them in obscurity... you have to concentrate a bit more than usual to make them out, and then you're wondering what they're doing back there.

Dmod · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2007, 03:15:25 am »

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm sure it could stand a bit more tweaking, but barring any major issues I think this will be the final one I send out to Mamemarquees.

Changes:
(1) I had to narrow the vertical dimension a bit to fit the cabinet correctly
(2) New name
(3) I reduced the size of the text a bit
(4) Spaced out Q-bert and Dirk a bit
(5) Repositioned Kimberly
(6) Added a blue tint to the glow on the name
(7) Added a yellow tint to the glow on the yellow rectangle

Thanks again for all the tips to improve it.

EDIT: OK. One last tweak...
(8 ) Shifted Q-bert's gaze

nexus6 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2007, 03:34:48 am »

Quote from: Dmod on February 17, 2007, 05:49:13 am

I'm able to map onto the panel now by changing the perspective on the panel and then merging the CP design on top. When I did it, I decided the blue buttons were lost in the blue overlays.

Here's another try with different color backgrounds.

this looks good. i woul only make the donkey kong a little bit smaller so that you can place his face above the buttons.

Dmod · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2007, 03:53:17 am »

Quote from: nexus6 on March 01, 2007, 03:34:48 am

this looks good. i woul only make the donkey kong a little bit smaller so that you can place his face above the buttons.

Thanks Nexus.

Here's the latest version of the CP. I had previously shrunk DK a bit for better perspective, and added some text for Player1 and Player 2.

Is this better?

nexus6 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2007, 04:40:58 am »

yesssss!

eventually the players would look better with this font
http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=2379

Dmod · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2007, 05:11:06 am »

Quote from: nexus6 on March 01, 2007, 04:40:58 am

yesssss!

eventually the players would look better with this font
http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=2379

Thanks for the font idea.

Here it is again with your font and DK smaller still, along with some added effects around the bounding boxes. I still need to check DK with the buttons to make sure he's not obscured by P1 start.

nexus6 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2007, 06:22:10 am »

i like it!
you've got to watch that the font is antialiazed when you print the panel. now it seems pixelated.

leapinlew · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2007, 07:51:01 am »

I like it too! Good work and good way to use help from others.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2007, 10:03:51 pm »

Your CP art is great in my opinion... and that mixing up the layers is a great way to add depth to it... awesome


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