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Post by squirmydad on Feb 21, 2015 16:15:56 GMT -9
When you are setting up your pdf's will they be cut-file compatible?
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 21, 2015 16:45:38 GMT -9
squirmydad, even though I personally find cutfiles to be extremely wasteful of printable space, understanding the type of product this is, and the possibility that people will possibly want to use a decent quantity of the material incorporated, I' am planning on making the pdf's cutfile compatible. I've even perused a couple of the cutfile threads on this board, and even have downloaded the zip file that mproteau (Paper Realms) has posted on here with templates for useable area
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 21, 2015 19:58:03 GMT -9
I'm not sure how well this would work with the Silhoutte series of cutters, here is what the 6x3" pier section looks like on the cuttable area with a single triangular internal brace, this might be too close to the edges/registration marks. If I don't include the internal brace, It looks a bit more functional, at least from a Cutter perspective, but to me there is a lot of wasted material. Here is a link to a single page PDF with the internal brace and CAMEO registration marks, if anyone would care to test it, as I don't have a cutter of my own: 6x6 pier deck with internal braceThere are 2 options that I can see to get around this, neither of which I'm particularly attracted to, as I'd like to keep the PDF's/Pages to a minimum. Option 1 is to make the 6"x3" pier section a two piece, 2 page PDF, Option 2 is to make a page with just internal support pieces, both of which in my mind are getting wasteful of cardstock. If anyone has an opinion, let me know. For anything else at this point, parts will fit easier within the cuttable area.. ~Thomas
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Post by mproteau (Paper Realms) on Feb 22, 2015 6:44:08 GMT -9
First, those layers for cutfiles were designed with the idea that there'd be some product branding at the top of the page. If that's not the case, you can move the registration marks up a bit. okumarts is quite nice in that he puts most extraneous stuff on layers that can be turned off, which means he should be able to have more room for the registration marks. Try this for a little more vertical wiggle room: www.dropbox.com/s/mtb34fo6tt2qcf2/reg_mark_layers.zip?dl=0Second, it should cut just fine if it's within the safe area. There were a couple versions where the Studio software had a real problem with the actual available cutting space, but it should be ok with the latest versions. We folks with cutters can try it out for you, if need be. If you have to go outside the cut area, do so with long straight cuts so that the machine can still do the detailed work. And, try not to abuse that privilege if you can. The reason for the limitation in width is to be inclusive of folks printing on A4 paper. Without any scaling, my registration mark layers should work on both A4 and Letter prints. The fact that you're willing to invest some time to even consider cutfile support is much appreciated. Oh - side note - Option 3 would be to have clearly different styles for score and cut lines, and to move the support brace right up against the pier piece. I think it will cut as-is, but eliminating the gap between the two would give you just a little bit more space around the edges if need be.
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 22, 2015 8:53:15 GMT -9
I've been working on different styles for for cut/score lines, and like the idea of having the available space at the top for a legend if needed. I also like the combined Letter/A4 template and upon reflection, having a sheet that is just braces is looking more logical. You wouldn't have to cut it with every platform, and a single sheet of braces/supports would give you enough for several pier sections.
The inclusion of cutfile support/compatability with minimal rework required is only logical to make the end product more appealing to a wider range of users, especially when you start looking at the use of 5-6 pilings per pier section.
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 22, 2015 19:51:47 GMT -9
So while puttering around with the ramp supports and pdf layouts today, I also came up with a strengthening brace for the taller ramps and a method of keeping miniatures from sliding down the steeper ramps. The strengthtener appears to work best at 3 layers of 110 lb cardstock, and it will go through a slot on the support on the tall end of the ramp, and rest between the pier section and the lower ramp support. To keep mini's from sliding on the ramp, I came up with a band that wraps around the pier section that will be textured to match the pier. By using this band, if you don't glue it in place, it can slide on the ramp, allowing mini's to be moved up or down. Also found out that some of the ramp supports will work for different heights. ie. the 1" rise high end ramp support functions also as the 2"ramp mid-support, the same for the 1.5" high end support being the mid support for a 3" rise! Also, the ones for the 6" long sections double for the 4" long sections, the 3" long sections will need their own mid-point supports due to the angle differences, and the fact that I've offset those due to the 5 piling support pattern. Got in a bit of a rush to take and post the pictures, so the mid-point support on the 4" long one on the right isn't quite plumb, but it does sit plumb and level. Of course , if you want , you can glue all of this together, but I like making it so that you don't have to.
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Post by cowboyleland on Feb 22, 2015 19:56:43 GMT -9
That "safety brake band" is going to come in handy when people actually try to game on these. Good work!
