I'm going to a sign shop to get decals made for my buggy for NAPKA race numbers but want to make sure I get the sample right.

Rules specify Helvetica at least 5 1/2" high and 2 inches wide but the font is proportioned nothing like that. More like 4" wide each for "US" when at the minimum height.

And they say "stripe" at least 3/4" wide. I assume that is the stroke of the font.

I will use Arial for my sample to the printer since for letters "US it is the same. Can I just scale it to the minimum height and call it a day?

That's what I did.
I dare you to tell the difference as I pass you going down the beach. :evil:

When I draw sample letters in the cad software, a "1" comes out to 2 Inches wide total using arial font. So that must be what they mean by minimum. Some letters take less space. The stripe also comes out to 3/4" wide at a 5.5" letter. I think if you use arial and scale it up to 5.5" tall, everything else takes care of itself. With the cad software I can fiddle with the spacing between the letters and the relative "width factor" of each letter. I got the above numbers with the stock font. If I'm passing Ripsessions or especially Bladerunner next year at nabx, I don't want one of them trying to nullify my fleeting victory on a technicality!

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Originally posted by acampbell I'm going to a sign shop to get decals made for my buggy for NAPKA race numbers but want to make sure I get the sample right. Rules specify Helvetica at least 5 1/2" high and 2 inches wide but the font is proportioned nothing like that. More like 4" wide each for "US" when at the minimum height. And they say "stripe" at least 3/4" wide. I assume that is the stroke of the font. I will use Arial for my sample to the printer since for letters "US it is the same. Can I just scale it to the minimum height and call it a day?

Arial will about the same width, but a thinner stroke.

As long as you are using Helvetica, and sticking to the 5.5 minimun height I think you will be fine.

I suspect the other minimums (2 inch charcter width and .75 stroke width), is to forestall problems that might be caused by problems with people using thin or condensed versions of Helvetica.

I was testing with a Helvetica clone and a 5.5" heights is a font size in around 540 pt. The width of the U is just a whisker under 4.5 inches. and the width of the number "1" about 2.3 inches.

Unless you are using some wonky Hevetica variant the minimum height should keep you safe with respect to the other two constraints.

ATB,
Sam

I figured if I was going throughout the trouble of getting plates then I'd match ad closely. I did each letter separately in Photoshop with bold helvetica then rescales to meet the 3 requirenents. Then it's just a prescalwd png as sinage. Also to note helvetica is not on windows because they did not want to license the font; it is on Mac. I have US503 if anyone needs those digits.

Right, I have WinBlows, hence no Helvetica, so will use Arial since it is the same for letters without glyphs, such as "R" and "G". Thanks all.

what are ya supposed to use when landboarding? numbered jerseys?

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Originally posted by WELDNGOD what are ya supposed to use when landboarding? numbered jerseys?

runners # front & back

can you just d/l the font to pc .. you have it always. hehehe, another reason why i love my mac

you should follow the rules closely as possible, if you intend to race ever in Europe. they need to be visible so you can get marked down when you round markers.

i believe someone on NAPKA was making plates for the PL and Libre buggies.

Any trials or tribulations on this subject? I'll be going to the local fastsigns shop to get my numbers on the plates of my Apexx. I guess Ozzies info will be hiding on the inside for good luck. I'll just flip sides on the boards and put my numbers on.

Donnie we don't have to wear them in the states since there isn't many landboarders. If there's a bunch then we have to pin them on The back of your shirt

honestly, it doesnt matter too much about FONT.

as long as the height and width are good, and say the Race master / Lap keepers can read it going at speed than you're fine.

you do want to get counted for that lap you did, right?

Beaver why do you need numbers??? I have spare 88 in the correct font direct from XXtreme. you can always just be Canadian with KC. lol.
if you ever damage an eight (8) you can borrow one from Grant too.

The 8 Crew!!!

I'll just keep it simple then and use a bold Helvetica or Arial depending on what the sign shop has. Rip that's good to know on the spares! As far as using Ozzie's number plates, it shouldn't be a problem, since it didn't hold Arie back any!

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Originally posted by BeamerBob I'll just keep it simple then and use a bold Helvetica or Arial depending on what the sign shop has. Rip that's good to know on the spares! As far as using Ozzie's number plates, it shouldn't be a problem, since it didn't hold Arie back any!

just get an H number ... i have two plate sets coming.

plus you have plates from #2 Dutch Champion.

:wee: