Big word on our project. After looking over the parts for the faun project, we had two immediate options available, PVC and ABS. To get to the next level for HIPS injection, we enlisted Tim Barry to help us modify the faun parts for undercuts . Below are some renders of him modifying it, and some examples of what else we've been prototyping. Ill have more to come.
At the moment we are readying pewter casts of our faun shamans for painting, preparing a render for a set of satyrs (and accessories for the crotch area), preparing the centaur horse body for injection molding (with help from Tim Barry), painting up models for showcasing, prototyping part combinations, and troubleshooting undercuts for the mold.
We expect to be finished with the modifications for the fauns in the coming weeks, and the down payment for the mold has already been made. Once the layout is complete from Tim, molding should take about a month.
Due to budget constraints, we had to condense the 6 frames into a series of 3 frames over 3 molds, so a combination of male and female parts are involved. Plus side, we were able to save most of our weapons, and special weapons will likely double. Hunters, spearmen, and tribal warriors are all possible now.
Frontline Gaming has also offered to take pictures on our behalf.
This project has been a glorious confederation project, and I hope to see you there.
Theophony wrote: The red guy needs to see a doctor and not eat all the blue pills . When did that get shown in the previews?
This would be the first time posted here. Some folks wanted to see a satyr version just like we did fauns. We decided to focus on the horse inspired version to give it a different look. We had a victrix sculptor play with this one. Stretch goal is designed to make them in plastic, or at minimum pewter. We've been in overdrive mode getting some projects together while waiting on corrections for the mold. Interesting stuff so far.
StygianBeach wrote: Love the animalistic nudity of that horse Beastman, not sold on it's head design though.
If it's a traditional Satyr then it's going to be a goat based rather than horse based head,
that might change your view of it?
Also depicted as a horse/man. We have fauns that resemble goats, why not satyrs that resemble horses. Both were important symbols. Romans and Greeks kind of intermingled the ideas, but the resounding idea were very sexual in nature. Horses, even more so.
That horse figure seems a little confused, with that wang it's much more bull than horse, and the head's a mishmash. The only thing that really says horse are the hooves - on that note the hooves look weird, the sculpts look like straight cylinders while horse hooves are sloped.
The limbs and body are great though, I really love the bestial feel to it, better than every model having outrageous ripped physiques.
inflatablefriend wrote: That horse figure seems a little confused, with that wang it's much more bull than horse, and the head's a mishmash. The only thing that really says horse are the hooves - on that note the hooves look weird, the sculpts look like straight cylinders while horse hooves are sloped.
The limbs and body are great though, I really love the bestial feel to it, better than every model having outrageous ripped physiques.
More people considered it a wang, then the intention for more of a gourd/covering. I agree it does look more of a mishmash, and the hooves were likely sculpted for a nice round smooth surface for injection molding. That said, since its a WIP, I can always adapt it and have it improved over time. I do thank you for the suggestions.
I really like the mishmash look, its a lot more unique than the rather humdrum efforts that have on occasion been put out.
RGD, as you have resin casts already made any chance of some pics of those cleaned up, assembled and maybe painted?
ingtaer wrote: I really like the mishmash look, its a lot more unique than the rather humdrum efforts that have on occasion been put out.
RGD, as you have resin casts already made any chance of some pics of those cleaned up, assembled and maybe painted?
Our painter is in the middle of that as I speak. I asked him build a counter opposing force of spartans to match up against the fauns, and combinations of faun shamans, and faun parts on centaur horse bodies. And he should have the faun shamans in standing version in the coming weeks.
Been meaning to get those to Frontline Gaming when they are painted up. They were going to take some better photos for the project.
Here is an example of the Minotaur, and one of a pewter variant of the faun.
Once I have them all, I want to show those babies off.
rgdgaming wrote: We also included a non wang version as well. Anything in particular stygian? This one now has an attachable accessory you can glue on to the crotch.
Wait, do you realize what this means? Magnetized Wangs! This changes everything! Now my army can be suitable for both the Art Museum AND the teenage game shop!
In all seriousness, that is pretty cool, and I like some mishmash. I'll certainly be in on this.
Ah, I did wonder if it was a gourd type thing but when you said wang I went with that. Hadn't seen the FB image which makes it clearer!
I know I'm really picky, especially horse stuff (odd career choices still haunt me), but it's all looking good. I was disappointed when the first KS didn't work out so looking forward to the second one, just hope I've got enough monies to throw at you when it launches!
rgdgaming wrote: We also included a non wang version as well. Anything in particular stygian? This one now has an attachable accessory you can glue on to the crotch.
Wait, do you realize what this means? Magnetized Wangs! This changes everything! Now my army can be suitable for both the Art Museum AND the teenage game shop!
In all seriousness, that is pretty cool, and I like some mishmash. I'll certainly be in on this.
You certainly can, it would be a cool party trick! And thank you, we wont launch until we have the plastic sprue and painted job to show.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
inflatablefriend wrote: Ah, I did wonder if it was a gourd type thing but when you said wang I went with that. Hadn't seen the FB image which makes it clearer!
I know I'm really picky, especially horse stuff (odd career choices still haunt me), but it's all looking good. I was disappointed when the first KS didn't work out so looking forward to the second one, just hope I've got enough monies to throw at you when it launches!
That's ok. And we just decided to make it mostly done by the time the starter arrives. Minotaur, Faun Shamans, sculpts for the centaur bodies, sculpts for the satyrs and the actual mold for the fauns. Stretch goals: extra parts, bodies, banner, injection molded horse bodies, minotaur brutes, chimera, eagles, tribal chief, and the Satyr.
StygianBeach wrote: Love the animalistic nudity of that horse Beastman, not sold on it's head design though.
If it's a traditional Satyr then it's going to be a goat based rather than horse based head,
that might change your view of it?
I think it is mainly the horns that I do not like, maybe a Horse head with Ram horns would be more to my tastes?
Otherwise, I just love that the Beastman looks so bestial, and the Wang gives the model such an aggressive presence. It makes me think of the Ancient Greek Corinthian helmet, there is a implicit threat being made which I do not feel like typing.
I have some nude Celts, and I could imagine seeing this Beastman would have them reaching for their pants (ideally I would prefer the wang was a little bit shorter, but it is not a problem as it is).
StygianBeach wrote: Love the animalistic nudity of that horse Beastman, not sold on it's head design though.
If it's a traditional Satyr then it's going to be a goat based rather than horse based head,
that might change your view of it?
I think it is mainly the horns that I do not like, maybe a Horse head with Ram horns would be more to my tastes?
Otherwise, I just love that the Beastman looks so bestial, and the Wang gives the model such an aggressive presence. It makes me think of the Ancient Greek Corinthian helmet, there is a implicit threat being made which I do not feel like typing.
I have some nude Celts, and I could imagine seeing this Beastman would have them reaching for their pants (ideally I would prefer the wang was a little bit shorter, but it is not a problem as it is).
Coincidentally, the same sculptor for victrix's latest naked fanatics also is doing this one as well.
Huginn wrote: I like them, I think. The photos are a bit small to really form an opinion.
The scale looks small too, unless they are on extra large bases. Do you have any plans to post comparison photos with other minis?
Ill have some better photos soon, just wanted to share what I got. I can get some comparisons when the time comes. Part of the reason why I had another company's models painted up as well to stack them up against the other.
Fauns are on individual size bases, while the centaurs are on 25x50mm bases. Horses are 25mm, the torso/head adds another 17-18mms
What did you want to see? Im going to base that on what I see in person assembled, and scale appropriately.
The standing shamans are at 32mm, bottom to top (male shaman horns a tad higher), if it helps. The model height of the horse and torso plus head push it to the 40mm range.
What did you want to see? Im going to base that on what I see in person assembled, and scale appropriately.
The standing shamans are at 32mm, bottom to top (male shaman horns a tad higher), if it helps. The model height of the horse and torso plus head push it to the 40mm range.
The Centaur Legs look good, but a maybe they could be a bit thin. The thing is I cannot tell if they are too thin for easy gaming and modelling or not.
Wargames Factory made some mounted Samurai, and the horses for that kit have horribly thin spaghetti legs. This makes them difficult to work with, I hate those Horses.
Otherwise I like how some Horses have their legs molded to a base for added stability. Not everyone likes this though.
It was a thought to put a base on the bottom, like other companies. Which is fine for stability, and can work well. The legs should be thick enough for easier placement on the tray it is served on. We just removed the extra step of cutting or covering that base. Without or without bases can be used to great effect. Some pinning techniques work well though.
Gallahad wrote: Those legs are looking mighty thin.. Is it too late to change anything?
No, these were some prototypes to get the feel for the blend. It feels we have to adjust the model a tweak, but the legs are suited for the base at mind without compromising on the look. Injection molding was the intent for the centaur. Difference may be just a few mms on each part.
Some quick references for sizes and height. We need to fix the female shaman, to make it stand out more, and adjusting the size of the centaur after seeing the prototype painted up.
The pictures are useful, though a little bit dark.
A comparison with similar figures would possibly more useful here - some GW beastmen (ungors, gors and centigors) for example. Let's be honest, a lot of your potential customers will be looking at the range with a view to using them in WHFB/AOS collections, so getting the size and scale close to those will not harm your prospects.
My thoughts are that they are very slender at the moment. Not just the legs, but the figures as a whole. They lack presence, if that makes sense. I realise not everybody wants superhero beasts on steroids, but that is my honest opinion.
We need to fix the female shaman, to make it stand out more, and adjusting the size of the centaur after seeing the prototype painted up.
it's going to be premature to show anything with another companies minis in the shot (as once the pics are on the net they're not going to go away even after changes are made)
Ooh they look awesome in the flesh, nice to see that the fur looks good once it is out of a render and painted up.
