uroMAMEstyx artwork done and ready to print (070930)!!!

[superbigjay]

Hello,
I'm currently trying to come up with the artwork for my uroMAMEstyx cab.
The cab design is based on UAII.
The theme is around the uromastyx, a desertic lizard.
For more info, you can read the story in my project thread (in my signature)

Being more than average with photoshop/illustrator,
I'd like to have your feedback, comment, recommendations for the marquee...
Let me know what you think and how to improve it.

Here's what I have so far...
- My first marquee trial
- the side logo drawn by my friend (similar to gamescreature's)
- an additional lizard drawn by my friend
- a jpg that I found a long time ago on the net.  To uses these, I would have to modify their tails
   to make it fat and spiny.
- My first CP overlay trial.  I'll replace the logo (humping uro) with the marquee logo...

Thanks
Jay 

[superbigjay]

Hello everyone,

I'm seeking advice/opinion/feedback here...

Here rev0.1 of the top marquee.
Please let me know what you think and how I should improve it...

Thanks
Jay 

[Zero_Hour]

I like the new text, but I would resize it a bit and bring back the Yellow accents. CP looks Nice, Maybe incorporate the Marquee text changes to the CP, so that they compliment each other.

[bfauska]

Totally like the new font better.  I like the lizard with the joystick but the lizards in the bottom lizard picture seem like a cooler style (personal opinion obviously)  is there a way to get the joystick lizard to look a little more like them?  I also agree about maybe adding back in some color.

Either way it's looking better.  The whole project (terrarium and arcade) is great.

[superbigjay]

thanks for the feedback guys!  It's appreciated...

bfauska and Zero_Hour,
I've put aside the CP artwork for now and I'm working solely on the marquee.
Once completed, I'll use it to replace the uromastyx + humping uro  on the CP.
I'll update the CP overlay color/accent to match the marquee.

As you both noticed, the marquee background is kind of empty now.  I didn't work on it yet (but keep on the filling recommendations...)
I'll work on it when I have decided the main components of the marquee artwork...

Here another trial using gamescreature logo along with the 2 lizards.
Again, the background is plain and the text suck, but you get the general idea.

So again, I'm asking for feedback.
- So far, Which version do you prefer.
- What is it missing.
- what type of effects shoulf I used on the text
- Color recommendations (I'm using yellow translucent buttons and TB on the CP)
- anything else

Jay 

[bfauska]

OOPS. I looked at the PA thread before the art one and commented there.  Here is a copy of what I said:

Those lizards with the other text and maybe some more color in the text or background would be great.  Each trial has had some improvements, but now you just need to take the good parts from each.

<new> I'm not sure what colors or patterns should go into the background.  Maybe make the background a desert floor with the cracked lines in it, you could even do a horizon with a blinding sun in the sky that way you get a pattern and some yellow into the marquee. </new>

[Zero_Hour]

I was definitely thinking color in the text.

I threw this together...

Did a scale texture and used yellow to tie in with your controls.

[superbigjay]

OOPS. I looked at the PA thread before the art one and commented there.  Here is a copy of what I said:

Those lizards with the other text and maybe some more color in the text or background would be great.  Each trial has had some improvements, but now you just need to take the good parts from each.

<new> I'm not sure what colors or patterns should go into the background.  Maybe make the background a desert floor with the cracked lines in it, you could even do a horizon with a blinding sun in the sky that way you get a pattern and some yellow into the marquee. </new>

Thanks bfauska.  your comments are really a good idea.  The desert + crack line to show how dry is their environement is great.  I'l give it a try 

[superbigjay]

I was definitely thinking color in the text.
I threw this together...
Did a scale texture and used yellow to tie in with your controls.

Thanks zero_hour,
I see what you mean 
The texture idea is good!  I'll change the font (might use the one from the second trial) because I don't really like the one on my last trial (same as the first).
I'll try to get some "lizard/snake" texture effect.

I'look on the web to find a photoshop tutorial on this.

Jay

[superbigjay]

Hello Everyone!

