Hi Ted!When it comes to pylon signs, like this one, I don't use the rotated extrude tool.• I use a grouped vector shape of my elevation view that I distort with my PERSPECTIVE TOOL.• Then I ungroup all elements and VERY IMPORTANTLY, I have to convert all separated objects to CURVES (CTRL+Q). Because all the elements keep their PERSPECTIVE properties. You have to disable this.• Then I toss each element into position depending on the angle I've chosen.• Then I apply the extrusion to the need objects. TRICKY PART. The extrusion WILL NOT reflect a realistic perspective. Once all elements have their extrusions, I break them all apart from their master objects. Once that is done, I ungroup the curved extrusions since they'ra all composed of a multitude of vectors and weld them together. Then I apply gradients.• Corel can add lighting effects but they're so sluggish to use, way too many vectors, different results if you use spot colors or pantone colors and so damn ugly. All my steps are done this way for a better, cleaner result.
Is this all done in Corel Draw Stephan? I think you said once in the Corel Sign designer group that you used the extrude tool and rotated?
Thanks for the compliments.Although it might seem really complicated to do. This 3D view took me, more or less, 30 minutes to do. It's relatively simple.Sometimes my clients (sign companies) want to impress their clients and are willing to pay for the extra push to help sell the project.Sadly, it also can be worthless when the endclient is impressed, but not willing to pay for the extraordinary sign.
You make it so real looking.! We usually get the budget from the customer first before we do any mouse moves. Not gonna put in the effort without a down payment first. We don't speculate on whether we are gonna get the job or not.
Yeah. I try to be as respectful as I can. Most people don't know heck about how much a personalized sign costs.We buy material and mass market products for the cheapest prices because of their mass production made from the cheapest labour. From our dishes, to our electronics, to our clothes, etc... When it comes to hand made, locally produced products, the labour doesn't comme in cheap. We live a quite different reality where the cost of living is way more expensive. We absolutely have to charge much more for things that people might consider for granted. I try to explain clients with as less details as possible the steps and costs related to the project they ask for when they react negatively or protest.If they remain arrogant and start thinking that I'm trying to rob them off, then my attitude slightly changes. I become independant and usually it ends up with no business relationship at all. I remain as professionnal as I can to prove them that my professionnal attitude comes along with the professionnal product I'm selling.But once they've left the building... I become an animal!!!
Actual conversation..
Customer: I'd like a 4'x8' sign, hand carved with that real gold leaf. I want something really classic looking and nice.
Me: That's not a problem, do you mind if I ask what your budget is for this sign?
Customer: Well... for something that nice.. Id be willing to pay up to $200
Me: (after laughing) So your willing to pay up to $200 for a $3500 sign?
Customer: $3500!! For a .... Sign????
Me: You just asked me to sell you a Porsche for the price of a Hyundai.
Customer: Well what can I get for $200?
Me: A single face 3'x4' aluminum panel, 2 colors, 1 of which is the background, with holes to hang it from. And you get to come pick it up and install it.
Customer: Well I need a bigger sign than that.
Me: Then you're going to need a bigger budget. Have a nice day.
They just have no idea.
Oh boy! Would we ever get along!Clients shopping for signs have a tendancy to compare the price of signs to cars! Like "What?, 20 000$ for that? My car has so much technology and details for 25 000$!"I then respond to these clients, "OK, Give me the opportunity to build 50 000 sign exactly alike, and the signs will be 4 000$ each"...Most of the time, They have a determined budget to either build or renovate a building giving the contract to architects. These architects keep all the budget reserved for their creativity and design of the new building that they leaving nothing out for signage and landscaping.
Oh the realities of the sign industry. Cheapest form of advertising on the planet and I think the only one you pay for once. Yet still the one people are so hesitant to pay for when it comes to quality.
Fake grips as decor. Chromed aluminum before installation.This sign proposition was never produced. Even though client loved the design, he never thought a pylon sign could be so expensive.
Beautiful! What are the accents at the top of the poles?