I really like the slender proportions, makes them look fast and agile. I just went back and checked out the GW ungors and wow they look bad compared to your stuff.
Thinking I may need a couple of satyrs now as well, those guys are scary!
Huginn wrote: The pictures are useful, though a little bit dark.
A comparison with similar figures would possibly more useful here - some GW beastmen (ungors, gors and centigors) for example. Let's be honest, a lot of your potential customers will be looking at the range with a view to using them in WHFB/AOS collections, so getting the size and scale close to those will not harm your prospects.
My thoughts are that they are very slender at the moment. Not just the legs, but the figures as a whole. They lack presence, if that makes sense. I realise not everybody wants superhero beasts on steroids, but that is my honest opinion.
There is an option to potentially bring them out or forward, expand etc with the software, going to have to bug Tim about it. He knows more on the technicalities about it. Its ok to be slender, but it has to be minded to what people have in their kits.
We need to fix the female shaman, to make it stand out more, and adjusting the size of the centaur after seeing the prototype painted up.
it's going to be premature to show anything with another companies minis in the shot (as once the pics are on the net they're not going to go away even after changes are made)
Why you make sure it gets highlighted on the kickstarter page down the road. We do so many small updates on our progress, its more of a what we're going through process. Not all of it is glamorous or easy. Just another thing to solve . Also, the spartans, I believe represent the 28mm average of the miniature realm we were trying to keep within a comparable range. They were meant to be a mock photo opponent, and gives people the idea of size comparison.
We need to fix the female shaman, to make it stand out more, and adjusting the size of the centaur after seeing the prototype painted up.
it's going to be premature to show anything with another companies minis in the shot (as once the pics are on the net they're not going to go away even after changes are made)
People have been asking how the models compare for a while, thought this would be a logical step. We have been effectively showing what we have been working on our page, and changing and editing for the purposes of making the models better. Ultimately, we would like to have a final data sheet to describe what is entailed for the release before the kickstarter starts.
rgdgaming wrote: Also, the spartans, I believe represent the 28mm average of the miniature realm we were trying to keep within a comparable range. They were meant to be a mock photo opponent, and gives people the idea of size comparison.
So you are aiming at true 28mm rather than the more heroic sized GW stuff (30-32mm?). You are aiming to be compatible with the typical historical scale figure? And thus noticeably smaller than typical fantasy ranges?
Hope that works out for you. For me, with a vast collection of fantasy stuff in the more conventional scale (ie 30-35mm), I fear your figures will look miniscule.
I really do think that at some stage you need to post comparison shots with more typical fantasy figures, given you are producing fantasy figures. The sooner the better I would have thought, when you are still prototyping, rather than wait until a time later in the dev stage when it's more difficult to change this kind of thing.
I hope this is read as intended, as (hopefully helpful) constructive critique.
While I do not see the need for these to scale with current GW stuff (and I am happy they do not), I do like it when limbs and weapons have as much thinckness as possible without straying into heroic scaling. Mainly for modelling purposes.
I have kitbashed 4 Viking Berserkers for Saga using a mix of Vitrix naked Celts and Gripping Beast Vikings. I love the sculpting of the Celts, but I really prefer the weapon and hand scaling of Gripping Beast. They are just nicer to work with.
So while I think the minis look good, I would hope that scaling is pushed to the limits of reasonable (like Gripping Beast).
rgdgaming wrote: Also, the spartans, I believe represent the 28mm average of the miniature realm we were trying to keep within a comparable range. They were meant to be a mock photo opponent, and gives people the idea of size comparison.
So you are aiming at true 28mm rather than the more heroic sized GW stuff (30-32mm?). You are aiming to be compatible with the typical historical scale figure? And thus noticeably smaller than typical fantasy ranges?
Hope that works out for you. For me, with a vast collection of fantasy stuff in the more conventional scale (ie 30-35mm), I fear your figures will look miniscule.
I really do think that at some stage you need to post comparison shots with more typical fantasy figures, given you are producing fantasy figures. The sooner the better I would have thought, when you are still prototyping, rather than wait until a time later in the dev stage when it's more difficult to change this kind of thing.
I hope this is read as intended, as (hopefully helpful) constructive critique.
I agree with Huginn, please make these scale with fantasy figures and make the weapon shafts nice and thick. Like Stygian Beach said, Gripping Beast weapons are the thinnest the weapons should be.
rgdgaming wrote: Also, the spartans, I believe represent the 28mm average of the miniature realm we were trying to keep within a comparable range. They were meant to be a mock photo opponent, and gives people the idea of size comparison.
So you are aiming at true 28mm rather than the more heroic sized GW stuff (30-32mm?). You are aiming to be compatible with the typical historical scale figure? And thus noticeably smaller than typical fantasy ranges?
Hope that works out for you. For me, with a vast collection of fantasy stuff in the more conventional scale (ie 30-35mm), I fear your figures will look miniscule.
I really do think that at some stage you need to post comparison shots with more typical fantasy figures, given you are producing fantasy figures. The sooner the better I would have thought, when you are still prototyping, rather than wait until a time later in the dev stage when it's more difficult to change this kind of thing.
I hope this is read as intended, as (hopefully helpful) constructive critique.
Totally helps with criticism. Im all for it in the prototype phase. The models height are based on 32mm models, mainly to compensate for the lack of bulk. The main reason is that if we go 28mm, the shrinkage effect of material will bring it down (might lose 10%), so going 32 brings us closer to 28. With the original faun, 32mm made it stand well with skaven, a nearly par figure for a human size, and his proportions still reflected the sculpt while keeping his presence. We are going back and forth to find the sweet money spot between look and scale.
The reason for the 28mm model is that the customer base we focus on uses a combination of fantasy and historical models. If you play Kings of War, WHFB is common. The other reason is that RPG model characters would be doable as well.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
StygianBeach wrote: While I do not see the need for these to scale with current GW stuff (and I am happy they do not), I do like it when limbs and weapons have as much thinckness as possible without straying into heroic scaling. Mainly for modelling purposes.
I have kitbashed 4 Viking Berserkers for Saga using a mix of Vitrix naked Celts and Gripping Beast Vikings. I love the sculpting of the Celts, but I really prefer the weapon and hand scaling of Gripping Beast. They are just nicer to work with.
So while I think the minis look good, I would hope that scaling is pushed to the limits of reasonable (like Gripping Beast).
So I agree and disagree with Huginn.
The articulation is closer to real weapons vs steroids. We had a traditional sculpting mind set, then have that going again with Tim Barry to make it come out that much more. These will rock.
Oh and below, take a peak at the new quiver. Had to reworked for line of draft.
rgdgaming wrote: Also, the spartans, I believe represent the 28mm average of the miniature realm we were trying to keep within a comparable range. They were meant to be a mock photo opponent, and gives people the idea of size comparison.
So you are aiming at true 28mm rather than the more heroic sized GW stuff (30-32mm?). You are aiming to be compatible with the typical historical scale figure? And thus noticeably smaller than typical fantasy ranges?
Hope that works out for you. For me, with a vast collection of fantasy stuff in the more conventional scale (ie 30-35mm), I fear your figures will look miniscule.
I really do think that at some stage you need to post comparison shots with more typical fantasy figures, given you are producing fantasy figures. The sooner the better I would have thought, when you are still prototyping, rather than wait until a time later in the dev stage when it's more difficult to change this kind of thing.
I hope this is read as intended, as (hopefully helpful) constructive critique.
Honestly, the main reason the size is coming up now is because of the horse. When we made that, it was about 75% of the way down when we were considering stretch goals. First sculptor bailed on it, our main sculptor took it, and brought it up to the next level. We had a set idea and it didnt really cross the mind until we started pairing torsos with the horse. What I saw were pictures of the horse and faun parts coming together, which looked good, so I left it at that. But the scaling I didnt double check caused in issue in prototyping that led us to revising the horse in tune with the faun torsos. It was intended as the second stretch goal for parts, so we acted with some liberty there. Now that we know the scale is an issue, im addressing it before the kickstarter backers have to deal with it. Which is mainly what we've been doing until now on our dime.
Yes, I am with the crowd that says please do not scale these to 35mm Melonhead Hamfists Games Workshop Fantasy scaling. I would much prefer them to be compatible with Pre 2007 GW and every other manufacturer on the planet, including Victrix and Warlord historicals.
Based on the weight, distribution, coolness factor, and modeling purposes, that angle was the best middle ground.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
judgedoug wrote: Yes, I am with the crowd that says please do not scale these to 35mm Melonhead Hamfists Games Workshop Fantasy scaling. I would much prefer them to be compatible with Pre 2007 GW and every other manufacturer on the planet, including Victrix and Warlord historicals.
Man, I love how creepy those Satyr faces are. There is something really "uncanny valley" about them.
This is a tiny-nitpick just in the interest of being helpful, but I might suggest making the grooves around the eyeballs a little deeper, or making the eyeballs protrude a little bit more from the sockets. They look like they might be a little hard to paint currently.
I can pass that on to the sculptor. Getting 3d prints of those, and going to test out a pewter caster to see how it comes out. Everyone on the page wants to see them in plastic, so we are going to oblige.
Probably won’t change if I’d buy em or not, but I’m not a fan of the Zulu look to those latest renders. I get that other like them, but they’re not my cup of tea.
cygnnus wrote: Probably won’t change if I’d buy em or not, but I’m not a fan of the Zulu look to those latest renders. I get that other like them, but they’re not my cup of tea.
Valete,
JohnS
Honestly can do just about any quick fix melee item as is. Very easy to make new parts. Zulu weapons are really great for plastic line of draft.
