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Post by Dominic on Sept 13, 2017 22:45:26 GMT -9
Here is what I am up to these days (paper stuff wise), if anyone is interested.
- I have two sets ready to release (and they have been literally for years). I just need to snap some good pictures. - I also found a couple of miniature sketches and one pretty much finished, but I am still in the process of figuring out how things look when printed. - I am also making a new light box using a flat scanner and an LED strip. I emphasize flat scanner because this one is about 1" high, as opposed to the 3-4" my last one had, which also used a CFL bulb - and got hot after a while.
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Post by Dominic on Sept 18, 2017 21:40:05 GMT -9
- I was halfway through building the thin lightbox hen I realized a potentially fatal flaw in its design - it is too thin. That is to say, I do not have any material that can diffuse a grid of LEDs (strips placed a little less than 1" apart) to a uniform brightness in less than 1" distance. I have tried different plastic sheets, all sanded to different specs... - So I set out to finding a good & cheap graphic tablet that fits within my budget and pulled the trigger on that one. At least in my mind I came up with a number of projects that would work particularly well with that, or with what I imagine it to be, so we will see... This applies to some model stuff as well as minis. - I also managed to track down files for two more things to release soon (most likely free) - something our gaming group used frequently and something that I still believe would be so cool if someone actually got to use it... - Oh, and I recorded kind of a build video for one of the projects I mentioned earlier. I have no clue whether that would improve things, but since I have been doing YouTube for 3.5 years now I thought it was worth a shot. Might add some "gameplay footage" to my older projects as well.
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Updates
Sept 19, 2017 9:41:34 GMT -9
Post by alloydog on Sept 19, 2017 9:41:34 GMT -9
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Updates
Sept 19, 2017 10:13:09 GMT -9
Post by oldschooldm on Sept 19, 2017 10:13:09 GMT -9
What do you think this does? I don't think it sends any data to a computer - it's just a light-box, right?
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Updates
Sept 20, 2017 6:57:40 GMT -9
Post by alloydog on Sept 20, 2017 6:57:40 GMT -9
it's just a light-box, right? Yes, just a light box, but as Dominic said his homemade one didn't seem to give an even light distribution, I thought he might be interested, as it's doesn't seem too expensive.
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Updates
Sept 20, 2017 19:03:50 GMT -9
Post by jeffgeorge on Sept 20, 2017 19:03:50 GMT -9
Wow, LEDs are changing the world FAST, and mostly for the better.
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Post by Dominic on Sept 20, 2017 23:06:30 GMT -9
That looks interesting, thanks! But I think I will go the graphic tablet route instead. As for the light box, I think I could also figure out how to improve my light bow design. At the very least I could build a wooden frame to raise my diffusing material a bit higher to get it to work. And speaking of grapbic tablet, I got my hands on one! The Wacom Intuos S. After using it for an hour I love it. My drawing has not improved (yet), but I can already see how this could be a huge time-saver compared to working on paper, and I have not even gotten decent at using the buttons yet. Thanks for the help to decide on that route, especially to jeffgeorge and alloydog!
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Post by grendelsmother64 on Sept 21, 2017 7:14:37 GMT -9
This is my light box: 20170921_115546 by grendels_mother64, on Flickr Decidedly low tech. Requires the use of an adjustable lamp...of which I have many... It also doubles as a reading stand. I tend to work mostly directly on the computer these days though....so I don't use it all that much. GM64
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Updates
Sept 21, 2017 11:19:25 GMT -9
Post by jeffgeorge on Sept 21, 2017 11:19:25 GMT -9
And speaking of grapbic tablet, I got my hands on one! The Wacom Intuos S. After using it for an hour I love it. My drawing has not improved (yet), but I can already see how this could be a huge time-saver compared to working on paper, and I have not even gotten decent at using the buttons yet. Thanks for the help to decide on that route, especially to jeffgeorge and alloydog ! I've been using my same Wacom Bamboo for years now, and I don't use the buttons on the tablet or the stylus at all. Instead, I draw on the pad with my right hand, and keep my left hand on the keyboard to punch the regular keys for the GIMP or Photoshop controls. I don't use the tablet for anything else, really--I use Scribus to make PDFs, but that's all mouse work.
