Data Sphere

So after considering some of the feedback a received on various forums I realized I missed the mark in terms of complexity of the design. While I really enjoyed creating the SkyBar building its a rather complex thing to build for the average wargamer. I got carried away!

I'm relaunching the topic under a new format. This time the designs will be easy to reproduce, be low cost (60$ for the table) but still try to give a decent look that can be achieved with MDF. I choose Outpost as the theme since its a classic and can be used both for Paradiso and YAMS.

MODULE #1A : [4"X4"]
The Module


The Parts

If you look at the grid on the cutting mat you can guess the approximate dimensions I used. The larger squares are 1". The small ones 0,25".

Dark gray weathering + Etched patterns

This module cost me 50 cents in cardboard and a few drops of paint...

I'll give you $1 for it? Double your money!

But seriously, that looks great!

This looks quite accessible to all but the most challenged by an exacto knife. But why was the other building complex? There was nothing particularly advanced or difficult was there*? What do the people want, shoe boxes with a few holes poked into them for doors & windows?

Plus the side access to the interior was a great idea. I like the way you executed it. And plan to try something like it myself. And the sign was well done too. Much nicer than a printed out 'billboard'.

Anyway, a suggestion. You may want to add some indication of how the roof is accessed, via ladder, or stairs, or trap door, or what have you.

*Okay, I may be looking at it from a different P.O.V., but if someone is just following plans or a how to, they don't need a whole lot of experience.

red harvest wrote:This looks quite accessible to all but the most challenged by an exacto knife. But why was the other building complex? There was nothing particularly advanced or difficult was there*? What do the people want, shoe boxes with a few holes poked into them for doors & windows?
Plus the side access to the interior was a great idea. I like the way you executed it. And plan to try something like it myself. And the sign was well done too. Much nicer than a printed out 'billboard'.
Anyway, a suggestion. You may want to add some indication of how the roof is accessed, via ladder, or stairs, or trap door, or what have you.
*Okay, I may be looking at it from a different P.O.V., but if someone is just following plans or a how to, they don't need a whole lot of experience.

LOL! I'm not done with the other Poor Man's project. Its shelved for now. I'll get back to it when I'm done with creating all the elements of this system. I had too much fun doing it!

To make a long story short : I've converted as many as I can to INFINITY in my area (30+). Free rules, free army builder, low cost or armies, great system helped. But there is still a hard core group of players (and some shop owners) who keep saying they won't play because it costs to much to create a table when compared to WM/H or 40K . PLUS, a lot of wargamers (me included) play more than one game. Scenery cost can become an issue. So this is my answer to them: minimal effort, minimal money and decent look. They can't say no anymore !

Looks great! And indeed, you can fill a table really cheap. Maybe you can even get some 'shop' up for the 30+(!!!!!) people you have in your neighborhood playing Infinity. (Damn, how do you get so many?! I doubt there are that many people playing Infinity in my entire country! xD

Scorch wrote:Looks great! And indeed, you can fill a table really cheap. Maybe you can even get some 'shop' up for the 30+(!!!!!) people you have in your neighborhood playing Infinity. (Damn, how do you get so many?! I doubt there are that many people playing Infinity in my entire country! xD

I've been annoying everyone to get into the game for the last 2 years. Also Montreal is a rather larger city (1.5 million on the island / 3 if you add the suburb belt). This weekend we are having our monthly casual meet up. Seems like we are going to be 12+. I'll take pictures.

MODULE #1B [WIP]

MARC C wrote:
I've been annoying everyone to get into the game for the last 2 years. Also Montreal is a rather larger city (1.5 million on the island / 3 if you add the suburb belt). This weekend we are having our monthly casual meet up. Seems like we are going to be 12+. I'll take pictures.

Hm, it seems to have worked. Great for you! (seriously) Have fun with the meet-up! Your work looks awesome

The stairs: Currently they are 1,25" wide. For remotes they would need to be larger.





Stackable !

[Off topic] INFINITY SUNDAY at our local store: 10 showed up. +1 one new player gluing his army and 1 guy eager to get into the game.


[/Off topic]

Looks amazing Marc!
And thanks for sharing the Sunday game pics! Love seeing that many at just a Sunday meet up!

