Important Photoshop Project: RELOADED

[Tbone]

Here's the backstory...

I just moved to a new apartment complex by renting a room that a guy had available in his two bedroom apartment. That's all gravy except for the parking. You see, each apartment is only allowed ONE parking pass. Everyone else must try to park in the limited, far away street parking (including me).

This might be understandable except that there is more available permit parking than street parking. In other words, I come home late at night and pass dozens of empty spaces near my apartment but have to search for 10 minutes to find one spot that's twice as far away on the street.

The solution? Making a fake parking permit, of course! Luckily, the parking permits are so simple. I've already gotten pretty close, but I could use some help putting the final touches. I just need a trained eye to double check me. I know the borders seem off (I think mine are too thick), but I can't seem to recreate it. Here's a snap shot I took of the permit and my psd file. I need them to match!

http://followtheangel.org/tbone/parkingpermit.JPG
http://followtheangel.org/tbone/parkingpermit.psd

Now you may be thinking "why is parking so limited?". Well, Arlington (where I live) has an initiative to force people to use more public transportation. Part of that is encouraging apartments to offer less parking spaces than units. That's right. There are more units in my apartment complex than parking spaces.

Now you may be thinking "well then you'll be taking someone else's spot with a fake permit". The parking isn't assigned, and all this week the pattern has been that there have been less available street parking than permit parking, and this is at all hours of the day (but especially at night after everyone is home). By having a parking permit, I'm actually using one of the always empty spaces and allowing another open street parking spot for what seems like the majority of people who live there are forced to use.

So it's a win win for everyone, except for that it would be my luck that I would get caught. But it's worth the risk. As I said, it's a simple pass, and would probably take one of you more talented people less than 5 minutes to duplicate to perfection. I already figured out the font is Microsoft Sans Serif. Please help!




UPDATE:

I'm going to need help again. I just found out that the permits expire Feb 1st and everyone is required to get a new, purple one. So now I have to counterfeit the right color as well. Plus, the tow guys shine a light on the car, so I'm thinking I might need to laminate it since it is plastic.

My friend who has lived here for years said that several people have been caught with fake passes and that he has no idea how they are able to spot them because they look identical. I'm going to have to go all out...

[Fuse]

http://followtheangel.org/tbone/parkingpermit.jpg

404 error...

[Tbone]

Ah thanks...capital JPG needed...also edited post with a more convenient copy.

[Jeyk]

The "R"(s) do not appear to match.

[Tbone]

Hmm, I see what you mean. I was going off the "G"s to get the right font. Every other letter seems to be correct. Maybe it's a different "Microsoft Sans" something...

[Ash]

The thickness of the font is also incorrect.  Your psd needs to have a bolder font

[Tbone]

Yeah, I had to make it more bold with a layer style. Ugh..can anyone find the right font then?

[Eroz]

I would say your looking more for Helvetica, then a "MS San" font, the only thing I can't make out is the K-strokes joining, as the heating bar is in the way. But I would say Helvetica Bold.

edit: Yeah, the 5 matches better too.

[Fuse]

i was wondering about the K as well... hard to tell though. I think both the K and R are slight enough nto to notice unless it's placed right next to another.

[Tbone]

Funny, I did some searching of my own before I read your post, Eroz, and decided on Helvetica Bold. It's definitely the right font. I think I'm about ready. Do you think the borders will pass? Should I get it laminated if I get a good copy?

[likwidtek]

HAX!

[Jeyk]

My thoughts on this are that you should laminate it, or cover the front of it in some sort of anti-static material - the way it is adheres to the windshield will need to look authentic (e.g., air bubbles in some areas).

[Tbone]

I applied it yesterday and parked in a spot. Today my car was still there! I must say at night, when they would be checking, there is no way to tell the difference. I could even tell you there is one fake pass in the lot an I doubt you could point mine out. During the daytime you can see the tape I used, but several people have taped theirs on to help it stick.

I still think the border is one pixel too thick, but unless you were looking at them right next to each other, you'd never tell. Thanks everyone. Pics soon

[likwidtek]

Hax hax hax!!!

[Lits]

LOL well done... fight the parking demons!