Opinions on my artwork.

[Flip_Willie]

     Well, I have finally gotten my artwork to "preview" status.  I have never printed any artwork before now, so any opinions will be more than welcome.

     As far as the layout of the controls, I am pretty sure this is how I want.  I mostly play fighter games, so I based my artwork off the KI CPO.  And yes I know, no coin buttons -- this is on purpose.  I basically want to keep it as clean as possible.  In short, I am primarily concerned about the graphics of the artwork.

     So here it is:

   
   Larger version: http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6483/forshowlargejs4.jpg

    Obviously, six buttons apiece (Marked by white circles), two joysticks (Center of joystick arrows), and two start buttons (Up at the top).  Also, it is going on a panel that will be 37" x 14".  I rendered the main image in 3Ds Max, so I can change it fairly easily.

    Once again, all comments are welcome.  I would rather redo my artwork than waste $70.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[Chris G]

Well, I'm neither an artist, nor a fighter expert, but I'll throw out of few thoughts, for what they're worth...

I like the nice, clean, simple look.  The color scheme seems rather elegant to me.

The button labels are very specific.  I guess that's ok if you're really modeling after the one game.

I know you said you're happy with the layout and are just looking for graphics comments, but have you done a test panel yet?  37" seems very wide to me, especially for just 2 joysticks.

 
Chris

[Flip_Willie]

I know you said you're happy with the layout and are just looking for graphics comments, but have you done a test panel yet?  37" seems very wide to me, especially for just 2 joysticks.

   I am replacing a panel on an used machine.  Anything much smaller wouldn't fit.  (Wouldn't cover all the space).

   I am basically going to remake this panel with the new artwork:

  

   However, as far as space goes, I would like a fair amount of it between player 1 and 2.  I don't want it to fell cramped.  What is the average distance you would suggest between players?

The button labels are very specific.  I guess that's ok if you're really modeling after the one game.

    That is how I want it.  I mainly play fighter games.  So it should work well for street fighter, Killer instinct, etc.  I know it is primarily modeled after KI, but I see no reason why it shouldn't work for any other fighter game.  Sure Street fighet calls it "light" attack instead of quick, but that really doesn't matter to me.  However, it also should work all right for any other games I want to play -- even if it isn't specific for them.

The color scheme seems rather elegant to me.

    Let's not be ambiguous, shall we? ha.  ;•)

Well, I'm neither an artist, nor a fighter expert, but I'll throw out of few thoughts, for what they're worth...

    That is quite fine, your comments are more than appreciated.

    Thanks.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[Chris G]

However, as far as space goes, I would like a fair amount of it between player 1 and 2.  I don't want it to fell cramped.  What is the average distance you would suggest between players?

As long as it looks and feels right to you and the homies, that's all the matters!

Chris

[Duake]

It doesn't look bad, but what are those gold things coming out of the button area?

Also it looks like the top left of Player 1's rounded white outline is a little darker than the rest.

[Flip_Willie]

It doesn't look bad, but what are those gold things coming out of the button area?

   The gold things are just decoration. These kinds of things are what I am wondering about.  Do they look awkward?  If so, I can change it.  I suppose I was kind of trying to resemble the little gold things on the KI panel.
Basically just a space filler.

   Circular gold things on the right and left side:
 

Also it looks like the top left of Player 1's rounded white outline is a little darker than the rest.

   I guess I don't know where on the artwork this is.  However, because I made it in 3Ds Max, there are going to be lighter and darker portions.  Unless you think it looks bad, it doesn't bother me.

   Also, Duake, I would like to thank you for your post in the "WANTED: Custom CPO Artwork" thread.  It was very helpful.

   Just for a little more information, I created the main picture in 3Ds max and then edited it in Photoshop.  I used photoshop to add the button outlines and button labels.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie 

[Duake]

It doesn't look bad, but what are those gold things coming out of the button area?

   The gold things are just decoration. These kinds of things are what I am wondering about.  Do they look awkward?  If so, I can change it.  I suppose I was kind of trying to resemble the little gold things on the KI panel.
Basically just a space filler.

   Circular gold things on the right and left side:
 

Also it looks like the top left of Player 1's rounded white outline is a little darker than the rest.

   I guess I don't know where on the artwork this is.  However, because I made it in 3Ds Max, there are going to be lighter and darker portions.  Unless you think it looks bad, it doesn't bother me.

