Should we change the forumbanner?

[Matthijs]

Should we change the forumbanner? And say goodbye to the PP* series so we can have the latest Aptera design on the forum?

[palmer_md]

We need to keep this site up to date as much as we can. That way we have more up to date info than Aptera.com. Haha.

[chijayhawker]

We need to keep this site up to date as much as we can. That way we have more up to date info than Aptera.com. Haha.

Ew...like that's a hard task!:tongue0015:

[aptera1213]

use this image and i will die a little bit each time i come here...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4522643824_23b7aa8523.jpg

Gavin

[PatQ562]

We may as well reflect reality in the banner, but choose an equally flattering angle for the new model. The recently posted prototype photos look better than the Aptera-published renderings - maintaining their unbroken losing streak of crappy self-promotion. If Aptera makes design improvements they should be incorporated. It would be cool (and a tribute to the past) to "park" a 2009 model in the background, possibly in 3/4 view. A design-history from beginning to end (?) would also be a nice "sticky" thread.

Pat Q

[BryanSR]

We may as well reflect reality in the banner, but choose an equally flattering angle for the new model. The recently posted prototype photos look better than the Aptera-published renderings - maintaining their unbroken losing streak of crappy self-promotion. If Aptera makes design improvements they should be incorporated. It would be cool (and a tribute to the past) to "park" a 2009 model in the background, possibly in 3/4 view. A design-history from beginning to end (?) would also be a nice "sticky" thread.

Pat Q
I go with THIS model to show the past & the POSSIBLE Future...

[KarenRei]

use this image and i will die a little bit each time i come here...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4522643824_23b7aa8523.jpg

Gavin

That's why I voted 'no' as well.

[evmavin]

Just use photoshop to fatten up the existing picture and raise the hood. Add some Hummer hinges and it's done. Easy.

[SEGsby]

Wouldn't asking for a nice render from Aptera be the better way to go, than trying to cut out something from a low res picture that's not on a white background? *shrugs*

[jcodeglia]

I actually don't mind the side view rendering from the new brochure. It's a bit more flattering than the real-world photos taken from the same angle.

[NeilBlanchard]

I like the front quarter angle shots of the new 2e. Like this:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadaptera2epplive.jpg

[SEGsby]

ARrrrr... Here be good renders of it to replace the banner:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/gallery/2011-aptera-2e/2011-aptera-2e-107.jpg

[SEGsby]

Okay, I did a quick copy past job, and put a temp image here:

http://i39.tinypic.com/qss094.gif

The rendering is not as well lit as the original, and appears much darker overall.

If you guys want to use it, feel free. It will be deleted from its temp location in a couple days, regardless... As will this post.

[IanO]

Heh, I notice that the render still has the old, thinner side mirrors. Also, neither render shows the windshield wiper. Also, I'm not sure how accurate the ride height is in the render. It appears to be even higher than the old PP6, which we know is not the case.

[aptera1213]

thanks segs...

funny, i wonder which mirrors will be on the final car?

also, i know i'm beating a dead horse here...but it amazes me what a few changes can do. i know not everybody agrees, and that's a good thing, but dang it looks so much less "alive". they, to me, took the aptera shape and made it boring. how the hell is that possible??

oh well...it is still cool, just boring cool....like anthony michael hall in dead zone vs anthony michael hall in 16 candles....

ha, perhaps everything puffy is boring?

Gavin

[SEGsby]

There are a number of differences between the real S0-1 and the renders...

I like the thinner mirrors in the render and PP6. The current S0-1 mirrors make me think of Mickey Mouse ears, when viewed from the front. :P

Looks like the attachment point for the wiper is actually there, but no one probably modeled the wiper. It's a standard part, so no need. It's that greyish knob sticking out of the glass in the larger image. If the object was included, I'm sure you're see it in the render from this view.

CG Headlight assemblies are chromed inside, instead of black. Chrome looks better when used in headlights IMHO, but with so much surface area for light to bounce around on with these long shapes, I don't know what that would look like at night, with the lights on, for other drivers. I would expect a lot of light getting bounced UP and OUT to the sides.

There is now EXTRA BLING in the new metal Aptera Logo on the door hinge. The CG render only has body material and a more subtle indentation where the logo goes.

Not seeing the "aptera" name embossed into the rear bumper surface in photos so far, like it is in the render... I guess the glowing Aptera Logos are dead? Seems like they've really pulled back on exterior lighting compared to the PP6.

[NeilBlanchard]

The rendering is fine -- the front tires look too big, and the rear looks too small. The fronts are 14" rims, and the rear is 15", btw.

[SEGsby]

The camera lens was not the same between the old and new renders, so the closer wheel just looks bigger. I'm pretty sure they're modeled at proper scale.