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 22, 2015 20:24:31 GMT -9
I've seen some other solutions to keeping minis in place on sloped surfaces, but thought the "safety brake band" was a good idea for flexibility of using the pier sections in different configurations
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 24, 2015 11:26:23 GMT -9
Was hoping after this weekend to have the updated test release of the set ready for review, but due to job searches and re-working files to be cutfile compatibile, It's taking a few extra days. Planned in this is the following:
pier sections in 3", 2" and 1.5" widths and 6" and 4" lengths with optional internal bracing 30 degree and 45 degree junctions in 3,2 and 1.5" widths Bottom insert and side attachment pilings for 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 inch heights Ramp supports ( or optional cut beam style pilings) for 3,2 and 1.5" widths at 1,1.5,2 and 3 inch rises with new bracing safety brake bands for angled ramps
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 25, 2015 14:25:44 GMT -9
So I'm putting together PDF's, and if anyone has an opinion, I'd like to hear it.
I can assemble this is several ways, For the pier deck sections: 1.All parts in one massive multiple page PDF 2. Pier sections separated by length ( one document for 6" lengths, one for 4" lengths, one for 3" lengths with separate documents for 45 and 30 degree junctions) 3. Pier sections separated by width ( one document for 3" width, one for 2" width, one for 1.5" width, with the corresponding 45 and 30 degree junctions included) 4. Separate documents for each individual length/width combination
For the Pilings, I came up with these ways to make documents: 1. All variations in one document 2. Separated by style ( side clip, bottom insert, or bottom glue on) 3. Separated by height ( side clip, bottom insert or glued on in 3", 2", 1.5" and 1" height documents) 4. Separate documents for each individual Height/Attachment style for the pilngs
Input would be appreciated, I'm about ready to post these here within the next day or so, so far I have all the pier decks assembled into pdf's and am starting on the angled sections, then onto the pilings. Later this week I'll have the ramp supports textured and ready to be put into PDF's as well.
Also if people feel that gridlines need to be included on the deck sections? Because of the nail pattern layout there is already a rough 1" grid setup on the sections.
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 25, 2015 19:02:48 GMT -9
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 26, 2015 23:32:23 GMT -9
Found some issues with some of the PDF's, the 1.5 pier decks had an extraneous tab and was missing the second 6 inch long pier section on page 1, The 2 inch pier sections had an extraneous tab, and the Bottom insert and glue on pilings were both 1/4" too long.... Updated PDF's will be available soon! I also broke down and purchased Fat Dragon's Ravenfell Docks set to see how well my pieces will mesh with theirs...
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Post by berneart76 on Feb 28, 2015 0:48:19 GMT -9
Update on progress for the last 2 days, besides massaging resumes and cover letters for 3 jobs, got some very good progress done on the ramp supports and reworking the other sectiosn:
16 Photoshop layers for ramp supports ( this entails taking the ramp pattern, optimizing it for best use in Cameo/SD cutting areas ( number of patterns per sheet, etc), making a background mask, a wood grain mask, adding cross braces locations with their corresponding woodgrain patterns, etc) for 1", 1.5", 2" and 3" tall ramps for 3",2" and 1.5" heights, plus making a similar layers for the safety brake bands and additional cross brace pieces..
for the Ramp supports, since they can double as worked beam pier supports, I also have 8 layers of weathering/ Moss/Algae/barnacles/mussels to go
While reworking the existing parts I have, the 6x3, 6x2 and 6x1 inch deck weathering improved and wood variations added
8 piling height pages reworked,
Piling color variation added
Barnacles reworked ( to lighten them up a bit)
3,2 and 1.5" 45 and 30 degree wood variations added, weathering and moss reworked
3x3" decks completed, masks, wood grains, wood color variations, wetahering/stainign, moss, post location adjustments
4x3 inch decks wood variations, weathering/staining and moss reworked
planned for the weekend.. work on 4x2 and 4x1.5" deck improvements
work on 2x3 and 1.5x3 decks
work on Designer Staircase Hollow spiral and 4 landing water stairs versions ( thinking I need to work up a door/iron gate for this, the good thing is that several of the levels on both stairs interface nicely with my piers)
Future work once I get the planned pier work done, and work in the Designer staircase project is work on my cribs/platforms and various accessories ( ladders, stairs, rope coils, cleats, bollards, nets, possibly dual layer versions of the side attach pilings, versions of the 2 inch height that also have cutouts for 1" and 3" tall ones that have cutouts for 1 and 1.5" piers as well.
have a good weekend folks!
