View Full Version : SHODAN 1.0 update; critiques wanted
Update #1: Changed all LED's to amber, as decided by popular vote.
Update #2: A few minor changes, such as adding the DVD-ROM and improving the power and reset buttons.
This is a continuation of my effort to refine the SHODAN 1.0 case design I'm working on, which can be seen here (http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=140163) in it's penultimate form, along with information on the design.
As far as "physical" changes to the drawings, I started by correcting a few of the more significant errors, such as the incorrectly sized 120mm fans. Through improvement of the WC system layout, I was able to eliminate the rearward portion of the reservoir, which now would serve little purpose and add weight and complexity, and replaced it with a 92mm exhaust fan. Finally, I included the rocker switches that I intend to use to control case lighting.
At this point I'm experimenting with different color options. Previously I chose to use only two colors, medium blue and orange, with the hope of avoiding a garish appearance; however, as I have an affinity for red LEDs, I've placed them on the RheoBus in the present drawing for the time being. Further, I changed the EL trim on the 120mm fans to purple, and ran a diagonal line of EL in place of the likewise split-vent pattern. I would greatly appreciate comment on these and other design elements, as well as suggestions for improvement.
(image in following post)
http://209.15.18.147/shodan/shodan1.0.jpg
(scroll to the right to see the front and top views)
Temo Vryce
12-04-02, 11:56 AM
Personally I think that the red LEDs are a nice touch as is the Purple EL Wire. I would suggest that you change the orange vent in front to purple as well. The orange color doesn't suit the build as much as the purple does. If you wanted to keep the orange color in the build then I would suggest that you change out the red LEDs for orange LEDs as the only orange in the picture is in the eyes. Best of luck to you, this looks like it's going to be a sweet case.
Serraph
12-04-02, 12:12 PM
I agree with Temo. You have red, blue, purple, and orange. Personally, it's too many different colors for my taste. Stick to 3 colors or less. People will start calling it the "rainbow case" if you don't be careful. :D Other than that it looks really good. If it was me, I would replace all the LED's on the front so they are orange. The bright red clashes with purple and blue.
Turando
12-04-02, 12:43 PM
i think if you can make it half as good as the pics look, it will be great;)
Cheers, Turando
Originally posted by Temo Vryce
Personally I think that the red LEDs are a nice touch as is the Purple EL Wire. I would suggest that you change the orange vent in front to purple as well. The orange color doesn't suit the build as much as the purple does. If you wanted to keep the orange color in the build then I would suggest that you change out the red LEDs for orange LEDs as the only orange in the picture is in the eyes. Best of luck to you, this looks like it's going to be a sweet case.
Hello, thank you for responding! :) (This of course also applies to all that have or will.)
One minor correction, the orange "TriOptimum" logo on the lower front is not a vent, but rather a EL backlit transparency, like a badge back-light.
I will certainly try purple for the front "TriOptimum" logo, and I may post that version as a link as well, so you and others can see the effect, though I can't promise to do that for every suggestion I receive. Let me say now that in my experience, I'm wearied by monochromatic lighting in a room, or an approximation thereof; a purely blue/purple color scheme would quite possibly give me eyestrain over time, as I often use my computer in a darkened room where the case lighting would be the predominant source of light.
What do you think of the version linked to at the top of this thread? It has orange RheoBus LEDs as I believe you are suggesting.
Originally posted by Serraph
I agree with Temo. You have red, blue, purple, and orange. Personally, it's too many different colors for my taste. Stick to 3 colors or less. People will start calling it the "rainbow case" if you don't be careful. :D Other than that it looks really good. If it was me, I would replace all the LED's on the front so they are orange. The bright red clashes with purple and blue.
Nuts, that's what I was afraid of. :p I believe the design itself is fancy enough, turning it into a Christmas tree would be folly. As I look at my drawing again, I'm not happy with the red LEDs, and I think I'll just have to do without them in this design, simple as that.
When you say ALL the LED's on the front, do you mean the drive lights too?
Originally posted by Turando
i think if you can make it half as good as the pics look, it will be great;)
Thank you. I take that a quite a compliment. :D :D
I doubt most people truly appreciate the work I put into these drawings. There are over 200 Photoshop layers that comprise the image you see, created through more hours of design and drawing than would probably be wise to admit in a public forum. :rolleyes:
Edit: corrected to read "...drawing than would probably..."
