|
Post by kane on May 20, 2009 20:04:09 GMT -9
Hey guys. Mel inspired me, so I gave it a shot. Here is my take on the blob shadow bases for flat basing. Followed Mels instructions, but have not printed them, so not sure how it looks printed yet.
|
|
|
Post by Dagger on May 21, 2009 3:05:37 GMT -9
This shadow base idea has potential... what do you think about highlighting the outer edge of the bases?... so that the center of the base is darker than the outside edges...
|
|
|
Post by Aestelon on May 21, 2009 3:39:59 GMT -9
I think the problem with that idea is that if it's getting lighter toward the edge, then it suggests that there's more light reaching those areas. And if that's happening, then what you'll see won't just be a lighter grey, it'll be a less heavily-shaded version of the table colour. And since the idea of the shadow bases is essentially to make the figure blend on any colour of tabletop, it'd kind of kill that if it just faded to a lighter grey.
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 21, 2009 6:15:23 GMT -9
You know, that would work if you printed on transparency. Not sure how transparent it would be if you layered it, though. But then again, it may be sturdy enough for a single layer to do the job. But then weight becomes an issue.
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 21, 2009 10:09:16 GMT -9
Was just thinking of a layered transparency base. A shadow printed onto the transparency with the figure attached, then a second textured card layer that you could remove and change textures on for both texture and weight. Having trouble figuring out how to keep the two attached, though. Maybe a thin washer in the card and a tiny magnet in the transparency? Would help the weight as well.
|
|
|
Post by jabbro on May 21, 2009 10:57:05 GMT -9
Why not just the tiny washer in the middle and skip the other layer altogether? A small, thick washer in the middle where you would print it opaque just might hold up, and the edges could show the terrain under it.
Seems like too much work to me.
|
|
|
Post by Aestelon on May 21, 2009 11:13:33 GMT -9
I think the solid shadow base you've got is good. No need to over-complicate matters.
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 21, 2009 12:51:09 GMT -9
I'm sorry, its the engineer in me. Or maybe the mad-scientist. Or the Rube Goldberg! Anyway, I think some flat, gradiated transparencies with a washer or solid metal disk in the middle (the darkest point) might look very nice. Still, overly complicated. Will just stick with these for the time being. ;D
|
|
|
Post by jabbro on May 22, 2009 5:19:30 GMT -9
Good call!
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on May 22, 2009 5:50:14 GMT -9
If you really wanted to go high style with these, you could go with Litko, transparent bronze, with a paper figure slot cut into it. I did a quick calculation, and 100, 25mm octagons, transparent bronze with slot would cost $24.99, that's only 25 cents each.
Not trying to hawk my workplace, but there is a lot that can be done with the acrylics. I do plan to offer a range of them on my website, sort of a special order thing direct from Litko. Just one of the many things on my to do list...
Just another option to consider. I also like papermakeit's slotta base overlays, very cool. JIM
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 22, 2009 6:25:38 GMT -9
That is an interesting thought, Jim. The only bronze product I could find was the "Directional Smoke Template" but that looks just about right. I could see that working VERY nicely...
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on May 22, 2009 9:04:27 GMT -9
www.litkoaero.com/basemakerJust scroll down to the bottom to see all the colors we offer there. I like bronze better than translucent grey, which is really dark. If any of you want a quote for paper bases, the design will have a 1mm thick slot, 5mm smaller than the base, with a slight curve to it. This curve in the slot, keeps the figure in place so you don't need to glue. Like I mentioned, in time I'll add a whole selection of custom order acrylic bases and such from the One Monk website. JIM
|
|
|
Post by jabbro on May 22, 2009 9:37:03 GMT -9
Those look great and a re a far cry better than anything I have seen. You'll have to get those up after you finish the 100 sets.
Hrmm, seems like you will be busier after those are done than before.
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 22, 2009 9:55:41 GMT -9
Wait...non-permament, acrylic bases? I am REALLY liking this idea. Came out to $30 for 100 when I punched it in, so 30 cents per base. Still not bad.
|
|
|
Post by Christopher Roe on May 22, 2009 12:12:16 GMT -9
Heh, I wanted to comment on this thread earlier, but was pretty busy.
I like the shadowbases--they could be a smidge darker, but that's just personal preference on my part.
I'm also liking the idea of acrylic figure bases, especially for laminated figures, although they'd only work well for completely flat figures, not the 2.5D fellas like the Stalkers. (No foot tab on these figures)
-Mel
|
|
|
Post by kane on May 22, 2009 12:15:12 GMT -9
I was thinking they were a smidge light, too. Will go back and fix that. Thankfully, I saved a .PSD with layers so that won't be too difficult.
