4 Player Slim Cabinet Artwork

[thrasherx]

Here's what I have so far.  I still need to broaden/round the green and magenta stripes on the control panel.  I added a 72mm outer stroke for bleed.  Let me know what you think!

[a1pharm]

I like the CP and the sides, but that marquee is hideous.  Try incorporating the three thick colored lines, and come up with a better font choice.

[thrasherx]

I like the CP and the sides, but that marquee is hideous.  Try incorporating the three thick colored lines, and come up with a better font choice.

I appreciate any and all feedback but, since I'm going for an 80's theme, I really don't mind the marquee.  I'll try out a 3 stripe version as well as keep hunting for fonts.

Ironically, your 32" slim marquee is quite possibly the worst I've ever seen.

[yotsuya]

Where's that slapfight icon....?

[thrasherx]

Where's that slapfight icon....?

Haha. I can take it but I can also dish it out

[PL1]

How would it look if the CPO stripes were curved/varying thickness like the lower part of the sideart -- kind of like an inverted atari logo?


Scott

[yotsuya]

Recap:

 
 
 
 
 
PL1.



 

[thrasherx]

How would it look if the CPO stripes were curved/varying thickness like the lower part of the sideart -- kind of like an inverted atari logo?


Scott

Kind of like the green one in this version?  I'm kind of stuck with the thickness as they are; any more at the top and I start covering up the lightning bolts that indicate which player's start button it is.  Any more down the middle and I run into button/joystick outlines on both the green and the magenta.

[thrasherx]

Recap:

 
 
 
 
 
PL1.



 

I missed the slapfight part, but funny nonetheless.

[thrasherx]

I really want a font similar to this logo (which was done custom).  http://seankanedesign.com/ has some amazing work.

[PL1]

How would it look if the CPO stripes were curved/varying thickness like the lower part of the sideart -- kind of like an inverted atari logo?


Scott

Kind of like the green one in this version?  I'm kind of stuck with the thickness as they are; any more at the top and I start covering up the lightning bolts that indicate which player's start button it is.  Any more down the middle and I run into button/joystick outlines on both the green and the magenta.

I was picturing narrow in the front and wider in the back so the perspective makes them look closer in size like the sideart does with the smaller part near and the larger part far.

Keep the lower edge of the horizontals where they are and extend the stripe to the top edge and widen the center stripe into more of a Y-shape.

DISCLAIMER: Not responsible for hysterical blindness induced by viewing this MS-Paint abomination.  Viewer discretion is advised.


Scott

[a1pharm]

I like the CP and the sides, but that marquee is hideous.  Try incorporating the three thick colored lines, and come up with a better font choice.

I appreciate any and all feedback but, since I'm going for an 80's theme, I really don't mind the marquee.  I'll try out a 3 stripe version as well as keep hunting for fonts.

Ironically, your 32" slim marquee is quite possibly the worst I've ever seen.

+1

I agree, that marquee is HORRIBLE.  I also don't have art for the CP or sides.  Because that was going to take some substantial time to create, I just made a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- placeholder marquee until I get the real artwork finished.  Hopefully I'll get it finished this winter, and I can burn the Red Vs. Blue abomination.

[yotsuya]

Awwww.... no 

Oh well, a  is much better than a   

[thrasherx]

How would it look if the CPO stripes were curved/varying thickness like the lower part of the sideart -- kind of like an inverted atari logo?


Scott

Kind of like the green one in this version?  I'm kind of stuck with the thickness as they are; any more at the top and I start covering up the lightning bolts that indicate which player's start button it is.  Any more down the middle and I run into button/joystick outlines on both the green and the magenta.

I was picturing narrow in the front and wider in the back so the perspective makes them look closer in size like the sideart does with the smaller part near and the larger part far.

Keep the lower edge of the horizontals where they are and extend the stripe to the top edge and widen the center stripe into more of a Y-shape.

DISCLAIMER: Not responsible for hysterical blindness induced by viewing this MS-Paint abomination.  Viewer discretion is advised.


Scott

Another version... I could still make the vertical portions thinner, but this was quick and dirty.

[thrasherx]

Awwww.... no 

Oh well, a  is much better than a   

Yep! But substitute the beer for something else since I'm Mormon 

[jdbailey1206]

Just wondering if all the mini lightning bolts are needed.  Plus if this is 80's influenced, make those colors pop! 

[a1pharm]

Just wondering if all the mini lightning bolts are needed.  Plus if this is 80's influenced, make those colors pop!

I used tiny "G"s on my Father-in-Law's bartop CP.  The color difference was very slight, and, when printed, barely noticeable (which is what I wanted).  It's a nice touch that only the most detail oriented will appreciate.

I'm really digging your CP, especially w/ the inverted Atari logo design.  Don't lose the lightning bolts, but take a look into making them darker, in order to make them blend better with the background.

Cheers!
 
(pretend it's lemonade)

[thrasherx]

Just wondering if all the mini lightning bolts are needed.  Plus if this is 80's influenced, make those colors pop!

