My, you're fast in posting! I've been doubly beaten to it.
The frame consists of 12 pieces, 6 straight parts and 6 with a corner. I've scanned an 'empty system' to obtain the artwork used on the frame parts. (Don't worry, I've asked FFG for permission before submitting.)
I've created an image with a front and back of a straight part and a front and back of a corner part. Printed that image 6-fold on high quality photo paper, and pasted onto thick cardboard. As you can see, I was a little bit too enthusiastic cutting the connections, they have become a little bit too loose (aesthetically, they function fine).
I thought the front (blue) part would look better when it would fade to black at the edge. The back is the same as the back of regular board tiles. The frame is almost completely flush with the board.
You can make your own copy (soon I hope), as I've submitted a pdf containing the image and extensive instructions. I'll post a link here as soon as it's approved.
I'm glad you like it, and thanks for the compliments!
Very cool. Have you considered making one for a larger galaxy, with the expansion? Hmm, actually, I'd probably just want a larger one, then when playing a smaller game, fill in the gaps with leftover tiles (face down). Maybe I could make one of these that's blue on one side and red on the other, just for that purpose.
Very cool. Have you considered making one for a larger galaxy, with the expansion? Hmm, actually, I'd probably just want a larger one, then when playing a smaller game, fill in the gaps with leftover tiles (face down). Maybe I could make one of these that's blue on one side and red on the other, just for that purpose.
Good idea , it had crossed my mind too. The version depicted above is a good start, because it can be used for the 3, 4, 5, and 6 player galaxies. (For three players, just insert 9 flipped tiles or leave them out.)
I thought it wouldn't be a good idea to put my effort into making frame parts that could only be used with the 3 player board (such as a more triangular board, although it would look nice!).
I have not played a 4-ring galaxy and I doubt I ever will. However, I understand a 4-ring version of the frame could be appreciated. I'm willing to put in some more effort to create such a thing.
What I can think of right now are two possible solutions. One is to create straight parts that are one tile longer to replace the regular straight parts. I don't think that's a good option, because it'll mean you'll have an extra 6 fairly large pieces which are hard to store. Also, the pieces would be around 30.5 cm (= 12.0 in) long, thus larger than A4 or Letter sized paper.
The second solution is to create 6 small pieces to be used in addition to the regular parts whenever you'll play a big galaxy. More efficient regarding supplies and storage. I think I'll opt for that, unless I hear dissenting opinions.
I hope to complete them on Sunday evening, and submit the pdf shortly afterwards. I'll confirm here when it's submitted. EDIT: pieces have been made and submitted.
Extra pieces is probably the best idea. I had it in my mind that the geometry would be different or something, but no - you just need another space on each side, and we're good to go!
You can make your own copy (soon I hope), as I've submitted a pdf containing the image and extensive instructions. I'll post a link here as soon as it's approved.
Thanks! It will be much appreciated. I am going to check in daily hoping an admin puts it up quickly.
No, I was inspired by the Seafarers of Catan expansion of Settlers of Catan. It has a similar frame. Unfortunately there are not many good pictures of the european version in which you can see the frame well (only the US version with the ugly, crude artwork). This picture of the european version perhaps shows the frame best, in the center: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/14334
Ivo
EDIT: fixed spelling error, I sometimes DO type too fast!
Thomas: I've been granted permission to submit the pdf to BGG on the condition I won't make money from it, which seems fair enough to me. Don't worry though, if/when approved you can build your own! Which brings me to...
Richard: according to the file upload guide a few weeks, can be up to 4 weeks during vacation periods. In any case I'll post links here as soon as the frame pdfs get approved.
Wow. Just wow. And yes, I completely missed this until I was reviewing the file. I have the first file ready to approve. I need to go find the expansion file now and get it approved.
Both are approved. By the way, I added some geekgold to the file approval, because:
- He did a great job
- He included a description and instructions to the file for users to understand
- He actually made an effort to compress the images reasonably
- He actually got permissions for the graphics and clearly indicated so
- He made it much easier for the admin to approve the file.
Thanks Admins for the praise and the speedy approval! Also many thanks to Jeremy Stomberg of Fantasy Flight Games for the quick reply and enthusiastic permission!
I wish everybody good luck in their DUI, erm, DIY efforts, and of course I'll try to be of help by answering any questions.
Oh, that's unfortunate. I had designed the file to work both with A4 (297 x 210 mm) and Letter (279.4 x 215.9 mm), exactly to make sure everybody could print this. It has the width of A4 (210 mm) and the length of Letter (279.4 mm). When printed succesfully, a Letter-sized paper should have about a quarter inch left of the top and 3/8 of the bottom.
I'll try to see what I can do to help. I'll edit this post when I know more.
EDIT: Because Solamar (an American, and most likely a Letter-size user) has approved the file, and other Americans have also printed the file succesfully (I assume, but I'm sure I would have heard by now ), I think we can assume the problem is specific for your situation only. Speculating on what could be the problem then:
- Perhaps you're using margins in some way, pushing the image down somewhat. I don't think this is likely, but worth checking.
