Donkey Kong sideart questions (and answers!)

I promised "answers", so I'll use this thread to give one that I've been meaning to talk about here for a while.

There seems to be a debate about where the DK sideart goes. Or maybe it's been settled, I'm not sure. Perhaps it has, but I've never seen it argued with this particular "data point."

I have several images of cabinets with their original sideart intact, and I've noticed something consistent in the placement of the art (at least on the right side of the cabinet).

It has to do, specifically, with where the two (vertical bracket) bolts always seem to be in relation to Pauline's leg.

I saved all of these when I came across them. Unfortunately, I stupidly didn't copy down where, specifically the images originated, all I know is that they were all threads (at least one of them KLOV) made by people who were dealing with cabinets with intact original sideart.

Exhibit A (this one definitely from KLOV, I just don't remember the thread):
sideart_exhibit_a.jpg


Exhibit B (same spot on a blue):
sideart_exhibit_b.jpg


Exhibit C (another red, but I'm not positive this is original. Still the same spot though!):
sideart_exhibit_c.jpg


And finally, "exhibit D" from my first DK cabinet (which had never been worked on in terms of refinishing/repainting).

When I removed the bolts from the sides to take out the monitor, I noticed some remaining sideart bits under the bolts:
sideart_mycab_a.jpg


Look familiar?
sideart_mycab_b.jpg


In other words, for correct placement, the sideart should be placed such that the top bolt is just a hair to the right of where the top of Pauline's upper leg intersects with the blue part of her dress.
 
Never mind on the request for dimensions.

I was going to use CafePress to print the DK sideart onto one of their 35 x 21 vinyl "wall decals", since it would be $15.99 a side, removeable(!), 90-100% scale, and about half the price of getting actual (non-removeable) sideart, but they won't print anything with copyrighted material on it. (Neither will Kinko's apparently!)

Blargh.

There has to be another way!

<typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>I really do not want to have to bite the bullet and pay $60+ for freaking sideart... if CafePress can beat that price by almost 50% and *still* make a profit (on a custom, one-off job with superior materials, mind you), then there's something wrong with what these sideart barons are (over)charging!</typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>
 
Argh, I wish I had known this 2 weeks ago :)

I was close in my placement though, I am 3/4" too high and 1/4" too far away from the back. Off of my measurements it would be 4 3/4 inches down from the top of the cabinet to the top of the art and 2 1/4" from the back.

I wont be changing it though heheh
 
<typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>I really do not want to have to bite the bullet and pay $60+ for freaking sideart... if CafePress can beat that price by almost 50% and *still* make a profit (on a custom, one-off job with superior materials, mind you), then there's something wrong with what these sideart barons are (over)charging!</typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>
The $60 stuff is screen printed, color matched, and die cut, as the originals were. You are quoting inkjet, which is the reason for the price difference.
 
I've got some Illustrator files of both DK/DK Jr. sideart. I attached pdf's but I could email you the illustrator files, since they contain the most info/you can size them to whatever you want.
 

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<typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>I really do not want to have to bite the bullet and pay $60+ for freaking sideart... if CafePress can beat that price by almost 50% and *still* make a profit (on a custom, one-off job with superior materials, mind you), then there's something wrong with what these sideart barons are (over)charging!</typical cheapass KLOVer whine/rant>

Superior materials? You are comparing inkjet printing to screenprinted artwork. How can you state that they are using superior materials?

Buying from the inkjet producers when high quality silk screened work is available just lessens the chances of future silk screened projects being done.

If you are complaining about spending $60 on you cab, this may not be the right hobby for you. DK is one of the cheapest cabs to restore.
 
not sure why youd think cafe press would be using Superior materials
but Silkscreened can be had for about $30-$60 for the set depending on where you go
stocks are getting low on those so those prices could increase if they havnt allready.

and even inkjets will run $60-$70set I just checked ALL the usual suspects that carry DK art
in both screened and inkjet.

but in going a "cheaper" route you lack the most important part of the process.
THE PROPER ART FILE.