Sweet!

How do you paint the numbers on so crisply? I always make a mess...

Arachas wrote:Sweet!

How do you paint the numbers on so crisply? I always make a mess...

I cut out the letters in clear acetate and use it as a stencil.

Marc I have to say that these are really awesome. I don't understand why you even bother buying other companies buildings when you can make seriously awesome ones yourself. If these are done super fast and on a budget I can only imagine what you would make if you took your time and had no budget. I gotta be honest bro, I would really love to see what you would produce in that case.

Really imaginative and well constructed terrain Marc. Great work!

Athanadros wrote:Marc I have to say that these are really awesome. I don't understand why you even bother buying other companies buildings when you can make seriously awesome ones yourself. If these are done super fast and on a budget I can only imagine what you would make if you took your time and had no budget. I gotta be honest bro, I would really love to see what you would produce in that case.

Really imaginative and well constructed terrain Marc. Great work!

Tx my friend !

I was simply being lazy... as for going «full monty» on scenery and do what I would really like to do I would need a proper workshop, tools and a lot of time. Which is currently impossible with a full time job.

One solution would be to draw my stuff in CAD and have it cut in MDF by someone but most laser owners don't do custom jobs... the other possibility would be to launch a kickstarter. But that requires a time commitment I cannot afford right now.

FINAL VERSION
I made a minor change to the top module. The legs were beveled inward to connect with the top of legs of the lower module.

So sick bro!! It just keeps getting better and better. I also love how you handled the issue of stairs and cover. I know that had been a debate on the main forum for years.

Athanadros wrote:So sick bro!! It just keeps getting better and better. I also love how you handled the issue of stairs and cover. I know that had been a debate on the main forum for years.

Tx again. My thinking was since this is a military outpost. The engineers would have chosen to give the troops as much cover as possible without sacrificing the need to shoot back at the invaders.

Sky bridge:

DUDE!!! These are looking GREAT!!!

I mean like, no shit, these are "looking great"....GREAT! That is a lot of great!

I have always been leery of using foamcore for buildings, but with your methods and materials I think might just be so useful that I might just have to make this happen as well! THANK YOU!!

*What material are you using? I know you said cardboard but that doesn't look like cardboard...*

Did I mention that these are looking great?

Crushar wrote:DUDE!!! These are looking GREAT!!!

I mean like, no shit, these are "looking great"....GREAT! That is a lot of great!

I have always been leery of using foamcore for buildings, but with your methods and materials I think might just be so useful that I might just have to make this happen as well! THANK YOU!!

*What material are you using? I know you said cardboard but that doesn't look like cardboard...*

Did I mention that these are looking great?

I'm blushing... well almost.
Only 2 or 3 other elements to do and the system will be complete. After that its just a question of doing enough duplicates to fill a 4x4 table.

IT REALLY IS GRAY CARDBOARD. 1/8" thick. I bought it at the art supply store - only 8$CDN.
All the scenery I made up to now for the Outpost cost only 4$. I'm thinking a full table will only cost 32$.

Module 1A : 4"x4"

I think here in the US it is sold as illustration board, or something like that. You can get it at Staples, in 20" x 30" sheets. Or try looking for matboard (mat board matte board) at the local art & craft stores too. It may be pricey though.

Try chipboard too. At least dickblick site gives the impression that it could work (recycled paper, 0.1 or 0.05 inches), and cheap.

red harvest wrote:I think here in the US it is sold as illustration board, or something like that. You can get it at Staples, in 20" x 30" sheets. Or try looking for matboard (mat board matte board) at the local art & craft stores too. It may be pricey though.

No illustration board is something else. Its very hard to cut and pricey.
The material I'm using is 1/8", rigid but easier to cut.
I need to resupply tomorrow. I'll get the product name.

So tempting to get this laser cut!

Support Column Allows creation Check Point passage and/or «L» shaped buildings using two long modules

The Poor Man's Table System is done :

Bro I can't get over how well this has all come together. Its just awesome really the colour scheme is great and the fact that all its really doing is drawing on the natural colour and texture of the building material is just brilliant!

Really hope it achieves your desired outcome of knocking some heads into line and breaking the old 'Infinity is too expensive" line that some many people pull out.