- Perhaps in some way the printer got setup for A4. Combined with an 'auto-center' that's switched on that could result in the image being a bit lower on the paper, therefore having not enough paper for the bottom part.
What would be useful to know is how much exactly is missing. Could you describe that?
Don't worry too much though: if all else fails, I'll make a version for you where the parts are even closer together, or with an extra page.
Oh, that's unfortunate. I had designed the file to work both with A4 (297 x 210 mm) and Letter (279.4 x 215.9 mm), exactly to make sure everybody could print this. It has the width of A4 (210 mm) and the length of Letter (279.4 mm). When printed succesfully, a Letter-sized paper should have about a quarter inch left of the top and 3/8 of the bottom.
Many Epson printers (including mine) have a minimum bottom margin of .55" (14.0 mm). The minimum top margin on this particular printer is .12" (3.0 mm). I could *fool* this into printing as A4, but I hate ink on the cylinder. heh.
Typse2Fsat wrote:
Don't worry too much though: if all else fails, I'll make a version for you where the parts are even closer together, or with an extra page.
Okay! Thanks... we'll work this out and report back here.
As can be seen in the picture you provided, the parts are pretty large. I had placed all of them on one page to use less photo paper(expensive!).
I think placing the parts even closer together will not be sufficient to tackle the margins of your printer.
As a solution you could print 6 pages normally, and 6 pages rotated 180 degrees. That way the part that's snipped off would be different. Those 6 extra pages would also have been necessary if I hadn't put all parts on one sheet in the first place, by the way.
If that doesn't work you could print the pages at work, a copy shop, or a friend's (it's only really 6 pages). If that is not possible/too expensive/you can't be arsed, I can create another version in which the corner parts are on a separate page and the parts are centered.
Do keep in mind that I only intend it as a last resort. I've already taken the effort to modify the frame from a file-for-personal-use-only to a file-fit-for-sharing-with-the-BGG, and I've already worked to make it fit for A4 and Letter printers (most, apparently). The problem you're experiencing only applies to Letter size users (i.e. US, Canada, Mexico, and a few others) that have printers with big margins. The creation of a new file would therefore only be useful to a small percentage of people, and would entail extra work for me: hence the 'last resort' thing.
I exported the file from acrobat at 600 dpi. After cutting off all white space from the top and the bottom I am able to print both files at 100% on my Epson printer.
I was working on making this frame. I went to an art supply store and got something that looked to be the right thickness. I ended up with mat board - which is frickin' hard! Impossible to cut with any elegance or detail. I have to scrap the whole thing and start over with cardboard. So, heed my warning!
Do you just use standard cardboard, like boxes and stuff, or are there sheets of durable, artistic cardboard one can buy?
I was working on making this frame. I went to an art supply store and got something that looked to be the right thickness. I ended up with mat board - which is frickin' hard! Impossible to cut with any elegance or detail. I have to scrap the whole thing and start over with cardboard. So, heed my warning!
Do you just use standard cardboard, like boxes and stuff, or are there sheets of durable, artistic cardboard one can buy?
I'm sorry to hear you're having this problem. I've bought cardboard at an arts&crafts store, but I haven't found an image of similar cardboard on the websites of US stores. I'm not a cardboard expert (by far), but here's a picture of the cardboard I've used. I hope it helps you in finding a kind that works, please don't mind the crappy focus/lighting (make sure to scroll, scale is in cm):
It's going better. I bought a sheet of thin chipboard, and I've been putting both the front and back on the chipboard, then cutting both out and mounting them together. Works pretty well, I've done 5 of the 12 base pieces.
No, I didn't use foamcore, as that's basically some polymer (expanded? extruded?) with paper pasted on the top and bottom. I used cardboard, although I don't know what the type of cardboard I used is called in the USA.
Looking for a playtester/editor/translator for your cool new game? Contact us, we're free (but we ask to be mentioned in the acknowledgements, and a copy of the game would be a nice gesture, but not necessary).
Looking for a playtester/editor/translator for your cool new game? Contact us, we're free (but we ask to be mentioned in the acknowledgements, and a copy of the game would be a nice gesture, but not necessary).
thx for posting the entire production method here!
No, I didn't use foamcore, as that's basically some polymer (expanded? extruded?) with paper pasted on the top and bottom. I used cardboard, although I don't know what the type of cardboard I used is called in the USA.
Might be chipboard (also called bookbinder's board or davey board), or possibly a form of illustration board (stiffer, more costly). Looks like chipboard, at a guess. Either should be good.
I will have to try this. My solution was to use the thin plexiglass from an old poster frame kit and cut out a top overlay for the whole board. I think using that in combination with this boarder will really protect the tiles.
Wow, just wow! I've been wanting to do something similar for twilight imperium inspired by Settlers of catan as well! The only problem i had was no skills with computers to create the images. You made my day and my friends day when i make him one. I'm so excited, thanks so much for this!
I've been doubly beaten to it.
, it had crossed my mind too. The version depicted above is a good start, because it can be used for the 3, 4, 5, and 6 player galaxies. (For three players, just insert 9 flipped tiles or leave them out.)
