|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 21:02:03 GMT -9
I am in awe of anyone who can take a sketch or a picture, scan it into a computer and through some sort of magic I don't understand, turn it into cool things like you guys do. My daughter can do it to, she made this logo for my son's diving team: from this picture: And my step-daughter is just as talented. Meanwhile, I'm something of an artist in traditional media, yet I can't figure out how to use a 'simple' program like paint! Oh well, I'll stick to what I know and let you 'youngsters' blaze the new trails.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 20:39:07 GMT -9
Hey, those are beautiful! Love your art work. Cowboyleland, my husband zeroed in on the same thing! ("Can't see what's behind the blade!") Men! I think she's fine. I agree about having them all face the same direction. Perhaps you could do mirror images of some of them, just to mix it up a bit?
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 20:01:22 GMT -9
I use different glues for different applications. Aleene's Tacky Glue is an excellent product and works quite well, and it comes in clear now, very cool. I don't use Elmer's at all - they don't make it like they used to -nuf said. Instead I use Titebond II, it is a thick wood glue with lots of strength. You can thin with water if needed, or just let a little sit out for a bit for a really thick and tacky glue that grabs immediately and holds tight. Besides, it's only a couple of bucks per 16 oz (473 mL) bottle. Not bad for something so versatile. It's only drawback is that it dries yellow, so wipe up any drips quickly!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 19:50:37 GMT -9
Hmm. That craft foam idea is interesting. I can buy a small pack of it at my local dollar store and play around with it. I'll put up pictures if I come up with a viable solution.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 18:36:39 GMT -9
Wonderful! I'll start planning my distribution route in the morning! Lol! Thank you Aaron!
Have a good evening!
Dungeon Mistress
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 16:51:23 GMT -9
What a rare gem! If you do correct the typo's and make the suggested changes, Throw in some antiquated spellings like the words: 'shoppe' & 'ye olde'. And how about Dr. Phineas Hickcough's Stupid Cure?
Meanwhile I'll be buying up a bunch of jelly beans and collecting bottles. I know a lot of folks who desperately need these! Lol!
I love this! Too good to let go. Please, please do this! I'll bet it will go viral!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 16:21:13 GMT -9
Here are some pictures of the remodel on Aelor's Magic Emporium. This addition houses Aelor's bedroom and reading area, as well as some storage for potions and such. Trying to figure out how to weather-proof the ruined turret on top. Any ideas? There is much left to do on the addition and the main building, windows being of the first priority. There will eventually be a wood shed and greenhouses. I think I also need a small smoke stack for the wood stove in the addition. Oooh! I know! I'll use a bendi-straw! Now, how to secure it...?
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 12:35:16 GMT -9
A consumers viewpoint: If I'm going to buy a kit or a bundle that is advertised to fit my games parameters, then I want all of the pieces to be 'useful' to me with little or no modification. Here's why: My dad was a teenager during the Great Depression. This means I was raised with sayings like - 'Waste not want not', 'If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right', 'A penny saved is a penny earned' and the great granddaddy of them all - 'Prentice's Perfectly Peachy Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance'!
No wonder I have OCD tendencies, right?
My point is this, though; if you consider the shape of our ecology, being wasteful is not an option. So a PDF kit or bundle needs to be flexible, that way a customer can make whatever adjustments necessary before printing. You guys already know this. So, the next thing to address is the education of your buying public. Include in your PDF instructions, something to illustrate how a 2" wide corridor works with a Base3 terrain. For me, since I make my own maps, it's simply a matter of door location, most of the time. But if you are using a purchased or pre-gen map, then you may need a different option. That's for you all to figure out.
Regarding the logo, yes it needs to be simple and easily recognizable and still convey all the necessary information. To that end, have you considered color coding? (Red means this, yellow means that and green means something else) If I see the CUTS logo in red, that could mean 28Terrain, if it's yellow then it would be a different terrain system. Food for thought.
Cowboyleland, the point and the joke I was making was that I am exactly 60" tall, so a mini of me made to scale would be exactly 1" tall, which means my 'eyeline' would at 55.5". As I am vertically challenged, so too, would be my mini.