I've tried another version where I changed the circle around the lizards,
and added a background image.
I'm not sure if I'm gonna go with a background image since at 26in wide, the resolution of the image might be too low...  Anyone have a big enough image that he could send me (or link to it)?
Other recommendations?

So that's it for tonight guys!
Good night!
Jay 
 

[Zero_Hour]

I like where this one is going. Though the Circles, seem a little 'shiny' to me.

As for the background image, I like it. If scaling it is an issue, maybe you could post the original image, and I could try and do a quick vector conversion of it for you. That way when you import it into your full size marquee it should not pixelate. Might not be a perfect match, but I bet it would do the trick. (Assuming you are using Photoshop, which will allow import of an Illustrator vector file)

[superbigjay]

Thanks Zero_hour for the offer, I might take your word for it.

For now, I'm working with a "reduce size" image.  Once a get fix on the final look of the marquee, I'll generate a full size image.

Right now, for the scaling issue, I'm worry about 2 things
- the background image
- the lizards.

I think I should be able to vectorize the lizard, but I never done it before.  Would you be able to do it easily? 

For the background, I'll look around for better images/resolution.  Last night, I took one of the first image to see how it would look.  If I don't find nothing, I'll ask you advice.

And finally, I agree that the circles are a bit too shiny for the cartoons
On the final rev, I'll apply the same filters to both the text and the circle (with the same parameters).  They should look the same that way and I'll make them less shiny.

I'll work on it this afternoon.  Now I have to wake up, take my morning "cafe latte" hmmmm!, breakfast, pass the lawnmower, feed the dogs, feed the lizards and then work on the artwork.

Cheers
Jay 

[Zero_Hour]

I think I should be able to vectorize the lizard, but I never done it before.  Would you be able to do it easily? 

I'd be happy to give it a go if you want me to. Don't have a ton of Vector experience, but after tackling the Smash TV guy for my own project, I feel like I could handle the lizards. Let me know. 

[superbigjay]

I'd be happy to give it a go if you want me to. Don't have a ton of Vector experience, but after tackling the Smash TV guy for my own project, I feel like I could handle the lizards. Let me know. 

If you don't mind, be my guess...
I'm including one of the trial at the original size (2050x490).
The lizards are the only problematic part so far, since I haven't decided yet for the background image.  Everything else is generated from filters built-in photoshop...

If you need something else, let me know

Jay 

[Zero_Hour]

Cool. May not have a lot of time the next few days (holiday weekend), but I'll PM you as soon as I have them done.

[Joystick Jerk]

How exactly did you decide on basing the cabs theme around a desert lizard? Seems kind of an odd choice. Not bad mind you, just odd...


Also, since you are dealing with lizards, maybe you could put a nicer background behind the lizards like scales or something rather than the render clouds stuff. Check out this mockup:

[bfauska]

The lizard theme has to do with the new house he built for his lizard as part of the same project, I think.

I like the skyline background the best so far, but the scales are a good choice too.

[superbigjay]

Cool. May not have a lot of time the next few days (holiday weekend), but I'll PM you as soon as I have them done.

This would be great ZH.  It will definitively help me 
Being vectorized, I'll even be able to use them for the 15" circular backlit logo 

How exactly did you decide on basing the cabs theme around a desert lizard? Seems kind of an odd choice. Not bad mind you, just odd...

As bfauska said (and as explained in the first post of the uroMAMEstyx project announcement), I wanted to build a cab, but I couldn't find a theme.  Then, while going at the "salon des reptiles" with my girlfriend and my 2 nephews, my girlfriend told me it would be nice to have some lizards. 
Jumping on the occasion, I told her I could build a vivarium AND match the cab to go with it ... she agreed  hehehe
Full story can be found here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64434.0

This is the vivarium:

This is FUEGO:

And this PLAYA:

Also, since you are dealing with lizards, maybe you could put a nicer background behind the lizards

I really like that background and I if it was created by you, I could also use it to match the CP overlay with the marquee.
Is is a background image or did you created it yourself?
Would you mind telling me how to generate it?


