Robot Numbering, Attractive Solutions?

[mrnoble]

Originally Posted by MrForbes

It would be a minor expense to have a full set of numbers printed on card stock for each regional.

It would be almost no expense. In fact, that would be an excellent way for a team to come to competition prepared to help other teams out: have preprinted, laminated numbers for every team.

[KrazyCarl92]

Originally Posted by Gregor

We're not even at that stage in build season, but we'll probably end up with a freshman going crazy with paint and some polycarb.

Gregor: be aware that some paints, adhesives, and also thread lockers don't play nice with polycarbonate. Some may dissolve it, others may cause it to become brittle. Make sure you are either aware of a certain paint's effects on polycarb or go ahead and test a small are yourself to see if there are any adverse effects.

[pfreivald]

I'm planning on using full sheets of white sticker paper, with the number printed in sufficiently large font on it. Stick to polycarbonate, and done.

Cheap, crisp, and better looking than most numbers painted on bumpers.

[JeffersonMartin]

I'm pretty disappointed with the numbering rules. I feel like they could have just said that the text has to reasonably contrast with the background, and if it isn't easily legible, the inspector will attach a hand written, legible sign on poster board over your pretty, illegible numbers. I think that threat would have been enough.

[pfreivald]

Remember, if you're in charge of anything, there are only two ways to make people complain:

1. Do something.
2. Do nothing.

If you can avoid those two things, you'll be fine.

FIRSTers in particular want very strictly delineated guidelines so that they know exactly what parameters under which they're working, except when they don't. And different people will come to different conclusions on how which area of what should be handled.

...so people will get grumpy about it either way.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by JeffersonMartin

I'm pretty disappointed with the numbering rules. I feel like they could have just said that the text has to reasonably contrast with the background, and if it isn't easily legible, the inspector will attach a hand written, legible sign on poster board over your pretty, illegible numbers. I think that threat would have been enough.

What I think reasonably contrasts when I'm in my lab might vary greatly from what someone else thinks reasonably contrasts on the field. It's better to have incredibly strict guidelines for this than have something that the boundaries/restrictions can be pushed to a limit.

[Thromgord]

Would it be considered legal to have four different signs on each side of the robot, each with only one number?

An example would be as follows (note: crude drawing ahead. Sensitive types might want to shield their eyes...) -

_|3|_|8|_|0|_|7|_
[ ~ ~ ROBOT ~ ~ ]

Or vertical signs?

|3|
|8|
|0|
|7|

Or signs with two of the numbers on top and two on bottom?


|38|
|07|

How about angled signs?

\3\
.\8\
..\0\
...\7\

Can the numbers be different sizes?

|3807|

If any one of these options are legal (as long as the font is legible, it's black on a white background, etc). then I'll be happy.

I do think that there is a certain amount of originality that can be preserved with robot numbering... though I would hate to see us have any problems with the judges over something that's pretty trivial.

[Foster]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

The numbering rules of years past really were more than sufficient and did not need change. I don't know how to say this in a graciously professional way, but I blame the teams who always somehow managed to make crappy numbers that you couldn't read as a reason for the new change. These teams who cannot figure out how to display their own number properly are teams that really ought to be participating in VEX instead. You know who they are. There's a handful at every event.

Oh Sanddrag, a VEX slap? Are you unhappy that VEX sends out those really cool number plates?

Press release: MarkAndy the premier FRC parts supplier announced today their new "Numbers by Sanddrag". For only $ 6.96 you can purchase an FRC legal number plate for your FRC robot. 100% competition legal in approved FIRST white and black. Want to be on the road for a Chairmans award, these custom made plates will keep you out of the re-inspection line! Order 4, one for each side of your robot. For hex or octo bots, use code POLY!ROCKS! to receive 4 extra plates for FREE!

I'm missing the hard part of this. Black numbers on a white background on the robot isn't hard.

Its an iteration of getting there. We had bumpers with contrasting team numbers on the bumper. Next year bumpers will be back and this won't be a problem

If numbers are the biggest issue this season I really can't wait for week 1

[K-Dawg157]

Originally Posted by Thromgord

Would it be considered legal to have four different signs on each side of the robot, each with only one number?

An example would be as follows (note: crude drawing ahead. Sensitive types might want to shield their eyes...) -

_|3|_|8|_|0|_|7|_
[ ~ ~ ROBOT ~ ~ ]

Or vertical signs?

|3|
|8|
|0|
|7|

Or signs with two of the numbers on top and two on bottom?


|38|
|07|

How about angled signs?

\3\
.\8\
..\0\
...\7\

Can the numbers be different sizes?

|3807|

If any one of these options are legal (as long as the font is legible, it's black on a white background, etc). then I'll be happy.

I do think that there is a certain amount of originality that can be preserved with robot numbering... though I would hate to see us have any problems with the judges over something that's pretty trivial.

I actually think you can have your number vertically, as long as it is on all four sides.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

What I think reasonably contrasts when I'm in my lab might vary greatly from what someone else thinks reasonably contrasts on the field. It's better to have incredibly strict guidelines for this than have something that the boundaries/restrictions can be pushed to a limit.

There's been a fair bit of study on contrast... http://colorusage.arc.nasa.gov/luminance_cont.php http://colorusage.arc.nasa.gov/Percept_layers_1.php

And I'm gonna stop there before I end up down the rabbit hole of reading all about color usage today.

[Gregor]

While there's some good discussion here, this thread was intended more for innovative solutions than complaining. Keep talking, but let's talk solutions given our constraints.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by K-Dawg157

I actually think you can have your number vertically, as long as it is on all four sides.

Nope! That's 'ambiguous'. https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/...least-one-side

[K-Dawg157]

Originally Posted by Libby K

Nope! That's 'ambiguous'. https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/...least-one-side

That's good to know... we'll have to change that now...

[Jon Stratis]

I will say one thing... As an inspector, this rule is very straight forward and easy to verify. Most people seem to want some sort of "contrasting color" rule instead of the black/white... But when inspecting at an event contrasting colors can be somewhat subjective, and may lead to disagreements between teams an inspectors.

Frankly, given the large number of crappy looking bumper numbers I've seen over the years, I'm a little surprised people are so upset about how "bad" this will look on their robot. For teams that forget it, this is something that is easily and quickly (if ugly) remedied with some paper, a sharpie, and some tape... Not so go teams that had bumper issues and had to scramble to find a way to get their numbers on newly made bumpers, or have to wait hours for the paint to dry..

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by K-Dawg157

That's good to know... we'll have to change that now...

I only know because I checked - we were planning on doing the same thing. I heartily disagree with that call, but this thread isn't for complaining. How else would you read that number, especially when it's the only thing with a white background?!

What it looks like we'll end up doing is very-long white plates along the edge of the drivetrain with the right numbering on it. Still ugly, but at least existing in its own zone away from our pretty paneling.

I think the biggest thing teams can do to make these plates less horrible is use their correct font. (If your team doesn't have a consistent font use for your numbers ... take a look at your team's branding & fix it!) As long as it fits the stroke requirements it'll at least make the placard look sort-of-intentional.