Finally, I want to say that I very much like what I see going on here. You are definitely on the right path.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 25, 2014 8:29:09 GMT -9
Thank you, one and all. Rocks! What a great idea! They need something to stand on to be able to load the cannon balls into the cannon! Even with fat bases. As for coloring, I used color pencils. And I color in layers and shadings until I get the effect I want. I used three different metallic colored pencils to get the effect on the barrel of 'gun-metal blue'. Too bad the shine isn't really picked up in the pictures. I stayed up a little late last night fiddling around with this and here's what I came up with: It's basically a paper airplane with it's nose and wingtips clipped. At first I tried just gluing it directly onto the barrel, then I cut a corresponding slit into the carriage. And it fit nicely, but when I removed the barrel the airplane stayed in the slit. Then my husband, brilliant man that he is, made this suggestion: "Cut a slit into the barrel and insert the 'wings' into it and glue them in place." So I did: And it worked! The 'airplane' is now firmly attached to the barrel in an aesthetically pleasing way, and the barrel stays snugly in the carriage during handling, and yet, can be easily removed for storage. My husband still wants to know: "Where are the cannon balls?"
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 24, 2014 20:57:49 GMT -9
Hey! If you were to make a mini of me, it would be exactly 1 inch tall, 25.4mm (see, I pay attention) - perfect 1:60 scale!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 24, 2014 20:30:53 GMT -9
Well, here it is! Your Dwarven Cannon and Crew went together very easily. Although; in my case, I had to start from scratch. I have a very nice printer, but no ink for a long time now, so, I printed off the PDF at my local library - which means B & W and on plain copy paper. Then I color it by hand. Then glue it to cardboard to make it sturdy, for it will be used in game. Now, for the cutting and gluing. The wheels went together easily and I don't think that eight sides would be any harder, though they would look nicer. The carriage took a couple of minutes of consideration before I figured out what needed to be done. A small diagram showing it's assembly would be nice. The barrel was simplicity itself. I think, though; adding a tab to the underside of the barrel that would slide into a slot in the carriage would be a better answer than gluing it in place permanently. This is something I think I will do before I introduce it in game. I'll send you pictures when I come up with an idea. I showed this to my husband and he said it would blow up. I asked why? He said "Because the barrel is blocked!" Yes, well, he is my favorite wizard! He suggests a small inverted cone that would be glued into the front of the barrel to give it a more realistic, 3D look. He also, said "where are the cannon balls?" and "the Dwarves need a step ladder!" It was my turn to shake my head! Again, I say "He IS my favorite wizard!" Anyway, so here's the finished product. Thanks for letting me take part in this test!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 20, 2014 14:27:03 GMT -9
Thank you, Oldschooldm, you stated that better than I could.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 20, 2014 11:24:51 GMT -9
So, if the gaming and miniature companies having been "teaching us how to think, then why don't they actually teach instead of confuse? I see packaging that says 28mm, this means almost nothing to someone who is not familiar with metrics. Other packages say 1:60, which is just as meaningless to someone not familiar with the imperial system.
So - TEACH US! Maybe in a tutorial posted on the vender sites under the CUTS banner (or whatever the logo ends up being), explain, as Cowboyleland so kindly did for me, what constitutes an inch in metrics and and how these pertain to measurements and compatability in tabletop gaming. Don't put it on every package, let the venders carry it as a tutorial. Something like this should solve this question. Then go on with your designs using the 28Terrain emblem.
Does this sound like a reasonable compromise?
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 20, 2014 9:44:50 GMT -9
I will be building mine on Monday. My report (perhaps with pictures) will follow. Thanks for the clear descriptions, Steve, I know what to look out for because of them.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 20, 2014 9:40:13 GMT -9
Why not something as simple as this: Compatible with 28mm/1:60...? Again, just a thought, but something like this would go far in appeasing both the metric impaired and the metric gifted. And I realize for some who are comfortable with metrics this may seem a silly point, but for those of us who need the help, well...
Once again, my 2 cents worth...
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 19, 2014 13:59:46 GMT -9
Oooo! Can't wait to see it! AND ... Hurray for you and congratulations on the promotion! (Fireworks, a band marching, confetti floating in the air, crowds cheering...) Sorry, couldn't help myself.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 19, 2014 10:09:25 GMT -9
Is that your team's Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV)?
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 18, 2014 20:53:59 GMT -9
I think (and I could be wrong) that for figurines anywhere in the 25mm -30mm height is probably acceptable. It's when you are making buildings and walls where one needs to be a bit more accurate, do you agree?
But then again, my friends, we are not talking rocket science, are we? Though standards are great because they make it easier for the consumer to get what they want the first time without the worry and frustration of the guessing game that is often the case with some product lines today.
Thanks for correcting my math, Cowboy. Like I said, metrics is not my thing.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 18, 2014 20:35:01 GMT -9
Very true! I look at it this way, I spent 32 years paying the piper and protecting my kids. Once they moved out and I was sure of their success, I figured it was my turn to enjoy life. And that's what I'm doing now with my new husband. He and I are so in tune it can be spooky sometimes, and yet there's enough difference between us to keep it interesting.