[dfbvt]

Hi,

I'm not seeing any difference to the "new" banner so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. In any event, not knowing there was an new official banner I came up with a "suggested" version using a picture taken at the Palomar Airport.

If we are to far along on the change, no problem.

Thanks,

Dave Bowles

:logo:

[palmer_md]

Okay, I did a quick copy past job, and put a temp image here:

http://i39.tinypic.com/qss094.gif

The rendering is not as well lit as the original, and appears much darker overall.

If you guys want to use it, feel free. It will be deleted from its temp location in a couple days, regardless... As will this post.

I say go ahead and make the change. Looks fine to me. I'm not particularly fond of the car, but it is the reality of the situation, so we should be displaying this as the banner for the site.

[1051]

I second it.

[SEGsby]

Lets copy this over, if there are no other graphics being offered up for this.

I need to remove the file from my server soon...

Thanks.

[Matthijs]

Lets copy this over, if there are no other graphics being offered up for this.

I need to remove the file from my server soon...

Thanks.

http://i39.tinypic.com/qss094.gif

Done.

[BryanSR]

When will the change be made?

[c0mp13x]

Hey guys-

That's my original art for the current forum banner. I would prefer we don't just plop the S0-1 into the previous art just to quickly update. Aptera hasn't even updated their site yet with the new vehicle. We've got time... hang in there.

I'll be working on a all-new banner with pictures of the new vehicle. Anyone else is welcome to submit new ideas for the forum banner by PMing 'admin' (Brian).

Thanks, Mike :wavey:

[dfbvt]

Hi,

I'm sorry this is late getting to you late. Been very busy. But for what its worth here it is. If the intention is to do a whole new banner I do have this photo with a green background to facilitate the overlaying process. i can also provide it in my different formats as needed.

my personal opinion is I'd rather see a 3/4 view to minimize the guppy belly effect the new side view shows to rather bad effect. Other wise I vote to change the banner what ever way the member ship desires.

Thank you,

David F. Bowles

PS: Can't seem to verify that the picture got attached. It was a JPG

[SEGsby]

@ dfbvt: It seems more reliable to post the image at a URL then use the [img] tag to post it here.

@Matthijs: Thanks. :)

[dfbvt]

Lets see if this works.

file:///C:/A-Data%20Dave/Scan/Aptera/Aptera%20SO-1/Aptera-2e-front-three-quarters_Fourm_Banner_Option_2.htm

D Bowles

[SEGsby]

Nooo.... Never post anything directly from your home computer. Only you will be able to see it.

Move the file to an online image gallery, then post that URL using an [img] tag...

That will work much better for everyone. Thanks.

[dfbvt]

OK, Sorry for the misunderstanding. Perhaps this will work.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4541388418_8d3b0ed987_m.jpg

[earther]

Nooo.... Never post anything directly from your home computer. Only you will be able to see it.
Move the file to an online image gallery, then post that URL using an [img] tag...
That will work much better for everyone. Thanks.

Given the recent flurry of activity, might I recommend we change the new apteraforum banner to look like this:
:-D

http://tinyurl.com/newapterabanner

-Steve

[SEGsby]

I think we should have a contest. Best Banner wins.

[KarenRei]

Given the recent flurry of activity, might I recommend we change the new apteraforum banner to look like this:
:-D

http://tinyurl.com/newapterabanner

-Steve

Lol. That's actually a pretty nice shot of the Leaf.

[dfbvt]

This one might actually work - I hope.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49471990@N05/4541568184/

Sorry c0mp13x. I did use your background but its just to give a taste of what I was trying to get across. Thanks to all for help working on a forum.

D Bowles

[NeilBlanchard]

Works for me! ^^^^^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49471990@N05/4541568184/sizes/l/

[10.5]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4522643824_23b7aa8523.jpg


That wouldn't look so bad if it had more ground clearance...

[NeilBlanchard]

The 2e still has plenty of ground clearance -- it has more than a typical car.

[aptera1213]

That wouldn't look so bad if it had more ground clearance...

Gawd if that is the banner photo I will cry every time I come to this site. That is, to me, the ugliest photo of the 2e ever taken. That photo alone helped convince me that the 2e is no longer a car for me.

Gavin

[aptera1213]

This one might actually work - I hope.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49471990@N05/4541568184/

Sorry c0mp13x. I did use your background but its just to give a taste of what I was trying to get across. Thanks to all for help working on a forum.

D Bowles

Not bad at all....could somebody photoshop the front hood so it doesn't look like it is half opened though. That seem is way too wide.

Other than that, nice banner.

Gavin

[dfbvt]

Yes, I think I can minimize the poor fit gap of the hood that but it will probably have to wait until this weekend when its raining on Sunday. By the way the original picture is from Automobile Magazine @ http://www.automobilemag.com/green/news/1004_2011_aptera_2e/photo_20.html . They don't reference a photographers name but we might need to ask their permission.