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 2, 2015 0:17:10 GMT -9
So while working on texturing for my Designer Staircase submission, I came upon a new method of getting wood textures and color variations, so once again I've started redoing my Piers Project, Heres a sampler of what the new process looks like.. let me know if you like it:
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Post by cowboyleland on Mar 2, 2015 5:00:17 GMT -9
Is it possible to add more algae on the lower steps (that might be below the tide line) and have less or none on the higher structures?
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 2, 2015 6:46:03 GMT -9
cowboyleland- there will be 2 layers of algae, light or heavy that can be turned on or off or both on, the same with 2 levels of staining. So you can have no algae, a little algae, a bit more algae, or combine the 2 levels for a lot of algae/moss, the same with the staining/weathering. I don't know how many combinations that will give you between the 8 base wood tones, 2 stages of wood grain enhancement (light on, heavier on, or both on), 2 stages of algae that can be combined ( none, level-1, level 2 or both level 1 and 2) and the same for the 2 levels of staining/additional weathering..
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Post by cowboyleland on Mar 2, 2015 6:55:12 GMT -9
Yes, but when you select "heavy algae" is that the whole page or can you select it by piece or "zone"?
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 2, 2015 7:25:56 GMT -9
Modifictions (algae.staining, etc) will be by piece, once I get around to stairs and ladders I'll include "zones" on the stairs for different levels of modifications, so if you have a set of Water stairs or ladder that goes down to the water, you will be able to put heavier algae, etc at the lower water contact portions.
Basically from the size of these pieces, for most of them, there will be only one pier section per page, the only width that gets small enough to have 2 is the 1.5" wide sections. I'm working on ladders, rope coils, and other wharf/pier components to utilize some more of the blank space on the sheets. of course there is always the option of crates, barrels, etc.....
I'm getting limited on space by trying to make these as cutfile compatible as possible, and when you look at for even a 2" wide section, 1/4" thick, to make it a one piece foldable design, with the bottom, sides, and top, and if I went to a minimum 1/4" glue tab that is still 4 3/4" wide, and with a basically a 7"x 9" working area to make a single design Cameo/SD cutfile compatible for both letter and A4 sized sheets.....
That and I don't want to get too carried away with too many layers in a PDF, I suppose since for the pilings, since I can get a row of 3 and a row of 4 on a single sheet, I could add seaerate choices for the upper row and the lower row as far as algae/ watermarks/barnacles/mussels....
If you look at the PDF's I posted on the 15th you can see just how much real estate the pieces occupy...
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 2, 2015 8:50:55 GMT -9
To help further clarify the different customization levels that cowboyleland raised, this is an example just using the 2 different algae layers per pier section(page).. There is the base pier section, the pier section with a sparse amount of algae, a level with a heavier amount of algae, or you will be able to select both levels for the most algae coverage. This will be similar for the staining intensity layers as well. Not every piece/page will have this many options, for instance , just because of the height of the pilings, there will only be 1 layer of water staining, one of mussels, one of barnacles, but probably 2 or 3 of different algae heights on the piling. For stairs/ladders, I'll include an option for heavier accretions at the lower levels to indicate their possible extended submersion below water. I also have some thoughts in mind for the side attached pilings 3 inches or taller that allow multiple deck levels on the same piling. for the pilings that insert in the bottom, they stack on top of each other fairly well, and then I don't have to worry about cutouts on both the top and bottom of the pier decks
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Post by Coldest Orchestra on Mar 2, 2015 13:43:58 GMT -9
Now here comes the real question. I'm willing to pay I know at least 13 others are. Soooooooo... Any estimates for price? I'd love to help you out for these great docks. Can't give the gold of erabor out though my king gets a bit touchy. ^^
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 2, 2015 15:01:18 GMT -9
Coldest Orchestra, I've been pondering that question, and contemplating the Ford VS Ferrari argument. I'm tempted to go with the Ford model, making it more affordable and more attractive to purchase, but based on the quantity of pieces and variety of options I don't want to price it too low, but based on reviewing kits available thru RPGNow and similar sites, and i think the quality of the artwork that I'm putting into this, even though it is a simplistic system, I'm probably looking at pricing it at a comparable price range or a bit less to other available multi-piece construction set type kits. So I'm probably looking in price range close to or slightly under $10. I'm currently estimating at least another week of work to finalize the large parts, about another week or 2 after that for various smaller accessories I'd like to include ( stairs/ladders, etc) and possibly another week or so to put together an instruction/ideas booklet to go with the set, but these time frames aren't set in stone, especially if i manage to get fortunate enough to find employment in the near future. I also need to contact some other designers once I get closer to completion to get permissions for using some other models in the pictures for the instruction booklet to improve it's appearance. The other option is to release a free or lower priced teaser version with less options, but that almost doubles the work... To give a breakdown on what I'm hoping to have in the final release: Pier decks in 3 widths ( 3", 2", 1.5")and 3-4 lengths(For 3 Inch wide 6". 