I haven't seen anything like this mentioned before, so I thought I'd bring it up:

Has anyone tried making floor tiles for PCON with recessed trenches? This would mean that the 'floor level' would be on top of of fomecore while the trenches would be at the actual table level. I know the first complaint, "But that means you have to print the trench tiles twice, that'a a waste of ink." I'm not coming up with the idea to be frugal, but to bring an attitional level of detail to the terrain.

I've also used the idea of dual level boards as an exercise in AutoCAD, (which I need to learn to use at work) practicing my skills my making templates for the floorplates with 'bow tie' connectors, which is what I've inferred the kanelinks system to be from the forum threads. I actually need to do two sizes of bowtie connectors, since the raised areas of the trench tiles are only 2 inches wide.

I haven't cut foamcore yet for my kanelinks tiles since I just learned how to make PDFs from AutoCAD today, and didn't have a thumb drive to bring the files home with, but I think they'll look pretty cool, especially the 'bridge' tileswhere you'll be able to look under the catwalk bridge and see the pipes/slime/slag passing underneath.

(Sorry if I seem a bit scatterbrained with this post, it's 12:30 and I should have been asleep half an hour ago.)

I've done a bit more work on the multi-level PCON tiles, after purchasing a copy of SOM and taking measurements of the paperlinx.

My old templates have been replaced with a linx-compatible style of connection, and now I don't need two sizes of connectors any more.

Here's the stuff I've completed so far in the new system:







(Sorry about the blurriness, I'm still getting used to the new camera.)

My next experiment will be making the 'bend' and 'terminal' pipe trenches, as well as making two border tiles for the pipe trench.

At my current rate, and with the other distractions, it takes me 1-3 days to make a 'batch' of tiles, with a batch being from 1-3 tiles.

The cool thing is that now that i know the official sizes for the linx connectors, I could make any base tile connect nicely with any other base tile, and have a truly modular ... This can't really be called a 'masterboard,' since that's a single uncut sheet of foamcore with the tiles glued on top. Until I a better name comes along, I guess I'll just use the name 'Kaneboard' to describe a masterboard built from the Kanelinx setup, and my modified attachment points to allow for table level treches will get the working title of Kanelinx 1.1 if anyone finds it interesting enough to talk about.

Once again a thread I somehow managed to completely miss the first time around! The tiles look sweet but can you give us a better shot of the side of the trench itself? I 'm just currious as to how well it meshes with the rest of the tile.

Richard

It looks great so far... and really seems like it'll bring the terrain to life. I would imagine that all neighbouring tiles will need an additional sheet of card below the printed card in order to even out the levels... is that how you are doing it?

I also missed this thread before, but I'm glad to have found it now

Arabin

As you wish:



(still can't make that camera work right)


I'm using a whole height edging strip, placed under the top graphic, much like the landing platform setup from the Mars Station kit.

The foamboard is very well hidden, since the only gap it could peek through is don my the table-level graphic, and it would just look like a bit of shadow with so little showing.

As for getting the top stripes to match the side stripes, it's not really possible, since the stripes on the tile are 6 black stripes per 7 inches, while the masterboard edging is 8 black stripes per 7 inches.

Actually, with a bit of creative photoshop work you could copy the top stripes and make a new side stripe bar from that top stripe graphics.

Arabin

I was worried that might happen... but what about doubling up with foamcore instead? Sure, it'll raise the playable area up a bit and it'll cost more for the supplies, but it'd be really sturdy.

Arabin

I've got the pipe trench 'border tile' built with the 2 layer laminated cardstock base. I'll take pictures tomorrow, I've got to be up way too early tomorrow so I can talk with the 3rd shift tech at work.

Okay, here's the latest photos, sorry for the green tint, the sunlight threw the camera off.


These are the latest additions, a pipe trench edge piece, and a slime trench with bridge, both on a double-thick cardstock base.


A side view of the pipe trench edge, this one does not want to flex much at all, not as stiff as full foamcore, but it's close.


Slime River, complete with bridge, this one is Exactly as stiff as foamcore, perhaps even stiffer.


As you can see, there is a complete sightline under the bridge, which is a double-thick just like the base. The bridge warped a bit, probably due to too much adhesive used making the double-thick. When Spring comes around, I might try using spray adhesives. Right now I'm using the UHU Office Pens for ALL my gluing.

It does look very impressive and will make a big difference when you place them all together. Do the tiles take a long time to put together?

Arabin