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Post by grendelsmother64 on Sept 21, 2017 11:36:48 GMT -9
And speaking of grapbic tablet, I got my hands on one! The Wacom Intuos S. After using it for an hour I love it. My drawing has not improved (yet), but I can already see how this could be a huge time-saver compared to working on paper, and I have not even gotten decent at using the buttons yet. Thanks for the help to decide on that route, especially to jeffgeorge and alloydog ! I've been using my same Wacom Bamboo for years now, and I don't use the buttons on the tablet or the stylus at all. Instead, I draw on the pad with my right hand, and keep my left hand on the keyboard to punch the regular keys for the GIMP or Photoshop controls. I don't use the tablet for anything else, really--I use Scribus to make PDFs, but that's all mouse work. I two hand it....one on the bamboo, and one on a taped up mouse with a roller-scroll. I use the mouse buttons, and the scroll for zoom and position. It makes sketchup really easy to use. GM64
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Sept 26, 2017 7:27:20 GMT -9
Post by Dominic on Sept 26, 2017 7:27:20 GMT -9
I have taken to two-hand it, too. And since I am left-handed, I use my right hand on the mouse, which I feel is very comfortable. It has to have some perks to be a leftie, after all. Still getting used to the workflow - or coming up with one, using layers and such. Trying to balance effectiveness and ability to modify later...
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Updates
Sept 28, 2017 8:41:22 GMT -9
Post by Dominic on Sept 28, 2017 8:41:22 GMT -9
Another few days, another update. I am about to release a set(-like thing). It is kinda conceptual and possibly even a bit outlandish, and I finished working on it a couple of years ago, to say the least... This is set somewhere between miniature and terrain. I will add a separate post with all the necessary links.
Also, I am finding it hard to decide on the next model to work on. I want to practice my drawing, but that will be a slow burn. I also have one 3D set that I want to take a crack at, but I am not sure whether to go the vector route or use actual drawings for the textures... And then there are at least three or four ideas that I want to try to see whether they have any merit... Sorry for rambling...
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Post by Vermin King on Sept 28, 2017 8:52:02 GMT -9
Ramble away.
If you have trouble deciding what to do, watch the monthly Hoard topics. Sometimes things will jump out at you
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Sept 29, 2017 10:39:56 GMT -9
Post by Dominic on Sept 29, 2017 10:39:56 GMT -9
Ramble away. If you have trouble deciding what to do, watch the monthly Hoard topics. Sometimes things will jump out at you Good point, thanks! I tend to bog myself down with big ambitious set ideas that never really work out... Maybe the blackness can give me some simpler ideas...
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Post by Vermin King on Sept 29, 2017 10:49:35 GMT -9
My problem is that I have too many things I want to do. The Hoards help me to focus on which ones to make a priority.
My other big problem is getting a simple idea and turning it into something absurdly more involved ... like the food truck
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Post by Dominic on Oct 16, 2017 23:44:02 GMT -9
More updates: - I have been working on the blog-side of my thing, planning to create some written resources and things people might enjoy. The current bottleneck are pictures, which I intend to take at some point... And then figure out why they suck and take better ones.
- I did a few sketches on the tablet, but my main beef right now is that I do not have a good process in place. If I start with the proverbial blank slate, things go nowhere, and if I work on a specific miniature I tend to run myself into the wall that is details. But I am working on it. Maybe I should set myself an Inktober-like goal with a theme...
- I am working on the geometry for my next "big" set. I am currently using Inkscape and trial and error (and geometry) for that. I wonder, are there any software solutions to make 3D fold flat since I last dabbled in this aspect three years ago?
- I do not recall whether I have made that confession before, but we (my group and I) are currently on hiatus. For more than a year, actually. And we all want to get back into it, but the timing... Actually, I won't name names (and he would never see this anyway), it's just one guy's fault since the other members are my brother in law and my wife. But for some reason we cannot get back into it without a forced break of two months after a good session, and all the life draining out if it again... Why am I telling you this? No clue, but I wonder whether I would be able to get more done if we were actuvely using stuff, or less due to lack of time...
- Oh, and for those who care I am active on Twitter now, @walkingpapercut. Just sayin'.
Vermin King I know those problems too well myself. Which is probably why I always feel I could get so much more done if only I could get myself to actually do somedhing. Although I probably should not complain.