4" and 3" lengths per width, the 2" and 1.5" sections also get 2"x2" and 1.5"x1.5" sections) 30,45 and 60 degree corner pieces for each width ( 3", 2" and 1.5") (possibly hexagonal and octagonal junctions as well) post (tube style) pilings in 3 different attachment styles and 4 different heights ( 1", 1.5", 2" and 3") Dual purpose square beam style ramp supports/pier supports at the 3 widths (3", 2" and 1.5"), and 3-4 ( 1", 1.5", 2" and 3")heights per length ( ie a 3 inch rise for a 3 inch long ramp is a vertical surface) Platforms/cribs in 2 or 3 different styles (piling supported, rock filled, wood braced, and maybe the pop-out piling surface) and 4-5 length/width ( 6"x6", 4"x6", 3"x6", 4"x4" and 3"x3") combinations and 4 different heights (1", 1.5", 2", 3") and to start with 3 different ground tile tops ( wood planked, rock/cobblestone surfaces, or dirt filled) 2 different stair styles, steep and gradual at least 2 different ladders various accessories to include cross braces, the safety band/brake for ramps to keep figures from sliding back, 2D and 3D rope coils, rope textured bands to wrap around groupings of pilings, 2D cleats that can be glued to the surfaces of the pier decks, 3D Bollards (close set posts to tie ships/boats to), and possibly a 3D capstan and windlass... Anybody think of anything I could be missing? or that you'd like to see? If this goes well, I'll probably work on a modern/sci-fi version incorporating concrete and metal surface textures... but that's a whole different project
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Post by Coldest Orchestra on Mar 3, 2015 2:54:48 GMT -9
First off you have my support for either model of car, 10 dollars sounds really reasonable. The only thing I would to see is a lot of layer options for the cribs not major changes just enough to make two stone cribs sitting next to each from looking the same even if that is something as simple as all four sides of the crib are different ( thus I can just rotate it)
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 3, 2015 3:58:45 GMT -9
The stone cribs will have at least 3 or 4 different options for stone, probably at least 3-4 colors ( grayish, yellowish, brownish, mixed types)) and rough, shaped, and dressed textures and small, medium,large and mixed sizes...for each type there would be at least 4 variations in patterning, except possibly the dressed stone, which tends to have similar sized blocks and patterns like bricks...
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 7, 2015 14:50:52 GMT -9
So back to doing some work on this set, got the 30 degree junctions updated with the new wood color/texture process, and then discovered I had added an extra color in on the Angle Junctions that were'nt in the Main pier deck sections, so had to go back and add it in, doing my best to match the same woodgrain texture as the existing ones in the pier decks! Doing work on the 45 degree angle junctions, and also some development work on staircases... This is the steep version at 3 inch height, using the same support pieces I have developed for the piers ( pilings) and ramps (beams), I can adjust the tread depth to make the slope more gradual, and will be doing these in 1", 1.5", 2" and 3" rises, probably in this steep version ( 1/4" tread depth) , and then maybe a 1/2" and 1" tread depth versions, and possibly also solid box sides for faster builds. ( there are only so many solutions to a lot of these problems, staircases, etc. so this looks very similar to a lot of other peoples staircases, but I do have one or 2 unique approaches I think). Using Beam style supports: Separate Pieces: Using side clip pilings: Alternate use of side clip pilings: Actually, thinking about this a bit more, and how the design is coming along, I only need 2 heights.. a 1" rise and a 1.5" rises, and they can slot together in different fashions to get to the different heights... ie... need to go up 2"? use 2 of the 1" rise staircases with the appropriate supports.. if you need to go up 3" use 3 of the 1" rise sections, or 2 of the 1.5" sections... I'll try to get some test sections put together over the weekend to illustrate the idea. This idea also allows for making 90 degree or even 180 degree turns in the staircase......
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 7, 2015 19:39:45 GMT -9
Ok, so a quick print and rough slap together of the concept of doing modular, 1" (25.4mm) tall staircases.... Parts assembled.. 2 staircase sections, 1- 1" height support and two 2" pilings... We then just do a 1" rise using the support... so far, so good... The we try a straight staircase to 2" height using the 2 staircases, 1-staircase support, and 2 pilings.. and finally, we put a 90 degree turn in the staircase, using the same pieces... I'm liking how this is working out, just need to adjust a few dimensions and these will be ready to include in the kit!
