ARTWORK - Hex design - ready for download

[wol-nz]

The latest artwork has started - this project is to trial lighting in a dark theme.
I have some galaxian green and light blue t-molding so this theme fits well.

::::DOWNLOAD::::

Control panel [171MB]
http://www.mediafire.com/?v1uhf8ylk8hcqtn

Marquee [97MB]
http://www.mediafire.com/?nhndqhwzwgtxelt

::::INCLUDED::::
Hex control panel PSD [62cm x 32cm @ 7323 x 3780 pixels]
Hex marquee PSD [62cm x 17cm]

::::ADDED VALUE:::
The idea was to place arcade characters with in the large arcade fonts. (can someone point me to a 'quality' place for Dragons lair pics - please.)
As always comments and critiques welcomed.

Place your own characters and text to make it your own - or use as is

PS the control panel boarder is just my template for the shape i like to make the CP.

[drventure]

Nice. Wish I had photoshop skills like that 

[tsaylor]

Me too, I need to learn more skills.  I'm curious, how do you create that hex grid?  Is there a slick Photoshop technique for that part?

[GregD]

Great artwork.  I am absolutely going to grab it when you post it!  What are the dimensions of your control panel?

[wol-nz]

Me too, I need to learn more skills.  I'm curious, how do you create that hex grid?  Is there a slick Photoshop technique for that part?

To get the HEX effect i have here there are few things happening (not hard when you know how)

1. I use a HEX pattern (i made my own) but you can google hex photoshop pattern as there are lots to download.
2. create a new layer and fill it with your hex pattern (it is the button in the bottom left that looks like a black white circle)  (make the hex shapes way smaller than what you want for the finished product) [see next step for reason]
3. use the filter -> distort -> spherize function 2 or three times at 100% to give that curvy hex look. (each filter will magnify the hex shape)
4. then transform and stretch so the hex fills the background to the corners.
5. then i added another layer of smaller hex's to make it look more interesting (you must give this layer a blending mode (otherwise it will cover all other layers) i like to use vivid light or hue.

6. then i add layer upon layer of small 'orbs' - i do this by making one layer and getting the rounded gradient tool (make sure it is a gradient with colour one end and transparent the other) and making a small round gradient (green and blue in my examples) then i just change them to vivid light or softlight to give me those lighting effects.

Clear as mud i suppose - have a play with that to see what happens. It is very cool to get a pattern up and then layer it will blended 'objects' as they can do some cool stuff.

[tsaylor]

Thanks, I'll experiment along those lines and see what I learn.  I appreciate the detailed tips.

[wol-nz]

Starting to think graphics on the kick plate would be the go.

I might even get something on the sides - but can't come up with any thing to complement it. Ideas?

Also updated the MALA them as i didn't like the other - this fits in more seemlessly. Mala Version 2 is now in the download in original post.

[mgb]

I know, I'm late here but very nice design. The whole package looks great.

[Le Chuck]

Have you re-hosted elsewhere since Mega got zapped?  I was going to download... then never did... now can't 

Great stuff by the way, nice clean lines and color combos that really pop.  Very fun! 

[wol-nz]

Hosted again on mediafire (in original top post) - just the control panel and marquee. Forgive the layering mess these were never cleaned up to make sence of it all. Hope you can make something from it though

[mcseforsale]

Thank You.  I'm just learning Photochop and I'm very interested in how you got the sparkle effect on the outlines of the CP.  Can't wait to look at those layers.


AJ

Hosted again on mediafire (in original top post) - just the control panel and marquee. Forgive the layering mess these were never cleaned up to make sence of it all. Hope you can make something from it though

[mcseforsale]

I'm still trying to figure out how you got layers to behave around the buttons.

For instance, on the 2P side it appears that you have "layer 38 copy 12" applying its magic to layer layer 40, but skipping layer 35.  I don't get it...and that's the exact effect I'm looking for.

Help?  Oh great one?

AJ

[wol-nz]

yes i see what you are talking about.
Simply put it is because vivid light doesn't react with black (layer 35 being black) if it had of been any other colour then the magic would happen. (check my game vault (similar style but the grey has reacted) or fill that black with a colour and you will see it.

Now there is a 'fix' this may sound complicated but once done it will be a process you will use all the time.

It's called control click to select (this selects only the objects on a layer - opposed to the whole layer)
Great for selecting components quickly.
Take your example of layers

Hold control down and click the layer 40 on the white and grey checked tile (it has to be on that tile)
Notice it only selects the line graphic and not the entire layer.
now click on layer 38 copy 12 so it is highlighted.
now  goto select then inverse (found at the top menus options (beside file, edit, image...)
then hit the backspace key or delete key on the keyboard.
This removes all the highlighting magic from the layer 35 but keeps it on layer 38 copy 12.

this example isn't too impressive as it is so thin - but you can see it in action better on the dragon wings on the kick plate.

Hope that helps

[mcseforsale]

Aw man.  Thanks a bunch.  I'm going to work on that tonight.  I have my graphic applied on top of my CP template and was just about to start creating surrounding shapes around the buttons and then I saw this.  I'm really excited to do that tonight.

