Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Artwork => Topic started by: Deefish on February 18, 2006, 10:16:10 pm
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My first stab at marquee design in Photoshop. Got the name from the Indiana Jones Game. Funny that they have a TM next to the Infernal Machine, even though this is a word in the dictionary. I didn't know you could Trademark common words, maybe it has to be in relation to Indiana Jones for it to be TM'ed. Anyway I am leaning towards this for my Project title and theme. What do you guys think? Good.... bad....I am open to suggestions. Thanks in advance for any input. :)
Deefish
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In the first image (the one ending in #2) I'm not a fan of the gears.
The gears are too...CGI-ish and colorful for the image. It is just a pretty stark contrast with the photo-like Indy picture on the left side.
My question for you is are you going with an Indiana Jones theme, or are you just playing off the Infernal Machine name? Because if you're going Indy, then lose the gears and put up snakes, boulders, something more Indy specific. If you're going with a generic machine type thing, lose all the reference to Indy and keep the gears and a general machine look to the artwork.
It just depends on what you're thinking of.
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Yea I was hesitant to put in Indy, as I didn't want it to be about just him. I really like the title Infernal Machine as in reference to a MAME machine being such. Your right about the gears, my wife said that to, that's why the other one has a realistic rusty version.
If I lose Indy, what would you suggest I put in for a general theme? Also Should I lose the Curse of the and just have Infernal Machine? Its so hard to decide on this before going to print, I really want to be happy with the outcome, because I will have to live with it.
Any way thanks for the feedback.
Deefish
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Well what comes to mind first for a general theme is to just play off of the title.
I'd say going with gears and mechanical looking images would work pretty well, as long as its consistently used throughout the entire cabinet. That would entail losing the reference to Indy. Somebody might pick up on the title and say its from an Indy movie, but if its the phrase that you like the most, there is no need for Indy to be there at all.
I personally would go with a more rustic, broken down look for the gears. All old and weathered and such. I'm sure you could dig up a fair amount of stuff just through doing some Google Image searches. If anything you could find what you like, tweak the colors in whatever program you use, and make it look more aged.
But the most important thing is to just make many, many alternative marquees. Just play around until you find something that just "fits" and you love.
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Deefish
You may want to think about not making the background so busy. It can clash with the text which I like. You can use the background as an 50% overlay or a screen in photoshop and that may help tone it done and make the name jump out more. Its like the GreenKnight said, just keep playing around and see what happens.
Later
Glenn
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Definitely drop the "curse" and indy theme.
While the gears have an old-time machinery kind of vibe to them, the font looks much more modern and technological. I think the font treatment is good though. While I generally wouldn't recommend it, maybe a simple photoshop fire treatment would work. Just a bit of color and texture surrounding the words. The tricky part would be keeping it so the lettering stands out from the background.
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Yea Crowquill I think you right. I have an Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and all they had on there was the text and fire underneath it. Although My marquee has to be 27" by 8" . I do want something arcade related to be in the marquee, just not sure what would fit.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I will play around with the layout and post back soon.
deefish
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The background and type are very close in saturation and value, right now they are competing and makes it a little uncomfortable. You might want to think about giving the bg a little bit of a washed out desaturated look (think Saving Private Ryan), so your text will pop.
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Ok I removed the extra items and darkend the background. I also changed the outer glow to a redish orange. Better?
Think it goes with my CP? See attachment 2
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Nice CP! I like the layout...the artwork looks good, maybe a bit plain but it doesn't distract.
Ay, what kind of trackball are you using and how did you get the nice neat looking fit? Are you using some kind of grommet (can't think of the exact word) around the trackball cutout?
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The artwork is the generic Area 51 CPO. I want to add some graphics with stickers, but haven't decided what looks good. I am trying to design some fire style joystick and button graphics and print them on sticker paper or get it pro printed.
That's the 3 inch Happ USB Trackball with mounting plate. I routed out the mounting plate and counter sunk it, then applied the overlay over top of the plate. Then I used a exacto knife to cut out the hole. The metal plate helps make a perfect cut. Then mount the track ball. I made everything else countersunk or mounted underneath so as to not have any bolts sticking out on top.
I am wiring up the controls now. Its getting crazy with all the LED's and cables.
Thanks for the compliment,
deefish
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deefish,
Do you mind if I ask how you designed the font? I'm starting to think about the marquee for my project (Arcade Addiction) and I plan on using Photoshop. To date, I've really only used PS for simple web graphics (buttons and borders) and the occasional photo touch-up. Did you start with a TT font or is it totally custom?
By the way, I think the name "Infernal Machine" is great!
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That Font is really cool. Always loved Iron Maiden, the art work of the Font is very unique to them always been a maiden fan... Great use of a cool fopnt.
C1D
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The font I found here http://cooltext.com/Fonts-Gothic. It's called Metal Lord, scroll down part way and you will see it.
Anyway, I just used it in Photoshop and started tweaking it with inner and outer shadow, glow, etc in the properties. I just played with it until it had the feel I wanted. Pretty easy. Not a from scratch creation like some do, I'm a newbie when it comes to Photoshop.
Yea it does have an Iron Maiden look! The site has alot of great fonts for free.
Thanks for the compliments guys,
deefish
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Bump. Plus some cool project eye candy. Sorry deefish.... couldn't wait for your response to my email. :P Let me know and I'll pull the image if you don't want it public yet. :angel:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=75792)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=75794)
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Oh, yeah... no background or trim yet. Waiting for your feedback on the logo first. :)
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That is very very nice :applaud:. Great work Pixelhugger. You have got mail.
Thanks,
deefish
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Couldn't wait. Again. :P
This CP is a work in progress. Still have to buy the images for the flames which are currently just roughed in from thumbnail images. :angel:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=78022)
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That fire almost looks like an image of the flares on the sun. Check this out (http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/preview/stereoimages_slide053007.shtml)... There are TIFF images available of you like what you see there.
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Wow! Pixelhugger did a great job! :applaud:
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for some reason it reminds me of:
(http://ifitsmovies.wordpress.com/files/2007/01/infernal-affairs.jpg)
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Thats pretty sweet Pixel!!
Question for you. Won't most of the flames get cut out when I place the controls? Should there be more fire/lava/flames outside the control area?
Awesome work. You should do this full time I think.
deefish
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Yeah I suppose if you want to see more flames I oughta open up the control outlines. That'll also help ease "alignment" issues from the already drilled panel.
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Or even if you have it, the whole panel could be lava flowing and the areas where the controls would be would be like the hardend lava that has cracks running through it. These so called " lava islands" could be irregular and broken around the edges, jagged even, and that would make alignment a non issue, as long as the lava rock islands where bigger than the control area. Fire could be random but with a little purpose, like it was shooting out of the controls. I don't think I am being clear, but I will be extremely happy with your work no matter what. I think that your alignment is very close and hopefully with the cpo I sent you can make it almost dead on.
deefish