DaveSauce
12-04-02, 03:06 PM
Hmm.....how transparent do you plan your window to be? Looking at your avatar, I have a suggestion. Consider setting up a few LED strings with some timer circutry. Granted, in order to get an excellent effect, you would need a lot of LEDs. But I figure if your going all out, why stop with stationary lights? If it were executed correctly, I can tell you that it would look awesome. I'm thinking a bunch of **DIM** 3mm LEDs. That way its more subtle, but still noticeable. You dont want to make it so bright as to distract the viewer. And with the 3mm, you can fit more into the line, and thus make it appear smoother.
As for the colors....the purple is great. It fits VERY well with the scheme. However, I dunno about the red. They seem a little mismatched with the rest of the case. Unfortunately, I would have to agree that one of the colors must go. To me, the red just seems out of place. The yellow/amber in front adds excellent contrast to the piece. I think you should continue that color with the LEDs for the rheo and the power/hdd (whichever one it is), like the previous design. You lose a lot of color balance by putting in those red LEDs, considering what little amber there is in the entire design. Anyway, the purple on the side of the case MUST stay. It fits in perfectly.
edit:
I must say, you are a photoshop genius. I cannot imagine how much effort it must have taken just to draw all of that. I must agree completely that if the case looks half as good as the drawings, it will be amazing.
Originally posted by DaveSauce
Hmm.....how transparent do you plan your window to be? Looking at your avatar, I have a suggestion. Consider setting up a few LED strings with some timer circutry. Granted, in order to get an excellent effect, you would need a lot of LEDs. But I figure if your going all out, why stop with stationary lights? If it were executed correctly, I can tell you that it would look awesome. I'm thinking a bunch of **DIM** 3mm LEDs. That way its more subtle, but still noticeable. You dont want to make it so bright as to distract the viewer. And with the 3mm, you can fit more into the line, and thus make it appear smoother.
That certainly would be a neat effect, but I'm already undertaking enough for now with this project, but you can bet that will stay in the back of my mind, along with the flowing coolant in the tubes as originally planned (see first thread). Some day... :D
As for the colors....the purple is great. It fits VERY well with the scheme. However, I dunno about the red. They seem a little mismatched with the rest of the case. Unfortunately, I would have to agree that one of the colors must go. To me, the red just seems out of place. The yellow/amber in front adds excellent contrast to the piece. I think you should continue that color with the LEDs for the rheo and the power/hdd (whichever one it is), like the previous design. You lose a lot of color balance by putting in those red LEDs, considering what little amber there is in the entire design. Anyway, the purple on the side of the case MUST stay. It fits in perfectly.
Thank you, this is just the kind of commentary I need.
We are in agreement on the balance the amber provides.
Which of all the drawings now posted do you most prefer, and what would you change?
I must say, you are a photoshop genius. I cannot imagine how much effort it must have taken just to draw all of that. I must agree completely that if the case looks half as good as the drawings, it will be amazing.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! :D
It feels very good to have the work of all those sleepless nights coming to fruition.
DaveSauce
12-04-02, 03:20 PM
I was just thinking it earlier, but now that I see all of the LEDs orange on the front, I say go for it. The reason I say this is because your other sides have the same thing going. Your side is predominantly purple, and your top is predominantly blue, so why not continue that on the front with orange? I didnt say it earlier because I thought by ridding the blue it might lose something, but with that picture up, it looks pretty nice.
That sounds highly coordinated.
Do you have any other words of wisdom for me? I'm sure there's plenty of room for improvement; perfection is never attained, especially with me at the wheel. ;)
Serraph
12-04-02, 03:59 PM
Originally posted by SHODAN
When you say ALL the LED's on the front, do you mean the drive lights too?
Yeah, I dunno, but I just like it when things are coordinated. #3 is exactly what I meant.
Originally posted by Serraph
Yeah, I dunno, but I just like it when things are coordinated. #3 is exactly what I meant.
It seems we are on the verge of a consensus then, doesn't it? :cool:
Any other suggestions?