With that background and the vectorized lizards, I'll have the missing pieces to complete the artwork and finally start assembling the CP
- the marquee (something similar to what JJ posted)
- the 2 illuminated circular logos (reusing the 1 lizard for each logo)
- the CP overlay : reuse the marquee idea with the background and match the controls
   "outlines" with the lizard outlines (the circle around the lizard) and text...

[Joystick Jerk]

I really like that background and I if it was created by you, I could also use it to match the CP overlay with the marquee.
Is is a background image or did you created it yourself?
Would you mind telling me how to generate it?

I actually used an image from CG Textures

[superbigjay]

Thanks JJ,

I'll try to figure out a way to use that to generate my own texture... 
Jay

[superbigjay]

Hello everyone,

I'm working on the background to have something similar to Joystick Jerk mockup.
The texture is perfect, with it too low in resolution for the final marquee.

So I need suggestion on how to generate it...

So far this the the route I'm going:
- build a fill pattern that doesn's show any seems
- find some filter/effect combination the make it look like snake/lizard scales

The pattern is done, I'll start tonight to play with the effect to get something decent.
If anyone has another idea or knows the filter/effect combination to use, let me know ...

My goal is to have 2 in x 1 in "snake scale" to be able to use as a background for both the marquee (27.5 x 7) and the CP overlay (34x18)

Jay

[superbigjay]

All right guys!

The lizards are almost 100% vectorized now.

A big THANK YOU to Zero_hour who vectorized them last Monday, so I only have minor changes to do.
I'm doing them myself, just because I want to have a basic knowledge of illustrator...

I'm not done yet with the background, so if anyone have a good idea how to generate the "lizard/snake scale" background in photoshop, let me know....

Jay 

[bfauska]

Dang... I replied to the other thread first again, check over there for some reptile scale links.

[superbigjay]

All right, back after 1 week of vacation to Cuba Varadero!!!

ra! ra! ra! una cerveza por favor senor! 

I did a quick (well not so quick) background and change the lizards colors!

Any recommandation on the colors to use?
Would it be better to have 2 lizards of different color?
Background color?
Cercle + text color?
Do you think the background is OK?

Thanks for any feedback you can give me...


Jay

[Joystick Jerk]

I like the background and characters, but the text and circles still look a little rough. Is it supposed to be rusty metal? Maybe it looks better at full size, but at the size your showing it just looks like some brown circles with some random noise on them.

[superbigjay]

Is it supposed to be rusty metal? Maybe it looks better at full size, but at the size your showing it just looks like some brown circles with some random noise on them.

"

Thanks JJ for the feedback,  It was in fact the "rusty metal", but I didn't tune the effect properly.  On top of this, the jpg conversion and resize didn't help at all...

I did another trial, this time, I did some stainless steel effect and fine tune the background effects.

So every one, what do you think of this trial?

Jay 

edit : attach the right picture!

[Zero_Hour]

I like how this is progressing for sure. But...
(you knew there had to be a but there  )

Maybe use the chrome effect but change the color to copper, or gold, or even something more earth toned. I think the chrome kind of clashes with the rest of the palette. I do like the overall text effect though, just the color needs tweaked, IMO.

[superbigjay]

Maybe use the chrome effect but change the color to copper, or gold, or even something more earth toned. I think the chrome kind of clashes with the rest of the palette. I do like the overall text effect though, just the color needs tweaked, IMO.

thanks Zero for the feedback,

here the same image, but with a brown color overlay...
I'll try tomorrow another effect (chrome/copper) tomorrow, it's getting late (2am) and I got to work tomorrow.

Jay ... zzzzZZZZZZ

[Joystick Jerk]

Yeah! I think your really getting somewhere with these changes! Try out some more stuff, and maybe just browse the web for weird metal creating tutorials for photoshop on the web and see what different effects you can come up with.

[superbigjay]

hello,

no much progress today 

I did try a few metal effect, but didn't do nothing worth posting...
I did try with some "transluscent plastic" effect.  The yellow is not terrible, but you get your idea.

Let me know what you think.
Cheers!!!
Jay

PS:
I need to make my final decision saturday morning in order to have time to do
the real version for marquee/overlay/side logos.

[Zero_Hour]

Looks good to me. I definitely like the yellow better than the rust or chrome.

