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Step 4Measure and Tape Your Walls
OVERVIEW:
In this step we're going to measure out three rectangles of known sizes, and make rectangles of masking tape of exactly these sizes -- one on each of our three surfaces. It is important to note that the purpose of making these tape rectangles is to provide contrast for the photo you will shortly be taking. That being said, it is important to select a tape color that provides good visual contrast with your wall.
SELECT SIZE OF RECTANGLES:
The size of the rectangles you select is, ultimately, an arbitrary decision -- but it will be influenced by:
MEASURE AND MARK THE RECTANGLES ON THE WALL:
Use a pencil and measure out the rectangles by marking the correct distance from each wall. If you have a combination square or a spirit level, these might help to double-check your measurements. I'm not saying that you have to have it exactly right down to the millimeter, but the more accurate you are at this stage the more accurate the transformation will be. So, why not spend a little extra time on this step and get it as close as you can?
TAPE THE PERIMETER OF EACH RECTANGLE:
You're looking to make a "box" of masking tape for each of the three rectangles. Look at the picture of the finished boxes to help you out if you're having a hard time visualizing it.
Remember: Keep those taped lines level/plumb and keep your angles square! I've worked for years as a signmaker, so my visual sense of "level" is pretty (preternaturally) accurate... if you're having doubts about your ability to do it visually, it might be time to whip out the spirit level/combo square again at this point.
Lastly: take your X-Acto knife and trim away the excess tape leaving something close to perfectly square corners.
PROVIDE A CONTRASTING COLOR WHERE THE BLUE RECTANGLES TOUCH ONE-ANOTHER:
I mentioned that we're gonna be photographing this, right? So, unless you want to drive yourself crazy staring at pixels in your image-editor and trying to decide where one blue shape stops and the next one begins, we should provide a visual "break" between the two boxes.
I used colored electricians tape. In the final analysis, I wouldn't recommend this. The tape was fussy and difficult to work with. If you have an alternate color of masking tape, use that to define the edges. Or use a thin bead of paint, or a marker, or stickers, or whatever you'd like, but in summary:
Wherever one blue rectangle touches another blue rectangle on a different wall, provide a high-contrast visual break between the two.
In this step we're going to measure out three rectangles of known sizes, and make rectangles of masking tape of exactly these sizes -- one on each of our three surfaces. It is important to note that the purpose of making these tape rectangles is to provide contrast for the photo you will shortly be taking. That being said, it is important to select a tape color that provides good visual contrast with your wall.
SELECT SIZE OF RECTANGLES:
The size of the rectangles you select is, ultimately, an arbitrary decision -- but it will be influenced by:
- Size of your printer/output device (I was going to output to 24" wide vinyl... so I made my rectangles just a shade under 24")
- Size and proportions of your image/logo (My image was a circle. So my 3 rectangles are roughly the same size. If your logo has an eccentric shape, or is markedly off-center, you might want to make one/some of the rectangles larger or smaller.)
MEASURE AND MARK THE RECTANGLES ON THE WALL:
Use a pencil and measure out the rectangles by marking the correct distance from each wall. If you have a combination square or a spirit level, these might help to double-check your measurements. I'm not saying that you have to have it exactly right down to the millimeter, but the more accurate you are at this stage the more accurate the transformation will be. So, why not spend a little extra time on this step and get it as close as you can?
TAPE THE PERIMETER OF EACH RECTANGLE:
You're looking to make a "box" of masking tape for each of the three rectangles. Look at the picture of the finished boxes to help you out if you're having a hard time visualizing it.
Remember: Keep those taped lines level/plumb and keep your angles square! I've worked for years as a signmaker, so my visual sense of "level" is pretty (preternaturally) accurate... if you're having doubts about your ability to do it visually, it might be time to whip out the spirit level/combo square again at this point.
Lastly: take your X-Acto knife and trim away the excess tape leaving something close to perfectly square corners.
PROVIDE A CONTRASTING COLOR WHERE THE BLUE RECTANGLES TOUCH ONE-ANOTHER:
I mentioned that we're gonna be photographing this, right? So, unless you want to drive yourself crazy staring at pixels in your image-editor and trying to decide where one blue shape stops and the next one begins, we should provide a visual "break" between the two boxes.
I used colored electricians tape. In the final analysis, I wouldn't recommend this. The tape was fussy and difficult to work with. If you have an alternate color of masking tape, use that to define the edges. Or use a thin bead of paint, or a marker, or stickers, or whatever you'd like, but in summary:
Wherever one blue rectangle touches another blue rectangle on a different wall, provide a high-contrast visual break between the two.
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Feb 7, 2009. 9:52 PMAeroKitty
says:
I spy a cowboy boot! Neat instructable, by the way.
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