I like how the Satyr have simple looking weapons, my ideal would be stone weapons for the Satyrs and Centaurs, but I am not sure if Stone weapons can look good in plastic.
I like how the Satyr have simple looking weapons, my ideal would be stone weapons for the Satyrs and Centaurs, but I am not sure if Stone weapons can look good in plastic.
Probably could do stone axes, but you'll have to get the imprint detail to make it stand out. Honestly, I dont know 100% of what can and can't be done. I usually just ask on limitations. What stone varieties were you thinking.
ingtaer wrote: Looking good so far, RGD. Personally I like the Zulu aesthetic, though I wouldn't be adverse to a falx or seax version.
We do need to make two more, at minimum, because the unit intention for these was for between 20-40. So some other weapons would be best served. But the way these guys are going, might as well make them a rabble band of fighters.
That works real well, are you going lead or resin? Want to keep the posing as similar as possible if so in either case, I imagine an extra/alternate arm on the repeats you showed should be practical and not too expensive? Or are you thinking chopping up the bodies as well? Don't want to add too many options and drag out the cost after all, as that's more money, more moulds and more time...
ingtaer wrote: That works real well, are you going lead or resin? Want to keep the posing as similar as possible if so in either case, I imagine an extra/alternate arm on the repeats you showed should be practical and not too expensive? Or are you thinking chopping up the bodies as well? Don't want to add too many options and drag out the cost after all, as that's more money, more moulds and more time...
You're right on that one. The more weapons I do, the more time I have to sink into modifications, and creating all those extra bits. For the fauns that made a lot of sense, but for the satyrs, keeping to some simple classic weapons seemed the easiest way to go. So for now, at least 5 unique weapon variants should be fine. We could easily do these in pewter, but price wise plastic would be the best bet to go.
Emel, who helped us with the sculpting, did stuff for victrix as well, so the revisions should be minimal for HIPS. Even the fauns just needed tweaks.
What is cool is that there is a molding technique that focuses on small amounts of parts vs large frames. Think of it like an interchangeable mold insert. It would give us a good opportunity to do a small five man sprue, or a small series of plastic frames. It is similar in some ways to wargaming factory products. We don't have to be confined to the traditional one mold, one large frame design.
That's still damned expensive! So you are looking at tooling five/six frames for plastic? The addition to a plastic frame isn't that much more but could it be better served by doing command options/variants? (ie the old banner, musician, champion combo). Don't want to press you hard for details but from what I have gathered you are looking at two frames for the fauns (one male, one female), an addition for the centaur and two for satyr? Even at WGF pricing that is a hefty whack just for tooling, not even recouping the sculpting/art/packaging/shipping etc. Overstretch can be a right bugger, are you using WGF? or Renedra?
But if going alternate regardless I think a saex might serve the satyr regardless, it fits the aesthetic of the falx armed troops as a recurved looking option, but looks a distinct option.
cygnnus wrote: Probably won’t change if I’d buy em or not, but I’m not a fan of the Zulu look to those latest renders. I get that other like them, but they’re not my cup of tea.
Valete,
JohnS
Honestly can do just about any quick fix melee item as is. Very easy to make new parts. Zulu weapons are really great for plastic line of draft.
It’s the shields, not the weapons. But I do tend to think that a falx option would be cool...
ingtaer wrote: That's still damned expensive! So you are looking at tooling five/six frames for plastic? The addition to a plastic frame isn't that much more but could it be better served by doing command options/variants? (ie the old banner, musician, champion combo). Don't want to press you hard for details but from what I have gathered you are looking at two frames for the fauns (one male, one female), an addition for the centaur and two for satyr? Even at WGF pricing that is a hefty whack just for tooling, not even recouping the sculpting/art/packaging/shipping etc. Overstretch can be a right bugger, are you using WGF? or Renedra?
But if going alternate regardless I think a saex might serve the satyr regardless, it fits the aesthetic of the falx armed troops as a recurved looking option, but looks a distinct option.
Renedra, good luck getting into. They dont take new clients right now, and are booked up for years. There is a local MA company we are talking to that has the options I was talking about. The molder we were working with wasn't working out for what we wanted. Tooling is expensive regardless, but its cheaper then having to construct a mold device for each frame. As an insert, you would just have the tooled inserts to inter swap. It is the kind that makes sense for special upgrade sprues. Plastic just makes sense to duplicate in mass, vs pewter which racks up fast if you want 20-40 of them.
Fauns will either be intermingled in three frames, or spread out with small plastic frames each. Need the final cost/benefit when the fauns are re modified and re layed out. But banners, musical instruments, part variations would be much better.
cygnnus wrote: Probably won’t change if I’d buy em or not, but I’m not a fan of the Zulu look to those latest renders. I get that other like them, but they’re not my cup of tea.
Valete,
JohnS
Honestly can do just about any quick fix melee item as is. Very easy to make new parts. Zulu weapons are really great for plastic line of draft.
It’s the shields, not the weapons. But I do tend to think that a falx option would be cool...
Valete,
JohnS
That it? The shield is just a hand part really. Its designed openly so that we can swap out for a different design if people wanted it. The shield just made sense since its made out of cow hide.
I like how the Satyr have simple looking weapons, my ideal would be stone weapons for the Satyrs and Centaurs, but I am not sure if Stone weapons can look good in plastic.
Probably could do stone axes, but you'll have to get the imprint detail to make it stand out. Honestly, I dont know 100% of what can and can't be done. I usually just ask on limitations. What stone varieties were you thinking.
Just something with a chipped edge or point (but not Obsidian).
The main issue, I think would be making it look cool.
I agree with the others on the Falx, that would be pretty cool.
I like how the Satyr have simple looking weapons, my ideal would be stone weapons for the Satyrs and Centaurs, but I am not sure if Stone weapons can look good in plastic.
Probably could do stone axes, but you'll have to get the imprint detail to make it stand out. Honestly, I dont know 100% of what can and can't be done. I usually just ask on limitations. What stone varieties were you thinking.
Just something with a chipped edge or point (but not Obsidian).
The main issue, I think would be making it look cool.
I agree with the others on the Falx, that would be pretty cool.
This stuff is looking great. Really good to see someone making good fantasy stuff in HIPS. I have absolutely no idea what I would use them for, but I want them anyway.
Really great designs with a strong cohesive direction.
I don't think the detail on the forearm wraps is deep enough to show up in plastic. The same goes for the chipping on the axes. I would also like to see the ridges on the bows be more distinct for easier painting. Just hopefully helpful c&c from a fan.
I share Gallahad's concern about the wrap detailing though, to a lesser extent someof the arm/face soft tissue. But I know renders v miniatures can mean a world of difference!
Plastic won't replicate like resin and pewter, but this should give us as close of a chance. I'm confident because tim barry, who has done work for just about everyone, informed me this is the closest to seeing what's on the sprue before it's tooled. But, tooling makes a difference as well. Gw stuff for instance is O.1mm tooling, high precision stuff.
Both some really cool designs. The khopesh, in my mind, serves a similar role to that of our bent sword version of the falx. Both emphasizing great impact power from their bends. The Aztec one does look like a cool design to copy, and shift to the theme. I would wonder if they would use it to take back live prisoners? You seem to have the option of blunt instrument or sharp edges.
Redwax is used in computer controlled prototype milling and modeling. Where material is removed, rather than added, to create the model.
*EDIT* The original is destroyed in the process of creating a mold - melted out to leave a cavity, in a process called Lost Wax Casting. Primarily used for jewelry making.
The Auld Grump - and used to be used for bell making.
Redwax is used in computer controlled prototype milling and modeling. Where material is removed, rather than added, to create the model.
*EDIT* The original is destroyed in the process of creating a mold - melted out to leave a cavity, in a process called Lost Wax Casting. Primarily used for jewelry making.
The Auld Grump - and used to be used for bell making.
Nifty! I was unsure what he meant, and thought he might have been referring to the red render on the screen. But thought I would ask anyhow. Thanks for clearing it up.
Unfortunately, I don't know. Since that taking captives for sacrifice was a primary means of social mobility* in Aztec culture, I'd think they'd want the option. However, the blunt side might be mainly for parrying since parrying with the edged side would chip or break the blades.
*(It's been a while since I read about the Aztecs ... I do remember that anyone who took five live captives could become a member of an warrior order like the Eagle or Jaguar Knights. After that quality of captives became important for further promotion.)
rgdgaming wrote: Both some really cool designs. The khopesh, in my mind, serves a similar role to that of our bent sword version of the falx. Both emphasizing great impact power from their bends. The Aztec one does look like a cool design to copy, and shift to the theme. I would wonder if they would use it to take back live prisoners? You seem to have the option of blunt instrument or sharp edges.
Perfect Organism wrote: Actually, I think he was referring to the material in the render. 'Red Wax' is the default matcap for ZBrush.
The more you know.
I would imagine bladed weapons might be a bit of a liability in keeping captives, probably had some techniques with those weapons to make it work. I mean, probably could bring back some that were immobilized or dazed.
Have we seen pictures of these with any beastmen figures for scale? I’m interested in using the centaurs maybe with a head swapped ungor head as light cavalry for my Beastman army.
plessiez wrote: Have we seen pictures of these with any beastmen figures for scale? I’m interested in using the centaurs maybe with a head swapped ungor head as light cavalry for my Beastman army.
Not yet, once we get the modifications done on the male fauns, ill be getting some 3d prints done, and some tooling to start the fest. These are heroic 28mm, but just means its 32mm to make it stand out. If beastmen play by that logic, you should have a comparable size.
We do have similar scale 32mm shaman models made, which share the same premise with the other sculpts. Side by side with it is a true 28mm model.
Perfect Organism wrote: Actually, I think he was referring to the material in the render. 'Red Wax' is the default matcap for ZBrush.
Pretty sure that the Red Wax matcap is the default because of the red wax modeling material - ZBrush is used to make the renders that are then created using the milling machine. Computer controlled milling has been around a bit longer than 3D printing.
So, a bit of a chicken and eggs thing. (Which came first? The egg, by untold generations.)
I didn't know the reasoning behind the redwax matcap, but I'm glad I do know. The more you know!
The sculpts are looking great but the redwax matcap sells them short, personal feelings aside it makes the volumes harder to read and tends to mess up details. They'd look much better with a different material.
Up to the actual thing, we are focusing on the renders. This is just a cheap way for us to give a visual of what we are trying to do, in terms of putting models on 25 mm bases.
I think what he is saying is that your sculptor is sending you renders with material programmed to look like red wax, and the renders would show better if the sculptor chose to display them in a different "material", like a render designed to look like plastic or something.
Gallahad wrote: I think what he is saying is that your sculptor is sending you renders with material programmed to look like red wax, and the renders would show better if the sculptor chose to display them in a different "material", like a render designed to look like plastic or something.
True. They are going to get the same treatment as the fauns, and ill get some clear renders. The idea is mostly there though.
Some more renders up on parts. Last arm to be modified soon for the males, and ill be able to get started on new round of 3d prints for scale, and first layout round for CAD. While we wait for the females to get started we can set up molds for the male side.
@ Rgd gaming, can you give us a bullet point list of what plastic kits are coming? I've kinda lost track at this point. When do you plan on doing your KS? When do you think you can deliver post KS?
Gallahad wrote: @ Rgd gaming, can you give us a bullet point list of what plastic kits are coming? I've kinda lost track at this point. When do you plan on doing your KS? When do you think you can deliver post KS?
Where we are at:
Tim Barry modifying files male and female
Male - Check
Female- Not check
Recheck part combinations/3D Print
Layout
Initial male sprue to be laid out in CAD program
Molder
Master mold developed items tooled
Process is 3-4 weeks.
Plastic Faun kit to be done by summer, kickstarter with both male and female sprues finished and painted up.
Stretch Goals
Extra faun parts (more bodies, banner, left wielded weapons)
Centaur body (sculpt done, needs scaling and modifications)
Chimera
Lord on Chariot
Satyrs (3/5ths done)
2-3 sculptors being enlisted to help finish those projects, granted stretch goals are reached.
Since the females are going to take a bit to fix, I am deciding to get a master mold started, and if what is being offered is still on the table, we can establish the interchangeable steel sheet combinations.
If you just want Fauns and shamans, they will come the quickest. You want stretch goals, we have to wait for tooling. Pewter models are good to go though.
I feel the axe blade would look a bit more practical if the lower point was a little further back compared to the upper one or even removed in favour of turning it into a kind of S shape with a beak at the top turning into a more conventional cutting blade.
Perfect Organism wrote: I feel the axe blade would look a bit more practical if the lower point was a little further back compared to the upper one or even removed in favour of turning it into a kind of S shape with a beak at the top turning into a more conventional cutting blade.
Updates on NP pose bow and shofar. To help with those musician standards.
On the axe, there are different designs. More you could use to puncture armor, others for quick brief blows. Wanted to get an axe to help catch shields, and puncture. But if vikings say anything, there are different techniques you can use even with the long polearm style axes.
Simple, but nice. I like the little horn design on the butt and the spiral pattern you use for weapon hafts.
One tiny criticism; you may find that very sharp points like that are too delicate on actual models. Leaf-shaped speartips would probably be tougher. On the other hand, HIPS is pretty durable and casting inherently softens sharp pieces anyway.
Is that bow held horizontally? That's an interesting pose you don't see often on miniatures and I like it.
Perfect Organism wrote: Simple, but nice. I like the little horn design on the butt and the spiral pattern you use for weapon hafts.
One tiny criticism; you may find that very sharp points like that are too delicate on actual models. Leaf-shaped speartips would probably be tougher. On the other hand, HIPS is pretty durable and casting inherently softens sharp pieces anyway.
Is that bow held horizontally? That's an interesting pose you don't see often on miniatures and I like it.
The plastic should make the sharp point moot.
The bow should be the one held downward. We needed something for the standing neutral pose.
Perfect Organism wrote: He looks great! The arm join seems like it will be barely noticeable and the pose looks very natural.
With the amount of variation in the poses, the seams will be somewhat noticeable. In this case, Tim was helping me align it as close as possible via his software, so it has almost the same effect as if you glued it. He has helped me reduce to 32mm to help it align in scale, showed width on my request, and one set of 3D prints should be incoming soon.
That said, molder is next to take care of the males. We have to come back to the females shortly.
Hello, we are set to confirm the sizing of the parts in a few days, and we have started sprue design ideas with Tim and the molder. This rough image below is helping us gauge prices in the US, and what is available to us in terms of sizing. We started with a 3.5x3.9, and worked up to a 6x4. Spacing allowed, with accessories, enough room to get three bodies in comfortably.
These bodies are divided up into 2 male action poses, and 1 neutral male option. The females will follow suit. The 4 bodies difference is going to be added and modified for a command sprue, if we hit our initial 10k initial goal.
Now, decisions are not final yet, as we need to reach out to the possibilities of the molder. But for now, we have talks set up, and we are going to nail down final ideas.
Proud to announce we will be going forward with the molder soon on the first sprue. Tim Barry has been converting files into XT format from IGS, which from my understanding communicates how the diagram should be etched in the steel.
The first sprue focuses on the male body parts, which we will have molded, painted up, and to show for you guys.
Then we need to leap frog, as the parts take about 20 mins a piece to convert, and the male weapons to be sure scale and size is covered in 3D Print (secondary measure as a precursor to the mold). Though sure we have scale, it takes the surprise out.
We would like to make a pitch soon for our project, so stay tuned.
Took a lot of learning by scratch. As a heads up, the molder will be us based for those concerned. Nothing surprising in the east.
Other then the molder not liking a particular file, what I have should be good to go. Still a bit of work to make the females up to snuff though.
It wasn't enough to just have an IGS file. Each file literally had to be put into line of draft, and then formatted into XT for the molder, at their request.
Cool stuff I learned though, you can still make models and molds out of STL, provided the molder has the equipment. Mold times seem to be around 3-4 weeks, or with some as little as 1-2 with the right equipment.
Also, heads and torsos are joined now. The 3D prints were too finicky to work with, and though it took a bit of reworking, the torsos were able to be rejoined.
Female and male shamans boosted to 34.5mm from 32mm. To correct for the scaling of the fauns and to alleviate the small feel of the female. Male should stand out even more now.
rgdgaming wrote: Think we should give it up to the new piece of art?
While I prefer color in box art, I also think the B/W picture looks better. Perhaps use the B/W with a picture of painted models on the cover for the eyecatch.
As for figures I'm mainly interested in the centaur part of the project, although I do like what has been done with the fauns.
This has been the latest update. Still think its coming together pretty well. Waiting to see how Matt finishes it off in color for that piece above. On that centaur, we did go over that with Tim just recently, we got the horse boosted to 34.5 so as to sync up with the body. Tim is going to do another number on it when the kickstarter pushes. We need to put it in line of draft, but more importantly he is going to see how he can fit the torsos more seamlessly. The pictures we had showed them at 25mm, so that slight boost will put them with other horses.
HIPS Plastic is still the goal, use whatever glue you wish. Its just a friendly reminder that you need glue to assemble models (don't get me started on tedious labels).
From reading the description on the back I would assume they are PVC (if I didn’t already know they are going to be HIPS) and that might put people off maybe change to hard plastic and change super glue to plastic glue.
DaveC wrote: From reading the description on the back I would assume they are PVC (if I didn’t already know they are going to be HIPS) and that might put people off maybe change to hard plastic and change super glue to plastic glue.
Ah, fair point, easy fix I can make on the back.
After getting everything into line of draft for HIPS, it would be a waste to see people assume PVC.
No problem, Tim is in a bit of stride while working on the files. Since we need them done anyhow, he's just getting them out of the way since he knows we need to get the females into line of draft.
Good news, deposit has hit the molder, XT files of first sprue are in.
Zywus wrote: Call me crazy, but I think one of those swords look a lot like an axe
All the better to hack you with. Sculptor had some creative freedom with it. The idea was something you could hack or snatch shields with for the unwary.
Small update, first sprue is being optimized for plastic flow. Parts submitted for initial examples.
Important update: we appear to be the next slated job with the molder. More information will work its way through the vines.
So far sprue #1
5 heads
4 bodies (2 and 2)
4 pairs of legs (2 and 2)
4 javelin racks
4 quivers
4 shoulder pads
4 shields
4 shield arms
What these pictures represent below are the etching patterns for the mold. Each modified to fit within line of draft, and usable for HIPS plastic, or simply hard plastic.
We are going to knock out the first sprue, paint some examples up, and from here we want to make a pitch to take us to the home stretch.
Our job at the moment is continuing to get files ready for the molder. Once those are readied, its just a matter of quantifying parts for the next sprue. So literally feeding the beast.
Packaging details appear to be ready for use with our printer.
Molds for the updated shamans are ready, as well as the Minotaur.
Thank you for sticking with us, this has been a crazy ride.
ingtaer wrote: Looking good, do you reckon you are still on track? Really excited to see the final proofs from this project.
The last minute requests to go to XT from IGS did add some time. While it pushed to the end of summer, we got the basic necessities ready to get the process initiated. The females need to be readied still, but since we are just doing them anyways, we are attempting to speed things up. The male XT files are nearly finished.
XT files then can be placed out as so. Idea in mind is to fill in the real estate cavity with two new male heads, and place the shofar. Orange, the highlighted runners.
Alright, seems best course of action to mold this project is the MUD system. Since we can etch out a flat piece of steel for the clamps, it makes sense to use an interchanging slab system vs a one use type mold. One awesome advantage after making the design is the ability to use already established MUD molds, as you can switch out standardized steel slabs with a determined frame in the middle of it. Or you can build one up for your own ends. Very nifty cost saver!
Other implications: you can interchange other slab designs for unique sprues, or revisions.
Some updates at the moment. Progress has been made from 2D sprue design, to 3D sprue design. Tim has started drafting the females for angles, and we have our first female head render. He is going to try his hardest to keep the feminine look intact as possible. In other news, Matt has been working slowly but purposefully on the faun art below. Dont' mind the reference points he is using for the legs and ears. Death Mask took up four spots on the sprue, so delegating it to the command sprue. First sprue has 6 heads, special shofar accessory, and two two handed weapon attachments to complete the middle.
Looks like there is a little bit of space left on the sprue, maybe enough for a pouch or something? You can never have too many pouches, in my opinion.
Perfect Organism wrote: Looks like there is a little bit of space left on the sprue, maybe enough for a pouch or something? You can never have too many pouches, in my opinion.
Filled in with an accessory arm, and 2 handed weapon attachments. Was going to have the antlers, but dimensions were tight. The red square showed me how far reaching the antlers are.
Command sprue sounds like we could add pouches. We have a satchel type that went with the female shaman, so we have an asset to play with. We wanted to add a peltasts shield as well.
No sprue real estate shall be overlooked . Otherwise it's just a bridge, which looks weird.
If you are taking suggestions, how about trophy heads? The ancient Celts (among others) practiced headhunting, and nailed enemies' heads to walls and posts.
rgdgaming wrote: Filled in with an accessory arm, and 2 handed weapon attachments. Was going to have the antlers, but dimensions were tight. The red square showed me how far reaching the antlers are.
Command sprue sounds like we could add pouches. We have a satchel type that went with the female shaman, so we have an asset to play with. We wanted to add a peltasts shield as well.
No sprue real estate shall be overlooked . Otherwise it's just a bridge, which looks weird.
Arms specifically carrying heads? The catch is, whatever we add, it makes a lot of sense to build it around things that may or may not be available to kitbash. But I have no qualms against it. Using heads to spook your enemies was quite a tribal way to deter violence.
rgdgaming wrote: Arms specifically carrying heads? The catch is, whatever we add, it makes a lot of sense to build it around things that may or may not be available to kitbash. But I have no qualms against it. Using heads to spook your enemies was quite a tribal way to deter violence.
Arms would work, but I was thinking more of a head or heads hanging by their hair from a figure's belt. So it would fit much like Perfect Organism's pouch. Although, if it's feasible, having the head(s) detailed on both sides would let us attach them to the standard's crosspiece. "Hey, Romans! Looking for your buddies? Well, look up here!"
And, yes, offering bits that are not readily available elsewhere will make the final product more saleable.
rgdgaming wrote: Arms specifically carrying heads? The catch is, whatever we add, it makes a lot of sense to build it around things that may or may not be available to kitbash. But I have no qualms against it. Using heads to spook your enemies was quite a tribal way to deter violence.
Arms would work, but I was thinking more of a head or heads hanging by their hair from a figure's belt. So it would fit much like Perfect Organism's pouch. Although, if it's feasible, having the head(s) detailed on both sides would let us attach them to the standard's crosspiece. "Hey, Romans! Looking for your buddies? Well, look up here!"
And, yes, offering bits that are not readily available elsewhere will make the final product more saleable.
Belts shouldn't be a problem. I could relay that to the sculptors, like the idea of a connected piece to the standard, if desired.
rgdgaming wrote: Belts shouldn't be a problem. I could relay that to the sculptors, like the idea of a connected piece to the standard, if desired.
Cool. It doesn't have to be a belt. It would sort of like gluing a scabbard on a figure's hip. In this case, the hair is the upper part that glues to the belt or hip while the head dangles below. (This would be easier with pictures.) Anyway, I'm sure your sculptors know their business.
Painting progression from Mat. Mold insert designer showcasing the 3D blocks before proceeding to the MUD end of the design. An idea of what is on the mold frame.
Play by play, the grey square in the middle is the injection site for the plastic. The peg looking circles are points where screws will be needed to hold the frame in place. Each square container defines the spacing between the parts. The next design update will focus on ejector pins, gates, and runners.
Some rough 3D printing to help us scale up the females with a GW gor. Notice the difference in mass, but similar height. Females will have a smaller frame vs the faun males, but will stand together fairly similarly. Down the road, with some painted models, we will get more professional level photos up because our lighting leaves much to be desired in this department.
That weapon looks alarmingly delicate. I do like that your proportions are much more believable than GW's, but I'm concerned that these models will be very easily broken. On the other hand, I'm probably never going to actually play with them, just get them to paint, so it isn't such a problem for me...
Understandable. That is a concern of mine, so once we get this first mold done I will make a call and check out how the hard plastic compensates for it. Occasionally pewter comes in handy for such occasions.
Gallahad wrote: Please bulk them up a bit! Those swords and arms just won't last.
Because we are dealing with a 3D print that may reflect only 80% of the durability, plastic is going to have to be determiner. I am able to flick the weapon without it snapping like a twig. These models would not be ideal in resin, that is for sure. That said, going to procure an ungor raider, and do another side by side.
Gallahad wrote: Please bulk them up a bit! Those swords and arms just won't last.
Because we are dealing with a 3D print that may reflect only 80% of the durability, plastic is going to have to be determiner. I am able to flick the weapon without it snapping like a twig. These models would not be ideal in resin, that is for sure. That said, going to procure an ungor raider, and do another side by side.
That would be helpful, cause looking at that pic it does indeed look really fragile. I would be terrified of transporting that just like my Malifaux stuff with really thin barrels (and they are HIPS).
So talked it over with Tim on this. What we are going to do is thicken blade edges on the males, and increase them on the females. The thinness is a weak point we can address now to save some issues down the road. When we get that combined with the hard plastic, we are pretty sure you'll be able to enjoy it.
Other business, grabbing an ungor raider to see how they will match up for you. The base faun wasn't originally made to be a gor replacement in mind, hence the differences in mass. The closest equivalent was the raiders, as the Kings of War version uses hunters.
Hey guys, just going to go over the thickness of all the weapons consistently. Attached is the falx with the added thickness. It was also done in a way it doesn't interfere with the main body. Also, some finished art work from Mat on our fauns.
I really like the Centaur Legs they looks real damn..., that's designed well , I remeber the horrible Samourai's horses thin legs in some Wargames lunches some like spaghetti legs.
Leo.B
lossif Adil wrote: I really like the Centaur Legs they looks real damn..., that's designed well , I remeber the horrible Samourai's horses thin legs in some Wargames lunches some like spaghetti legs.
Leo.B
And believe it or not, one sculptor formed it, another took it a notch up, and Tim will up it once for plastic and better alignment with the fauns.
On good news, thickening for all of the male weapons should be done by next week. Here is our latest modification, which incidentally turned into a more decorative sword then imagined. I am going to refer to it as the bird sword.
So here is the point where a 3D MUD design can tell you how a mold can be used to make a sprue frame. The MUD design was 3D built, then is translated to a 2D design for assembly instructions. At the point you get to 2D you can get mold makers to do the EDM work. The issue for models is that US molders are not oriented to this kind of work. Therefor, if you can get the design done by someone who can establish the design, you have most of the work for the molder done for them. EDM is the bulk of the job.
To save costs, you can go the MUD route. Its a slab of steel that goes with a base that a molder can buy from a catalog. Dimensions are pretty wide, but are narrow if the company only has some mud bases, with a little bit of wiggle room if the company has spacers. For instance, a 6x4 MUD slab. If someone had a 12x20, it wont work really.
MUD slabs are cheaper to design for, cheaper to tool, but don't have the production capacity as a dedicated mold. Dedicated molds have more cavity options.
Are there US companies who can make sprues? Yes. Is it feasible to go to the UK or China? Yes.
Experience with China production reps
Get the design done ahead of time, do not come off as new. They are stubborn on PVC or ABS. They will not question you much, so the work needs to be done right ahead of time. I found female reps are easier to work with if they engage with you. Reps who don't engage, will not have your best interests in mind. Miscommunications happen quite often. You can haggle, but it gets to a point where you risk getting lower quality materials. Chinese wholesalers make more money selling in large batches. Companies that demand higher numbers MOQ, can be negotiated with if you're willing to offer more per unit (less work for a wholesaler, and more profit greases the wheel). If you are not willing to go to China, send a rep (foreign companies do offer this option). Its easier to get swindled when a company knows it wont be called out on it. In short, if you can call the BS out ahead of time, you will get farther. That said, there are good companies out there, and you will gravitate to them. Pewter molding is big still, and 3D printing is godly cheap to ship in the country. Repeat business relationships are valued, and are factored into business deals. Nearly all companies use a VPN, so chatting on skype, wechat, or email is possible.
Is it cheaper? I don't really think its as worth it as some may. You are at the mercy of the chinese legal system, and unless you get the contract, be prepared to be at the whims of the company. Ending a contract without a penalty can leave you with a penalty anyways. As the company may ask for a break fee to save face with their bosses. Seems to be a cultural thing.
If you ship any molds back, you have to deal with US and Chinese customs, pay for shipping, insurance, and documentation fees, possibly tariffs for high value goods. If the mold isnt done to excellence, you may still have to refine and pay a molder to get it to par. If you can get through all that, China has some of the best experience available for sprues, beyond the UK.
The difference in prices are getting on par now, because companies have to invest more now to keep up to western standards.
Fun learning experience, if not with its share of pitfalls
All that leaves us, is making this mold, painting up examples, and preparing the kickstarter page. Based on the remainder of costs, it would be cost efficient to try do this back to back to back. By making the mold, we can showcase that we can make sprue frames of the fauns in injection plastic. We worked hard to make sure we could build a level of trust if possible.
Interesting post on getting the moulds sorted out, were you talking with Wargames Factory in China?
Look forward to seeing the actual production mould and the first shots.
Should be done thickening the males here, Tim has been spending the past week or so going over every last male weapon and boosting them by 50%. The fear of the parts being thin was validated with further 3D prints. Far cheaper to fix before molds start. The guidelines now will reflect in the females.
Abery molds was our prospect, but unfortunately they just didn't fit the bill. Unsure which factory does Wargames Factory stuff. In my searching I found many Chinese companies with borrowed pictures. Got a recommendation for one in Hong Kong that did rubicons stuff (though there website is kind of sketchy) hah. After asking about HIPS plastic, the designers essentially were pushed out of their comfort zone. Tried Sk Engineering in the UK, which does all of Victrix stuff, but we were so early in the game that I think they wrote us off. There were a few other UK ones, but they insisted on doing their own sculpting to fit the mold. Renedra, had a 2 year waiting list, and wasn't accepting clients. Small family run shop.
After my setbacks with Abery Molds, I got to talking with Tim Barry (great guy by the way) he pointed us in the direction of a molder and designer. He also took our STL files, and modified them to fit into line of draft (which he quite good at). So in America, there is a small shop called JB precision in MA, has a reputation for good EDM work (has done sprues for this). Secondary prospect is Beratek industries, who not only can do EDM, but shipping, packing and assembly of products. Third option is a logistics option, called Rex Plastics in WA state. Accurate EDM there as well.
Top 2= Beratek and JB
Based on what I saw quote wise in China vs USA, the long term option for a MUD design made more sense in the US. That in light of tariffs, we may have added costs sticking to China. Though we do have a pewter molding company with molds of our pewter designs ready, as they have been excellent to work with. Rising Chance on Alibaba.
Since we have the design done, we just have to have one of the three companies above replicate the work. MUD molds are fairly universal, and the cost savings are mainly reflected in the fact that you can purchase equipment to go with the tooled half of the project, and use it in a similar manner to a traditional mold. Traditional molds cost more, offer more shots, and more flexibility in cavity options. We were unsure how big the project would take us, so 25,000 shots seemed like a fair estimate. We still need to make a few more sprue frames (hence kickstarter). We are assessing the differences of costs vs the experience and equipment, and coming to a final decision soon. Logistically Beratek and Rex can eliminate packing needs and distribution to shipbob, but JB has already done the stuff.
We wanted to do it all in one go, but we came into the reality of the situation, and the least we could do was prove the concept was viable.
So here is the witch about this, it is hard to find a sculptor who is also familiar with line of draft. All sculptors I worked with or talked to use zbrush/maya. Tim, for example, uses freeform magic, which is a CAD and sculpting software. The software is easily 7k, and a haptic device another few k. After talking with a victrix sculptor, I found out that the molding companies will usually have someone do that on behalf of the sculptors. So for anyone interested, take into consideration you may have to pay one to sculpt, one to revise, another to design, and other to mold.
Wargames Factory are actually their own production and casting house now, they came about due to the debacle of the Torn Armour kickstarter. Reason I asked was because I am pretty sure Tim done a lot of the sculpting for both Defiance and WGF.
Tim did, but after the director for Defiance pulled his crap with the kickstarter (Tim, and even the mold designers) were never paid. He went freelance since. Looked up the business, and found out that Tony (tonney?) still has the entity alive, but has multiple years of unpaid business taxes as well. I don' t think he has a snow balls chance of coming back. Tim is very vocal about his work though, loves to chat, need to have a beer with him at some point.
Would really like to avoid defiance backlash if possible, one man is really to blame.
That aside, we have a few more bracing swords.
Seem like replicas, but we did a line up of overhand, bracing and downward holding weapons. More poses, more options.
Nice, are you going for any two handed ones as well?
And yeah totally get you on avoiding anything with that whole gakfest, however the casting company in China took over the name and still produce (or actually produce) as they do the plastics for Wyrd and Kingdom Death. Was just an idle thought.
ingtaer wrote: Nice, are you going for any two handed ones as well?
And yeah totally get you on avoiding anything with that whole gakfest, however the casting company in China took over the name and still produce (or actually produce) as they do the plastics for Wyrd and Kingdom Death. Was just an idle thought.
Probably did. After hearing about the investor deals, glad they at least did something productive from it.
And of course, fauns without two handed weapons is asking for a bruising from the beastmen players.
We have a two handed falx and battleaxe for the neutral poses. We are actually open to ideas as we will be adding to the mix once kickstarter hits. People want banners, more heads, more torsos, more actionable poses. Never a dull day (except waiting in between big project milestones, those suck bad, which is why you can get carried away with side projects, art, and more add ons.
That is a tasty Falx, a whole unit with them would look killer.
Other than the command options (fancy weapon, banner and musician) I cant say as I have an opinion on extras bar not getting carried away! Personally I prefer cleaner lines on models and so don't use extra pouches and gubbins but I am sure lots of people will ask for them.
One sees in a lot of campaigns that creators get pushed into adding more stuff, more alternates, more options, more models etc. and then backers get annoyed when for some bizarre reason the project gets delayed.
Who would have thought that the extra stuff asked for takes time to produce?
I would have to go back through the thread and check but I seem to remember that there was significant options already (hand weapons, shields, bows, spears, javelins and 2 handed weapons?) which seems like plenty. Is the stretch goal stuff an added sprue or resin/metal parts?
Falx does indeed look very nice. Actually tempted to start an AoS beastmen (or whatever they are called now) force, just so I can do something with these models.
ingtaer wrote: That is a tasty Falx, a whole unit with them would look killer.
Other than the command options (fancy weapon, banner and musician) I cant say as I have an opinion on extras bar not getting carried away! Personally I prefer cleaner lines on models and so don't use extra pouches and gubbins but I am sure lots of people will ask for them.
One sees in a lot of campaigns that creators get pushed into adding more stuff, more alternates, more options, more models etc. and then backers get annoyed when for some bizarre reason the project gets delayed.
Who would have thought that the extra stuff asked for takes time to produce?
I would have to go back through the thread and check but I seem to remember that there was significant options already (hand weapons, shields, bows, spears, javelins and 2 handed weapons?) which seems like plenty. Is the stretch goal stuff an added sprue or resin/metal parts?
If we go overboard, I can see it taking a lot longer. Sculpting for each item takes time (our whole batch for the fauns was 6 months from one sculptor). We then need to have it refined by Tim. Which takes times because we are not his only client. Then we have to wait for designs. Before you know it, half a year has passed and you got yourself mad folks.
Not to mention cost. It costs around 5-7k to design the mold to go with the sprue and calibrate it for use. Each arm, body $150-$200, revising another $100-$200 per part. 10k easily.
Now....if you did just sculpts, and wanted to add pewter kits to supplement desires. That is much much more feasible. You're mainly worried about sculpting and 3D printing costs. But not everyone digs pewter with plastic, even though it would be faster to set up.
We want to do a command sprue to add a banner, leader types, special heads, some new shields, unique weapons or weapon combination. But past that I would rather channel resources into the centaur and satyr sprues.
Enlisting up to three sculptors this go. Provided Tim has some free time for a few special add ons.
Yeah pewter and plastic don't mix that well in most cases, it should be fine for bits like heads but pewter arms and larger items would probably just break off very easily especially considering how thin the models are.
Personally I would be happy with a minimal kickstarter of just one or two kits such as the fauns and centaurs seeing as they use a lot of the same sprues. An all pewter commander model could be a good idea though if you wanted to go that route?
I think it is great how much you are listening to everyone's input, it should result in a really awesome product!
Commander Cain wrote: Yeah pewter and plastic don't mix that well in most cases, it should be fine for bits like heads but pewter arms and larger items would probably just break off very easily especially considering how thin the models are.
Personally I would be happy with a minimal kickstarter of just one or two kits such as the fauns and centaurs seeing as they use a lot of the same sprues. An all pewter commander model could be a good idea though if you wanted to go that route?
I think it is great how much you are listening to everyone's input, it should result in a really awesome product!
May just have to do multiple rounds to get all of our wish lists taken care of. Just being able to focus strictly on fauns and centaurs would be awesome, since we already have minotaurs and shamans done. A unique commander would be very doable in pewter.
StygianBeach wrote: The worst thing about Pewter/Plastic hybrids is that the models like to flip over.
From my experience, the lighter the better. Unless you want to counter balance the weight of the model. On occasion, have used pennies. Some parts, like shields, can do in a pinch, or heads, small weapons, but metal banners would be troublesome. Biggest annoyance growing up was the full pewter blood thirster from yonder year. Could not stay together well enough.
Ah good old metal banners on a plastic body. I remember putting a coin under a Skaven (from around 2000) banner bearer and that was not enough, so i attached a second base to it's rear with a coin under that too.
StygianBeach wrote: Ah good old metal banners on a plastic body. I remember putting a coin under a Skaven (from around 2000) banner bearer and that was not enough, so i attached a second base to it's rear with a coin under that too.
Bulky metal usually is asking for trouble.
