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Post by everking on Mar 8, 2013 5:19:33 GMT -5
((Before I start, yes, I know there is disdain for a grid, but this is for my DM and he loves it. Sorry.))
I'm having an issue drumming up the proper technique for making a hex grid on my dungeon tiles.
Some basic info -
- The tiles are made of styrofoam. - They are roughly 1" thick. I used a 4" board, a hot wire cutter, and guide to cut a 4" thick board. - They are going to be painted/based black and wish to have the grid black. - Some of the tile may be up to 3 ft wide or long. - I have a hot wire cutter, but no hot knife. I may get one if anyone can recommend a process that uses one.
A few ways I've thought of or tried are -
- An exactoknife and cutting a groove after tracing a grid. This took forever, but the results weren't that bad. It took me over and hour to trace and cut a 6"x6" piece. - A very thin layer of clay and then a plastic hex grid texture sheet pressed in to it. This was really quick, but my texture sheet has a odd runic pattern and small-ish hexes. It's not really appropriate for all my tiles. I'd love to make a custom texture sheet, but I don't know how to cheaply. There is a plastic vacuum form machine available to me from a shop here in town, but I will have to pay through the nose upfront because of the making of a die/form.
Any ideas?
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Post by unclebilly on Mar 8, 2013 7:44:52 GMT -5
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Post by dm1scotty on Mar 8, 2013 10:57:32 GMT -5
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griffonwing
Tool Gatherer
Suave swabby, savvy?
Posts: 97
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Post by griffonwing on Mar 8, 2013 14:31:00 GMT -5
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Post by everking on Mar 8, 2013 19:31:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas. I'll experiment with them and see where that gets me.
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Post by juvenihilist on Mar 9, 2013 17:58:28 GMT -5
Go for the simplest version, make a dot inside the centre of each hexagon - now use that pattern, mark the dots on the tile. When the minis are moved, they just move to the closest dot. Its a lot easier to use a ruler and mark the dots without having to do all those lines everywhere.
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Post by chrisfitz71 on Mar 11, 2013 5:59:48 GMT -5
I think a good approach would be to get a sheet of plexiglass, draw your grid on it, and then drill a tiny hole in each grid intersection. Once you have that, use it to make corner-dots on any flat terrain (emphasis flat). You don't need lines, you need the shape, and seeing the corners gives you the shape.
Finish a flat piece of terrain, cover it with the plex-grid, and apply a bit of paint to the holes. Thick paint and a toothpick could be a good way to make sure you're just making a dot on the terrain. If a hole clogs with dried paint, you can redrill it. If it's a common problem, switch to a larger drill bit, or a thinner paint (or a powder).
Alternatively, because you said you were using foam, you could use the plexi-grid's holes to poke through and into the underlying terrain. Poking through would make a hole which has the foam's color inside.
Someone using cardboard for terrain could use this plexi-grid to make the dots with a colored pencil.
I haven't tried this -- I'm just thinking with my fingers (is that the forum equivalent of "thinking out loud"?)
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zonto
Cardboard Collector
Posts: 21
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Post by zonto on Mar 11, 2013 11:31:39 GMT -5
Might be quick and easy to make a plexi glass stencil, with whatever shape you want cut out of it (dots for corners?) and then lay it down on top of your finished tiles, and spray paint it.
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Post by Forge Lord Rob on Mar 12, 2013 1:16:45 GMT -5
I have found that the easiest way to get the hex grid on tiles without havint to trace them then go back ad cut or burn them in is to go to Home Depot. In the plumbing section they have a cheap hex shaped wrench tool that is 1" is size. you can either push the tool into the foam to create shallow patterns or heat the end with a torch then touch the foam and it burns the pattern in...quick and easy...enjoy
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Post by everking on Mar 13, 2013 5:04:20 GMT -5
I have found that the easiest way to get the hex grid on tiles without havint to trace them then go back ad cut or burn them in is to go to Home Depot. In the plumbing section they have a cheap hex shaped wrench tool that is 1" is size. you can either push the tool into the foam to create shallow patterns or heat the end with a torch then touch the foam and it burns the pattern in...quick and easy...enjoy Oh wow. I'm going to Lowes tomorrow. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
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