Can any of you neon folks out there give me idea of what exactly needs to be on a neon pattern? A local neon shop would like me to produce their patterns. They'll give me a sketch and I'll make the pattern.
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Terry
Unless they are referring to a freehand type rendering, they should be fairly straightforward. When we create neon patterns for channel or reverse channel lettering, the actual font or artwork is drawn to size. Then they come in a "fill" it with neon...basically a pin plot.
Hope this helps!
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Terry
This is one loaded question.
Robert your answer was too vague. Neon is never that simple!
What type of neon are they asking for? Script,Block,Outline,Double outline Hanging or Stantion? Reverse or facia pattern?
Paper or Asbestos patterns? Size of glass that they want to use? 10mm,12mm,14mm etc.
Electrodes used and placement is very critical so you don't have current arching and cause a fire.
Pick up this book and Read,Read,Read....
"Neon techniques & Handling By Samuel C. Miller
Ask as many questions needed from the neon shop before each project.
It is a very interesting work of Art but you better know what is needed for the application.
Good Luck. Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Stephen
I assumed that the info that you speak of would be provided to him since they know he does not do it himself. would ya think?
You can blow patterns without placement. That's what they are there for!
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
I agree Robert
But the only reason for my posting this matter is that this book is a wealth on interest for someone the wants the full breakdown and operations of this type of Art...
Can't stand in the Neon Shop all day and ask questions....The book is a great study for after hours. Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
It helps to have been around neon for a while, to familiarize yourself with what it's suppose to look like.
Basically, when you draw a neon pattern, you are drawing a picture of what the unit of glass looks like laying upside down. You usually show where the glass crosses over itself, and where the electrodes need to be located. Sometimes you have a series of connected letters, sometimes just a piece of one letter. You need to know how many feet of glass in each unit, so you can figure your transformer loads equally. In short, there's a lot to it.But I find it fun to do, and I have done a lot of them. If I can help via email I can answer alot of the questions you might have.
[ September 10, 2003, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
sign wizard 4.0 or 5.0 both do neon layouts...
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
It's all much easier than you think...spend an hour with the neon guy ...he'll show you exactly the way he wants his patterns.
If he doesn't know...it won't matter anyway!
Don't be afraid to let this guy know you've never done it before...no one ever knew what a tooth pick looked like til someone made one. Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
Thanks guys, He's coming over today, so I already printed out all of your responses for him to look at. Most of my concern was if he was leaving it all up to me or figuring the transformer and electrode issues himself, in which case , I'd have to bone up on general neon fabrication. Thanks for the book referral Stephen. It sounds like a good read.
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