Nothing crazy on our end right now, 2D assembly of the mold for packaging for us is going on, then quotes matched to the best talents of the companies we want to employ. After having the first designed and tested, we have the frame work to repeat the process for the weapon and female portion of the sprues.
We should have 3D prints of the upgraded weapons to go with the body soon, and we nabbed our ungor to go along with the gor.
Kickstarter will narrow us down to Fauns and Centaurs for round 1. Faun shamans and minotaur will be available though.
Bought two versions of the ungor to compare, to go with the Gor. The fauns should not be overly muscled, as GW had a different methodology and lore for the beastmen that explains their size (pecking size). Fauns were notably smaller in stature. Size is 34.5mm high. Trimmer muscles, longer legs.
They look really good, glad the thickening hasn't thrown the proportion out of whack. Looking forward to seeing them painted up.
For the kickstarter where are you going to place the Satyr? I gathered they are metal and already mastered? So that is going to be a stretch goal? Sorry for being nosey I am just interested to see how you are planning on mapping out the stretch goals!
ingtaer wrote: They look really good, glad the thickening hasn't thrown the proportion out of whack. Looking forward to seeing them painted up.
For the kickstarter where are you going to place the Satyr? I gathered they are metal and already mastered? So that is going to be a stretch goal? Sorry for being nosey I am just interested to see how you are planning on mapping out the stretch goals!
Tim was pretty good with it. He can modify the parts absent messing with scale. He has to isolate them in freeform.
Satyrs are currently sculpted up, but non-refined for plastic. So if need be, we could just 3D print and have them molded for pewter. I ideally wanted them to be in plastic, but gauging the timeline and resources, its sounding more practical at this moment to focus on fauns and centaurs, and if the pace is still good, we can make an assessment to go from there.
Here is the breakdown difference of satyrs in plastic vs pewter
Satyr STL-Done
3D prints $200
Mold $90
Plastic
Line of draft revision per part, plus XT conversion ($2000-$2500)
Design for five man sprue ($5000-$7000)
Mold (Mudset) maybe 8k-10k
Realisticly looking at round 1 kickstarter- Get fauns and centaurs done, this includes finished Minotaur, Male and Female shamans. If I did pewter, could include satyrs as set packs.
Based on wants of the backers, see if the second round interests focusing on each unit add on as its own stand alone kickstarter round.
Adding up all the costs, it would be ambitious to do everything in one go. But it could be done with a team of sculptors, and the designers in place.
And off subject:
Attached is a JPG of what molders see at 2D layout stage. I am afraid I cant show everything, but this should give you an idea.
ingtaer wrote: Very nice, very delicate but not terrifyingly so. Just got to get em painted up now!
Next project, after initial mold.
Where we are at, 2D instructions have been sent out to roughly 6 companies with capabilities in EDM in the US. New quotes are being gathered for a MUD mold set. As this was not our background, we had the mold designers put in a good word on ideal parts. They've been awesome and a life saver!
Mold 1 shows proof of concept for the models, signalling that we can do a plastic job.
Painting the model will then show proof of work
Proof of work, we build kickstarter page (Tim also does photoshop! I swear he can do everything)
Kickstarter hopefully goes well, and we build our fauns and centaurs (and any other add ons) we would love to kill the goal on day 1. Or at the least, hit it within 30 days. Lot of work has been put in, I think people will be amazed at the level of detail these fauns will come out to.
ingtaer wrote: How stands your projected date for the kickstarter to go live?
Holidays are going to kill us on time, but if we can get the molder down payment in, mold will still take 2-3 weeks. Painting, maybe 1-2 weeks with busy schedule of painter. Kickstarter page, Tim does stuff part time for each client, so up in the air. Projected date is into 2019. Hopefully before spring. Ill keep updates going.
Sculpts are done, fixes are applied to males, will apply to females, and centaurs just need a round of refining and line of draft work.
Fauns we can pack to a mold design, get them worked on, and get ready for the next mold, since we have them in the format we need.
We have ALOT of parts, and it takes Tim 20 minutes each part to convert something into XT, or longer if the angle of draft is a challenge. Now multiply all the parts for the males, on top of the females. Its why we have been down so long. That and getting them into proper line of draft.
Probably a blessing that you will be post holidays, one would have to check kickstarter but I cant imagine that its a good time to launch, seems Feb at earliest would garner the largest cash injection.
I was thinking earlier on the centaurs and was wondering, you are not going integral bases nor rails for slotta bases are you at all worried about the connection points when it comes to gluing them to bases? it seems that one would have two/three very narrow points to glue with the associated issues that causes.
Yeah, the ungors have small feet which are difficult to glue to a base.
Surfboards are quite a handy way around this, but some people do not like these.
StygianBeach wrote: Yeah, the ungors have small feet which are difficult to glue to a base.
Surfboards are quite a handy way around this, but some people do not like these.
Ideally going to be sold with kings of war or whfb in mind. The feet have enough contact surface that the models will hold steadily with some glue. With the horse hooves, we could increase the surface area for gluing. And if need be, we can make "surfboards" as most horses I notice have this type of function. In the sense we might be able to just craft both, as the polls were split.
ingtaer wrote: Are the sprues from Shadows of Brimstone? These samples from the manufacturer? If so then that looks very promising indeed.
Same ones.
I've been creating a rolodex of HIPS molders for myself at the moment, assessing if the quality here is interesting enough to try on our fauns. Can be achieved in 40 days, and sample in hand to show before, and the tooling is affordable.
Freeform appears to be a faster way for some of the molders to get from A to B. Quick refinement of STLs into STP. Pictures as so. The molder we are looking into is quoting a 40 day lead time once we have money in. The tooling sample sent for verification. Tooling costs had some massive savings when allowed to reuse a base, and just tool an aluminum insert.
Less wear and tear, softer, and has a good endurance for shot life.
Tim's going to be doing some minor fixes to help with the after freeform CNC comparison, wire will be going in, and we will be on the road to getting our first mold tooled. Here are some examples that came up.
Had to be, us companies want to make each mold 1,000,000 shot worthy, and even a mud mold, the tooling they wanted was 60k. Reshoring was 28k. We aimed to reduce tooling costs wherever we could, and finally negotiated a tooled insert in aluminum. People keep shrugging with aluminum molding, but it doesn't wear out the instruments as fast as garden variety steel. 40 days is an estimate, but not out of line with lead times of this type. We will see how the test run goes. Have to be optimistic, or I'll never get anything done . No ones out money for my risk
seems pretty streamlined, you upload your files and they send you a quote .. never got too far with them myself because all of my files are STLs done in Zbrush and they say they need to be CAD based files.
Protolabs was a consideration, but they are best for small parts, and not ideal for family molds. The silicone molds they do are not necessarily ideal for this run. You want a mold maker, not a part shop. I encourage asking if you don't believe.
File size needs to be small as well.
Stp files in this range were 12gb
Took 32gigs of ram to render, the part shops dealt with 100mb. Equipment needs differed. Even the moldmakers were hot and miss.
Worst case I learned how to make a sprue, and can try other projects . Doing this taught me more about toy design and manufacturing then a class could.
Finally was able to get this broken up. So isolating the plates, was able to get at viewing different parts of the mold. Remarkable difference, as the plates barely touched 50mb, let alone the 12gb with the 3D models. First hand look at designs for a mold for our project, cool stuff. Simple MUD mold, A and B side, screws hold it together. ALOT of screws.
That will be a stretch goal, 2.6k quoted to get them in line of draft, time modified to adapt to parts. Going through the rounds to get the first tooling started.
so turned out the molder was a bit callous on face details. The accuracy was in the ball park, but in the way of the representative handling the matter, we had to stop their process. A small set back.
But, we had a friend reach out, and have a new lead to get us from 0.02mm down to 0.01mm, and 2-3 week lead times.
ingtaer wrote: That sucks to hear mate, hope it wasn't too acrimonious.
But then there was good news as well! Look forward to seeing the samples.
Alarming when the molder claims you cant good details until about 40mm. All wasn't in vain though, we kept in contact with leads and we will be partnering with Wargames Atlantic LLC to make some models. We had some common goals in mind, and thought our models could coexist. Down payment out tomorrow, sprue formation is changing a bit, but more later.
Bare arms have at least 2 each, shoulder pad and shield 2 as well. To streamline the first mold, while also offering parts enough to do weapons and bodies, we condensed, and placed parts as so. Mentality hasn't changed much, as the females will replicate the idea, and the third focusing on the goody bag of weapons.
Tooling is streamlined, so after the male, we expect to try 10k for each section of the molds thereafter. 10K nets females, 20k weapons, 30k centaurs etc
Mirrored. We can essentially produce two bodies twice if needed, alleviating the space for the third mold where we can increase the amount of parts to toy with
rgdgaming wrote: off topic, but I couldn't help but find: wargames factory LTD does GW stuff?
Having signed an NDA when I was painting Wargames Factory's display models a couple years ago (which is likely still in force), I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Seems they do some of the stuff. Im sure if subscribed more cargo logs could be found. But you can trace each companies molder to a boat, Hong Kong seems to be really popular.
0.2mm-0.3mm molders aren't too hard to find
0.1mm molders definitely locked up
Rubicon models appears to be one of the best shots, they partner with a studio in HK.
Looking for critiques and feedback on the kickstarter page preview for now. We are awaiting samples in February, so updates are inevitably due. We want to hear how we can step it up a notch for you. Delivery times aren't set in stone yet, and we want to show mold samples on the page.
It is great to see the project come so far, but it pains me to write that the models are just not Heroic enough for me.
Sure up close they look great, but from my lofty heights over the table they will look too thin and smooth for my unsophisticated eyes.
