Number Plate Designer. How would i go about this?

will09uk · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-09, 09:34 AM

Hi,

I've been asked by my dad to create a website with a number plate designer for his new business. Problem being, I don't know where to begin. People have sugggested PHP and HTML and MySql, but all seem to conflict each other.

Im looking for something like 4plates.co.uk. Something where customer can enter their reg and it appears above on blank number plate, and they can pick a font and a badge etc.

I cant seem to find a script i can easily paste in to the new website but maybe theres a script that i can modify to have the number plate canvas and upload my own badges for people to put up.

My dad is just starting up, and he hasnt got the money to pay 25per month for a creator, stupid i know. But i just need some direction or an actual script.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

ruteckycs · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-09, 04:38 PM

Different designers / coders are all going to give you different answers on this one. Why? Because they are going to suggest the method that works right for them. I code in PHP, so Im going to say use PHP. With all due respect the fact that you are asking how would I start shows me that perhaps you could use a little professional assistance, that is hire someone to do it for you. The advantage of hiring a coder is that you still get to be the designer because you tell the coder what they want, but you leave the technical stuff up to them.

That being said if you feel you would like to learn some about web design / coding you can have a look at this tutorial site. Tizag Tutorials

wirehopper · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-09, 10:26 PM

To create a license plate, you can use a the following command line (ImageMagick):

Code:

convert -size 350x75 xc:none -fill white -stroke darkblue -strokewidth 3 -draw "roundrectangle 0,0 350,75 15,15" \
        -compose over $1.png -geometry +15+15 +composite \
        -fill darkblue -strokewidth 2 -pointsize 40 label:"$2" -geometry +25-0 -gravity east \
        -trim +composite plate.png

I saved it in a file called create_plate.sh.

Next, grant it execute permissions, with chmod 755 create_plate.sh.

To call it from PHP:

PHP Code:


			
<?php

$sImage='rose';

$sPlateNumber='"PLATE 1234"';

$sCmd='./make_plate.sh '.$sImage.' '.$sPlateNumber;

`$sCmd`;

?>

<html>

<head>

</head>

<body>

<p>

<img src="plate.png" />

</p>

</body>

</html>

Notes:

$1.png (in the command line) is the name of an image you want to use for the plate. To create a small image from a larger image, you can use the following command:

Code:

convert rose: -thumbnail 50x50 rose.png

In this case, rose: is a built in image. Substitute your image file name for rose. 50x50 refers to the size of the new image, in pixels, and rose.png is the output file name.

$2 is the plate number.

To understand and adjust the other parameters, go to the ImageMagick site: htttp://www.imagemagick.org/Usage/

ruteckycs · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 12:58 AM

Or you can just use a image of a plate and div positioning to put the plate number and graphics. See what I was talking about same result different method.

wirehopper · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-09, 05:00 AM

ruteckycs has a good idea.

HTML Code:

<style type="text/css">
#plate
{
background:none url(plate.png) no-repeat;
height:75px;
width:350px;
}
</style>
<div id="plate">
<img src="rose.png" />
<span>PLATE 123</span>
</div>