Creating stunning tabletop games, especially role-playing ones like Dungeons and Dragons or war games like Warhammer, often involves crafting detailed miniature landscapes. These landscapes usually comprise various elements such as miniature structures, characters, and natural elements like trees and scenery. With the advent of 3D printing, making these miniature elements has become simpler and more affordable. Here are some of the best practices for 3D printing tabletop trees and scenery.
- 3D Model Selection and Design
The first step to print your tabletop trees and scenery is selecting a suitable 3D model. Many dedicated online platforms like Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, and Shapeways offer a plethora of 3D models catering to tabletop game enthusiasts. They range from trees, rocks, and mountains to buildings and complete miniature landscapes.
A good practice is to start with free models before trying premium ones. Test these for scale, detail, and printing quality to understand how different models work with your 3D printer. As for designing your models, software like Tinkercad or Blender is the way to go.
- Scale and Detail
The size and detail of your scenery highly depend on the game and personal preference. Most tabletop games use a 1:72 scale (25mm), which corresponds to the human figure’s size in the game. However, you can choose to scale it down to 1:100 (15mm) or up to 1:56 (28mm) if you want more or less detail. Be sure to ensure your model’s scale on your 3D modeling software before printing.
Detail is a balancing act, particularly when it comes to printing time and filament usage. More detailed models take longer and use more material but offer a more visually appealing result. For landscapes, you may opt for less detailed models and use paint to give the illusion of detail.
- Orientation and Supports
The printing orientation can significantly impact the outcome of your 3D printed item. For best results, divide your model into smaller parts and find the most efficient way of arranging them on the print bed.
Many 3D printers struggle with overhangs, so it’s important to make efficient use of supports. Software tools like Autodesk’s Meshmixer can automatically generate custom supports, minimizing filament usage and print time without sacrificing model integrity.
- Material Selection and Settings
For smaller parts or detailed models, using more flexible and forgiving materials like Polyactic Acid (PLA) filament is advisable. For larger models or those that need to stand up to rough treatment, you might consider using stronger, but more challenging to use materials like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).
The perfect temperature for PLA is typically 180-220°C, while ABS usually prints best at 210-250°C. Ensure that the printing speed is slow enough to allow each layer to cool and solidify before the next one is added.
- Post-Processing
After the printing process, comes post-processing, which involves cleaning the supports, smoothing the surfaces, and painting the printed model.
Removing supports should be done slowly and carefully using a pair of pliers or a hobby knife to prevent the piece from snapping or breaking.
For smoothing, you can use various techniques, such as sanding, filling, and priming. Sanding involves using different grits of sandpaper to smooth out the rough spots. Filling and priming is filling out any imperfections with filler material then applying a primer coating before painting.
- Painting and Weathering
Colour is a critical aspect of making your trees and scenery come to life. Acrylic model paint usually works best for this. Layer your paints starting from the darkest shades (for shadows and lowlights) and moving to the lighter shades for highlights. This technique adds depth and brings out the details of the model.
Weathering your 3D printed objects can make them look more realistic. You can use various techniques such as dry brushing, washing, or adding pigments to give your prints an aged or weathered effect.
In summary, 3D printing tabletop scenery is a fascinating and rewarding process. Following these best practices will ensure your 3D printed trees and scenery are of high quality and bring vibrancy to your tabletop gaming experience. Always remember to go for a printing process that fits your game’s scale, strategically orient your models, and pay attention to supports. Choose the right material, fine-tune your printer’s settings, make a thoughtful post-processing, and take your time with painting and weathering your prints. Your patience and effort will come to fruitful results that will intensify your tabletop gaming sessions.
