Wednesday, September 17, 2014


This model kit is now available... in three different formats!

The multiple-skinned PDF version is called the Fletcher's Shop.
davesgames.net/catalog-fletchers-shop.htm

The Photoshop source files for the Fletcher's Shop are available too.
davesgames.net/catalog-fletchers-shop-psd.htm

The single-skinned, ready-to-print version is called the Fletcher of Rake's Corner.
davesgames.net/catalog-fletcher-rakes-corner.htm

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Fletcher's Shop model in progress

Here's my white paper test model of a small shop owned by a fletcher. When the textures are on, you'll see some arrows leaning up against walls, and a bulls-eye target painted on one of the boxes so customers can test their marksmanship.


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Texturing Cobblestones Street Map #2

Overview of the work in progress.



Close-up view of the street textures.







Return to the Cobblestone Streets Map #2

I'm taking a break from my Library model to revive this project. The only thing I could salvage was the curbstones layer, but that's better than starting all over from zero. To make the working files manageable, I reduced the resolution to 200dpi, which is probably what I would have ended up doing with the final map anyway. I'm using a different type of street paving than the one I did before. I've added a bunch of detailing and weathering on the streets -- dung, drains, rubbish, discoloration, pitting, wagon tracks, cracks. I'll post a work-in-progress shot a little later.

So I'm just about done with the streets textures and will start on the "empty lots" textures next -- I can probably do that in a day. I'm hoping to have this ready to release this Thursday, and then I'll get back to work on the Library. We'll see! (I may still hit my PC's memory limits before this map is complete, but I'm hopeful.)


Saturday, March 8, 2014

Work begins on the Library

The Library is my next project. This is a big model standing 13" tall (not including the chimneys) and sits on a 6" x 6" ground piece. Lots of fun optional gribblies (steps, dormers, balcony, chimney). My white paper test model went together pretty smoothly. I've finished writing up the instructions booklet and I'm moving right along with texturing.

What sort of textures do you want to see on this one?


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Another preview of Steampunk Building No. 1

Here's another look at tomorrow's model kit.


Steampunk Building No. 1 preview

South-west view showing optional snow layers. This model kit will be available tomorrow.


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Armorer's Workshop PDF model kit now available

The Armorer's Workshop is a multi-layered PDF in a fantasy/medieval theme. Lots of texture options on this one, including optional snow layers. It measures 4" by 5.5" and stands about 6" tall including the chimney. It sits on a 6" x 9" ground piece, and includes a "cordwood" prop.

Catalog Page: Armorer's Workshop


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Armorer's Workshop second preview

Another look at the Armorer's Workshop -- this time it's a view of the south-east corner without snow.


Armorer's Workshop on its way

Coming tomorrow! Here's a look at the Armorer's Workshop multi-layered PDF kit. Here it is showing the optional snow layers.


Monday, February 24, 2014

New models on Thursdays

The part of my brain that I call Evil Corporate Dave has decided that Thursdays are the best days to release new models, since that's the time that gamers (and game masters) are heading into the weekend and thinking about all the fun they're going to have. Releasing a new model on Thursday puts it on the "new releases" lists at your favorite webstores over the weekend, which is when those sites get the most traffic. Releasing stuff earlier in the week tends to go largely unnoticed by the passive shopping crowd, so Thursdays.

On Thursday the 27th of February 2014, look for the Armorer's Workshop multi-layered PDF fantasy/medieval model kit, just $4.95.

On Thursday the 6th of March 2014, look for the Steampunk Building No. 1 multi-layered PDF steampunk model kit, just $4.95.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Steampunk layers in progress

Steampunk layers in progress. This snapshot is a few hours old, so the latest version is a little better than this.

At this point I'm thinking that three separate model kits make the most sense:

Armorer's Workshop: fantasy/medieval theme, multiple layers, optional snow layers, $5

Steampunk Workshop No. 1: steampunk theme, multiple layers, optional snow layers, $5

Armorer of Rake's Corner: fantasy/medieval theme, ready-to-print/one look only (no snow), $3

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Steampunk House #1 steampunk layers begin

Here's how steampunk layers start. The colorful elements are "masks" that will be used for metallic textures.


Friday, February 14, 2014

Steampunk House #1 snow layers

Snow layers are in progress (see below).

After some consideration, this model isn't going to be called "Steampunk House #1" and I'll very likely be splitting it up into multiple kits in order to get the most mileage out of this basic model shape. I'm thinking about releasing a fantasy/medieval version, a ready-to-print Rake's Corner version, a steampunk version, a PSD Photoshop file kitbasher's version, and possibly a snowy version that will be part of a Winter Village set. This is all tentative, but I think it's the best way to go.

It's a big shift in my approach to packaging these things, since my earlier Rake's Corner models and Winter Edition models were afterthoughts. I would crack open the files of an older model and make alterations to them. In this case, I'm doing all of the layer work at once, and will figure out how to split things up into different themes at a roughly $5 price point for each. I figure that folks who just want a fantasy/medieval model won't want to pay for steampunk layers they won't use, and so on.

But it's also good for me artistically. Since I know that I'll be able to get about $20 of sellable product from this one kit, I no longer have the ticking clock in my head that I normally get when working on something that I know I can only sell for about $5. (The truth is that no one will pay $10-$15 for a PDF paper model kit this size, although I think that's closer to what this amount of work is actually worth, especially considering the multiple texture layers.) Doing things this way is freeing me up to add all of the graphics I really want to work on, instead of feeling like I have to stop when I feel like it's no longer commercially sensible.


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Steampunk House #1 half-timbers


Half-timbers are in place, and I'll be working on the stucco next. That'll just about wrap up the medieval wall textures.


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Steampunk House #1 windows and stuff

This afternoon I worked on the fantasy/medieval roofs (2 colors of wood shingles, and moss which takes *forever*, not shown) plus these new windows (shown here). This all looks a little flat to me, but things will stand out more when I get to final shading. I'll probably create a new door design next, and then I'll move on to the half-timbered stuff.


Saturday, February 8, 2014

Steampunk House #1 stone textures finished

Stone textures are done for the Steampunk House #1. A few other textures are in place but not finalized. I have a cool idea for metal half-timbering, but I'm going to finish the fantasy/medieval texture options fire before moving onto the steampunk stuff.


Steampunk House #1 texturing begins

Texturing in progress on the Steampunk House #1, which is what I've decided to call this kit. I figure the name will stand out and let folks know that this is the start of a new line.



Friday, February 7, 2014

Steampunk Workshop No. 1

Alrighty, here are some views of my new model kit. These images are "3D mockups" based on actual photos of the white paper test model, although they might look like 3D models. (This paper model has never seen the inside of a 3D modeling program. I did it all in 2D in Photoshop, including these images.)

You can probably see how this will make a perfectly serviceable fantasy/medieval model by leaving off some of the gribblies. The "T"-looking objects will be pipes/conduits leading up from the ground into some machinery (fans, piping, gears, whatnot). There's a stack of cordwood, and an automatic bellows, and two chimneys because steampunk. I'm guessing this is some sort of workshop.

Anybody want to name this thing? I'm okay with "Steampunk Workshop No. 1" but maybe there's something better.

If this design doesn't seem steampunk enough, that's all right. I'm easing into this sort of thing.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Cobblestones Street Map #2 - work in progress

I got a request for a 4'x6' medieval urban streets map that would work for Warhammer and Mordheim, and could be easily converted into a 4'x4' map.

Here's the plan:


And here's the texture work in progress:


If I don't get distracted, this should be finished within a week.