Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Waterloo Table Update - Terrain Tiles

Did some work on the actual base tiles recently. Was tempted to move to modelling each tile but chose against it. I like the flatness of the painted tile versus the texture-ness of a modeled tile. At 6mm scale every uneven point in textured surface can create shadows and issues with figures and placing scenic items on top. So nice flat but well painted tiles are the winners.

I did however decide to separate the contour with the base tile. Previously I was gluing the contour on to the base tile so I would need 9 tiles all up for 3 x 3 and 16 tiles all up for 4 x 4 and so on.

Example of glued base tile with contour:


I decided to keep the base of the base tile as a separate piece to the contour:


There are a couple of benefits to doing this:

1. it releases the base of the base tile to allow for less flat base tiles required in case I needed an 8 x 4 table totally flat with little or no contours

2. the contours can be placed at any point along the base tile. If glued on they had to begin at the edge or half way. This way they can begin at any point along the tile therefore creating more flexibility, especially if a number of contour sections join together to form a large hill or ridgeline that begins and ends on my playing area

3. the base tile can now be painted as a desert base on the other side, thereby requiring less tiles needed for the green euro and the beige desert table tops

4. the contours can be placed on water effect to create river banks


The only downside is storage as traditionally I have found part tiles feel the effects of travel and storage more easily. I will have to think about how these are stored.

Now to work on tracks, roads and fields.

2 comments:

James Fisher said...

The effect, texture and colours are great!

War Depot said...

Thanks James. They do look better in pictures than on the table.