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Post by room101 on Mar 7, 2015 23:29:02 GMT -9
Ingenious. Very clever thinking indeed. Makes for better storage too.
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 8, 2015 9:03:51 GMT -9
Thanks room101! As I've been devoloping this set, besides the textures, as I work on the different pieces, I keep trying to think of ways to make the parts I develop to be able to be used for multiple solutions.
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 9, 2015 3:01:28 GMT -9
So just as an update on where I am at with this, over the weekend besides getting a few job applications off, doing some internal and external house cleaning ( since the weather was in the low 40's) here is where things stand...
Got a good, workable prototype idea worked out for staircases ( I think, see previous posts in this thread (Staircase concept)
All 3", 2" and 1.5" pier decks are ready for conversion to PDF's (Pier sections in 6,4,and 3" lengths for the 3" width; 6,4,3 and 2" widths for the 2" width, and 6,4,3, and 1.5" lengths for the 1.5" width with 9 wood tones, 2 levels of algae/moss, 2 levels of staining, a wood coloration variety layer, and 2 layers of wood grain texture that can all be applied in type A, type B or both A & B versions)
30 and 45 degree angled sections for all 3 widths done the same for different effect layers
Beam Style supports prepped for texturing in 4 heights (1", 1.5", 2" and 3") and the 3 widths (3", 2" and 1.5")
Layout page for internal braces, Ramp Safety Brake bands, and Beam style support cross braces ready for texturing
Besides getting textures applied to things in the above list that are ready for them, other things I'd like to accomplish this week... reconfigure the Piling layouts for the new 9 wood tones and a better, more efficient layout Work on Ladders (wood and rope) ( both vertical and angled, I have an idea for doing "L" shaped pieces for these, where part of it has a texture that matches the wood pier surface, and the ladder part is bent at 90 degrees or whatever off the edge ... I figure this can work for net and spanish moss type accessory pieces as well)
Work on the fold flat ramp pieces and get textures on them..(Fold flat ramp supports) Work on a cleat/bollard accessory and rope coils
Find a new JOB!
Oh, and since I know people are probably thinking about it, here's a bit of a teaser for another idea that's been scrambling around the inside of my skull...
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 9, 2015 17:32:06 GMT -9
So got a start on the textures for the beam style ramp supports/Pier Deck supports.. This the page for the 3 inch wide, 3 inch/1.5 inch tall supports page with water staining 9 for water level supports) and 4 different selectable layers of Algae/Moss effects applied: And here it is with the Barnacle and Mussel texture layers applied as well: there will be pages like this for 2 inch/1 inch height supports and in the 2" and 1.5" widths as well... Lots of work yet to do ( to start with, 8 more wood tones just for this sheet), but I hope people are liking what they see...
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Post by berneart76 on Mar 10, 2015 22:58:16 GMT -9
So I'm getting a 1-2 pages done a day it seems, between other things I have to do. each page has around 20 layers, not including the SD and CAMEO registration marks.. So far this is the list that is completed: 6x3 inch pier decks 4x4 inch pier Decks 3x3 inch pier Decks 6x2 inch pier decks 4x2 inch pier decks 3x2 inch pier decks 2x2 inch pier decks 6x1-1/2 inch pier decks 4x1-1/2 inch pier decks 3x1-1/2 inch pier decks 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 inch pier decks 3 inch 30 degree junction 2 inch 30 degree junction 1-1/2 inch 30 degree junction 3 inch 45 degree junction 2 inch 45 degree junction 1-1/2 inch 45 degree junction 3 inch wide by 3 inch/ 1-1/2 inch High Beam style supports 3 inch wide by 2 inch/1 inch high Beam style supports
Pages to be done yet: 2 inch wide by 3 inch/ 1-1/2 inch high beam style supports 2 inch wide by 2 inch/ 1 inch high beam style supports 1-1/2 inch wide by 3 inch/ 1-1/2 inch high beam style supports
1-1/2 inch by 2 inch/ 1 inch high beam style supports Side attach Pilings Bottom insert pilings Glue on Pilings 3 inch wide simple ramp supports (fold flat) 2 inch wide simple ramps supports (fold flat) 1-1/2 inch wide simple ramp supports (fold flat) Stairs/Ladders internal brace/ cross braces/ safety brake band sheet 6x6 inch crib/platform 4x6 inch crib/platform 3x6 inch crib/platform 4x4 inch crib/platform 3x3 inch crib/platform
once all the PSD files are done then I get to work on putting them all together using InDesign...
And then build a variety of the pieces, photograph them during and after assembly and put together a detailed assembly sheet...
And once all that is done, then I guess start a publisher's account through RPGDrive through or similar, and submit it to them for publishing I guess...
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