My CP artwork stinks - edit: now with new artwork

[Extreme8]

I need help from the talented artwork guru's that reside in this sacred place.

I had a concept for CP artwork that I thought I'd like (and still might) but it's suffered in the execution. I have the artistic ability of a Codfish and this sample shows it.

It seems really bland & I don't think it matches the feel of the marquee. I'm not sure it adds to the theme of the machine or not. I'm afraid it looks more like a lane on the interstate than the groove on a racetrack.

The control layout was traced off of Motorfishes panel but still needs some adjustment. The carbon fiber didn't scale correctly when I reduced the image, but in the original it is to correct scale so ignore that portion. The drop shadow is also exaggerated after scaling but I think I might like that look.

The background was created entirely in photoshop so changing the size/scale/perspective isn't an issue. All of the tire marks, oils spots, cracks & shading are on seperate layers and can be easily adjusted.
I have the full sized image used as a background for the marquee (marquee version is a crop) but it seemed way too busy when used on the CP and the controls got lost.

The cab sides will be repainted yellow with the front and top remaining black. T-molding will be swapped out for yellow as well.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to punch this up are welcomed and appreciated.

[walls83]

you might try Diamond plating instead of the carbon fiber.

[Extreme8]

I'll give the diamond plate a shot. The carbon fiber actually looks pretty good when you see it to scale but the diamond plate might brighten it up some.

I realize there is a serious lack of color but I have no idea how to introduce more without looking like it's held together with spit and bailing wire. I was hoping some kind soul here might have some insight....

I know exactly what you mean about dropping the road down. The roadway was created with a direct overhead view and I changed the perspective to get the angle it has now. I'll see if I can drop it a bit more and see how it looks.

I agree about the Nextel logo, but not because I'm concerned about it becoming obsolete. Since I'm doing the cabinet over in yellow and black I think I'm stuck with the Nextel scheme.
I just doesn't flow where it is.

Here is the image I used to create the marquee, but in my opinion it's way too busy to use as a CP unless someone has an idea.

[walls83]

http://sportserver.nandomedia.com/images/gallery/racing/stock/20050228/nas0025.0.jpg

Here is something Im talking about.  but from the drivers seat view.  You wouldnt have to add color the cars would do that.

[namedos]

I was thinking the same thing as what Walls showed you for background image.  I would definitely get rid of the metal plate.  How about some checkered flags?  Doesn't someone used two crossed flags in their logo? 

Another idea - how about a picture from inside the car looking out as if you were actually driving?  Your trackball could be where the tach normally is.  Take a look at gamespot.com and do a search for Nascar in PC games.  There is a lot of high resolution shots that you could potentially use.

Another idea - you could use one large car as your background image or an overhead shot of your favorite race track.

Lots of options to add colors such as endorsement stickers and/or car bodies, flags, ...

You could use a couple of crashed cars somewhere with pieces flying off. 

Use a car with "Player One" on the side to display the controlls for player one and player two.

[TurboC--]

This may sound naive but... is the Nascade going to have a steering wheel control?   

[Avery]

I realize there is a serious lack of color but I have no idea how to introduce more without looking like it's held together with spit and bailing wire. I

As is, this is not as sucky as you are making it out to be, but more color is probably the right answer.

I'd make the yellow a bit brighter.

Then I'd take Walls sugestion in a different dircetion.  You're looking down at pavement.  Pull the camera back so you are looking down at pavement from the Goodyear Blimp or something and ther are cars on it.  Blur the cars but not the pavement so that it looks like it was shot with a longer exposure than you would want to shoot racecars with, sorta like frogger only with motion blur.  I'd put them so they're running just off of horizontal, so that you can get a reasonable number of cars in there.

The hard part, do you want to use cars that seem likely to be winners of a race, or do you want to pick the ones that give your CP the best look.

[Extreme8]

OK, I've thrown in the towel on the old asphalt design. I got some great feedback but most were ideas I had already tried and just didn't have the photoshop chops to pull off. I could never get the artwork to look right with cars peeking in and out of the control clusters.
Some people have artistic ability and some don't. I happen to be a "don't"

Here's rev 2.0
Different track (no pun intended) entirely.
Kept the carbon fiber - tried diamond plate but I really like carbon fiber for some reason -  I did tweak it some. I took a chunk from the original marquee art feathered it a bit and stuck it in the middle, added another shot of the 24 car to match the marqee.
Haven't finalized the placement of the controls yet but I plan to build another CP top to match the new artwork (the one I originally built has the 4way much too close to the trackball - you could loose a finger playing Golden Tee).That's the easy stuff.

Any better?

