IronMagus said:

What do you guys think about using the names "Artoo" and "Threepio" when the droids are referred to by name? You would still spell out "R2-D2" and "C-3PO" when using their full designation, and of course you wouldn't talk about an "artoo unit," but when they're being spoken of, or to, like people, why not use a people-like-looking name?

I know what you're saying, but my project is all about readability over all other considerations, so R2-D2 and C-3PO shorten to R2 and 3PO. There's a strong case to be made otherwise (Threepio is written as such in the credits), but I'm still doing it this way.