Note that I have lightened up the Driver side since the original picture was taken with the sun on the passenger side and I also got rid of of a big reflection of the building that was reflecting off of the windshield. The photo is not of great resolution so minimizing the gap may be a bit challenging.

If other members want me to go for it let me know. I can provide the bare photo if the originator of the banner wants to change other aspects of the banner.

My reasoning for using this angle was to minimize the visual impact of the new "Guppy Belly".

Thanks,

Dave Bowles

[AR-51]

This is a good looking view.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt93/Bestworldphoto/aptera-2e-rear-view.jpg

[KarenRei]

Yep -- probably one of the best views you're going to get.

Is that really 6" of ground clearance?

[aptera1213]

That is nice...you don't even see how awful the side windows are. The belly is big, but it looks nice and smooth at least.

But I've always said (well since last week when it debuted) that the SO-1 looks nice from front and from behind...just the side view is not very nice.

You notice the squat windows and guppy belly and Cyrano nose from the side much more than any other shot.

Gavin

[chijayhawker]

Is that really 6" of ground clearance?

Of course it is, afterall it was measured by a MAN. :animal0026:

[KarenRei]

Lol! ;)

[NmGfan]

Yep -- probably one of the best views you're going to get.

Is that really 6" of ground clearance?

That rear wheel skirt still looks to be the same 3.5 inches above the asphalt as the older PP models that I measured at Stanford last Spring. Notice that the rear wheel rim is not visible, only the tire sidewall. It looks like an impact point waiting for the rear wheel to retract up into the skirt under compression. Soft soil might be problematic too as the rear tire sinks down to skirt level. The front wheel pants are clearly higher than in the past.

:happy0025:

[SEGsby]

Not sure why the wheel skirt concept from the front pants, didn't make it in the back of the vehicle... Breakable composites so low and near the road don't seem wise to me. :P But these seem to be part of a pattern of almost schizo-like criteria behind changes in S0-1. :P

I've been stuck in loose gravel on th side of the road in my bug, and had to dig it out. This was near Mt. Pinos. Was not able to clear enough out, and needed a truck to pull the car out.

[NmGfan]

Not sure why the wheel skirt concept from the front pants, didn't make it in the back of the vehicle... Breakable composites so low and near the road don't seem wise to me. :P But these seem to be part of a pattern of almost schizo-like criteria behind changes in S0-1. :P

I've been stuck in loose gravel on th side of the road in my bug, and had to dig it out. This was near Mt. Pinos. Was not able to clear enough out, and needed a truck to pull the car out.

It would have made more sense to clone the front wheel pant features to the rear wheel skirt, although for different reasons. As the 4x4 crowd knows, ground clearance is limited to the object that hangs the lowest on the vehicle, in this case the rear wheel skirt. That first 3"-4" deep pothole that gets centered between the front wheels (it will happen!) will have a loud crashing sound as the rear wheel drops in below skirt level, ouch!

:happy0025:

[KarenRei]

Well, kind of. It's really more a case of angles and how long they go on for. There's the maximum angle you can have between where the road contacts the tire and would contact the skirt, and there's a separate maximum angle you can have between where the road contacts the tire and would contact the belly pan. So, for example, a hump that's 8" high at less of an angle than exists between the tires and the skirt won't strike the skirt, but it would strike the belly. And you could have a 2" hump with 80 degree sides, but since it's shorter than the skirts, it won't strike them (despite the high angle).

Anyway, yeah, I don't get why there's only composite in the rear. I've always thought that having some give in the skirts' lower rim with some give would have been nice. The sad thing is that some of the early vehicle designs, had there been give in the skirts, they could have practically been offroaders. Now the latest thing is hardly an on-roader.

[joyhood]

Hi!
Same question was in my mind and I have searched for it I came to know that we can also reflect some reality in our banner, but for that we have to choose an flattering angle for the upcoming model. The present pictures and photos look more better than before. If Aptera makes design improvements they should be incorporated. It would feel great to have a 2010 model in the background.

[JustWilliam]

I hate to say it- but I don't really care one way or the other. I've simply lost interest in actually purchasing a 2e for myriad obvious reasons, and I'd be genuinely shocked to see them attract the massive investment required to actually start production.

The poll is a GREAT idea though. A new banner could be more current, and as accurate as Aptera allows it to be. They've never had their own forum, and never treated this one with respect or encouragement, even when it was full of devoted fans and ACTUAL RESERVATION HOLDERS. Maybe it'll warm and enlarge Aptera's tiny cold heart, just as Cindy Lou Who did for the Grinch. At the very least, it'll be what Aptera fans voted for.

Please show the mercy and good taste NOT to vote for another profile shot. It isn't fair to anyone, especially the SO-1.

May the best banner win!

Peace,
William