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Post by squirmydad on Oct 18, 2017 7:13:07 GMT -9
Do you need me to assign you a project with a deadline? Sometimes pressure creates diamonds.
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Post by wyvern on Oct 18, 2017 13:34:41 GMT -9
Do you need me to assign you a project with a deadline? Sometimes pressure creates diamonds. Sadly, it can also destroy mountains in equal measure...
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Updates
Oct 18, 2017 22:41:42 GMT -9
Post by Dominic on Oct 18, 2017 22:41:42 GMT -9
Do you need me to assign you a project with a deadline? Sometimes pressure creates diamonds. True, but between all the (large scale) projects I am trying to tackle (of which WPC is one), I have no shortage of deadlines. Okay, they are my own deadlines, and I tend to miss even those few outside ones, but... You are right, though, I need better time management. Could you assign some of that to me? I do have the Black Nebula on my list... and I re-read the application thread, and I will give Blender a try for 3D models and the unfold. The usual - invest time now to save time later, thus delaying actual productivity further... wyvern like the old proverb says, if you want to make diamonds you have to destroy some mountains.
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Post by Dominic on Oct 23, 2017 22:53:59 GMT -9
- I looked into 3D-unfold options. Blender is surely powerful, but with no prior experience too complex to master, I think. I have worked with Sketchup before, and the unfold plugin that comes with it works okay - at leat it gives me results. I can then import the vectors into Inkscape and fiddle with it there.
- I started working on a paper model for the Black Nebula hoarde. I have no idea when it will be finished since I am iterating and closing in on what I want. Especially scaling the single pieces is tricky, which is my own fault and not Sketchup's. I build a "clean" model there, and that build works fine, but I want some overhang to try out something new, and it took several test builds to get there.
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Updates
Nov 16, 2017 23:22:33 GMT -9
Post by Dominic on Nov 16, 2017 23:22:33 GMT -9
I... Yeah. Not much happened here... - I have as of now done two models in Skethup (that is models with the intention to unfold them), unfolded them, and importet them into Sketchup. The newest one is still lacking the test-build, and I am thinking that while the idea sounded nice it might be too complicated for the expected end result...
- I did manage to release something on my homepage as a freebie, and you can find it here!
- I am having time issues, what with there apparently never being enough hours in the day. I keep telling myself that I will get more done soon. Since I consider myself to be a honorable person, I must be telling the truth, right?
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Post by Dominic on Dec 19, 2017 0:16:01 GMT -9
Not much here, except... - I keep rediscovering the reasons why I do not get much done in the first place. It is not the "I should really do this project, and... Oh, a butterfly!" thing exactly, but if you replace the butterfly with "another project idea" you are probably close. I want to do a lot of things, and I am convinced that I can do most of them in the end, but I keep project hopping. I also keep procrastinating, and I like to use my family as an excuse (which is not always an excuse when the youngest one insists on having the same right to be in my woodworking shop than I do). Why am I telling you this? Because I can. And to fill up this list. But also because it might help to put it down somewhere.
- As an example, I hhave a number of old roleplaying adventures I made back in the day that I want to publish on my blog (for free, mind you), simply to inspire. I have been writing on a particular post for two weeks now, (very) on and off. On my neglected food site (Jabbado), I have a series of four posts all half done, and no progress for weeks. Yes, I should stop whining and start doing. Not like there is a holiday aproaching and presents in need to be made...
- I also found two fonts that I made years ago, one for abyssal and one for infernal. I am still trying to figure out how to present them properly to make them available as well. And again, most of my ideas would be easy if I had put more skill points towards drawing...
- Gave up on trying to make the forum hoard this month. I need to get my workflow sorted first. Maybe even go back to Inkscape for minis, or combine Inkscape with the drawing tablet. Or just find the time to practice.
I feel the need to apologize for this bloated, not very progress-y post for some reason...
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Updates
Dec 19, 2017 5:01:35 GMT -9
Post by Vermin King on Dec 19, 2017 5:01:35 GMT -9
I totally understand
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Updates
Dec 19, 2017 18:50:49 GMT -9
Post by cowboyleland on Dec 19, 2017 18:50:49 GMT -9
I also feel the same way most of the time.
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