Introducing Brainiac: Connected Car Technology with a 10.1" Display for your Z
#81
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Mind if I give you some constructive input?
Too much silver....it doesn't look right in terms of blending with oem color scheme yet. The finish is enough of a unique texture compared to all others in car that it's making it obvious this was grafted in. The silver makes the satin sheen of that texture very obvious compared to the matte vinyl look of oem waterfall aesthetics.
I think the bulk of the silver should be dark grey/black to match the waterfall, then have only an inner bevel be silver as an accent, and the buttons likewise need to be black with nice decals to make them more professionally cohesive with the oem design as well.... Look at oem navi unit... Black buttons with sliver lettering....your design draws way too much attention to itself, making it obvious that this an aftermarket insertion. It also just doesn't match the interior design yet anywhere's near as nice as your Subaru version does.
Will look pretty nice once finished, but I'd push you like a good coach to dig deeper and put out the best product you can.
Hope this helps,
Saved
Too much silver....it doesn't look right in terms of blending with oem color scheme yet. The finish is enough of a unique texture compared to all others in car that it's making it obvious this was grafted in. The silver makes the satin sheen of that texture very obvious compared to the matte vinyl look of oem waterfall aesthetics.
I think the bulk of the silver should be dark grey/black to match the waterfall, then have only an inner bevel be silver as an accent, and the buttons likewise need to be black with nice decals to make them more professionally cohesive with the oem design as well.... Look at oem navi unit... Black buttons with sliver lettering....your design draws way too much attention to itself, making it obvious that this an aftermarket insertion. It also just doesn't match the interior design yet anywhere's near as nice as your Subaru version does.
Will look pretty nice once finished, but I'd push you like a good coach to dig deeper and put out the best product you can.
Hope this helps,
Saved
We took some proper photos with our DSLR that should show good lighting and contrast.
The design has been taking cues from the other silver trim pieces.. Dark in the middle and silver around the edges (gauge cups, climate control).
I'm going to go out on a limb and ask you to "hold that thought" and see if you think the same thing once the photos with proper lighting are available. I can tell you that the folks that were looking at it in person were freaking out on how great it looked
#82
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Not sure if this has been talked about yet, but if the screen isn't dimmable like the gauges are then that big screen is going to be really distracting and annoying when driving at night. Needs a dimmer of some sort for night driving as that's a big light source that can be easily seen from a Z's driver position.
Hoping to help,
Saved
Hoping to help,
Saved
#83
New Member
I don’t agree with “Saved” and think that you want contrast instead (as you show in your pics). I understand why Saved wants the color scheme to match the waterfall, but contrasting is better for a couple of reasons.
The pictures look great. I really like the large screen.
- This is a retrofit. You can expect some fading and discoloration in a 12 year-old car such as my 2003 350z.
- The waterfall has subtle color shading changes year to year. Because you cannot guarantee matching those subtle differences, it’s better to have a trim piece with a distinct contrast.
The pictures look great. I really like the large screen.
#84
New Member
That's perfect.
It's handy having a manual adjustment capability when the ambient sensor "doesn't get it quite right."
Garmin GPS screens have a nice feature (night time mode which is a dark background with light foreground) which is triggered by time of day/night. The GPS "knows" where you are and thus whether it's day or night.
It's handy having a manual adjustment capability when the ambient sensor "doesn't get it quite right."
Garmin GPS screens have a nice feature (night time mode which is a dark background with light foreground) which is triggered by time of day/night. The GPS "knows" where you are and thus whether it's day or night.
#85
New Member
iTrader: (3)
I see what grace is saying: that's an awful lot of silver. It's being compounded by the buttons also being silver.
I have a suggestion for a slight modification to the bezel: the present design isn't parallel to the edges of the waterfall; it's tapered and is further from the waterfall edge at the top of the bezel than it is at the bottom.
I would suggest that the bezel be redesigned to be slimmer at the bottom - and keep the distance from the bezel to the waterfall edge the same at the bottom as it is at the top.
As a result: slightly less silver; slightly less material; more aesthetically appealing (to me, at least).
I would also like to see the button array a contrasting black/anthracite/dark.
I have a suggestion for a slight modification to the bezel: the present design isn't parallel to the edges of the waterfall; it's tapered and is further from the waterfall edge at the top of the bezel than it is at the bottom.
I would suggest that the bezel be redesigned to be slimmer at the bottom - and keep the distance from the bezel to the waterfall edge the same at the bottom as it is at the top.
As a result: slightly less silver; slightly less material; more aesthetically appealing (to me, at least).
I would also like to see the button array a contrasting black/anthracite/dark.
#86
New Member
iTrader: (3)
I've spent another couple of minutes pondering the pics of the bezel in the Z. I think I know what's bothering me about it - other than having the same objection as does savedbygrace.
