After reading the scaling thread (), I got to work immediately trying to see if I could create a little Godzilla thing.

Using Gimp, I scaled everything down to 1/3 size and cropped everything. Then I dumped it into an almost marginless Word document (I have a soft spot for printing from Word). A4 size paper. The final layout will probably be different (I really don't think I'd need so many helipads), but this will give me an idea if the scale is ok...

I figure that because of the small size, there's really no need for a grid. Each square is about 2", which is about the size I want. I figure that when folded that the thickness might accomodate the cardboard backing that I'll use (read: "One of my goals!").

Will the modularity hold up? Will be interesting to see!

Here's what I've got, pre-printing:



(I believe the resolution is horrid enough that anyone attempting to print it will be foiled--but please let me know if I must blur the image more!)

First, I'm very glad that at first blush that there's approval of the safety of WWG's images (so awesome--I really hope others buy in to this glory!). So relieved!

As for Word, interestingly enough, it's the only program I've ever had success with as far as printing exactly what I want. I've tried everything, but never gotten the knack--but Word and I always seem to get it right... There's a mystery here, I'm sure, but I've never questioned what works! (And I throw out my appeal to anyone to show me a "better" way to do it with "superior" software--I'd honestly love to give WWG the best treatment!)

I'm hoping to get these printed and cut this week, with images up (Wwooorrk, how I despise the!). The buildings done to the same scale will be the deal maker/breaker for me in the end. Getting just the right size is so key... I'm really curious to see how buildings come together at this scale--horror-gami, anyone? (^_-)v

Roads are now printed on excellent Kalbash brand label paper (going to try this over gluing first), which I will stick directly to cardboard. Got 12 tiles on one sheet--can't beat that! These turned out GREAT, by the way, so if you shop around in Japan this is the stuff to get.

It appears that I can get a very nice layering of cardboard so that I can still get the benefit of TLX a-la-miniature. But I must admit that because I went with the label paper I'll have to really think about how to attach it (...those tabs... hmm...). Maybe I'll watch the TLX tutorials and get some inspiration.

I decided to nix the highways and helipads for now to concentrate on a little road action with some plain gray upon which to build buildings. Sadly, all the sets I own with walls are not TLX, or even city--ah, the old fantasy stuff. Looks like I'll puzzle out the ground tiles until I get a peek at week three of the X-Mas sale before I jump in and purchase appropriate building sets. Or I may just throw my head back, hands on hips, and jiggle my belly laughing (ho-ho-ho!) and then print some oldies up just to check it out.

Godzilla at Christmas... glorious...

Got the mounts printed up and cut (must find an ergonomic cutting knife...), and I realize that my brilliant plan to print the streets on labels and then stick them to cardboard would make folding a bear (an ugly one). So, reprinting directly onto cardstock and will get to folding. May not make X-mas, but should make New Year's!

(I do have pics of all this, and will post at some point!)

The final week of sales gave me some great stuff, but no great quantity of walls (and regret--should have gotten the manor!). No big deal, though. With some non-sale purchasing I am now the proud owner of enough sets to build a respectable city. \(^o^)/

In building it up, I may split the printing--some directly on cardstock and some on label paper-to-cardboard. I'm interested to see if I can get any kind of modularity out of the buildings at this scale...

The streets are done! Quite a learning experience:

Have to be very careful of cuts at this smaller scale. I thought, heck, I have a steady hand and the cuts are small so who needs a ruler for those little holes? Boys and girls, was I wrong! Rulers are definitely required for the cut right along the edge of the surface. I have a bit of indenting there on some of the tiles, but it still looks pretty good. I'm not going for any awards here or anything!

Folding went well, however. Used my metal ruler to do it and it turned out great! I lucked out, too: My metal ruler has a cork base--and the thickness matches my cardboard perfectly when I fold it right-side-up! Interestingly enough, when scaled down, I'd need a double thickness cardboard to get the folds to match precisely with the TLX borders, but decided to go with single thickness. (I do have pics so this will make sense) Can't beat precise folds and I didn't feel like printing and cutting all those extra layers of cardboard.

And then there was the Gimp/Paint.NET inspiration:

I created a template for TLX roofs, so converted over the Broom Roof and Pipe Roof from the Bits of Mayhem Downtown set. Originally, I thought, heck, just get the buildings up, print as-is... And then, well, I wondered if I couldn't, in fact, make the conversion over to TLX? Turned out pretty well, but I think the walls will be a bigger challenge and delay the project too much with everything else I have to do (ie, live). With the roads done, I may just print the scaled down BoMD set and worry about excess creativity another day... We'll see.

Finally!

No props or anything, but it's all modular and working. Unfortunately, there was some warping. I think it may have been a fault of my gluing technique. I got better as I went (using a kind of "dry brushing" technique seemed best). Will definitely make more! But seeing this I definitely want to transform my non TLX stuff to TLX!

I was really surprised how well the pieces scaled down and cut. Learned A LOT! (Especially about cutting and folding!)

All of the pieces fit into a playing card case. This will not be the final solution, but it makes me laugh when I see it.

And, since everyone wants to see pictures and not links, what am I doing wrong with these image links? Is there some special way that I should link that I'm missing? Would appreciate help!

I have pictures of in-progress stuff, but think they'll be easier on the eyes if they're all presented at once. Thank you for looking!

Thats insanely small. How are you connecting the tiles together?

Oh and to post a picture instead of a link you need to use a bit of special formatting. When replying press ALT+P in the reply box to make a little img tag, then paste in your DIRECT url to the image.. it'll end in jpg/jpeg/gif/png/bmp. Then press ALT+P once again to close off the img tag.
If youre not sure its worked, just press the preview post button at the bottom.

Right click on the picture you want.
Click Copy Link Location.
Paste into the comment box.
Highlight the link.
Click the "Img" button (towards top right).

Here is one of yours. If you click "quote" on my post you can see what it looks like in when typing it.

By the way, awesome work. That is crazy small, but I could have a mini-layout at my desk!

I thought about the shell buildings, but that just wouldn't satisfy me. Going for TLX at this scale has given me plenty of headaches (really don't like cutting those anchors!), but when I saw that first build coming together... awesome.

Throwing all caution to the wind I've decided to tackle Armory: Destoryed for the next building:


So far, so good (Don't those anchors look nifty? And they'll look better when I edge them with dark pen--when I find a good ink)

Two big lessons I learned:


Trimming the edge pieces. I'd worried about this because of the thinness of the cardboard, but it was easier than I thought.


Must fold BEFORE cutting these triangles out. Talk about horror.

And, just to show the glory of TLX in mini (and because I was asked about how it all gets connected):


These tiles are really a satisfying size. I too can see setting up a little city on my desk... wrapping around my computer... a skyscaper bridging to the window... roads and forests and the sea... Ah, glory be!

That is just crazy! I just shrunk mine down and put it on Matt board. All the buildings are static.

Wanted to post pics, but the last of my posts are drying and I want to post a finished build. (... posts and posts... haha, that's punny) On a technical note, I decided to change the paper I'm using for the posts--oh my, what a difference! Can't wait to show!

Anyway, I'm kind of surprised that no one's attempted TinyTLX before me. I'm just amazed at how many amazing builds there are that I'd just assumed that it had been done! Well, I'm sure one of you will do it better! Regardless, I'm really encouraged by all of your excitement (and, yes, for those that pointed it out, I am a nutty fellow doomed to have arthritis. Teehee!).

As for the scale question for Epic, I think this is too big. I was considering creating some things for , but the scale for that game is far too small for what I've done here. I was considering scaling down Mayhem Downtown...