Nixie tube artwork...

[alonsoty]

... I'm trying to create a wallpaper with the "sabayon" word made with 7 different nixie tubes (one for each letter).
I made the first tube with the basics and then will be amended slightly to create the seven variants (although I think I'll just remake it at least one hundred times yet).
I must also try to understand which 'scenario' will be eligible to host the array of tubes.


If you have any suggestion will be well accepted.
Thanks

[alonsoty]

In the end I decided to do a 'fork' of the original design!
I could not please me the first version of the nixie tube (had a too strong general lighting, and didn't resemblance to anything real existing).
So I'm starting with the new version...

This version is much more 'dark' but easier to fit on a background with low lighting.
What do you think?

[Fitzcarraldo]

Looks good. I like the glow on the tube wall, and the top of the tube looks very realistic. The letter 'y' looks a little artificial, though, but that just might be on my relatively small laptop monitor. Or perhaps it's because I can't see any other character elements in front and behind of the 'y'.

Mind you, the first image also looks good; the only problem with it in my opinion was the elliptical base hole looked to be at the wrong angle and needed to be flatter to improve the perspective effect. You have got it better in the second picture.

Also, to improve the perspective effect, the distance between the tube and the rear of the metal base should be different to the distance between the tube and the front of the metal base if, on the plan view, the tube is equidistant from the front and back of the base. That bothers me more than the tubes themselves: the perspective doesn't look right. But I'm being super picky, because you're doing a really great job! BTW, as I'm sure you know, your countrymen are rather well known for establishing the rules of linear perspective back in the 15th Century.

[alonsoty]

Thanks Fitzcarraldo,
you're absolutely right: there are still shameful sins of perspective illusion...

If you're referring to Leonardo there are some examples of errors (perhaps wanted or not) of perspective in his works...
One of them is the right arm of the Virgin in the Annunciazione, Uffizi of Florence.
Instead, from what little I know about 'History of Architecture', the rules that are used routinely for the 'perspective construction' are those of Leon Battista Alberti (but I'm not really sure).
Indeed, these rules are heavily violated in my latest preview!

...the top of the tube looks very realistic...

me too; is the only part of the picture taken from internet that I left completely unchanged!

In addition to those you've listed there is the problem that the definition of the flat surface is totally achieved by lighting and not geometrically (this is usually a bit worse starting point...).

I will also try to bring out the mesh and the internal fonts (also the shadowed/masked effect).
There is still no reflection on the front glass (but in reality this is intentional because I wanted to add only at the end).

...do not bother about fussiness, indeed this help me to discover and point out all the flaws...
Grazie

[alonsoty]

I'm pretty busy at this time...
...but for your bad luck I'm back!

I have almost finished the seven different tubes starting from the one above.

Proceeding step by step I'm redoing the interior with the fonts.
The only question still open (for me) is how much and how to dose the masking effect determined by the internal switched-off elements.



In the A version masking effect is given only by shading (with the 'b' switched on becomes almost invisible).
While the version B uses pure layers superposition.

Feedbacks are welcome...
Bye

[Fitzcarraldo]

That's a bit of a difficult question, because what is realistic isn't always what looks better. Your image B is the more realistic of the two, as evidenced by the following photograph:



Personally, I would go with the more realistic of the two. The effect will probably look good when all seven tubes are together.

[alonsoty]

Your last picture was amazing...
But I think something like this can only be achieved using 3D and a lot of magic...
I'm totally agree with your opinion "real things and imperfections"... In addition to this there is the discourse of what is perceived (even if there is not actually in the picture).
Someone had said that even the silence is music.

Now I have come to a version that starts to pleasure me... (I hope you too)

Here is the full_size preview.
In this version, many things may be changed very quickly.
I think some mistakes will be hidden in the end by using this level of illumination (or less).
After the weekend I will begin to think about the background.

Of course everything can be improved or changed; so I insert the last build image links.
Internal fonts, mesh and frame mask (44 layer): text_016_def_44lay.xcf
Last tubes without background (BK+alpha 3 layer): tubes_ALL_006stw_01.xcf

Good weekend guys...

[Fitzcarraldo]

Superb. I love it! It's already an excellent wallpaper as it is. You have really captured the essence of the Nixie tube. I'm using your alu_black_anodized_001_16-9.jpeg as wallpaper at the moment, but will have to change it if your final wallpaper with the Nixie tubes is as good as it promises to be. Have you any ideas for the background?

[alonsoty]

I honestly do not know yet!

I had two ideas: the first healthy enough...
1. Classic style with wood but I do not know how to begin ... (Perhaps wood and metal).

But the second!!!
2. Use a strip of glass as a plan for the valves that actually rests on something dark like the previous aluminum.
In this way you can play (and I know this is madness) with the refraction, leaving see the section of the glass.
But honestly I think this is very difficult to realize...

[alonsoty]

ehm, I shamelessly re-used the black aluminum,
and in truth this wasn't even the starting idea...

In this test version, I tried to give an impression Vintage, using much 'dirt' and blurring out of FOV (a little bit analogical).

Nooo! it burnt out one.

Here is the RAW background image with 2560x1440 resolution (16:9).
vintage01_prova010b.png (4.3Mb size)

Fitzcarraldo, I did not even asked you what you want use for the background!
We could also make a 'withdrawal' that houses the valves...
Also the wood continues to intrigue me.

What do you think could be good?
or simply, as you'd imagined it?
Bye