I wake up happy to see my husbands smiling face everyday. He makes me laugh everyday, I'm warm, secure, and well contented, what more could I want?
...except for more stuff to make for my dungeon, muahahahahahaha!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 18, 2014 16:31:38 GMT -9
Good point (pardon the pun), WackyAnne! Though I understand the temptation! Lol!
I am happy to report, Mr. K, that I, too, have a new husband, 2 1/2 years (he's still all shiny new!) and more kids and grand kids (by proxy)! Also, he didn't get the set of 3 graphic novels my daughter gave for Christmas one year: The Legend of Drizzt, Books 1 -3, Which were later signed by the author, himself, when I met him at Auntie's Bookstore!
Add to that, my kids are finally seeing for themselves what he is really all about, and I never said a word!
Sometimes, life just works out!
BTW: That's a very sweet thing to do, Mr. K!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 18, 2014 13:46:01 GMT -9
Speaking from a consumer's point of view: Both WackyAnne and Mesper have excellent points. While I agree that you should court more opinions from the larger market place, do be wary of this, as others may not see this as an attempt to create more cooperation within the hobby - but as a way of taking over. We know that your intent is honorable, but do 'they'? Mesper's take on the design of the logo has merit. Now, I went through school here in the US before they started to teach metrics (thus my difficulty), I wonder how many others of my era out there who enjoy this hobby? If someone explains to me that 28mm = 1", I can get that. But, if you say this kit is built to a 1:60 ratio, I get that even better (maybe that's just because I am exactly 60" tall myself?) Still, the point remains, some of us are just not that familiar with metrics. Perhaps if both are mentioned somewhere? I also agree that the icons need ... something? A little more clarity, perhaps. I'm not a graphic design artist, so I don't really know what to suggest here. (big help, I know ) By and large, I believe you are one the right track. I am following all this with great interest.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 18, 2014 12:57:03 GMT -9
I used to have a ton of the old X-Men comics (as well as Spiderman, Dr. Strange, Witchblade and several others and the cross-overs) all in protective glassine bags and all! Five boxes full in all. How much of a nerd does that make me? My ex has them now Oh well, water under the bridge...
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 20:25:00 GMT -9
Oh you terrible temptress, you, WackyAnne! Those were great pics! And you managed to get me hooked on another new comic! Shame on you!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 15:12:41 GMT -9
Love them all! Love you sense of humor and your fine sense of the absurd, as well! Can't wait to see the whole team! Too bad my game is solidly fantasy based. I may have to get them just to put on display!
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 12:26:19 GMT -9
What about, for sanity's sake, drawing up an outline and/or a flow chart of all that's been discussed so far and the goals you'd like to see accomplished?
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 10:43:06 GMT -9
Thanks again, WakyAnne, for those image links you sent me. Beautiful and very inspiring.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 9:05:56 GMT -9
I, too, like the concept, but also think something a little more streamlined would be good. Are you going to include the "CUTS" label?
I was thinking that you have some sort of banner that sites like RPGNow would put up that say something like: New! CUTS Standards! To make your shopping easier! CUTS 1 = 28 terrain," etc. And then corresponding labels on qualifying products?
I don't know, just my brain wandering around in the dark...
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 17, 2014 8:53:28 GMT -9
"Hallo." said the worm. "Did you just say 'Hello'?" asked Sarah. "No, I said 'Hallo', but that's close enough." replied the worm. Yes! One of my all-time favorite movies, I have it on my shelf. I hadn't thought of vines, what a grand idea! Thank you so much! I'll be working some more on it over the next few days. It needs to be ready by Sunday. No pressure! ACK! Thanks for the ideas! I'm going to get busy with it now.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 16, 2014 20:20:17 GMT -9
Found it! OK. So, here is what I imagine Aelor looks like. Now this was just a quick sketch, nothing fancy.
|
|
|
Post by dungeonmistress on Feb 16, 2014 20:00:30 GMT -9
Does anyone have any thoughts on what a disgruntled zombie might look like? In my head, he sounds just like Rodney Dangerfield - "I don't get no respect."
BTW: For those who aren't familiar, a disgruntled zombie is a zombie who has somehow (through magical means) regained a measure of his willpower. They make great interior designers and love to throw parties (though they often drink most of the alcohol). They have the ability, on a successful will check, to fight the compulsions placed on them by a necromancer. They refuse to fight or kill (too messy, and then there's dragging the bodies around to dispose of them - gross!)
Well, so there you are. Let's see what you can come up with!
|
|