Family Guy CP Artwork

[Jdurg]

After quite a bit of time of measuring, re-measuring, and trying an innumerable amount of ideas, I FINALLY settled down on an artwork design that I can use for my Family Guy themed cab.  The cabinet is based upon the Drunken Clam, so I figured my CP would be like the top of a bar.  I've got two 8-way joysticks with 7 buttons per player, a trackball, a spinner, a four-way joystick with two buttons, a left mouse button, a right mouse button, two extra buttons above the right mouse button just for symmetry, a P1 Start Button, a P2 Start Button, and Pause and Cheat admin buttons.  A shift button on the side of the CP gives me enough options up top, and inside the coin door are the Service (F2) button, and various other admin buttons.

So the first pic below is just a mock-up of where the buttons will be and the joysticks.

The second pic is the one that I'm going to go and have printed.  I just need to test print this out somehow to make sure I have everything lined up right.  I think the art is simple, yet complex enough to look good once it's installed on the CP.  I just now think that I should re-think my color choices for the buttons on my CP.


Just keep in mind that these images have been dropped from 300 to 72 dpi and had their size reduced by half.  Hopefully that doesn't remove the nice textures I put onto the napkin and the coaster.

[Jdurg]

Okay.  I see that Staples will print it for only about $20 max.  Yes, it won't be my final print as I'll go through mamemarquees to do that, but I'm willing to spend up to $20 for a good quality "draft" which is what I would expect from Staples.  It will allow me to check on my alignment and ensure that is done right before I go and spend the money on the final product.  Plus, with the Staples print I'll be able to mark it up with pen and whatnot to see just where I need to move everything. 

Next weekend, I might be finishing my CP!   

[Jdurg]

Woo-Hoo!  IT WORKS!!!!!  The measurements I took turned out nearly perfect.  I took my file to Staples today and went to have them print me out a copy.  The color version would have cost me approximately $35.00, but a black and white version would only be $6.00.  Since this was my first rough draft, I went with the black and white.  I took it home, put it on my CP and cut out the holes.  It was near perfect.  I have to move a few items around slightly, which I've already done, but otherwise it all lines up great. 

I will go back tomorrow and spend the money for the color print.  I saw a sample of their color prints and they looked good.  Their printer is a 1200x1200 dpi printer so my 300 dpi artwork will print beautifully.  I really can't wait for this.  I'll then be able to fully install the controls in my CP and begin wiring them up.

I also bought some velcro to keep the top attached to the bottom, and the CP is VERY sturdy.   I only need to get my t-molding and it will be all set.  Still trying to decide between the 1.25" and 1.5" varieties to help conceal the small gap between the top and bottom of the CP.

[ablizno]

Good idea im going to hit staples to get my draft done. Good thing i only need it to be black and white.

[Jdurg]

Yeah, the B&W draft is not of the highest quality, but it's better to waste $5 on a printout that might not fit properly than to spend $35 on a nice print and find out that it doesn't work.

[Jdurg]

Went to Staples today to get the color print out and had to wait quite a bit.  It was worth it, however, as the print job came out perfect!  Their 1200x1200 dpi printer did a great job of reproducing EXACTLY what I had composed on my own.  The colors look good, and right now I'm just waiting for the ink to fully dry.  I figure later tonight I'll be able to cut it using the new x-acto blades I bought and completely install it.  The paper stock it's on is pretty tough and will be just fine underneath the Lexan overlay.  When I go and get my Marquee and side art printed, that will be done with a much higher quality company with better vinyl/paper stock, etc., but for a CP Overlay under Lexan, Staples does a fine job.  It only cost about $40 for the full 40" x 18" printout.  (The printout is larger than my CP as I wanted the edges to extend past the edge of the CP so I can just cut off the extra.  The key parts are right where they need to be).

I'm debating whether or not to post pictures here now, or wait a week or so until I get my T-Molding and insall that too.

[ablizno]

What did u get it printed on? Just standard paper? and yes post pictures

[Jdurg]

Yeah.  Standard glossy paper, and I'll post picture tomorrow when I go to bed, then wake up.