   Also, Duake, I would like to thank you for your post in the "WANTED: Custom CPO Artwork" thread.  It was very helpful.

   Just for a little more information, I created the main picture in 3Ds max and then edited it in Photoshop.  I used photoshop to add the button outlines and button labels.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie 

Looking at the image again... I'm seeing that the "Start" font is a little too comical feeling. Looks like they used Impact or something more prominent on the original.

The background to the buttons and joystick looks like diamond plate. Unfortunately, to me anyway, it looks as if it takes away from the rest of what's on it. It's a little too shiny and not "solid". I like the huge background. What if you made the main background a lighter gray color and then put the darker version where that diamond plate texture is? Or vice versa? The KI version uses wood and slate textures. Make a version without those gold things and see what it looks like.

No problem on the "WANTED" thread. Glad I could help!

[Flip_Willie]

   Okay, I Rendered some more.  I Haven't re-added the buttons and letters, though.  I figured I'd get the main image right first.

    So I took out the gold things, and changed some of the textures.  Here are a few of them.

    1:
   

    2:
   

    3:
   

    4:
   

    Anyway, just for an idea.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[Organic Jerk]

Of your new batch I like 2 and 3 the most as opposites... 

Although I don't much like the fonts used for your "Player" labels... it might be the font itself, or the fact that the color usage clashes with the rest... I have to concentrate a bit more to read them, and it feels slightly unconfortable from a design standpoint...  maybe play with some lighter shades in the text's gradient?

[Pongo]

I hope you don't mind, but I made up a version for you. I liked the diamond plate look in your first one, but I thought it needed more contrast to punch it up a bit. I was going to just adjust a few things, but I got carried away and tried something a bit different. It may go to far away from your simple look though, which is nice and does not have a lot of distracting bits everywhere. (I didn't get to the vs. and text labels yet)

In your version, I think the weakest part right now is the type treatment. The player font is ok, but the colors need to be tweaked a bit. The Vs. font I think needs to be different.

And, of course if you are interested I can give you a high-res version of the file I was working on.

[Chris G]

That looks pretty sweet, Pongo!  Just needs a little color, which the text would probably provide.   

[Flip_Willie]

I hope you don't mind, but I made up a version for you. I liked the diamond plate look in your first one, but I thought it needed more contrast to punch it up a bit. I was going to just adjust a few things, but I got carried away and tried something a bit different. It may go to far away from your simple look though, which is nice and does not have a lot of distracting bits everywhere. (I didn't get to the vs. and text labels yet)

In your version, I think the weakest part right now is the type treatment. The player font is ok, but the colors need to be tweaked a bit. The Vs. font I think needs to be different.

And, of course if you are interested I can give you a high-res version of the file I was working on.

   Wow, yours really blew mine out of the water.  I can see you put a lot of effort into it.  It seriously looks awesome.

   However, I hope you won't take it the wrong way when I say I was sort of wanting to do it myself.  I feel really bad saying this, simply cause your art is spectacular and you obviously put a lot of time into it.  Also, I have seen some of the work you have done in the past and it has all been superb.  Much better than I am able to do.

   However, It is posible that the most fun I get from doing arcade stuff, is putting my own work into my projects -- even if it is subpar  ;•)  I hope you don't take this the wrong way, I really appreciate your effort and input.

   Recently, I have been busy and haven't had much time to do anything.  However, as far as the text goes, I agree 100% that the player text is off in font and color. After looking at it, it really doesn't look good.  As for the Vs Text, I think it is off a little also.

   Once again, I am sorry about that Pongo. 

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[Pongo]

No problems at all.

I was thinking about it after I posted, and was hoping you wouldn't get upset for that very reason. Hopefully it gives you some idea of where you can go with yours though. The most important thing is that you are having fun with it and like it.

[Flip_Willie]

No problems at all.

I was thinking about it after I posted, and was hoping you wouldn't get upset for that very reason...

   Me upset?  Haha, no, not at all.

Hopefully it gives you some idea of where you can go with yours though...

    Yes, I hope so too.  I like how you curved it inwards on the top and bottom.  Maybe I could do something similiar to this.  It makes it a little more interesting.

    Thanks!

Just as it is,
Flip Willie