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on May 22, 2009 13:29:41 GMT -9
Those look great and a re a far cry better than anything I have seen. You'll have to get those up after you finish the 100 sets. Hrmm, seems like you will be busier after those are done than before. Yea, pretty much everything I blabber on about will wait until after the 100 set mark. After that point, I may only get one set done a month until I get all the website enhancements in place, revise my logo and store graphics, add tutorials etc. it will be a big effort to add all the website features I want. I'll also be adding my own direct store, so you will be able to buy right from the products page. But only after I've released 100 sets, I'm at 68 right now. JIM
|
|
|
Post by onemonkeybeau on May 22, 2009 18:54:18 GMT -9
Heck, we could go completely clear too and get rid of the need for different base textures... what ever terrain you're on is what your base would look like...
onemonkeybeau
|
|
|
Post by Christopher Roe on May 22, 2009 20:05:07 GMT -9
I've done clear bases before, using inkjet transparencies. If the coated side is a little rough, glue sticks to it fine and it blends well into the underlying terrain. If you use regular overhead projector sheets, though, they're like impossible to glue anything to.
-Mel
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on May 23, 2009 4:57:51 GMT -9
ww.litkoaero.com/basemaker Just scroll down to the bottom to see all the colors we offer there. I like bronze better than translucent grey, which is really dark. If any of you want a quote for paper bases, the design will have a 1mm thick slot, 5mm smaller than the base, with a slight curve to it. This curve in the slot, keeps the figure in place so you don't need to glue. Like I mentioned, in time I'll add a whole selection of custom order acrylic bases and such from the One Monk website. JIM Do you have any pictures with some of your minatures based in these? I think I am gonna order a set of hexagonal bronze. I'd like to see what these look like (if possible). I may order more in a variety of colors if these work out well. I want to go with a non-permanent base system...but I don't like the tabs floating above the base that is currently employed for basing your miniatures. I flat base all of mine, but that means gluing them to the base. Thus I can't store as easily, or change the texture bases depending on the genre or environment I am playing in. (I might print textures and glue them to the bases... the pre-slotted acrylic bases seem ideal) and the added weight will be nice....but I am getting a bit ahead of myself. Thanks. ~F
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on May 23, 2009 15:19:51 GMT -9
Just email me your address to my Litko email, and I'll mail you some material samples. jim@litkoaero.com
|
|
|
Post by emergencyoverride on Jun 2, 2009 17:29:03 GMT -9
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Jun 2, 2009 18:36:15 GMT -9
Very cool, Contact me at Litko, and I can send you the prices and links to order the bases. Just be sure to remind me of what you want. jim@litkoaero.com
|
|
|
Post by kane on Jun 2, 2009 21:06:05 GMT -9
You've got mail, Jim! Those look GREAT. I'd prefer round for the shadow-type and actually prefer that to the clear as it gives the whole thing a bit more...depth I guess is the word. I think this is exactly the thing I've been looking for!
<edited for clarity and sleep induced spelling>
|
|
|
Post by onemonkeybeau on Jun 2, 2009 22:30:23 GMT -9
EOR,
Those look great!
Did you cut the tab off completely or leave it on? I can't tell from the pictures.
onemonkeybeau
|
|
|
Post by emergencyoverride on Jun 3, 2009 6:40:17 GMT -9
The tab is just trimmed down a bit for height, other than that they just slide in and the curve keeps them in tight. I picked them up and shook them to see, but they stayed in there! ;D
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Jun 3, 2009 8:43:18 GMT -9
Give me a couple weeks, and I'll have a variety of these to choose from in Jim's Lab at Litko. I have a ton of samples cut, so will have a bunch of different sizes and shapes, and the choice of clear, bronze, or black. It takes a bit of time to get all the costing data and photographs for this many items put together... JIM
|
|
|
Post by jabbro on Jun 3, 2009 10:47:23 GMT -9
These look really good. If you do manage to get a set of round bases configured, I'll have to get a set as well. This is definitely better than any of my current bases.
I think I like the transparent gray, or black (whichever its called), best. ;D
|
|
|
Post by kane on Jun 3, 2009 13:01:03 GMT -9
So is the black opaque or semi-transparent like the bronze? I'm thinking the bronze still would look more like a shadow, but just curious.
|
|
|
Post by squirmydad on Jun 3, 2009 13:14:22 GMT -9
The black will be opaque.
Litko is looking to add the "PAPER SLOT" option to the custom BASE MAKER page, so you can order any size and shape base in any of 26 different materials.
All told this release is like 16 different base styles in three colors for a total of 48 different products, and I'm not sure we can handle that many different product codes for such a specific base style, I'm the only one who does tabbed figure bases.
Give me some time ,and I'll get something released through Jim's Lab at Litko. JIM
|
|