Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken News & Info! => General Pendraken => Topic started by: fred. on 10 December 2011, 11:39:38 AM

Title: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2011, 11:39:38 AM
Hi Leon,

Just received some of your laser cut MDF bases - they come with a nice black edge were they have been cut.

Can you cut any shape with the laser cutting machine? And is it possible to "write"  on the surface without cutting all the way though? I am thinking of the ability to make tokens or makers for games, the brown wood with black edges looks good, and isn't as distracting as bright plastic markers?

Some of the ones that would be good, would be disordered / confused (perhaps a cloud with a D in) could also be used to mark dust clouds.
An arrow - to be used to indicate who is winning in a combat, or to show direction of movement
Shields, round and kite, to be used as wound or fatigue markers.

I think generally around 1p sized (e.g. 20mm across) would be good, i.e. not too big to get in the way, but big enough to pick up / see?

If this is possible what file format can the laser cut use?
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: wargamesbob on 10 December 2011, 11:55:04 AM
I too like the idea of attractive markers rather than shiny plastic discs and happily second this request
Bob
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Luddite on 10 December 2011, 12:55:41 PM
I've got exactly these type of markers from Warbases.

They are excellent markers as the blend into the table in a way bright plastic doesn't, yet are there to see when you need to.

I third the call for Pendraken to produce something similar!
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2011, 01:38:45 PM
The warbases ones are a bit plain, they are just words on a simple disc. I was thinking of different shaped markers. I'm sure I've seen these at a show, but can't remember who the vendor was.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Nico on 10 December 2011, 02:49:29 PM
Sarissa Precision offer a custom MDF base service, if Pendraken can't they might help. I placed a custom order a while ago, it's not that expensive.

here you go: http://www.sarissa-precision.co.uk/store/bases/

But in case you can "write" on the mdf surface - I, too, might be interested in several custom markers.

Cheers
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Leon on 10 December 2011, 05:32:17 PM
You can do pretty much anything with the machine, custom shapes, writing on them, etc. etc.  I've really not ventured near the full potential of what can be done.  I do plan on doing more things along these lines, along with acrylic versions, just as soon as some spare time appears.

As for software, there's a drawing package which came with the machine which is very basic, but allows me to do the bases easily enough.  For more professional stuff, you need Corel Draw, which I ain't got a copy of unfortunately.

Any more feedback on what specific items you'd like would be great though, always appreciated.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Nosher on 10 December 2011, 07:23:33 PM
Marker sets for specific rule sets such as FoG, Hail Caesar, Black Powder and IABSM would all get my vote
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: NTM on 10 December 2011, 07:44:31 PM
Warlord released some rather good sets for Black powder recently
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2011, 09:36:47 PM
Found these from Warlord, the swords look really good

(http://store.warlordgames.com/ekmps/shops/warlord/images/roman-casualty-markers-6571-p.png)

I'd Corel draw the only file format that the laser machine can take? As Corel draw is proprietary and the software is expensive.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Nico on 11 December 2011, 12:48:04 AM
15x15 acrylics would be sweet, various colours, maybe not only text but also some design. I came across 15x30's only so far.

Is it Corel Draw you need or do you have to feed the machine some special file format ?

Cheers
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: FierceKitty on 11 December 2011, 05:18:15 AM
Quote from: fred12df on 10 December 2011, 09:36:47 PM
Found these from Warlord, the swords look really good

(http://store.warlordgames.com/ekmps/shops/warlord/images/roman-casualty-markers-6571-p.png)

I'd Corel draw the only file format that the laser machine can take? As Corel draw is proprietary and the software is expensive.
Ummm...what sort of swords are those intended to be?
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Derek H on 11 December 2011, 09:23:22 AM
Lots of earlier versions of Corel Draw can be bought for buttons on Ebay.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: GordonY on 11 December 2011, 10:09:56 AM
Off the top of my head...

Fatique markers for Saga Leon.

25mm round with an "F" on them.

Gordon
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Nico on 11 December 2011, 01:40:51 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 11 December 2011, 05:18:15 AM
Ummm...what sort of swords are those intended to be?

(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090215130704/kirby/de/images/8/89/Sword.png)

Kirby !

Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Leon on 11 December 2011, 05:08:17 PM
I'll have a check on the file type needed for the machine, and see about picking up a copy of Corel from somewhere.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Derek H on 13 December 2011, 07:15:39 AM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corel-Draw-Select-Edition/dp/B000ASAVM4  Â£13

Works fine on Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. 
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: NTM on 13 December 2011, 11:30:01 AM
Leon,

Any plans to do some irregular shapes for terrain basing?
(I know I could do these myself, I have a jigsaw and numerous bits of mdf/hardbord, but I can't be bothered!)
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Leon on 13 December 2011, 04:13:15 PM
Cheers, I'll pick a copy up and have a play about with the machine!
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Rob on 17 December 2011, 02:09:02 PM
Quote from: fred12df on 10 December 2011, 11:39:38 AM
Hi Leon,

Just received some of your laser cut MDF bases - they come with a nice black edge were they have been cut.

Can you cut any shape with the laser cutting machine? And is it possible to "write"  on the surface without cutting all the way though? I am thinking of the ability to make tokens or makers for games, the brown wood with black edges looks good, and isn't as distracting as bright plastic markers?

Some of the ones that would be good, would be disordered / confused (perhaps a cloud with a D in) could also be used to mark dust clouds.
An arrow - to be used to indicate who is winning in a combat, or to show direction of movement
Shields, round and kite, to be used as wound or fatigue markers.

I think generally around 1p sized (e.g. 20mm across) would be good, i.e. not too big to get in the way, but big enough to pick up / see?

If this is possible what file format can the laser cut use?
Hi All,

Am I the only one that thinks this way? I don’t like to see any markers, little dice as hit markers, polo mint shaped rings, little suppression marked cards or any other unimaginative distractions from what is meant to be a battle.

All of the above could be achieved with a little imagination and a profit to Pendraken.
1.   Hit - Dead body a generic as possible, no headgear would help in this.
Strength point loss â€" square or hex shaped base with a wounded figure and and numbers around the edge to indicate the loss. This was mentioned in a post I can’t find now. Here is a link on how to do it:  http://befreiungskriege.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/casualty-markers-sbs-the-final-result/#comments  (http://befreiungskriege.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/casualty-markers-sbs-the-final-result/#comments)
2.   Demoralisation â€" An officer with a bandaged head leaning on the staff off a standard with a couple of soldiers on their haunches nest to him all suitable ragged.
3.   Direction markers â€" Aide-de-camp pointing (possible rearing horse “There are your guns my lord, there…..!”
4.   etc

Cheers Rob
:)
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: OldenBUA on 17 December 2011, 07:16:16 PM
Quote from: Rob on 17 December 2011, 02:09:02 PM

Am I the only one that thinks this way? I don’t like to see any markers, little dice as hit markers, polo mint shaped rings, little suppression marked cards or any other unimaginative distractions from what is meant to be a battle.


No, but you seem to be in a minority group: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3609.0.html
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Rob on 18 December 2011, 12:09:36 AM
Quote from: OldenBUA on 17 December 2011, 07:16:16 PM
No, but you seem to be in a minority group: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3609.0.html
It seems so from that survey although there were only 26 responses.  :(
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: NTM on 18 December 2011, 07:50:15 AM
I would love to use casualty models etc but as I struggle to find the type to paint up the actual units in the first place a ready made marker will have to do.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Hertsblue on 18 December 2011, 06:12:56 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty
Ummm...what sort of swords are those intended to be?

I think they're early Asterix.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: OldenBUA on 18 December 2011, 07:58:12 PM
Quote from: Rob on 18 December 2011, 12:09:36 AM
It seems so from that survey although there were only 26 responses.  :(

I agree that 26 votes aren't many. I think more people might want to use markers that blend in. But they're more difficult to get hold of, so people take the easy way out.
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 19 December 2011, 08:54:35 AM
Giot to be better than jelly tots for shaken markers (extra incentive to rally)!
Title: Re: Laser Cut MDF
Post by: NTM on 30 December 2011, 02:00:13 PM
Quote from: NTM on 13 December 2011, 11:30:01 AM
Leon,

Any plans to do some irregular shapes for terrain basing?
(I know I could do these myself, I have a jigsaw and numerous bits of mdf/hardbord, but I can't be bothered!)

Just found the answer to my question here

http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4094.0.html

Seems there are plans for it.