Online files are NEVER print ready, colors are just about always wrong, and it takes alot of time/work
to prep a file even for inkjet to give you the results most of us have come to expect whether its screened or inkjet.

for those that dont care about that level of accuracy then yeah by all means
$16 bucks for 1 side is a great deal if they will print it.

sure hope you never need MK or EDOT art :D
 
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Just for the record, I am fully aware that you guys are right and I'm being a cheap bitch!

The problem with sideart is that it's something that the game can work (and even look) perfectly fine without, is very, very easy to screw up while applying, and can't be taken off or reused once it's on. It just seems like it's money that could go to better places.

And I only said "superior materials" because it seems to me that a sideart with an adhesive that makes it removeable is more desirable than one that you have to struggle with a heat gun to take off (and is destroyed once you do). As for the ink, I didn't realize that CafePress was doing this with inkjet printing.

I'd really have to see the results to know.

But I think, at this point, I'm just going to buy a set and smile!
 
fair enough
another word for removable would be temporary
and would be prone to just peeling up and coming off the adhesive is VERY low tack.
which would be ideal Id imagine for conversions

On a resore like DK especially something that size is not only one of the cheapest pieces youll find for sideart
it is also one of the easiest to install.

from the NW pin show last weekend
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/23178310
 
Just for the record, I am fully aware that you guys are right and I'm being a cheap bitch!

The problem with sideart is that it's something that the game can work (and even look) perfectly fine without, is very, very easy to screw up while applying, and can't be taken off or reused once it's on. It just seems like it's money that could go to better places.

And I only said "superior materials" because it seems to me that a sideart with an adhesive that makes it removeable is more desirable than one that you have to struggle with a heat gun to take off (and is destroyed once you do). As for the ink, I didn't realize that CafePress was doing this with inkjet printing.

I'd really have to see the results to know.

But I think, at this point, I'm just going to buy a set and smile!

If you're the least bit meticulous, it's not that hard to apply. I have applied the DK and DK Jr sideart and it's really not that much work.

$60 or whatever is a BARGAIN considering that it's screenprinted, accurate colors, has good adhesive, and that someone else has already worked over the details to make a good product. Honestly, taking a file to have printed inkjet is going to suck hard compared to what's for sale.
 
I'm terrified of screwing this up. People go on and on about how hard it is. To be honest, that's actually the main reason I'm having a hard time with the price! One mistake and bam, I'm out 30 big ones.
 
The Arcadeshop DK art is fantastic and I gave heard nothing but good things about the other screen printed stuff sold by members here.

Stay away from ink jet if you can. It probably will roll on you like the one I bought did
 
I'm terrified of screwing this up. People go on and on about how hard it is. To be honest, that's actually the main reason I'm having a hard time with the price! One mistake and bam, I'm out 30 big ones.

Unless you took a short, yellow bus to school....you can do it.

You won't get any sympathy here if you are not using one of the hard working art repro guys that silk screen these art packages for obsolete, collectable games...

And my last $.02 - If you are worrying about the cost or the application of side art, wedge it between 2 other games. Problem solved.
 
Thats cool you figured out where to put the DK graphics by the those 2 holes, seems to be spot on. Here is a video I made last night apply my inkjet sideart in case you go that route. Note.. has silly 8bit music.. lol

 
Before I placed my side art on my DK, I searched all over the net. I found "original" machines with the decals in various places. I don't believe there is a completely "correct" placement for the art. I believe that the factory didn't worry too much about the location and that it may have changed over time.
 
It is definitely true that there is no one right answer and that variations in placement can be found among original machines (which is why JeepGoesBeep shouldn't worry too much).

But it's nice to have a guideline to work from that one can be sure is at least not-wrong! I like this particular placement because of its consistency.

I'm not in a position to give the actual from-top/left measurements, since I don't have sideart yet, but anybody who wants to apply their sideart can place it according to this leg/bolt hole relationship and work backward from there.
 
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