3D Designs - How to Cut Out Shapes

I made a very rough tutorial on how to cut a circle out of a square. While this sounds simple it's a lot of steps.

Have a look here.

I'm using Tinkercad for almost everything I do. You can create a free account and do some pretty complex stuff using their tools and the shapes other people have shared.

But CAD has always been a sore point with me. Mostly I don't 'get it'. Having the 3D printers has changed my opinion of that. I needed stuff that wasn't out there or I wanted to modify stuff that was. So I had to learn some form of CAD.

Anyway. If you're looking for a tool that lets you build more mechanical things (organic is a whole different game) then by all means use Tinkercad. They even have a section of pre-built connectors. Just take your time and do a lot of Google searches when things seem weird.

Personally the part that gets me most is the need to make negatives in order to get the shapes I want. That one I'm still working on since I suck at it.

Teaser - Mini Conversion Soon

I'm starting in a Deadlands game and of course need a mini.  I've decided that going forward, when game appropriate, I will make both a standing and riding version of my mini.  It's just cooler.  I know Litko makes horse stand bases and they're very nice but they're just not as cool as the mini on a horse.

I plan on doing a WIP on how I do this since it will be an interesting process.  I know it already.  The minis have been ordered.  It isn't the same mini for both either.  Painting will make them look the same but I liked the different looks for each situation.

For anyone who's interested the character I created is a Deserter.  She deserted from both armies and I took the Wanted major hindrance. Added on top of that she's got a very distinctive revolver.  I think this is going to be a very fun character to play and the GM is happy with all the horrible things she'll be able to set up for my character.  I'm not afraid to make characters that are going to have trouble in the game.

I've been such a slacker

I know there's a bunch of stuff I need to do for this blog.  Most of it centers around terrain.

So far the list is:

• Create instructions and pictures for making my modular dungon


• Write the dungeon crawl convention/single play rules.  (I received permission from the original designer to make a 'fan based' version.)


• Write the dungeon crawl convention/single play PVP rules.  Yep.  Two sets of adventurers.


• Write a whole lotta tutorials on faux stone painting.  I have 10 on my list.  I'm waiting on some smooth floor tiles from Naloomi's Workshop since they're the best thing I've found for the tutorials.


• Other stuff I've probably forgotten.

Bear with me and I'll get these done.  Eventually.

Let me know if there's anything else you've seen me make for terrain and you're interested in knowing how.

I may be slightly active again

Don't get your hopes up too much.  It's all very much in the beginning phases of doing stuff again.

So far I have a local game store asking about Saturday paint lessons/sessions/clinics/etc.  I had to break away from the teaching I had been doing for a few reasons but oddly enough I enjoy it when I have eager (and teachable) students.  By 'teachable' I mean 'willing to learn'.  I've just contacted them to let them know that this might be possible so we'll see where it goes.

I also thought some terrain building classes might be fun.  The problem with terrain is that it generally takes at least 2 sessions due to setting and drying time.  My immediate thoughts were small Hirst Arts projects and the pipe cleaner trees I made in the past.  Useful and not too difficult.

On top of all that I'm making my very first attempts to sculpt minis.  There's a reason for this but I won't get into that now.  My first challenge is making the metal wire armatures.  "Twist the wire like this" doesn't sound that hard but for me it is.  Metal hates me and getting both a smooth twist and a twist that's the correct size in the correct place is not as easy as the pictures make it out to be.  I shall be twisting and cursing at more than a few pieces of wire while I get this right.

Until I can make consistent armatures I'm not even thinking of putting putty on anything.  I did take the time to find the sculpting tools I made when I still had access to the workshop.  It looks like between those and my standard sculpting tools I have enough to make a good start.  There's someone on etsy who makes similar tools so I can get different ones if I need them.

Lastly if I have a good relationship with this store and their customers there's a chance I could set up a regular time to run my dungeon crawl.  After I finish revising the rules, revising the encounters, and painting all the necessary minis.  I even have an idea for a PVP version but would need someone to help me run it.

Yes, Rastl may be back!