I wanted it to simultaneously be simple and have depth.  Most of the nice art I've seen has tons of detail.  I spent forever drawing the lightning bolt and making a pattern out of it.  I'm afraid that too much color will make it an eyesore, so I'm trying to be strategic with it.

[thrasherx]

Just wondering if all the mini lightning bolts are needed.  Plus if this is 80's influenced, make those colors pop!

I used tiny "G"s on my Father-in-Law's bartop CP.  The color difference was very slight, and, when printed, barely noticeable (which is what I wanted).  It's a nice touch that only the most detail oriented will appreciate.

I'm really digging your CP, especially w/ the inverted Atari logo design.  Don't lose the lightning bolts, but take a look into making them darker, in order to make them blend better with the background.

Cheers!
 
(pretend it's lemonade)

Great advice! I'll look at blending it more into the background.  I never fully complimented you on your cab... it looks amazing.  Sorry about the cheap-shot with the marquee, and thanks for the lemonade   

[a1pharm]

Hey, no worries, I was more blunt in that first post than I should have been.  Keep up the good work!

[thrasherx]

I tried out a new font on the marquee (still need to match control panel).  It's still not exactly what I'm looking for; I may have to hand draw and scan in. 

Other changes:
-darkened stroke on lightning bolts to help blend with background
-changed light gray stroke on all panels to white
-switched to a brighter green
-redid stripes on control panel

To be continued...

[thrasherx]

Another iteration

[yotsuya]

May I ask what the name means?

[thrasherx]

May I ask what the name means?

Nothing in particular... it's kind of just a generic phrase I imagine would go well with a beat-'em-up game.  It's also the name of an album that I used to really like by Alexisonfire.

[a1pharm]

Another iteration

 
Bravo!

[PL1]

Forgot to ask several things about your admin buttons earlier:

1. Is there another font that would look better for the admin buttons?

"Save" looks more like "some". 

Maybe consider the font you used in the marquee or try all caps.

2. Are you sure you want a menu button on your CP?

You almost never need it after initial setup.

Kids and drunk friends have a way of messing up your configuration in minutes that can take hours to fix.   

3. Have you already installed the software (FE, emulators, etc.) you plan on using?

You may find that you need different admin buttons -- pause and exit sound good, but menu and save are less likely to be useful. 


Scott

[thrasherx]

Forgot to ask several things about your admin buttons earlier:

1. Is there another font that would look better for the admin buttons?

"Save" looks more like "some". 

Maybe consider the font you used in the marquee or try all caps.

2. Are you sure you want a menu button on your CP?

You almost never need it after initial setup.

Kids and drunk friends have a way of messing up your configuration in minutes that can take hours to fix.   

3. Have you already installed the software (FE, emulators, etc.) you plan on using?

You may find that you need different admin buttons -- pause and exit sound good, but menu and save are less likely to be useful. 


Scott

1) Yeah I thought I mentioned that the font was leftover.  It needs to be different.  The marquee isn't a font- it's a drawing, but I'll have to figure out something.

2) I'm running an XBOX 360 in the arcade as well as a PC.  The four menu buttons work well as the guide buttons for each controller.  In theory, I could get away with just the guide button for P1, but I'd like to have some functionality without lifting the CP every time.

3)I'm currently running hyper spin, though have thought of using MALA instead.  I for sure need an exit button.  I've read the concerns about the menu button.  Pause and save we're added to make up buttons 3 and 4- just so there would be 4 buttons.  If I only have an exit button (and maybe a menu button), I'd be tempted to hide them somewhere else.

[a1pharm]

Forgot to ask several things about your admin buttons earlier:

1. Is there another font that would look better for the admin buttons?

"Save" looks more like "some". 

Maybe consider the font you used in the marquee or try all caps.

2. Are you sure you want a menu button on your CP?

You almost never need it after initial setup.

Kids and drunk friends have a way of messing up your configuration in minutes that can take hours to fix.   

3. Have you already installed the software (FE, emulators, etc.) you plan on using?

You may find that you need different admin buttons -- pause and exit sound good, but menu and save are less likely to be useful. 


Scott

1) Yeah I thought I mentioned that the font was leftover.  It needs to be different.  The marquee isn't a font- it's a drawing, but I'll have to figure out something.

2) I'm running an XBOX 360 in the arcade as well as a PC.  The four menu buttons work well as the guide buttons for each controller.  In theory, I could get away with just the guide button for P1, but I'd like to have some functionality without lifting the CP every time.

3)I'm currently running hyper spin, though have thought of using MALA instead.  I for sure need an exit button.  I've read the concerns about the menu button.  Pause and save we're added to make up buttons 3 and 4- just so there would be 4 buttons.  If I only have an exit button (and maybe a menu button), I'd be tempted to hide them somewhere else.

Consider eliminating "Menu" and "Save"
Consider adding "Admin" (for shifted functions - not always needed, but personally useful) and a "Left Mouse Button" (I see you have a trackball that will also double as a mouse if you want it to)

That would keep your row of buttons at the top 4 across.  If you could get away with 3 across, time to have a kumbaya moment with Admin and Left Mouse Button...