[c64rulez]

In my opinion dont go bright on the cp.
Mine is still not finished, but I also considered yellow.
I just think it distracts the eyes somewhat.
I'd go for something neutral, perhaps a darker shade

[Extreme8]

Toned down the bright colors some and I think it helps.
I also added an image of the race car ignition panel I plan to use for administrative functions as well as quit & pause (quit being under the protective switch cover so it can't be hit accidently)

[walls83]

much better

I think its a keeper

[koolmoecraig]

No offense, but "Nascade" is pretty lame. It sounds like a nasal spray.

While i'm being nice, can you even find an ounce of carbon fiber on a Nascar car? I would do brushed aluminum. Carbon fiber is more Formula 1.

How about "NASCARCADE" if you are going to combine the two? Way cooler, I think. How many words actually end in AR? take advantage of it.

By the way, I saw Jeff Gordon at Carney's on Sunset out here in Hollywood last week. He likes Chili dogs.

[Extreme8]

Hey, I asked for opinions, although now that I think about it - you know what they say about opinions. They're like...... Nevermind.

You might be right about the Nascarcade, a bit convoluted but still...  I'll play around with it a bit and see if I like it or not.

Just because Cup cars don't have carbon fiber Monocoque bodies like F1 doesn't mean no carbon fiber at all. For example, last season several drivers used carbon fiber seats.
Probably not what you were getting at but you did ask if I could find "an ounce". That being said, I did try several different metal textures before I settled on the carbon fiber. Creative license and all that.

Hearing about Gordon hanging out in Hollywood doesn't surprise me. Either does cruising with his girlfriend on his 105 foot yacht. That boy has gone "Hollywood" for sure, but he sure can wheel a racecar.

[Extreme8]

Here it be, Nascarcade.
Not sure I'm lovin' it.

[koolmoecraig]

First off. It's always nice to see someone on these boards that can actually take honest opinions. It's funny how people ask for opinions and then get all butt hurt when someone is criticial. Bravo to you.

I have to say, I think the name looks even better now that you mocked up the marquee. Look at it dude! It looks like something Nascar would actually license. I would even put a little "Rights Reserved" circle next to it so it completely looks professional.

Of course, YOU have to love it.

Imagine how badass Nascar would be if those cars were all modern. If they were similar to the German DTM cars I'd be watching every weekend. If not high tech, at least make them actual "stock" based cars. Right now they are shells of the real cars. And carburetors? Come onnnnnn. I believe that last car in America sold with a carb was an '89 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The last sedan was like '81!

OK, I think i'm a little off topic here...

[koolmoecraig]

By the way, when it comes time to print I would go with Scott at
www.mamemarquees.com

Always top-notch quality.

[Extreme8]

No sense getting getting all worked up over an opinion I requested. I asked for help because I know my artistic sensabilities suck - Bad.
My technical ability with photoshop isn't terrible, but I have no artistic vision whatsoever. Any input I can get is appreciated.

I think part of the draw of Nascar is the magic of the old school carbureted V-8, the power, the sound. No high tech turbocharged, injected, computer managed power plant can replace it.
Think about it - a 358 cubic inch motor making 800+ horsepower at over 10,000 rpm for more than 3 hours at a shot. Solid live rear axle with old fashioned double A arms up front,  the only electronics on board are a simple MSD box and a radio.
You watch Michael Jordan and know you'll never jam a basketball like him, you can watch Roger Clemens throw a 95 mph fastball and realize you can never make that happen, but on race day there are 150,000 guys in the stands thinking "I could do that".
I doubt many feel that way watching Michael Schumacher.
OK, heartfelt rant off.

I actually paid for my marquee printing with Scott at Mamemarqees last night. He sent me the ftp address this morning but before I could upload I saw your post - Now I need to decide which version to send him.

Thanks for all the input so far - any others?

[koolmoecraig]

I do have another thought.

I think "NASCARCADE" should be BIGGER on the marquee. The letters look a little small. Maybe 25% larger?

[Extreme8]

I was worried that if I made the lettering larger it would become unreadable behind the race car.
Lemme have another look and see.

[Extreme8]

I guess the Nascar portion of the logo is well known enough that it doesn't really affect the readability. I think the larger logo does improve the look.

[BobbyG66]

How about moving the green background to the left a little.
This would make the second "C" part of the word "CADE".

This will keep the original NASCAR logo look right and maybe read better.

Just an idea.

BobbyG66

[Extreme8]

Good call BobbyG
I think you're 100% correct. It didn't look right but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Unless I get some other feedback before this evening I guess I'm about ready to upload this thing to Scott and get it printed. Then I can get back to making my final adjustments on the CP.
Thanks.