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Post by 50tbrd on Aug 5, 2013 22:47:08 GMT -5
In honor of CGC offering some of the best homebrew games at affordable prices for 17 years, I've created this overlay for Gravitrex. As I haven't made a physical version myself, I can't say how well it works but I've simulated gameplay. Playfield would probably be yellow. If someone knows about PARAJVE overlays or has a template for its measurements, I can put it in that format and tweek it to those specifications. Gravitrex Overlay Play.pdf (11.39 KB) |
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Post by TrekMD on Aug 5, 2013 22:49:35 GMT -5
Looks nice!
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Post by gauze on Aug 6, 2013 0:07:29 GMT -5
hm I should ask my friend if his wife can print on some 1/16" plastic, she had some some arcade marquees and they have come out great ...
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 6, 2013 10:24:10 GMT -5
Good idea to make a Gravitrex overlay on this occasion. ... It would be cool to work more colors into it, but the game doesn't lend itself well to that I guess since there are so many different levels and none of the various sprites are fixed anywhere in the screens. ... I always liked using the Star Castle overlay, but the colors and design don't necessarily make much sense.
Maybe something like the Spike overlay, where the color contrasts are subtle and the design is more superficial, content intended to be viewed kind of on the overlay itself, rather than meaningfully "tinting" the game graphics?
... I wonder if you might be interested in collaborating with me on a WotW overlay? I am trying to do my own design, but would like input and also assistance drafting it.
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 6, 2013 10:33:00 GMT -5
hm I should ask my friend if his wife can print on some 1/16" plastic, she had some some arcade marquees and they have come out great ... I would be VERY interested in any leads on the materials for this. I have been trying to arrange overlay screen printing with a local printer, but sourcing the materials has been difficult. What I have gotten from others who have done it is that the material is "polycarbonate sheet, up to .5mm thick". But I have not found a suitable place to buy material this thin. ... Also have not found a suitable source for the printing ink, especially in small quantity. Usually when I search for the plastic sheet I get massive search results on much thicker material, for building construction. The one source I found for the proper thickness was only for small and expensive sheets. BTW, the ideal thickness of .46mm (according to Fury) is equal to .018110 inches. This is less than 1/32" and greater than 1/64". ... 1/64" equals .015625", so it closer to 1/64 than to 1/32. |
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Post by TrekMD on Aug 6, 2013 10:52:36 GMT -5
I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's great to see development of overlays for homebrew games that don't have them. I hoping these get produced so we can use them with our Vectrexes!  |
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Post by Rapetou33 on Aug 6, 2013 11:26:43 GMT -5
Hi, I am new on this forum and take the opportunity to introduce myself : I am Olivier, a French fan. Thank you to all the contributors to the Vectrex scene. I would also be glad to get overlays for homebrews game and I therefore encourage those who are making efforts to create them. Longue vie à vectrex !
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Post by VectorX on Aug 6, 2013 11:37:09 GMT -5
It's a shame that, all these years later, overlays are still proving to be a fair pain in the ass to produce on a large scale.
Anyway, welcome Olivier.
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Post by 50tbrd on Aug 6, 2013 13:38:51 GMT -5
 I was just wondering if this WotW overlay design was ever made available to the public. Sure, PM me about it. The problem with overlays is that design for them basically needs to start with the programing of the game. Look at Vector Pilot. The time flash is a recurring them and therefore is incorporated in the overlay nicely. I thought about using a radial axis, or accentuating the sun but that planet selection screen is only a very small part of the game. I was trying to incorporate the colors of the Gravitrex Logo in the overall design but too many colors also make it look like a Christmas tree. I think once I start physically making a few of my designs I'll start to feel things out though. |
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Post by gauze on Aug 6, 2013 13:49:11 GMT -5
I have the means to print but no idea where to get the stock for this thanks for the thickness glipitude!
where does GeoFury get his plastic from?
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Post by TrekMD on Aug 6, 2013 14:46:10 GMT -5
If you guys make these a reality, I'm first in line to buy them!  |
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 6, 2013 23:29:14 GMT -5
I have the means to print but no idea where to get the stock for this thanks for the thickness glipitude! where does GeoFury get his plastic from? I do not know where he gets his plastic and I am guessing that he doesn't know either because I have directly discussed with him the challenges in making an overlay, and the prospect of me making an official overlay for his WotW game. I know that the Warrior overlays have been a major headache for him, and I don't think that he wants to involve himself in the overlay production process ever again. Others that I have talked to have mainly attributed the material sourcing to the particular printer that they have dealt with. But by all accounts this is a unique and challenging screen printing project. I have talked to numerous printers in my city and they all point to the first guy I ever talked to about this project as being the only guy in town adventurous enough to attempt this - and I haven't gotten much response from him. ... The closest thing to this that he has done is printing on glass, which was something that I don't think went far beyond an experiment for him. The mass of screen printers are almost entirely occupied with printing on fabrics and papers. There is sufficient industry in these more accessible materials and I think the fun for most printers comes in the design process. There are well known processes and inks for fabric/paper and the printers are not typically involved in researching such radically different surfaces and inks. ... The most similar processes to Vectrex overlays, such as auto dash board instrument panels, are produced in more heavy industrial facilities and on a more massive scale, with engineers involved. gauze, what is YOUR printing process? ... Most purists demand an authentic screen print/silkscreen process. But perhaps other methods are improving to the point of being an adequate substitute? |
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Post by 50tbrd on Aug 7, 2013 3:30:54 GMT -5
Have you search for Mylar, Polyester, Acetate or Cellophane?
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Post by VectorX on Aug 7, 2013 7:26:21 GMT -5
To add to what glip said, there just isn't much demand for something other than the everyday stuff printers print their orders on, unfortunately.  |
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Post by gliptitude on Aug 7, 2013 9:57:37 GMT -5
Have you search for Mylar, Polyester, Acetate or Cellophane? No. I stuck with "polycarbonate sheet", because that was what Fury specified. I think I also searched "Lexan", because that is a polycarbonate product. Searched acrylic because it seemed similar and comes in sheets. The others that you name are typically FILMS rather than sheets. Do they make rigid versions of these materials? I have also made general searches "clear plastic sheet". PM sent by the way. |
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