So, I've been wanting to do an upgraded version of Manaforge for a while. I have a bunch of ideas of components that could be improved. Replace the cardboard gem tokens with acrylic gems. Make the dice be multicolor swirled instead of just a single color. Add the mana abacus accessory in as a printed board. I have a fairly good idea of what each of those would look like, and as far as the acrylic gems go, those are easily obtainable in small enough quantities that I could make a few 'upgrade kits' and see if anyone is interested in them.
The one thing that's been a little more elusive is coming up with good tokens for the mana prisms. I actually have an idea for what would look good there, too. Since I'm looking for tetrahedrons, what better place for a gamer to start with than to look for blank d4s? Chessex makes d4s in some gorgeous colors, but there doesn't seem to be an option to order those without numbers directly from their site. I sent a couple of inquiries a while ago about getting a few made but never heard back. Just as well, I suppose, considering that they'd probably want a minimum order of a thousand dice or something like that.
Since a lot of my friends have had luck creating their own game components using 3D printers, I figured I'd give that angle a try. I don't own a 3D printer myself, but there is this really nifty service out there called Shapeways that can do it. Hmmm. So I went to Thingiverse, found a blank d4 model, uploaded that to Shapeways' site, and had a few printed. Pictured is the result.
Thoughts:
I'm debating getting a 3D printer myself. I don't mind soaking the cost, as I could use it for other projects too, but I don't know if it would be good for running off a limited number of sets of prisms. Having never used this kind of printer before, I'm a little concerned about the associated learning curve.
Maybe if I'm good, I'll get one for Christmas. We'll see how it goes. :)
The one thing that's been a little more elusive is coming up with good tokens for the mana prisms. I actually have an idea for what would look good there, too. Since I'm looking for tetrahedrons, what better place for a gamer to start with than to look for blank d4s? Chessex makes d4s in some gorgeous colors, but there doesn't seem to be an option to order those without numbers directly from their site. I sent a couple of inquiries a while ago about getting a few made but never heard back. Just as well, I suppose, considering that they'd probably want a minimum order of a thousand dice or something like that.
Since a lot of my friends have had luck creating their own game components using 3D printers, I figured I'd give that angle a try. I don't own a 3D printer myself, but there is this really nifty service out there called Shapeways that can do it. Hmmm. So I went to Thingiverse, found a blank d4 model, uploaded that to Shapeways' site, and had a few printed. Pictured is the result.
Thoughts:
- The size, shape, and weight of these is perfect. They're slightly heavier than most d4s I own, but that's fine.
- They're kind of an off yellow. I don't know how I'd make them the rainbow colors that the game's mana prisms are.
- They're mostly smooth. A little bit of texture to them, and yes you can see the printing layer lines if you look hard enough, but overall they're well made.
- Too expensive. This batch of four cost a lot more than I was expecting, and there is no economy of scale that I'm aware of. It would be cost prohibitive to make the 20 needed for a copy of Manaforge.
I'm debating getting a 3D printer myself. I don't mind soaking the cost, as I could use it for other projects too, but I don't know if it would be good for running off a limited number of sets of prisms. Having never used this kind of printer before, I'm a little concerned about the associated learning curve.
Maybe if I'm good, I'll get one for Christmas. We'll see how it goes. :)
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