New background: trying something.

[Seleceus]

A quick search on Yahoo/Google, for images of 'old elevator', coughed up some decent photos of what you're looking for.  Depending on your period (I'm assuming WWII) I would disregard the push-button controls, and opt for the original manual up-down lever controls and use a single 'call' button.  Collapsible gates were very much in use, but hinged gates, and doors, were also around, usually in pairs; one for the car and one for the shaft opening.

[Cluey]

A quick search on Yahoo/Google, for images of 'old elevator', coughed up some decent photos of what you're looking for.  Depending on your period (I'm assuming WWII) I would disregard the push-button controls, and opt for the original manual up-down lever controls and use a single 'call' button.  Collapsible gates were very much in use, but hinged gates, and doors, were also around, usually in pairs; one for the car and one for the shaft opening.

Wow, informative, thanks.

[Seleceus]

You're welcome.  I've been researching the same time-period for a project I'm thinking of starting, in earnest, sometime in the near future.

[Andail]

You're welcome.  I've been researching the same time-period for a project I'm thinking of starting, in earnest, sometime in the near future.

Selling vintage elevators?

[Seleceus]

Well...no, but that's not a bad idea!  Let's see... 'Retro-vator:  Old lifts for new digs.'  I like it.

But as to not hijack the thread;  After looking at the latest bg, for a bit, I think the lighting should tail off softly, instead of the stark break, at the edges.  More in-tune with the shading on the right wall (which is greatly improved btw).

[Sparky]

Hey, nice background Cluey! It has a lot of flavor to it.

I like the reworked elevator light. The original wasn't bad, but it's much more subdued and interesting now. Another change you might want to consider is adding some trim around the two doors on the left. It would both look nice and give you a chance to add a few more shadows. Another teensy detail that might look better is the lighting on the three boxes. The rightmost box looks good, even though it isn't strictly correct, but the two on the left are a little wonky. Also, for extra super bonus points, darken the door outline slightly as it passes under the right doorknob's shadow.  It sounds silly, but think that trick is really nifty.

After looking at the latest bg, for a bit, I think the lighting should tail off softly, instead of the stark break, at the edges.  More in-tune with the shading on the right wall (which is greatly improved btw).

I could see adding one level of illumination between the light ovals and the walls around them, though I don't think it's necessary. I wouldn't recommend anything more elaborate for this type of background. I think it has a nice low color depth vibe to it.

As a random aside I wanted to say I really like the slightly darker strip along the top of the walls. I imagine it began life as an outline, but it's neat in its own right now.

[Cluey]

Final version I think unless you guys can come up with more. The elevator has an open frame but it's just two black lines and isn't very interesting.

I need to start using the British word for Elevator, it's become a force of habit from too many American films.

[Andail]

Really nice. Not much to crit really. Great atmosphere.

[Nightfable]

Great job, I love it! I can really see a lot of improvement, well done!

[Sparky]

I would definitely play a game that looked like this. I like that character as well. I hope to see more from you in the near future!