I think that the silver is accentuating the 'squareness' of the Brainiac screen within the decided lack of squareness of the waterfall.
To solve both problems, I think that the bezel needs to be made of two parts. I think the outer portion should be silver (the 'frame'), but everything else should be dark. This will accentuate the 'V' of both the waterfall and the insert (I'm also aware you want to accentuate a 'V' within the design in general), and de-emphasize the parallel sides of the screen, which I think is important.
If it's designed as I envision, it'll also eliminate the possibility of wear to the paint immediately around the buttons, which I think will be a problem for many within a fairly short period of time.
If the inner portion remains plastic, it can be a slightly textured plastic - non-painted - for wear purposes.
I think that the silver is accentuating the 'squareness' of the Brainiac screen within the decided lack of squareness of the waterfall.
To solve both problems, I think that the bezel needs to be made of two parts. I think the outer portion should be silver (the 'frame'), but everything else should be dark. This will accentuate the 'V' of both the waterfall and the insert (I'm also aware you want to accentuate a 'V' within the design in general), and de-emphasize the parallel sides of the screen, which I think is important.
If it's designed as I envision, it'll also eliminate the possibility of wear to the paint immediately around the buttons, which I think will be a problem for many within a fairly short period of time.
If the inner portion remains plastic, it can be a slightly textured plastic - non-painted - for wear purposes.
Last edited by Heritage; 11-13-2015 at 08:25 PM.
#87
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
Just doesn't look "right" to me. It's too much symmetry in an interior that's otherwise asymmetrical, and that's accentuated by a screen with an odd aspect ratio for that space. The screen and bezel would be better suited to the interior if vertically canted toward the driver in a fashion similar to the 3 small gauges.
#88
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'll try and address all of your comments both on sizing/shape and colors..
Unfortunately we can't really make the bottom part any more narrow than it is. There is only a small overlap of the plastic at the bottom that covers the pre-existing opening. Any smaller at the bottom and you would see gaps through the opening where the stereo was.
We "could" make the top plastic wider to reach out further to the sides to make the line parallel to the side of the console. I'm just worried about it being too much plastic and adding a more bulky look.
We've tried the approach of angling a screen towards the driver and it unfortunately usually comes out looking really weird. Also it sinks the drivers side edge down further into the dashboard making it hard to see the content on that edge. As you can see how for the gauges, they had to cut out an angle in the dashboard to be able to give a line of sight to the driver for the face of the gauge.
I've created a couple of two toned photoshops. Some had commented that the inner should be dark, and others commented that the outer should be dark and also comments around dark buttons. So I've created those color schemes to see what you think
Original
I've spent another couple of minutes pondering the pics of the bezel in the Z. I think I know what's bothering me about it - other than having the same objection as does savedbygrace.
I think that the silver is accentuating the 'squareness' of the Brainiac screen within the decided lack of squareness of the waterfall.
To solve both problems, I think that the bezel needs to be made of two parts. I think the outer portion should be silver (the 'frame'), but everything else should be dark. This will accentuate the 'V' of both the waterfall and the insert (I'm also aware you want to accentuate a 'V' within the design in general), and de-emphasize the parallel sides of the screen, which I think is important.
If it's designed as I envision, it'll also eliminate the possibility of wear to the paint immediately around the buttons, which I think will be a problem for many within a fairly short period of time.
If the inner portion remains plastic, it can be a slightly textured plastic - non-painted - for wear purposes.
I think that the silver is accentuating the 'squareness' of the Brainiac screen within the decided lack of squareness of the waterfall.
To solve both problems, I think that the bezel needs to be made of two parts. I think the outer portion should be silver (the 'frame'), but everything else should be dark. This will accentuate the 'V' of both the waterfall and the insert (I'm also aware you want to accentuate a 'V' within the design in general), and de-emphasize the parallel sides of the screen, which I think is important.
If it's designed as I envision, it'll also eliminate the possibility of wear to the paint immediately around the buttons, which I think will be a problem for many within a fairly short period of time.
If the inner portion remains plastic, it can be a slightly textured plastic - non-painted - for wear purposes.
We "could" make the top plastic wider to reach out further to the sides to make the line parallel to the side of the console. I'm just worried about it being too much plastic and adding a more bulky look.
Just doesn't look "right" to me. It's too much symmetry in an interior that's otherwise asymmetrical, and that's accentuated by a screen with an odd aspect ratio for that space. The screen and bezel would be better suited to the interior if vertically canted toward the driver in a fashion similar to the 3 small gauges.
I've created a couple of two toned photoshops. Some had commented that the inner should be dark, and others commented that the outer should be dark and also comments around dark buttons. So I've created those color schemes to see what you think
Original
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Heritage (11-14-2015)
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Heritage (11-14-2015)
#91
New Member
iTrader: (3)
I like the first pic also: by far the best. I think the texture and color of the plastic surrounding the screen should match one of the other plastics in the car, like (for instance) the top of the gauge cluster.
