How can I create an even lit - and most importantly, cheap, lighting panel? I've already decided against the use of EL panels, as they are expensive, and not very custom-sizable/cutable, or even strong (since I may need to mount stuff on the panel). I was thinking of using some sort of plexi with white leds or cathodes behind it. Unfortunately, all I have available to myself is clear plexi (1/4", I believe). Any ideas? Thanks
er.....how thick is 1/4 inch in mm?? anayway. depending on that you could put some LED;s around the edge giveing a nice glow. you can pick up packs of led;s off ebay cheap as you like. don't get them from the modding section tho they cost more.
Except that's clear plexi, meaning it won't be an even lit, white panel. Could I maybe sand it, or spray it with some sort of spray-paint finish?
I've seen folks who have frosted clear plastic by 1) sanding 2) spray paint (frosting). The embed white LEDs and it'll be even to a degree. I believe most LCD's have a diffusion panel--if you can find a cheap junk'd one you could steal it from there. navig
Sand it and use diffuse leds. So dont use those 15 degree angle ones, but 60 degree. Using a bunch of those should give you a pretty equaly lit panel.
This case mod: http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/04/06/japanese_case_mod_sangaku/1.html Has a fairly even lit panel on the inside.
Err... I think you need to read the whole thing carefully. Or at least this page. 'Tis but a trick of the light (and the artwork in front of it). Nezuji
Those panels were also lit with cold cathodes, not LEDs. Thats why its so diffuse, because those lights are very even to begin with. Combined with that "trick of the light" as well.
keep in mind, also you can take the cathode out of its plastic tube so you can much more easily attach it to the side of a frosted acrylic panel. I'm not sure how well the spray on frosting works for this type of lighting, however.
here's a cheap and easy way get a few metres of clear rope light (like £1/m) wrap it round in circles and sandwich between some clear acrilic and some mdf/plywood and hold in place with some hot melt glue
Oh no. I know that the bamboos matched up, but I meant on the motherboard side, where its just a flat panel of light.
Wouldn't you still see the circles of brighter spots where the rope light is? There needs to be a amount of distance between the frosted plexi and the light source so it can spread and diffuse enough to not be visible.
