re-theme project

Now that I got my early solid state pin working (installed an Alltek MPU, fired right up), I'm starting the process of figuring how I want to do the artwork.  I'm going to start with the cabinet and backglass first, so it actually starts looking like a theme (and because the playfield is going to take the longest, and I don't want to lose steam).  Last night I started working on it, and my wife asked what I was doing.  I was tracing an image to do a 3-layer mask for the cabinet artwork, and she said "yea but both the cabinet artwork and backglass have the same band members.  Could you include both versions of the band for each piece of artwork?".  I said "sure, this is your pinball afterall".  Felt good to include her on something, especially something I'm so passionate about.  So we started google image searching for some good images.

Since I'm back to photo artwork (not mask layers), I can no longer just spray it.  I thought about maybe just going the vinyl route, but I had another idea (I've done this in the past on other projects).  If you print a good image, then apply it to wood using elmer's glue, not only will it stick really well, it will seal itself in a transparent coating (If you use a nice rubber roller, it will give a much cleaner even layer than a brush, plus you'll be less apt to tear the paper while it's wet).  I think I'm gonna try this technique to see how it works.

For the backglass, I found a good shot of them, but I cropped out the background and photoshopped a stage behind them.  I also used a program called "rasterbator" (yes, it's a real program, and it's not dirty).  It will take an image, and do a tile print (so you can print a large format photo with a regular 8.5x11 printer).  It does create dots so it will affect the image quality, but it's fine for a preview.  Also because it works by number of sheets, you have to allow for it.  So for instance, since my backglass width is 28.5", I have to have some gap on each side to allow for the 4 pages (8.5 x 4 = 34").  That way when it prints, it will be 1:1 scale.  My printer ran out of ink this morning so it started looking like crap, but you get the gist of it:

Anyway, the beauty now is I can figure out where the displays and bulb items like player, TILT, MATCH will show up on the artwork.  Also since old machines like this are so simple, I'm not against completely re-laying out the board  (I.E. cut new piece of wood, cut out holes for the display locations, cut holes for the general illumination, move the locations for TILT/MATCH).  I'd rather not have a display overlapping one of their faces.

Here's what the side cabinet artwork will be:

And here's what will be on the sides of the backbox will look like: