2D Minis [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

2D Minis [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
jdrock
08-03-06, 10:55 AM I started playing D&D only recently (starting last year). I really enjoy using minis, but have issues with the use of miniature models that you can buy at the comic book stores:
- Usually the minis don't really match the look/feel I want in my monster/PCs/NPCs
- It can start to get expensive if you want to buy mobs of monsters to use in your gaming sessions

After discussing these issues with my fellow players, we decided to make our own 2D minis using the following process:
- Search for fantasy art online
- Scale and print out the images
- Cut the images out and place them in small foam board bases

I've made about 30 minis this way, and they are much more appealing for RP use than the minis I could get at the store. I've collected 100s of images so far.. everything from the images available on the Wizard site to Warcraft to random japanese video games.

I guess what I'm wondering is why isn't this more popular? Why would RP players bother with buying stacks and stacks of minis when there's a much cheaper alternative?
pres_man
08-03-06, 11:08 AM Personally, I have found 2D minis harder to grab and move. I also find 3D minis more visually appealing, and more fun to paint and such. For someone, where money is a big interest, then this is indeed a good idea. And for larger and more unusual creatures I could very well see myself using some.
Some_call_me_Tim
08-03-06, 11:38 AM I guess what I'm wondering is why isn't this more popular? Why would RP players bother with buying stacks and stacks of minis when there's a much cheaper alternative?I've used cardboard minis and I would have to say the drawbacks are time-consuming to make and they just look and feel 'cheap' compared with plastic (or better yet metal) minis. Time, paper, and ink cost money too, it just might not seem like it up front. They wear out, get torn, stained, etc.

Some people enjoy collecting the plastic minis.

Some people enjoy painting metal minis.

I use cardboard minis for horses, swarms, furniture, or terrain, things I intend for another mini to be on top of.

I would suggest you also look cardboard heroes bases from SJ Games. Having a 2D mini 'stand-up' makes it easier to grab and move.
Bluehero
08-03-06, 11:47 AM This is also something that II do, however, I only use computer images for creatures I don't have minis for (and I have a LOT of minis). I like having something to represent every monster, and that is just the sort of thing that helps that out. However, the 3D minis are just that much cooler and more intimidating than a piece of paper. Altough in paper tokens defense, ripping a monster in half when you kill it is very satisfying. :D
jdrock
08-03-06, 01:22 PM I think there's some misconception about how I'm creating my minis.

There are actually 3 layers to the mini:

1. Image of the mini
2. A thick paper insert
3. Reverse image of the mini

I cut each layer so that it matches the shape of the image very closely. The mini is then inserted into a foam square which acts as the base. This makes for a very sturdy piece.

Oh, one more thing, the 3 paper layers are kept together by clear tape, which is also cut to fit the image's shape. This prevents the mini from being torn or stained. Honestly, it feels like plastic when holding it.

The mini is actually standing up, so it's not hard to grab or anything. These are not just little squares I'm moving around. I have an ogre mage that stands about 4 inches tall.
GM_TerraFire
08-03-06, 04:02 PM Hmm, I do something simlilar to how this sounds: using manila paper as a base, I fold a stand-up form of the size and shape I need and then attach a printed, drawn or painted image to either side. Cheap, fast, and easy to make, plus you can personalize your figure very easily.
Sarella Starshine
08-03-06, 04:28 PM i am just too lazy to do something like that, as cool as it sounds :)
Robert Craven
08-03-06, 05:05 PM We use 3D minis for PCs and major NPCs. The problem is, you never have the right mini at hand. For mobs we use markers or dice.

For our recent quest (City of the Spider Queen) I made those monster tokens. Mostly took pics from Wizard's art gallery, cut out significant parts, scaled down and printed out.
Worked great and was not as much work as I expected. Only finding good pics was sometimes hard.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jdrock 08-03-06, 10:55 AM	I started playing D&D only recently (starting last year). I really enjoy using minis, but have issues with the use of miniature models that you can buy at the comic book stores: - Usually the minis don't really match the look/feel I want in my monster/PCs/NPCs - It can start to get expensive if you want to buy mobs of monsters to use in your gaming sessions After discussing these issues with my fellow players, we decided to make our own 2D minis using the following process: - Search for fantasy art online - Scale and print out the images - Cut the images out and place them in small foam board bases I've made about 30 minis this way, and they are much more appealing for RP use than the minis I could get at the store. I've collected 100s of images so far.. everything from the images available on the Wizard site to Warcraft to random japanese video games. I guess what I'm wondering is why isn't this more popular? Why would RP players bother with buying stacks and stacks of minis when there's a much cheaper alternative?
pres_man 08-03-06, 11:08 AM	Personally, I have found 2D minis harder to grab and move. I also find 3D minis more visually appealing, and more fun to paint and such. For someone, where money is a big interest, then this is indeed a good idea. And for larger and more unusual creatures I could very well see myself using some.
Some_call_me_Tim 08-03-06, 11:38 AM	I guess what I'm wondering is why isn't this more popular? Why would RP players bother with buying stacks and stacks of minis when there's a much cheaper alternative?I've used cardboard minis and I would have to say the drawbacks are time-consuming to make and they just look and feel 'cheap' compared with plastic (or better yet metal) minis. Time, paper, and ink cost money too, it just might not seem like it up front. They wear out, get torn, stained, etc. Some people enjoy collecting the plastic minis. Some people enjoy painting metal minis. I use cardboard minis for horses, swarms, furniture, or terrain, things I intend for another mini to be on top of. I would suggest you also look cardboard heroes bases from SJ Games. Having a 2D mini 'stand-up' makes it easier to grab and move.
Bluehero 08-03-06, 11:47 AM	This is also something that II do, however, I only use computer images for creatures I don't have minis for (and I have a LOT of minis). I like having something to represent every monster, and that is just the sort of thing that helps that out. However, the 3D minis are just that much cooler and more intimidating than a piece of paper. Altough in paper tokens defense, ripping a monster in half when you kill it is very satisfying. :D
jdrock 08-03-06, 01:22 PM	I think there's some misconception about how I'm creating my minis. There are actually 3 layers to the mini: 1. Image of the mini 2. A thick paper insert 3. Reverse image of the mini I cut each layer so that it matches the shape of the image very closely. The mini is then inserted into a foam square which acts as the base. This makes for a very sturdy piece. Oh, one more thing, the 3 paper layers are kept together by clear tape, which is also cut to fit the image's shape. This prevents the mini from being torn or stained. Honestly, it feels like plastic when holding it. The mini is actually standing up, so it's not hard to grab or anything. These are not just little squares I'm moving around. I have an ogre mage that stands about 4 inches tall.
GM_TerraFire 08-03-06, 04:02 PM	Hmm, I do something simlilar to how this sounds: using manila paper as a base, I fold a stand-up form of the size and shape I need and then attach a printed, drawn or painted image to either side. Cheap, fast, and easy to make, plus you can personalize your figure very easily.
Sarella Starshine 08-03-06, 04:28 PM	i am just too lazy to do something like that, as cool as it sounds :)
Robert Craven 08-03-06, 05:05 PM	We use 3D minis for PCs and major NPCs. The problem is, you never have the right mini at hand. For mobs we use markers or dice. For our recent quest (City of the Spider Queen) I made those monster tokens. Mostly took pics from Wizard's art gallery, cut out significant parts, scaled down and printed out. Worked great and was not as much work as I expected. Only finding good pics was sometimes hard.