|
Post by greypilgrim on Dec 12, 2020 17:59:15 GMT -9
Well, this is going to be my first BIG contribution to the group - and believe you me it's going to take me a while... I have long wanted to create a building set inspired by the Jetson's Skypad Apartments and the Capitol Records office building in L.A. The building is intended to be reflecting an ultramodern / futuristic scheme theme. The base will be approximately 25" diameter, consisting of different floor plans: - Garage/Parking - Offices, perhaps 2 variants eventually - Single bedroom apartments - Multiple bedroom apartments - Shops - Restaurant - Others (?) I suppose the roof will have flexibility for being either standard modern helo landing and futuristic landing parking spaces. I'll design the apartment version first with garage, apartments and roof first, later making the other uses as I go. As I said, this is going to be a massive undertaking. Hopefully, I'll be able to have at least the first set ready by next spring's appropriate monthly forum hoarde. I've run out a rough proof-of-concept test, as seen here: The proof of concept build has already shown me that I've got to expand the arches both laterally and vertically. (I had to build a test vehicle for that. Yes, it's the bonus Herbie #53 from Chris Roe's Brio set.) These are not the final skins, just those of the base parts I used as a starting point. My original intention was using old school interior slip-tabs going into the ends of foldover walls; however, I am not totally happy with the actual build process and will try a more simple tab-over-the-outside method next. As a last resort, I may have to try a TLX-friendly method. I'm still having to work on the overall floor plan designs yet, but I felt I needed to do this proof-of-concept work first to see if I had any major flaws I needed to clear up before proceeding further. Wish me Luck!
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Dec 12, 2020 20:20:12 GMT -9
Did you ever build Chris Roe's WWG Podtel? I'd thknk it would have some good inspiration for the mechanics of the building stack.
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Dec 13, 2020 7:54:13 GMT -9
Why, yes, yes I did.. and had it posted over on the old WWG forums. By comparison, it has a diameter of 9" and I put it on a one square foot base using some patio brickwork, benches and fencing (all form other WWG sets).
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Jan 3, 2021 9:31:55 GMT -9
WIP Update: I've been spending my final week of 2020 and the 2021 New Year Weekend working my Skytel Project, and I now have something to show for my efforts which I can share. The set(s) will include a basic Floor Tile group for each floor - for those who just want a floor tile and don't really want to build walls. The floor areas are turning out to be 30" diameter instead of my originally intended 25". Here is a thumbnail overview for the single bedroom apartment living floor (shrunk to fit on one standard page for viewing). The floor gridwork is in red so you can more easily see the scope of the project - the final version will be gray, with different color variations for the floor. Don't know how intensive I'll get for 'hard' surface vs. Carpeting.
Next, I'll work up the flooring for the twin-bedroom apartments, then a multi-bedroom version. Still have stuff to mess with for the garage (actually have to do a bit of resizing first as it started out as the original 25" size).
Any suggestions or shout-outs will of course be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Jan 17, 2021 11:43:10 GMT -9
WIP Update: Haven't been able to get to this project since last weekend - so, there we are... Did a bunch of twiddling with the single unit apartment level. Here is a single sheet for print out for the single apartment for those who might not want to do the entire 30 inch diameter layout (which will be filed out). These are full-sized 1" = 5' / 1.5m. First the Labeled version (so you can tell what the rooms are supposed to be: And the Un-labeled version: Feedback request: Do you all think the grid lines are dark enough to easily see them for movement or are they too light?
|
|
|
Post by Vermin King on Jan 17, 2021 11:57:17 GMT -9
I think it looks fine, sir
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Jan 17, 2021 16:25:30 GMT -9
WIP SKYTEL: This evening, I also completed the basic floorplan for the Upper Core of the building, which entails the central circular corridor (with the door locations to the 12 apartments - and possibly smaller offices for other levels), the twin passenger elevators and the freight elevator. The Central Core for the Garage level(s) - [remember the future can have flying cars...] - also has a security office for the building in-house-cops. I had to split it into 4 quarters, or quadrants. Again these files are true 1" = 5' / 1.5m scale. Quad A - Quad B - Quad C - Quad D - Hopefully I can finish the double bedroom apartments this week so I can return to fixing the garage. Once those are done I can address he actual walls: garage entry arches, balcony railing/archways, glass walls (hopefully both solid paper and transparency... Can anyone give me a bit of guidance as to the best way to 'construct' and 'save' those transparency files so I don't end up with white backgrounds> I'm sure it's got to be just an easy trick/technique, but I'm not sure how to go about it...
|
|
|
Post by Vermin King on Jan 17, 2021 16:39:42 GMT -9
Best way? I would like to know how to do that myself. Like I have said more than once, I use a sledgehammer approach.
|
|
|
Post by cowboyleland on Jan 18, 2021 8:42:04 GMT -9
I think if I save something as a png it keeps its transparent parts.
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Jan 20, 2021 18:33:35 GMT -9
I think if I save something as a png it keeps its transparent parts. That's what I do too.
|
|
|
Post by Vermin King on Jan 20, 2021 18:35:47 GMT -9
Same here, but I still have some fuzziness occasionally
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Feb 14, 2021 13:41:56 GMT -9
Update: It's been a week I hadn't got much done. Been working on test designs for the outer balcony wall for the living quarters, and the Garage entrance wall. Realized I needed to make the vertical posts larger; done, but haven't printed out the new versions yet to test. Working also on the glass walls (windows and sliding doors) for the apartment level (which lead out onto the terrace/balcony. Haven't gotten far on the garasge floorplan because I am trying to plan ahead for a contemporary version which will need ramps to reach other levels (not a necessary thing when you have flying cars). Stay Safe - Be well!
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Mar 14, 2021 13:20:54 GMT -9
Update: my laptop is in the shop - needs a new power port and my tech guy's distributor is having trouble finding a replacement. Sooo, I built one of Entelequia's Dice Towers - available on DriveThruRPG. He has different, separate skins: earth, water, fire, air, etc. - and all available in standard page, OR "Tabloid" / A4. It's written in Spanish, so take a little care as to which flavor AND page size you are buying. For scale purposes, please note I used TRAVELLER d6s which are slightly larger than 'standard' d6s. I am a lightly disappointed in my effort, because my printer seems to be losing color. (Time to swap the cartridge, I guess). This is the 'Earth" ("Tierra") flavor skin, and the walls should be a more bluish color.
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Mar 14, 2021 14:01:02 GMT -9
So the dice bounce down the stairs?
|
|
|
Post by greypilgrim on Mar 28, 2021 11:28:59 GMT -9
Roll, slide, tumble, trip, trip... etc!
|
|