Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Dial faces and Decals

["Rick and Marcia" <empiricus@telus.net>]

Hi, Stan . . . sure, no problemo.

Those crisp automotive or marine gauges that you see were originally drawn
out (well, now it's probably on computers) on large pieces of art paper by
hand using very fine art pens, Letraset numerals (many fonts available) and
compasses.

The idea is to draw the gauge on high quality paper on your art table a
couple of feet in diameter (for a round gauge) using geometry for precise
placement of lines, numerals, etc.

Once the art work is finished you photograph it using slide film. I
recommend Kodak Ektachrome.  The result is that the crisp lines that you
drew have become intensely crisp because you've reduced all the pen line
edging to a level that is below what the eye is capable of perceiving (i.e.:
High resolution).

The image (use medium format - 6 X 6,  6 X 4.5 or 6 X 7, but NOT 35 mm) is
now reduced to a usable size on the slide of about two to two and a half
inches - which is roughly standard gauge size.

You have two options regarding colour: You can draw the colour right onto
your art.  Or, you can buy a gel filter sample set from a pro photography
store for a few bucks and cut out the gel samples and glue them to the back
of the slide film.

Once you have the slide film, adhere some translucent plastic sheet (from an
art supply store) to the back of the slide.  When you hold it up to the
light you won't be able to see images behind the slide (the light bulb, your
kitchen ceiling, etc.) but you will be able to see a diffuse light pouring
through it - which is what you want.  When you look at an automotive gauge
do you see inside the instrument?  No. You want to see a backlit gauge face.

Build a case for the gauge using brass sheet, abs/pvc pipe or what have you.
Keep in mind that you'll have to design the movement or electronics of the
gauge and find some way of translating the information from the sender to
the gauge face.

I prefer an oil dampened mechanical pendulum, for example, to illustrate
pitch.  Using pulleys and fine wire, connect the pendulum to the gauge face
indicator wire or pin.  For a finished looking gauge, raid a plastic pointer
from an automotive gauge.  It'll look slick.

Hope this helps.

Warm regards,
Rick


----- Original Message -----
From: <SFreihof@aol.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 3:08 PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Dial faces and Decals


> Hi Rick;
>
> Not being a photographer, I'm not sure I understand the process you are
describing, but I'm interested in learning how to make a dial face or decal
type graphic.  Can you describe the process in more detail?
>
> Thanks...
>
> Stan
>
> In a message dated 8/30/2004 2:23:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time, "Rick and
Marcia" <empiricus@telus.net> writes:
>
> >I designed a pitch gauge that I'm proud of. Being a photographer I can
design the gauge face (in a large original of about two feet) with an
ultrafine art pen and copy it off the wall or copy stand onto medium format
colour slide film. A translucent sheet of plastic from an art supply store
behind the positive (slide) and the result is a nice automotive type gauge
face with pleasant light dispersion.
> >
> >Rick
>
>
>
>
> ************************************************************************
> ************************************************************************
> ************************************************************************
> The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
> CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
> because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
> from our organization.
>
> If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
> link below or send a blank email message to:
> removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
>
> Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
> automated process and should be complete within five minutes of receipt
> of your request.
>
> mailto:removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
>
> PSUBS.ORG
> PO Box 311
> Weare, NH  03281
> 603-529-1100
> ************************************************************************
> ************************************************************************
> ************************************************************************
>
>




************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.

If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
	removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of receipt
of your request.

mailto:removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 311
Weare, NH  03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************