**As yet unnamed upright arcade project 50% complete

[mashdizzle]

Just a little project that I'm building for a buddy of mine. It's not quite a full size, just big enough for some two player action.

[Daniel B.]

I'm digging the smooth edges and curves. Shes a beaut.

[aszurom]

How do you guys do those curves so well?  Is that all router magic?

[dmworking247]

Wow I really like that shape.

The monitor area does a look a little like a 'kiosk' but I'm sure that'll pass once the cabinet has some colour & bezel/glass/etc.

Well done!

[javeryh]

I really like the shape of this thing so far - I'd be curious to see a shot of the back to see how you handled the curved side panels in relation to the back pabel.   

How do you guys do those curves so well?  Is that all router magic?

It's jigsaw and sanding magic and then router magic to make an identical panel for the other side.

[csa3d]

I really like the shape of this thing so far - I'd be curious to see a shot of the back to see how you handled the curved side panels in relation to the back pabel.   

How do you guys do those curves so well?  Is that all router magic?

It's jigsaw and sanding magic and then router magic to make an identical panel for the other side.

Followed by some pushbroom magic, which is always amazing to finally see floor again.
-csa

[mashdizzle]

I originally wanted to make a curved back panel with two pieces of bendable plywood but my friends budget wouldn't allow for it. So now I'm using 8 inch tall pieces for the curved section, it gives it that appeal of the curve without being too angular. When I get the back finished Ill post some more pics.

[mashdizzle]

Here is a pic of the finished back. All panels but the top two are removable for easy access to the monitor/computer area.

[TOK]

The curve doesn't look bad, even with the sections. If you cut all those angles where there meet, you could probably lightly go over the seams with a random orbital sander and get the whole thing pretty smooth. If the angles weren't cut and you get a gap when you sand, Bondo would hide them.

[mashdizzle]

Yes, bondo is a finish carpenter's best friend

[briktop11b]

I'm diggin the sectioned look on the curved back.

[roorooroo]

Looks really good so far..smooth and rounded..nice

[csa3d]

totally diggin' it!  I like the idea of taking those angled panels and creating a piston style "hatchback" style access panel.  Keep 'em coming!

-csa

[Thy]

Looks great so far! Curves turned out fantastic.

[blueznl]

I never understand why people want to buy 'bendable plywood'. Two or three layers of 3 mm plywood, bended, fixed, glued, will do. And is not that expensive.

[mashdizzle]

Sorry that there hasn't been any pictures in a while but I'm waiting for my buddy to order all the controls and t-moulding. As soon as I get some parts in, I'll send another update. I've always liked bendable plywood because it was thick enough to hold a screw (for those difficult layups) and it only took two sheets to make a 3/4 inch panel. I don't know the mm to inch conversion off the top of my head but it seems like it would take about 8 layers to get a full thickness panel. If the plywood edges were exposed like alot of sweedish type furniture, I would see the benefit. I've been working on a couple logo types let me know what you think.

[Daniel B.]

do the hoovicade font, on the blue background, with the gradient on the text and I think that would be perfect!

[mashdizzle]

do the hoovicade font, on the blue background, with the gradient on the text and I think that would be perfect!

here is the rough version. added a lens flare to the middle, not sure if it is necessary.

[Daniel B.]

It looks pretty  bad ass to me man. I don't know about the flare, but the rest looks great.

[rotheblog]

I think the lens flare ads depth, but it obscures the text just enough to make it obtrusive, especially when not all the characters in the font are legible.

I don't like that "V".  It doesn't look like a V.  I understand this is an arcade font...but I'd modify it just a little bit, give it the "up" on the right half in some small modification.

Outline the font and modify that V.  Look at the characters and identify what pieces of a character are needed to immediately recognize what letter it is.  The A and D are borderline, but passable.  I personally would modify those, but the V should really be done.

PS, where did you get that image in the background?  Or did you make that all your own?  It would look cool with multiple colors, not just a blue hue....

[mashdizzle]

I don't like that "V".  It doesn't look like a V.  I understand this is an arcade font...but I'd modify it just a little bit, give it the "up" on the right half in some small modification.

PS, where did you get that image in the background?  Or did you make that all your own?  It would look cool with multiple colors, not just a blue hue....

The V is a little understated but then again it's a Tron font. font and the background were downloaded from http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/

The hues could be altered but my buddy wanted the blue/yellow scheme

[rotheblog]

So, I guess I don't understand, you didn't answer me directly.  You think the V is understated, but you won't change it because who "filled out" that Tron font set (based on how the TRON characters looked) decided that is how a V should look?  The letter V isn't even used in any Tron games or literature, is it?

If the blue scheme is what your buddy wanted, you have to go with that....

Just my professional design 2 cents...I don't see anywhere in the thread where you are actually asking for opinions to improve...maybe just looking for agreement.

[emb]

The CP looks pretty sharp. Looks awesome so far!

[mashdizzle]

I'm going to have to think about how to deal with the "V", "A", and "D". Rothecreations, your suggestions are excellent and exactly what I was looking for. You've got me thinking about how to deal with the font when I would have left it. I was also pretty sure that lens flare was a little too much. thanks!