Thanks!
AJ

[SNAAKE]

neat

[mcseforsale]

Thanks WoLLiEnZ!!  My arwork is turning out very well.  I got the CP and the marquee done...but you were especially helpful with the Marquee. 

It's funny....I've been in IT for over 20 years...large scale IP architect, Wieners MCSE architect type, Cisco architect, ad naseum.  But, I'd never picked up photo editing software.  Now I know why people can have a full-time job just doing graphics...

Thanks!
AJ 

[wol-nz]

Haha couldn't agree more - the more I learn the less I know. One part science to two part talent to three parts trial and error. The end result is hopefully something that you enjoy.
My only issue is that I continually change my mind on my art (so many ideas now I still haven't made my artwork)

Make sure you post a pic of the art 

[mcseforsale]

When posting art, do you just photobucket it and do it that way?  Or, do you upload it?

AJ

Haha couldn't agree more - the more I learn the less I know. One part science to two part talent to three parts trial and error. The end result is hopefully something that you enjoy.
My only issue is that I continually change my mind on my art (so many ideas now I still haven't made my artwork)

Make sure you post a pic of the art 

[wol-nz]

Just upload it - otherwise i find many great examples loose there links after awhile. Nothing worse than finding a thread and finding the pictures all gone

[mcseforsale]

This is dumb.  Every time I try to attach, the file size requirements change.  First it was 5MB, then it was 4.1MB, now is't 2048K.  WTF?

Here, it's on photobucket.

Dammit.  I keep trying and I keep getting bounced for file size.  So, this is the 4th time I've typed this. 

Anyway...theme is obviously Matrix with a twist.  I'm trying to get my head around sideart.  Been tossing the idea around of doing a "Neon Mame"-esque sideart with inlay and lighting...but then again, what about having gameongrafix print the art and do a half wrap on the sides...from the CP on up?  Lemme know what you think. The sideart will be a riff on this:



I hope the CP and marquee print well.  I know nothing about the printing aspect of it.  But, it's been fun learnin' photochop.  I may never use that skill again, but it was a blast.  Hated doing it at home on the kitchen table on the 15" laptop though.   

Well, here it is...

I've been tossing around the idea to frame the title ("The Blue Pill") in a black ellipse like the CP, but I'm not sure that would be good.  And yes, all the numbers on both the marquee and CP are supposed to standout...they're important dates in my family.



Standard issue Knievel layout. 


Let me know what I'm doing wrong.  File size is less than 5MB for both.   

I'd like to have it seen in it's full size...
AJ

[grey68]

WoLLiEnZ,

I would like to use your HEX artwork for a bartop I am making (I think it will be just about perfect, I also like the sega styled button pattern).  
1. Would you would be ok with me using the artwork for my bartop?
2. Are you able to adjust the size of the control panel (mine is 23" wide), or side art? (I am not skilled in Illustrator, but if I need to I will try to make it work).
PS. First time posting on this site, and I could see any method to send a private message, sorry about that.

Thank you,
Nate :

[wol-nz]

Hey Nate,

Yes of course you can use the art.
You should find the canvas size is a touch over 24inches wide. Meaning one of two things.

1) print it the size it currently is and trim off a half inch from each side once stuck to your panel (recommended )
2) size it down to exactly what you need (not recommended as you can sometimes be a fraction out)

IMPORTANT to note though MAKE SURE YOU ADJUST THE INTERNAL HALOS. Otherwise when you go to drill your holes from the buttons they may not fit and hit the side of your cabinet.
They may need to be bumped in half an inch or so (just use the ruler in photoshop to make sure your components won't hit.

Sorry i never did side art for this one - but you could carry on the theme and use the control panel as a base and add some form of a logo or text ~ maybe.

I hope all goes well with it.

[grey68]

WoLLiEnZ, 

Ran into a bit of trouble. I took the art to the printer and he said he needs it in a vector format or a high quality image format png, tiff, etc ( They use Coreldraw for all the printing work, so they like .eps files).  So I am wondering if you have these images in that format? Also, do you have a just the background without the any of the other parts, which then could be used for side art?

Thank you,
Nate 

[wol-nz]

Hey Nate, I'm just wondering what program you are using to view and edit this file.
If photoshop then you have the option of 'Save As' then choosing either TIFF, PNG, EPS and a host of others.
This file is a high quality 300 dpi image BUT it is not vector (nor should it need to be) I always use the FLATEN IMAGE function in photoshop BEFORE giving it to any printery (that way what you give them is the only thing they can print - all sorts can go wrong if you don't flatten it - like incorrect text, incorrect lighting via blending options)

To flatten the image open in photoshop and right click any layer - then choose flatter image via the menu option. (Note: if you want to every edit the file again make sure you have a copy that hasn't been 'flattened'

To get the side art then there is two things you need to do - firstly you need to copy the original file (just incase you stuff it) open the copied file and delete all the layers you don't need (ie halos and text) until you have just the background components. Then you need to ensure the image size is the correct size for your sides needs.
This can also be done in photoshop via image then canvase size.

Just remember before printing to ensure the control panel button halos are in the right place for YOUR needs. Use the ruler function in photoshop to make sure they are. Otherwise your printed art may come back with button holes in the wrong place.