Friday, June 15, 2012

1:1200 Aerial Vessels Coming From Highlander Studios



Folks have asked about the progress on 1:1200 aerial vessels but we haven't had a lot to tell you until now. Rod at Highlander Studios just sent me these 3D views of the upcoming Aerial Steam Launch, which will be ready to ship in a couple weeks. This is not a cast model but rather uses the new 3D "printing" process where the miniature is built up layer-by-layer mechanically from a 3D rendering.

Here's a side view.

And a 3/4 overhead view.

The second release will be the Aphid-class gunboat. The 3D master still has a few bits to add, but here's the basic core vehicle.

Considering how small these guys are, I think the detail is going to be pretty good. I'm anxious to see how these turn out as I haven't had any expereince with the 3D "printing" manufacturing process so far, but it's clearly coming on strong.

12 comments:

  1. Cool something to mix in with my "Clasic Sky Galleons"....I still have my plasics....)

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    1. I do as well, although I'm thinking of changing the rigging on the kites based on A PRINCE OF MARS.

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    2. Frank, I haven't gotten to A Prince of Mars yet. Can you explain the rigging changes here briefly of drop me an email?

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    3. Hurrah! I love playing SGOM in 25mm, but the game needs lots of space, so I find I keep returning to the tabletop.

      This is great news!

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  2. I have some plastics, some metal, and soon, these! Hurrah!

    Now tell him to make those damned High Martians! *grin*

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  3. Yeah, I want high martians, too. but i need to get some basic troops out first. I'm considering cloning myself to take care of all of the projects I have in my head.

    To clarify a bit on the ships: The masters will be printed and then reproduced in metal. I have some concerns about the guns on these and may have to make some changes or simplifications after I get the master print.

    I'll provide pics of the masters as I receive them with comparisons to the plastics. This is all a new process for me so adjustments may need to be made to the scaling we'll see how it all goes, but I'm pretty excited.

    For the 15mm versions, I may have to actually build the masters by hand. The price for 3D printing something that size may be prohibitive. I'm checking another company that is cheaper, but has a little less resolution and I'm also looking into a CNC milling process.

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    1. Ah! I hadn't realized you were spinning the production versions, although that makes excellent economic sense. I've heard of hobbyists using the printing to make multiple custom models but I don't know where the unit cost of these guys ends up. I've had folks tell me I should look into it. Sure. I'll add it to my "to do" list. By the time I get to it I'm willing to bet the prices will be a lot lower.

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  4. This is great news. I have a bunch of the plastic British but still lack enough of the martian ships to run the big engagements I want. I scratch built my own glory sleds, sky fires and a single skylord to use but can use more of the medium sized martian ships to bulk out the fleet.

    Do you have a planned list of ships you want to build or are you just working on these two to see how they sell?

    Are you going to stick to the basic ships from the Sky Galleons of Mars game or have you though about adding some of the other ships from Iron Clads and Ether flyers?

    A last Question, Have you considered building some of the player designed ships from the Sky Galleons of Mars Yahoo group? I would be interestd in buying several of the Tossian ships and the High Martian ships based on the fan produced designs, but I understand my intrest isn't enough to pay for your work and production costs.

    I am looking forward to your progress on the ships.

    ColKG

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    1. Right now I'm working from the original materials. I'm planning to do some landships and naval vessels eventually. I want to stick to 5 or 6 basic Martian and British ships first, though.

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  5. Fine work has been produced in card stock models. I've built several and they look very nice! They are an inexpensive alternative and many designs are floating around- a search should produce some downloads

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