If the tolerance of the gap @ the bottom of the bezel is so close that you cannot narrow it any further, I think there's another change you can make that could make sense, and that is to redesign the silver lip to be somewhat more narrow: for the inner plastic to slope outward further and make the darker area larger and the silver area narrower. You could also experiment with giving the silver frame a slightly 'concaved' look, to further mimic the rings around the pods and dials; that could really set it off I think.
If the tolerance of the gap @ the bottom of the bezel is so close that you cannot narrow it any further, I think there's another change you can make that could make sense, and that is to redesign the silver lip to be somewhat more narrow: for the inner plastic to slope outward further and make the darker area larger and the silver area narrower. You could also experiment with giving the silver frame a slightly 'concaved' look, to further mimic the rings around the pods and dials; that could really set it off I think.
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Workshop12 (11-15-2015)
#92
New Member
iTrader: (4)
I'll reply later, but I think I can help you guys with some design tweaks now that I've seen the DSLR pics and rough photoshopping.
The silver definitely is far too much silver, another thought is that someone could always skin the inner or outer bevel with a hydro or vinyl overlay, but I think it's better to get the design fully perfected before release.
Glad you're open to input, you're on to a good thing, too good to let it turn out less than it could be.
Saved
The silver definitely is far too much silver, another thought is that someone could always skin the inner or outer bevel with a hydro or vinyl overlay, but I think it's better to get the design fully perfected before release.
Glad you're open to input, you're on to a good thing, too good to let it turn out less than it could be.
Saved
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Workshop12 (11-15-2015)
#93
New Member
I do like the first “Two Toned Photoshop” picture, but I really don’t think it’s any better than the all silver bezel. Going all silver (that matches the bezel on the instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel) provides a uniform look across the dash.
Another factor is the plane-changes across Braniac’s bezel. The result is a difference in visual shading due to the effects of lighting hitting at different angles. A single silver color whose angled surfaces appear differently depending upon the lighting provides an interesting effect.
Another factor is the plane-changes across Braniac’s bezel. The result is a difference in visual shading due to the effects of lighting hitting at different angles. A single silver color whose angled surfaces appear differently depending upon the lighting provides an interesting effect.
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Workshop12 (11-15-2015)
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#96
Registered User
IMO, all silver or all black would look best. Any two tone scheme would look a bit tacky to me.
Also, for the 08, could the silver frame just extend down a bit more externally to cover the lower din slot? I don't think divide in the console would be that noticeable.
Also, for the 08, could the silver frame just extend down a bit more externally to cover the lower din slot? I don't think divide in the console would be that noticeable.
#97
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
IMO, all silver or all black would look best. Any two tone scheme would look a bit tacky to me.
Also, for the 08, could the silver frame just extend down a bit more externally to cover the lower din slot? I don't think divide in the console would be that noticeable.
Also, for the 08, could the silver frame just extend down a bit more externally to cover the lower din slot? I don't think divide in the console would be that noticeable.
I still need to get the Hi-res good photos off of Rob's camera to give a better idea of what the full silver color looks like.
The tricky part with colors is that (as seen in this thread) everyone has different tastes
#98
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
I like the first pic also: by far the best. I think the texture and color of the plastic surrounding the screen should match one of the other plastics in the car, like (for instance) the top of the gauge cluster.
If the tolerance of the gap @ the bottom of the bezel is so close that you cannot narrow it any further, I think there's another change you can make that could make sense, and that is to redesign the silver lip to be somewhat more narrow: for the inner plastic to slope outward further and make the darker area larger and the silver area narrower. You could also experiment with giving the silver frame a slightly 'concaved' look, to further mimic the rings around the pods and dials; that could really set it off I think.
If the tolerance of the gap @ the bottom of the bezel is so close that you cannot narrow it any further, I think there's another change you can make that could make sense, and that is to redesign the silver lip to be somewhat more narrow: for the inner plastic to slope outward further and make the darker area larger and the silver area narrower. You could also experiment with giving the silver frame a slightly 'concaved' look, to further mimic the rings around the pods and dials; that could really set it off I think.
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Heritage (11-15-2015)
#99
Vendor - Former Vendor
Thread Starter
We just posted up the official pictures of the 350Z install on our blog. These ones were shot with our DSLR instead of the washed out smartphone ones I posted before
Keep the feedback coming!
Blog Post
http://workshoptwelve.com/2015/11/16...-test-fitting/
Keep the feedback coming!
Blog Post
http://workshoptwelve.com/2015/11/16...-test-fitting/
#100
Registered User
I like it. The silver does look good.
Only thing I can think of, is on the subie the screen isn't as recessed as that. It might look better if it was less sunk into the waterfall.
Only thing I can think of, is on the subie the screen isn't as recessed as that. It might look better if it was less sunk into the waterfall.