[Joystick Jerk]

hello,

no much progress today 

I did try a few metal effect, but didn't do nothing worth posting...
I did try with some "transluscent plastic" effect.  The yellow is not terrible, but you get your idea.

Let me know what you think.
Cheers!!!
Jay

PS:
I need to make my final decision saturday morning in order to have time to do
the real version for marquee/overlay/side logos.

Nice! My favourite version so far.

[superbigjay]

Ok, I'm doing the final round of marquee.

These are done at full scale in illustrator+photoshop (300dpi).

Let me know what is your favorite:

First trial with the chrome effect:


Second with Stainless effect:


Third with gradient text + metal outline:


And last, the yellow plastic effect.


And finally, I'm including a zoom of the background to give you an idea of the texture...


So far, my 2 fav are the stainless and gradient.
I didn't manage to tune the plastic effect properly.

Let me know what you think!!!

PS: double post in project annoucement + artwork to get as much feedback as possible 

EDIT: update plastic version to add stroke around the text.

[Joystick Jerk]

Hmm, I liked the last version better with green scales and yellow text. If I had to pick one of these ones though, I'd go for the third one.

[superbigjay]

Ok, double post again...

Based on Coder's and Joystick Jerk feedback, I'm reducing the range to the font with yellow text.
They'll probably look better when back lit than the darker ones.

So let me know your favorite between these ones:

#1 : gradient effect + orange background


#2 : gradient effect + green background


#3 : plain yellow + orange background


#4 : plain yellow + green background


Thanks again for answering always to the same question again and again. 
It's real tough to make the final decision... 

PS:
The side logos are also ready.  Just need to apply the same effect on this layout.

Note1: The gray area represent the stainless steel side panels
Note2: The circle lines were there for the text arc radius alignment.

Now, I just have to vectorize the CP overlay, which is about 75% done...

Good night folks!
Jay 

[superbigjay]

All right!  I've made my mind on the artwork.

All the required effects/color are written down in my log book.

I should be able to post the final pic of the marquee, side logo and CP overlay Saturday.

Thanks again for everyone feedback 

Jay 

[superbigjay]

Well, I guess I'm done with the artwork.
So it will the last of my double post (project announcement + artwork)

I should be able to make it print Tuesday...

If you see a major flaw in these, let me know.
It's not perfect, but overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the result and it's unique.

I will probably add my signature somewhere on the cp-overlay (something discreet...) 

So here it is...
The top marquee : 28inx7.5in


The 2 circular side logos : 16in diam


The Control Panel overlay : 35inx19in


Here's the link to the 1600 pixels wide file (if you want a larger view).
The jpg are a bit "blurry" because of the compression, but you get the idea 
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/9066/resizeofmarqueecj6.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8833/resizeofsidelogoaz2.jpg
http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/2769/resizeofcpoverlayey5.jpg

Thanks again to everyone who gave me some feedback.
It went a long way from the first trial 
And now, I'm pretty handy with illustrator.

Jay 

[Zero_Hour]

Looks sweet man, Nice work. 

[bfauska]

 

They look great.  What shape are you going to cut out the side-art.  It seems like rectangles always look unfinished.  If you weren't already planning on it, might I recommend circles just slightly larger than the circle of text.  The other way that might look cool is to do the sides without the scales, if everything was cut out clean so that the graphic and text were just on the side of the cabinet.  I don't know where you are having this printed, but they may be able to cut it out too, I think that MameMarquees would be able to do it.

Again, congratulations on some very successful artwork.

[superbigjay]

They look great.  What shape are you going to cut out the side-art.  It seems like rectangles always look unfinished.  If you weren't already planning on it, might I recommend circles just slightly larger than the circle of text. 

Thanks bfauska.
The side logos are circular.  The stainless will cover them like you recommended.

The post above shows the stainless on top of them 


the exterior circumference (stainless) is 15in.  the interior is 14.5in.

I'll install the each side logo sandwiched between 2 pieces of plexi and the whole thing will be lighted with led strips...
It will be almost flush with the surface (0.040in thickness of the stainless)

I'm including 2 pics to show the cab stainless side panel and the very first side logo lit