Time to decide on Artwork - Newbie!

[Stickman]

Ok, so I have bought the book (excellent I must say), dived in, bought most of the parts and the cabinet has just had a second coat of paint. It is based on the Koenigs Project Mame cabinet but I liked the Taitorama CP so modified the DWG to suit and have had a stainless one made up. I plan to post the complete project up shortly in the announcements forum.

But to the matter in hand - ARTWORK!

So I have knocked around a few ideas and ended up deciding on a bespoke Star Wars theme. I have gone through the forums / internet , seen some nice work by Mikonos and other internet pictures as inspiration.  My thoughts are to have a good / evil spilt on each side of the cabinet , not sure about the kick plate and bezel yet and a simple CP, I do favour less clutter.

So I have played around tonight and knocked up the picture below. First and foremost I wanted to check I had the correct size so did a test print on A3 and all the holes line up 

Was playing with the idea of getting several different X-Wings / Tie Fighters on it, so placed one to see how it looked against the background.

Being a newbie to this and Photoshop I am on a steep learning curve so constructive criticism ideas always greatly welcomed.

Should I have the image size at the same size as the CP or allow a little larger?

Is 200 DPI good enough quality?

Look forward to your thoughts.

 

[yotsuya]

Ok, so I have bought the book (excellent I must say), dived in, bought most of the parts and the cabinet has just had a second coat of paint. It is based on the Koenigs Project Mame cabinet but I liked the Taitorama CP so modified the DWG to suit and have had a stainless one made up. I plan to post the complete project up shortly in the announcements forum.

But to the matter in hand - ARTWORK!

So I have knocked around a few ideas and ended up deciding on a bespoke Star Wars theme. I have gone through the forums / internet , seen some nice work by Mikonos and other internet pictures as inspiration.  My thoughts are to have a good / evil spilt on each side of the cabinet , not sure about the kick plate and bezel yet and a simple CP, I do favour less clutter.

So I have played around tonight and knocked up the picture below. First and foremost I wanted to check I had the correct size so did a test print on A3 and all the holes line up 

Was playing with the idea of getting several different X-Wings / Tie Fighters on it, so placed one to see how it looked against the background.

Being a newbie to this and Photoshop I am on a steep learning curve so constructive criticism ideas always greatly welcomed.

Should I have the image size at the same size as the CP or allow a little larger?

Is 200 DPI good enough quality?

Look forward to your thoughts.

I'd lose the planet - looks too much like Earth. Use something that looks alien, or use the Death Star.

And we don't mention Mikonos around here, pardner. 

[Stickman]

Thanks

I need to get my DVD's out and see what type of planets they use in the movie or as you suggest change the large planet to the Death Star and have a smaller doomed planet in the background!

As for the other thing I did see 'that name' was banned so it shall not be used again!

[AzureKnight]

Form over Function:  I would recommend you do a cardboard mockup of that button layout first to make sure you like the parallel offset buttons like that.  When you start a build thread you will see that recommendation a lot and if your art is already printed....you either reprint or are stuck with it.

You also might want to think about construction precision.  You have a perfect ring around each button.  If you look at a lot of artwork the buttons all tend to be in one bigger demarked area.  I know on my build a few of my buttons ended up a hair off after drilling and in your case that will mean some of those red rings might not be perfectly aligned anymore.  That might not matter to you, or you might be better than I am at drilling perfectly    Just throwing it out there as it is something I regretted because I DO notice...
 

[AzureKnight]

Also, after taking a second look at the art...that reflection off the planet really grabs my eyes.  I'd almost think you want the X-Wing to pop more than the North Pole.

[yotsuya]

Also, after taking a second look at the art...that reflection off the planet really grabs my eyes.  I'd almost think you want the X-Wing to pop more than the North Pole.

You kind of affirmed how I feel. If you need to use a planet, use something exotic-looking, like Courscant:

[Stickman]

Thanks for the input.

Interestingly I am considering dropping it and looking as you suggest at just grouping the buttons together. The panel has already been manufactured by a buddy and all laser cut, apart from the joystick fixing holes which I drilled into stainless....that was fun and did ceate a bit of creep.

I have seen some artwork that is available on ebay which is more generic multicade type stuff from a guy in the US called digdug who does all but the CP. The cabinet I have built is actually a gift to a friend and I am on a deadline (with myself, as he is unaware of it) and I feel to try and get artwork together for the full cabinet will just take too long to design, then draw and get printed, any thoughts?

So a simple CP with grouped buttons,  colours to match the buttons and a simple name between the two buttons on the front is the latest idea.

Amazing how this 'hobby'starts taking over your mind, laying awake in bed visualizing how it will all go together.

[AzureKnight]

Amazing how this 'hobby'starts taking over your mind, laying awake in bed visualizing how it will all go together.

Yeah....that....I know what you are talking about.

If speed is an issue that certainly makes sense.  Does he have a favorite arcade game you could theme it off of?

Also, gameongrafix.com has a selection of random art as well, you might find something there you like.