Paperboy Marquee Vectorized

[Neverending Project]

Thanks to Encryptor and FrizzleFried who sent me the bitmap, I was able to vectorize the marquee. I used an open source program called Inkscape, which is a very powerful vector program. It saves in a .svg format, so would someone with Illustrator please open the file and make sure it converts OK?

The only things I have left to do are the Atari logo, and the text. I also have a question about the paperboy's hat - in the original marquee there is a orange dot pattern, no doubt used during the screening process since there are only 4 colors in the marquee. How should I vectorize this? To keep it original, I was thinking about filling it with an orange dot pattern just like the original... thoughts?

Attached are a screenshot of the vectorized marquee, a screenshot of the scan (for comparison), and the .svg file. Note that once I finish the file completely I will replace the attached file with the final version.

Oh yeah, it is my first vectorization - so suggestions and comments are welcome.

[TheShanMan]

When I did my cpo in inkscape I found that it didn't look identical in acrobat (ai files = pdf files now) when I saved it as ai from inkscape. Therefore I decided to rasterize my image when I sent it to mamemarquees, since he rasterizes it anyway. I wanted to be sure that all format conversions were done by me and I could see the final result!

[bosco]

Nice Job.  Can you upload it to THE library when you're done?

http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/

[FrizzleFried]

...if only the same thing could be done with the Control Panel Overly....

[Neverending Project]

...if only the same thing could be done with the Control Panel Overly....

If you can think of a way to get a good scan, I would give it a try. The problem would be getting the curved part of the CP scanned somehow.

When I get a chance, I will take a closer look at my CP and see if I can think of anything.

[MaximRecoil]

The only things I have left to do are the Atari logo, and the text. I also have a question about the paperboy's hat - in the original marquee there is a orange dot pattern, no doubt used during the screening process since there are only 4 colors in the marquee. How should I vectorize this? To keep it original, I was thinking about filling it with an orange dot pattern just like the original... thoughts?

This isn't something you are supposed to include in the source file if it is destined for screen printing; it is something that is done in the printing process. The reason it was done in the first place was to create the illusion of a different shade of orange/red in the hat, even though only one shade is being used in reality.  The printer is responsible for this halftoning process; which he does while making the films used to expose the screens.

Regarding what you should do; that depends on what you plan to use the file for. If you are sending it off to be screen printed, then you simply tell the screen printer what to do (i.e., halftone the red on that section of the hat to create the illusion of orange).

If it is going to be digitally printed, then you would need to create the halftone effect yourself in the file if you want it to be there in the printout; otherwise you'd have to use a solid color that approximates the illusionary orange of the original. You could do that for screen printing too, but it would add an extra color, which means an extra screen to create, which means extra money; plus it would be less like the original.

If you are just putting the file out there for others to use, then take your pick on what to do with that section of the hat. It will be up to whoever uses the file to figure out what to do.

[Neverending Project]

Paperboy Marquee Done!

And uploaded to localarcade. Attached is the png image - check localarcade for the vector file.

[zorg]

Hi,

nice work.

just a problem, the .svg file crashes Illustrator CS3 when I try to open it 

can you provide another file format ?
I suspect the dot shading, as the previous version you posted does not shows this problem.

[2600]

Nice.

Any chance of doing the Handlebar Overlay?

[Neverending Project]

I will try to convert the .svg when I get home - I have illustrator there. My wor... er, other computer only has Inkscape, which is what I used to do the vector.

Handlebar overlay will be third on my list. Next is the CPO, of which I am about 1/4 done. It is much tougher, since I have to hand-trace the CPO before I can scan it into the computer.

[2600]

Sounds good.  I definitely will have to remember to check in to see your progress on the Handlebar Overlay.

Thanks.

[Neverending Project]

I have converted the marquee to .ai format, and hopefully all is well. I will try to contact sirwoogie to have him change the file on localarcade. In the interim, it is attached here.

Let me know if anyone has any problems.

[zorg]

I will try to contact sirwoogie to have him change the file on localarcade.

I check the file and will update loclaarcade one

thanks

Edit: file checked, everything is OK.
Edit 2: file updated on AAL.

[Neverending Project]

Thanks.

For the record, it wasn't the "halftone" fill that caused problems with the svg file opening in AI. I deleted the fill, and it still would not open. I suspect it is just a limitation of AI's ability to translate svg files. I ended up exporting the svg file as an eps (in Inkscape), and then opening the eps in Illustrator.

People may not like it much, but for a free tool, Inkscape is pretty powerful.

[thatitalian]

GREAT WORK!

I love seeing old artwork getting brought back to life and stored forever! You have done an amazing job! Zorg must be proud!