I like easy to see details, even if it defies realistic anatomy, but I know others prefer a more true representation.
StygianBeach wrote: It is great to see the project come so far, but it pains me to write that the models are just not Heroic enough for me.
Sure up close they look great, but from my lofty heights over the table they will look too thin and smooth for my unsophisticated eyes.
I like easy to see details, even if it defies realistic anatomy, but I know others prefer a more true representation.
I would reserve judgement until we get some painted models, and some better photos. I realize that everything on the page so far isn't necessarily over the top. One thing we've always needed was a good photographer. Consensus so far is better photos, any info that stands out as weird to you guys?
rgdgaming wrote: Looking for critiques and feedback on the kickstarter page preview for now. We are awaiting samples in February, so updates are inevitably due. We want to hear how we can step it up a notch for you. Delivery times aren't set in stone yet, and we want to show mold samples on the page.
I don't want to come off wrong so forgiveness in advance but mate those photos are awful, do yourself a favour and spend a few extra bucks to hire a professional with rig. They are the showcase of your talent and hardwork as well as being the main draw for your project and you really shouldn't skimp here. Renders are great and can sell projects by themselves but if you have actual miniatures to show then they need to be seen in the best possible light, for clarity/detail/hype the photos need to be as good as you can get including dressed sets etc. Further to this, the photo labelled the mini that strated it all needs to be front and center, it is well painted and looks fantastic, furthermore it makes much more sense to show first than the centaur which is a stretch goal, so why is the centaur shown first in the model stage? I would ask you to cut out from "Resin, Pewter and 3D Prototypes" to "*lead free pewter at 34.5mm" and add that to the end (just before goals). If the text starts with the Faun that began it all and ran through to the Centaur/Minotaur the story makes sense and show cases the initial goal.
Second, your shipping means nothing. Whats a LB of sprues? I don't know and am not going to go and weigh my sprues to find out. I could, but if I am going to give you money you should make it as easy as possible for me to do so. Estimate how many boxes that comes too per tier, round it out and add a slight margin and list that as the price (ie. four boxes of Fauns costs tier 1 shipping to EU rather than a LB).
Third, solely as a matter of taste but I found it read as rather clinical... it lacks jazz/hype. It lets me know what you are doing, why and what it costs but it lacks a certain excitement.
rgdgaming wrote: Looking for critiques and feedback on the kickstarter page preview for now. We are awaiting samples in February, so updates are inevitably due. We want to hear how we can step it up a notch for you. Delivery times aren't set in stone yet, and we want to show mold samples on the page.
I don't want to come off wrong so forgiveness in advance but mate those photos are awful, do yourself a favour and spend a few extra bucks to hire a professional with rig. They are the showcase of your talent and hardwork as well as being the main draw for your project and you really shouldn't skimp here. Renders are great and can sell projects by themselves but if you have actual miniatures to show then they need to be seen in the best possible light, for clarity/detail/hype the photos need to be as good as you can get including dressed sets etc. Further to this, the photo labelled the mini that strated it all needs to be front and center, it is well painted and looks fantastic, furthermore it makes much more sense to show first than the centaur which is a stretch goal, so why is the centaur shown first in the model stage? I would ask you to cut out from "Resin, Pewter and 3D Prototypes" to "*lead free pewter at 34.5mm" and add that to the end (just before goals). If the text starts with the Faun that began it all and ran through to the Centaur/Minotaur the story makes sense and show cases the initial goal.
Second, your shipping means nothing. Whats a LB of sprues? I don't know and am not going to go and weigh my sprues to find out. I could, but if I am going to give you money you should make it as easy as possible for me to do so. Estimate how many boxes that comes too per tier, round it out and add a slight margin and list that as the price (ie. four boxes of Fauns costs tier 1 shipping to EU rather than a LB).
Third, solely as a matter of taste but I found it read as rather clinical... it lacks jazz/hype. It lets me know what you are doing, why and what it costs but it lacks a certain excitement.
(no offense taken on the photos, I need place holders)
This is the kind of critique I was looking for. When it started out, it was an idea for price ranges in shipping. When the actual set got put together, we could weigh it and give people a better response. So going with the pewter faun up front, leading to the eventual sprues/painted models, letting it transition to the centaurs going down I could see that being more natural to people going from one end to the next.
I would look at some of the big miniature kickstarters for some inspiration. CMON always have very bright and energetic pages for every game they churn out that I would recommend looking at.
No amount of photoshop is going to save those pictures though, better to stick to just pictures of renders unless you have the actual models professionally done I think.
Maybe a 360 degree video of an individual faun would be a good addition as well?
So, this is amazing, and exactly why I love Dakka, despite not being around for a year or so. Love it all, thank you so much for taking the time to share it in so much detail!
Fauns and centaurs have been a project I have been messing with for a while, and you are doing a great job, so much so that I will probably just buy these and not mess with mine anymore
One idea for the two handed weapons, to add variety, is to make 2-3 different arm sets holding shafts, then have a handful of different tops that can be added. If each head has a small hole or divot where the top of the shaft can nestle into it will be plenty secure, and allow either a lot of uniformity or variation in weapon types and sizes for a minimal amount of sprue space.
Wehrkind wrote: So, this is amazing, and exactly why I love Dakka, despite not being around for a year or so. Love it all, thank you so much for taking the time to share it in so much detail!
Fauns and centaurs have been a project I have been messing with for a while, and you are doing a great job, so much so that I will probably just buy these and not mess with mine anymore
One idea for the two handed weapons, to add variety, is to make 2-3 different arm sets holding shafts, then have a handful of different tops that can be added. If each head has a small hole or divot where the top of the shaft can nestle into it will be plenty secure, and allow either a lot of uniformity or variation in weapon types and sizes for a minimal amount of sprue space.
Very much looking forward to this launching.
Really cant say this is a one man thing:
You need talented sculptors, designers, and folks specialized in particular softwares to get you from A to B, and even then the molders available are not going to be what you expect after you talk for weeks getting details back and forth. The learning curve is immense, but surprisingly not as bad as it could be.
I believe I got the priorities people are vibing out there, so currently revamping from top to bottom.
The one thing about these models is that they are different in style and design vs other companies, but on par with height and feel. I don't think it will come across until people have it in their hands. Hence we got to double our efforts .
Just had a gander at your kickstarter preview page, looks a lot better! Much... cleaner? How stands your timetable now?
Seeing if we can squeeze in the fourth body. If all goes to plan, the first male and female molds will form the core number 8 bodies, weapons sprue 4 (probably duplicate this twice) and command sprue 4. I got some suggestions to optimize parts with the ratio of bodies. Hopefully goes well for everyone. What you see is roughly 3 inches of space used, with 3 inches I need to fill up.
Assuming Tim gets paints done within the next few weeks, and sample arrives between beginning of mar to first week of march, we could get this going in March.
ingtaer wrote: Nice one, I hope for smooth sailings for you! Though you can expect a message pretty quickly asking what shipping charge I can expect!
Somewhere between $22-$51 1lb to 3 lbs, if I did this direct UPS/DHL to mail. I could possibly get that down if I can get some items shipped from the eastern side.
Hey guys, last little bits of clean up. Plan A png was the last little pieces being squeezed on, but double checking to see if the MM difference will sync with the base mold. In the event that it does not, the plan B highlights will take out a torso combination and be as such. Given my blessing with both options so we can just get to mold processing.
Surprisingly hard to get female details just right. Tim was playing with an idea regarding a faun head, and made a new head with some interesting refinement. Really liked the expression. Let me know what you think.
The 2nd face doesn't quite work for me. Too alien.
As for the horn texture, I can see what they are trying to do, but agree that it isn't right.
Page 2 of the pdf linked below has illustrations of bovid horn types. Perhaps the horn texture needs be finer? Although if it's too fine, it won't reproduce properly in casting.
http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/i10713.pdf
Gallahad wrote: The hair needs much deeper grooves to show up at scale. The horns also look more like worms than horns, the texture is wrong.
As for the horn texture, I can see what they are trying to do, but agree that it isn't right.
Page 2 of the pdf linked below has illustrations of bovid horn types. Perhaps the horn texture needs be finer? Although if it's too fine, it won't reproduce properly in casting.
http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/i10713.pdf
Gallahad wrote: The hair needs much deeper grooves to show up at scale. The horns also look more like worms than horns, the texture is wrong.
I do like the faces though
I agreed, Tim and I got to talking over skype, brought it down to earth. The textures should look closer to horns. Facial expressions were good. Females are a challenge in plastic, learning something new.
ingtaer wrote: 3 bodies is a big change, are you still keeping to boxes of 20?
My thinking was that females and males would have been 4 each, to form the core background of 8. In this case, they can form a core 6. In the ideal world, each new sprue we could add to the variety. With it being three, means each new sprue to add a new variety of torsos. In either case, 20 bodies are going to be there, if we only get the minimum, we can still have fun making a small set of new torsos to go along with the weapons.
The horns look much better, as does the hair! I would still prefer even deeper detail on the hair, but as is it will probably hold a wash.
Another nitpick:
The filigree detail on her crown will not show up at scale. It needs to be much chunkier.
I hope these comments are taken as I intend them: Honest feedback from somebody who wishes for your success.
Gallahad wrote: The horns look much better, as does the hair! I would still prefer even deeper detail on the hair, but as is it will probably hold a wash.
Another nitpick:
The filigree detail on her crown will not show up at scale. It needs to be much chunkier.
I hope these comments are taken as I intend them: Honest feedback from somebody who wishes for your success.
Trust me, I wanted it done a while ago. February is Chinese new year, march was catch up, but we finally got the molder online for this kit. Quality should be good.