Project MidasMiniatures

[midass]

I designed it with intent of being a line of terrain kits that assembled looks exactly as pictured.
I see it used as a diorama, gaming piece, display shelf for miniatures? Anything really.

Design Story:
Ok, I know how to design for laser cutter, so I was copied a few models from the web. But I couldn't force myself into making anything other then existing Sci-fi bunkers and stuff. Then after, I was watching LOTR and saw all the buildings and their tree structures, and thought hey! Nobody is making that! So started designing these in my spare time.
So yea, first the designs were unique, and I still can't find anything that would be similar on the market, I am not talking about the custom built stuff.
Secondly, I thought, hey, its always made of MDF.. When you assemble something in MDF, it looks quite ugly. But still, I couldn't source high grade MDF locally, got me frustrated, and then remembered Plexiglass. It was everything I was looking for: thickness, color, finish, quality.. And as a terrain kit, its perfect to save time and for those that are terrible painters. Its not necessary to paint it, it does looks very ok as is. Yes! in hand of a master potential is unlimited, but I saw some hideously painted terrain kits..

So please leave your thoughts and comments bellow! Thanks.

 

[freakinacage]

Looks cool, what is it meant to be?

 

[skraaal]

The steps look a little too large if it's aimed at 28 mm-32 mm miniatures. What scale are you going for? The design is nice though

 

[PegaZus]

It's very elfy. So, yeah... I'm not sure what else to comment.

I did like it when it came across on voting. Scored rather high, along with a couple more of the elaborate ones.

About the only thing I could think of is some more texture to it, perhaps? Blocks or bricks on the steps, some greenery, lights fixtures.

Problem is, what you appear to have is a base doll. Like those plastic dolls one can find at hobby stores? No hair, no clothes, etc. Just a blank object to put your imagination into. For an elven terrain piece, it'd need the greenery above, benches, fixtures, maybe a reflecting fountain, etc. Gothic concept: painted gray, brickwork done, candelabras and torches. Maybe a few racks of weapons.

This is showing what one would get if purchased as a kit. It just needs some filling out.

 

[moetle]

I agree with Pegazus on the elfy look. This would make a nice diorama piece.

Moe

 

[midass]

I appreciate you comments people, Thanks!

The steps look a little too large if it's aimed at 28 mm-32 mm miniatures. What scale are you going for? The design is nice though

I wanted that no only 30mm based models would fit on it, but also a 50mm based model would not fall over. Yea, tested it, there two 30mm based models can fit on single step side by side.

It's very elfy. So, yeah... I'm not sure what else to comment.

I did like it when it came across on voting. Scored rather high, along with a couple more of the elaborate ones.

About the only thing I could think of is some more texture to it, perhaps? Blocks or bricks on the steps, some greenery, lights fixtures.

Problem is, what you appear to have is a base doll. Like those plastic dolls one can find at hobby stores? No hair, no clothes, etc. Just a blank object to put your imagination into. For an elven terrain piece, it'd need the greenery above, benches, fixtures, maybe a reflecting fountain, etc. Gothic concept: painted gray, brickwork done, candelabras and torches. Maybe a few racks of weapons.

This is showing what one would get if purchased as a kit. It just needs some filling out.

Thanks, Pegezus, for your observations!!! Yea, its meant to be elvish.. I did trace the ornaments from LOTR concept art drawing. It was pretty old, I think before even the first movie.

As for greenery, I never thought of adding anything.. Silly me..

I didn't want to paint it, because I am not too good of a painter, and as it is, I think it looks great. You can't see it in pictures, but it has a glossy finish, so somehow I feel if I painted ir over I might ruin it. I am probably wrong, but I put myself painting it... But I will definitely put some vegetation on. As you mentioned that, I instantly imagined hundreds of ivies growing everywhere. And moss!

I am adding its purpose to the first post, should have done it.. sorry

 

[SkelettetS]

really nice design as said, very skilled built. seems a bit off scale for a 28mm guy, but for a 54mm display i wouldnt hesitate

 

[Dragonsreach]

I think its very nice work and tempting.

A Caveat: as a obviously elven product it is I think it has a very limited market for Display/LOTR gamers, however as an INITIAL Product to get your "Foot through the door" I'm impressed by the clean lines.
If you can increase the designs along non specific races I think you'd have hit a good niche in the modelling world.

 

[midass]

Dragonsreach, "Non specific", I see what you mean, but do you have something in mind? Help me out, what other than technical sci-fi could I go after?

 

[PegaZus]

Dragonsreach, "Non specific", I see what you mean, but do you have something in mind? Help me out, what other than technical sci-fi could I go after?

Let's see what I can think of
Plain Jane garden trellis, like for grapes
gazebos (just don't attack 'em)
Bus stop
park bench
train station platform
newsstand/market stall
porta-potty
old water wells
newspaper machine
office furniture
Castle staircases
long dining tables (such as for castles)
Chandeliers
canopy beds
wagon beds
row boats
piers/docks
shipping containers (modern)
Shipping crates (Victorian)
Billboards
street signs
outhouses
sheds
lengths of board fences (two plank, modern suburban, picket)
Freeway signs (spanning traffic lanes)

That was all just train of thought, so it's a bit disjointed. And it may be too small or on tangents you don't want to follow. It's all good either way.

 

[cassar]

A vast improvement on the MDF version looks really cool, LotR

 

[midass]

Laser Addict

I went to laser studio today to cut a few more models to have for sale, man that is a lot of parts
I think I got carried away a little.. I can spend hours with laser and don't realize how much I did until I look at a picture like this some time after

View attachment 18186

 

[midass]

End of Elf madness

Made another design. With this elvish bridge I think I will take your advice and end this elf scheme. I have a linear colonnade, tower, tall tower, shrine and now a bridge.
Dam, I should have made these in transparent acrylic. That would have looked really cool.

I also have some black acrylic sheets left over. Same I used for the black tower. Start a dark elf line?