I am making a pattern for a neon sign. A man who lives over the hill from me often pays me to make patterns for his carved signs, which I usually just pen-plot. Sometimes I'll cut sandblast or paint mask for this purpose too.
He is also an electrician who has a "real" job working for several restaurants in the area, doing repairs and general maintenance.
This time he wants me to make a pattern for him featuring the Ruby Tuesday's logo in a hot air balloon, with the words "To Go" on the basket part. It will be used by a neon sign maker to fabricate the sign.
It sounds like a pain, but I am hurtin for certain & I need the money. I was told that it has to be a double-lined drawing, and that the lines have to be at least 10mm thick.
I was going to pen-plot the thing, then go over it by hand with a big old black permanent Magic Marker...does this sound like a plan or is there a better way? I will have to do it in sections & tape em together as I only have a 15" cutter. The entire design is 45" tall.
I already have the thing done up in Graphix Advantage, having used the logo that I scanned & cleaned last month for the guy for window lettering. It features serifed lettering, but I did the "To Go" part in a simpler style.
Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks & Love...Jill
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
Jill,
Though I have never made a neon pattern, I have had to manipulate things for double cut (draw) lines that resemble a neon pattern.
I'm not sure how your program works, but mine, allows me to do both inline/outline features. Let's say, I do the outline first, then I convert to paths, (or un-group) then I do an inline, (on the original center line) then I un-group and delete the original (center) line. You may run into problems where lines cross each other. Try it...
Cher.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Between calls from Rabid and Jeffrey P., I sorted it out. Pen plotted it and then re-drew it in double lines with a Sharpie. Jeff mentioned that the pattern should be backwards, so I was glad that I used the Sharpie since it bled thru my 20# paper. Ray helped me with conversion to 3/8 from 10mm and so did Jeff. Thanks Guys-n-Cher! It's done! Love...Jill
Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
Remember to place the Holes for Transformer! ask what size. is it 9mm tube or 14mm what size tube are you running?
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Jill...
I have done many neon patterns, and what you are seeing on paper is the back of the glass showing where all the bends and cross-overs are, as well as the electrode placement. In the case of a logo, you probably will have to break the thing up into sections.In doing so, you are usually thinking about where all the transformers need to be and what size, so I don't think you will have much luck with it if you aren't already familiar with neon layouts. I can hand draw the patterns, but have never done one on a computer. I would be willing to help if you need some..... Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Thanks Jeff-n-Danny. I already drew the damn thing......I figger the guy who asked for it didn't give me as much info as I got right here in good old Letterville....so I gave him exactly what he asked for. I know I sound crabby but it's been a long day and this is exactly the kind of job I hate to do. I assume that either the guy or the neon guy will adjust the thing accordingly? Love...Jill
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