Codeman05
12-04-02, 04:22 PM
I also like the 3rd "version" of the case, thats goona look awesome! I'm a fellow System Shock junky so I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress :D
Codeman, that officially makes it a consensus. I'll update the main drawing ASAP, and remove the other image so the page doesn't take ages to load, if that's OK with everyone.
System Shock Forever!
Originally posted by DaveSauce
I must say, you are a photoshop genius. I cannot imagine how much effort it must have taken just to draw all of that. I must agree completely that if the case looks half as good as the drawings, it will be amazing.
I just can't pass up this opportunity to toot my own horn as they say. ;) The drawings you see are reduced in size to 25 PPI; my work copy is 50 PPI, and most elements were first drawn at 60 to 120 PPI. Here's an enlarged section to show off the detail I put into these drawings.
http://209.15.18.147/shodan/shodan1.0-detail.jpg
Doofie27cp2
12-04-02, 05:56 PM
that is so insanely good, i stand in awe. :O. are you going to have a DVD-RAM drive? because from what i can see, you havethree 5.25 drives there...
craigiz1
12-04-02, 06:28 PM
Really looking good! Keep me informed.
Temo Vryce
12-04-02, 08:15 PM
Well now that you have all the LEDs done in orange on the front I must say that it looks very sharp and I would leave the symbol at the bottom orange as well now. To change it to another color now would cause too much of a contrast.
I like the idea of the timer circuit and LEDs for the side window, but I agree that it woul be a very big undertaking and it best suited for a future upgrade to the case.
If you can put in half the effort that you have put towards those pictures. Your case is going to be amazing. I wish you the best of luck in it.
CrystalMethod
12-04-02, 09:43 PM
Originally posted by SHODAN
Thank you. I take that a quite a compliment. :D :D
I doubt most people truly appreciate the work I put into these drawings. There are over 200 Photoshop layers that comprise the image you see, created through more hours of design and drawing that would probably be wise to admit in a public forum. :rolleyes:
I, for one very much appreciate the work you put into the design process. For design like this type of thing, I prefer to clear off my drafting table and work in ink. But everyone is individual, and has their own preferences. I just hope that when it comes time to make that first cut, your hand is as steady and your patience the same as it is with photoshop. Good luck man! I look forward to seeing more of your designs, and eventually the completed project.
Originally posted by Doofie27cp2
that is so insanely good, i stand in awe. :O. are you going to have a DVD-RAM drive? because from what i can see, you havethree 5.25 drives there...
Again, thanks. :)
You are correct, there are three CD drives, the PleXWriter 40, and the drives I'm using now, two old beige SCSI drives behind the semi-stealth smoked acrylic; one is a Yamaha 4416 CD-RW and the other a Plextor UltraPlex32. When I made that part of the drawing, the PleXWriter 40 was the fastest available, BTW. :rolleyes:
I haven't really decided about a DVD drive as I've been considering waiting until I could afford a DVD-R drive, but I probably will get a DVD-ROM and replace one of the old drives with it.
Originally posted by craigiz1
Really looking good! Keep me informed.
Thanks! Will do.
Originally posted by Temo Vryce
Well now that you have all the LEDs done in orange...
Good, it looks like everyone is in agreement on this.
I like the idea of the timer circuit and LEDs for the side window...
There may some day be a "SHODAN 2.0" but I'm not making any promises.
If you can put in half the effort that you have...
I like to plan these things really thouroughly before I begin, and I'm just as slow durring construction. This will be no weekend job; far from it.
Originally posted by CrystalMethod
I, for one very much appreciate the work you put into the design process. For design like this type of thing, I prefer to clear off my drafting table and work in ink. But everyone is individual, and has their own preferences. I just hope that when it comes time to make that first cut, your hand is as steady and your patience the same as it is with photoshop. Good luck man! I look forward to seeing more of your designs, and eventually the completed project.
LOL, to each his own; if I attempted a drawing like this in a real medium, it wouldn't be pretty a pretty sight, as I'm not a freehand artist.
I can't say I've got a steady hand, but I'll be ready to work on it patiently for a long time, interspersed with unrelated projects most likely. I just hope I don't have to give it up due to expense, because if I equal the ham-fisted botchery I've done before and waste expensive materials, it's going to be an issue. :mad:
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