[thrasherx]

Forgot to ask several things about your admin buttons earlier:

1. Is there another font that would look better for the admin buttons?

"Save" looks more like "some". 

Maybe consider the font you used in the marquee or try all caps.

2. Are you sure you want a menu button on your CP?

You almost never need it after initial setup.

Kids and drunk friends have a way of messing up your configuration in minutes that can take hours to fix.   

3. Have you already installed the software (FE, emulators, etc.) you plan on using?

You may find that you need different admin buttons -- pause and exit sound good, but menu and save are less likely to be useful. 


Scott

1) Yeah I thought I mentioned that the font was leftover.  It needs to be different.  The marquee isn't a font- it's a drawing, but I'll have to figure out something.

2) I'm running an XBOX 360 in the arcade as well as a PC.  The four menu buttons work well as the guide buttons for each controller.  In theory, I could get away with just the guide button for P1, but I'd like to have some functionality without lifting the CP every time.

3)I'm currently running hyper spin, though have thought of using MALA instead.  I for sure need an exit button.  I've read the concerns about the menu button.  Pause and save we're added to make up buttons 3 and 4- just so there would be 4 buttons.  If I only have an exit button (and maybe a menu button), I'd be tempted to hide them somewhere else.

Consider eliminating "Menu" and "Save"
Consider adding "Admin" (for shifted functions - not always needed, but personally useful) and a "Left Mouse Button" (I see you have a trackball that will also double as a mouse if you want it to)

That would keep your row of buttons at the top 4 across.  If you could get away with 3 across, time to have a kumbaya moment with Admin and Left Mouse Button...

Great advice!  I never planned on having a mouse button, so Admin it is. Thanks!

I just realized that I never nailed down a solution for volume.  I'm either using a 12V car audio amp, a boom box, or Yamaha receiver as the amplifier.  I'd like a hardware solution, just I'm case the software doesn't have the range of volume I need, possibly using a remote control if a knob is too much hassle.  Ideas?

[thrasherx]

I just can't leave it alone.

White stroke on the side and CP stripes, or not?

[a1pharm]

I just can't leave it alone.

White stroke on the side and CP stripes, or not?

The white stripe will draw attention to imperfection if you don't *perfectly* lay down the art.  I'd vote no, unless you are positive you will apply it perfectly.

[thrasherx]

I just can't leave it alone.

White stroke on the side and CP stripes, or not?

The white stripe will draw attention to imperfection if you don't *perfectly* lay down the art.  I'd vote no, unless you are positive you will apply it perfectly.

I was actually talking about the white stroke on the stripes as opposed to the outline stroke for each panel.  I've had the same thought about not getting it perfect but love the look when it's done right.  I'm looking at local printshops and considering using 3M 77 spray adhesive if they can't do self-adhesive vinyl.

[a1pharm]

I just can't leave it alone.

White stroke on the side and CP stripes, or not?

The white stripe will draw attention to imperfection if you don't *perfectly* lay down the art.  I'd vote no, unless you are positive you will apply it perfectly.

I was actually talking about the white stroke on the stripes as opposed to the outline stroke for each panel.  I've had the same thought about not getting it perfect but love the look when it's done right.  I'm looking at local printshops and considering using 3M 77 spray adhesive if they can't do self-adhesive vinyl.

This guy:
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?14155-Decals-and-Printing-for-your-HyperSpin-Cabinet

He does self-adhesive, air release technology vinyl.  It's superb.  I used it for the sides and CP of my father-in-law's bartop build.  I can't recommend this guy enough.  The marquee turned out great, as well.

He quoted me $150 + $20 shipping for my full cab, which is similar in size to yours.

[thrasherx]

I just can't leave it alone.

White stroke on the side and CP stripes, or not?

The white stripe will draw attention to imperfection if you don't *perfectly* lay down the art.  I'd vote no, unless you are positive you will apply it perfectly.

I was actually talking about the white stroke on the stripes as opposed to the outline stroke for each panel.  I've had the same thought about not getting it perfect but love the look when it's done right.  I'm looking at local printshops and considering using 3M 77 spray adhesive if they can't do self-adhesive vinyl.

This guy:
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?14155-Decals-and-Printing-for-your-HyperSpin-Cabinet

He does self-adhesive, air release technology vinyl.  It's superb.  I used it for the sides and CP of my father-in-law's bartop build.  I can't recommend this guy enough.  The marquee turned out great, as well.

He quoted me $150 + $20 shipping for my full cab, which is similar in size to yours.

That's perfect!  At that price I'm going to have to do the speaker panel and front panel as well.  How easy was the application?

[a1pharm]

Application was a breeze.  It's impossible to get air bubbles in your application with this guy's air-release vinyl.  I will be using him again for the artwork for my full sized cab.  Take a look at his youtube video he linked in that hyperspin forum post.  It is very easy to apply.