Sign Lettering

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Hi,I understand that for a given font size, the letters that have curvy tops (like 's') will be 'taller' than the other letters.  This means you would put a level on the bottom of the letters and the top of the 's' should stick out above the top the 'u', for instance?  This would look correct?In order to make my lettering correct, I really just have to use a font of my choice and let that font do all the work for me, right?  I don't have to scale one letter and not scale another?  Are there any spacing tricks?  Does the eye need more spacing between certain letters and not between others for the letters to appear to be evenly spaced?Cheers,
Reply:If you really want to dork out, this is an interesting read:http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.c...letter-spacing
Reply:what kind of engineer are you
Reply:Hi....a more pleasing layout is done optically vs mechanical. Yes, an "O" or "S" should extend slightly above and below the letters with horizontal strokes such as an "E", "L", etc.  Spacing between letters like an "A" with an "I" should be a tad closer in spacing the so they don't look like they're running away from each other.Vertical stroke letters can be spaced with the stroke width. Scripts, fancy fonts on curves etc. you need a little "what looks good" to you.
Reply:Originally Posted by engineer1984If you really want to dork out, this is an interesting read:http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.c...letter-spacing
Reply:Are you talking about Gestalt images? The lettering (STOP) and arrows painted on streets use this type of image. When sitting in your truck and viewing the letters / arrows, they appear to have equal width and spacing. When standing directly above, they do not have equal width.https://www.google.com/search?q=gest...gestalt+drawin
Reply:123weld,I'm a repair and design engineer for rotating equipment (compression only).  We mainly work with centrifugal and screw products, but we also work with some axial compressors.  The equipment we build and repair is mainly used in refinery processes.woodskiff,So, basically, to keep it simple: I'm going to have someone plot my letters to the size of font I want.  I'm going to level the bottoms of the letters and pick the spacing as I need to?  Insaneride,I've never heard of this concept.  That's cool.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm just trying to make a simple sign for a friend and don't want it to look funky to the eye.  I haven't looked this up myself, but I remember hearing the Romans built the Parthenon slightly out of level on purpose.  The idea was to make the building appear level to the eye.  I guess the landscape around the building would cause the human eye to think it was wrong if they actually built it level.  Not sure if this apocryphal or not.  Interesting how the human brain works.Everybody!The name is Good Company.  I was going to make 'GOOD' normal lettering and make 'Co' inverse lettering (?).  I mean the kind where you make a metal rectangle and cut out the letters.  Can I make the letters the same size?   (inverse to me means the type in this guy's BBQ sign: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...highlight=sign)I'll be doing this with oxy acetylene torches. I don't have a plasma cutter.  I have access to a scroll saw.  I was thinking:1) Kinko's / etc plots my letters2) I make plywood letters on the scroll saw using the paper letters3) Run my torch around the wood templateSound good?Cheers,
Reply:Originally Posted by engineer1984123weld,woodskiff,So, basically, to keep it simple: I'm going to have someone plot my letters to the size of font I want.  I'm going to level the bottoms of the letters and pick the spacing as I need to?  Cheers,
Reply:not sure kinko's has plotters, but if not try signz.com for vinyl letters,
Reply:[QUOTE=engineer1984;6167791]123weld,I'm a repair and design engineer for rotating equipment (compression only).  We mainly work with centrifugal and screw products, but we also work with some axial compressors.  The equipment we build and repair is mainly used in refinery processes.   I know a guy who has the perfect mailbox post  for a guy like you, laying in his yard.     its stainless and shaped like a big  worm gear about 4 foot + long.     he thinks it came out of a  septic treatment plant for something
Reply:Woodskiff,Thanks a lot!  I'll look into it.  And wouldn't you know, all the day dreaming I've had about this project and never once thought about the center of the 'O' in 'Co.' : )123weld,That sounds awesome for anybody, not just me!Oil Free Screws:https://www.google.com/search?q=ge+o...e+screw+rotors
Reply:Here's a 'meh' video on how the screw machines work.  I say 'meh' because it's good if you know what you're looking at, pretty lame if you don't.  Doesn't have an explanation.Imagine the gas entering the rotors and staying above the intersecting lobes as it travels from inlet to discharge.  So the gas is sorta stuck in a lobe combination and that area keeps getting smaller and smaller until it discharges into the nozzle / plenum.  Another way to think about it: the two lobes form a triangle and the triangle keeps getting smaller and smaller, which causes the gas to compress.If you picked it up as soon as you watched the video, then you're smarter than me when I started working: )Video:Last edited by engineer1984; 08-11-2015 at 04:44 PM.
Reply:yea, some pics in that link look like it.   they look e3xpensive