Steam Methane Reformer

ILLUSTRATION

This illustration is all vector and contains no raster-based material. There were two possibilities for this job: recreate existing as vector or build a vector illustration from scratch. Reference material (second image) consisted of an isometric view of the reformer and building (original illustration), and a stock photo that shows the reformer in its real life form. I did check to make sure the end client had the rights to redo the illustration, in case that choice was made.

It was decided to build a new illustration from the ground up, in perspective (pictorial), with a more subdued color palette. I sent work-in-progress updates at different junctures, to keep in touch and also to allow for tweaks along the way. It’s always best to make sure work is headed in the right direction.

Two additional views were requested (third image). Of course, the first image is the main illustration. A second view was created for a wider aspect ratio where the building on the far left was moved out further to the left and the tanks on the right were moved to the right a bit. The third view requested was for just the reformer itself without the tanks, building, and rear stack with the flame.

The fourth image provides a peek into the layering that is necessary for this type of illustration. In addition to using mechanical drawing methods for perspective, all planes and their locations must be taken into consideration to achieve the desired effect. Every level, what is in front of or behind what, has to be correct, and sometimes that means breaking assemblies into layers that are not in close proximity to one another in the layer stack. Problems are solved as I go. Using layers makes a cleaner, more precise illustration, and makes sure everything lines up properly. This is exactly why I generally do not deliver layered files unless this is discussed thoroughly. Some requests are just not possible because the illustration would not be kept intact.