Tuesday 2 April 2013

Jawa Sandcrawler Playset - ARTWORK

I've had some nice comments and emails recently which has prompted me to share the following artwork - my Jawa Sandcrawler Playset!

Hope you enjoy printing this off and have fun building your own Sandcrawlers.  The design was made to fit on A3 size paper (a common "larger" paper size in the UK). If you've only got an A4 printer, or U.S. size paper formats, you might have to be a bit 'creative' by printing the designs across two sheets of paper.

I trust the following guide helps you with downloading the images and then importing them into software you can print from. If you're already familiar with graphics software, I'm sure you'll have no trouble working with the images.

If you do go ahead and print off the artwork, please share some photos with me - I'd love to see them. You can contact me via the comments below.


Instructions

The images are exported as .PNG files to keep the filesize small. If all works OK, this should mean that you can:
  • Save a copy of the artwork on your computer (right-mouse click on the picture and select the option to 'save image as').
  • Then open some software to import the image (e.g. Microsoft Word).
  • Import the image. In Microsoft Word 2003, you would need to go to the menu:
  • Insert > Picture > From File.
  • Locate the saved file, select it and click the Insert button.
    The image is now imported into your blank page.
  • Then adjust your page size by going to the menu File > Page Setup.
  • On the "Margins" tab, set all margins to "0" and change paper to "Landscape".
  • On the "Paper" tab, select "A3" paper.
    (If you have to print on 2x sheets of smaller paper, try fitting the image by left-aligning it to print the left side on 'page 1', then right-aligning the image to print the right side on 'page 2' - You'll then have to match up the two sticker pages like wallpaper).
  • Click "OK" to accept your changes.
  • Then click on the picture and go to the menu Format > Picture.
  • On the "Size" tab, set the scale Height to "29.7 cm" and Width to "42 cm" and click OK.
  • Now print! I suggest you print directly on sticky sheet paper and then mount to 5mm black foamboard.
  • Trim and fold the design to fit and attach to your playset.

 Artwork below for saving on your computer:








Tuesday 12 March 2013

Tatooine Mos Eisley Cantina Playset - CUSTOM BACKDROP DESIGN FOR YOU

I've recently joined a couple of great Star Wars forums where a lot of people have shared some kind feedback on the models in my blog. This has resulted in 3000 views of my blog from across the world! Quite surprised, seeing as I started this as just a bit of fun - thanks for the support.

Having hit 3000 views, I wanted to share back with you my latest custom artwork for the Palitoy Cantina Playset. You may have seen my previous blog post talking about the design - now you too can print off the backdrop.

A couple of people shared the dimensions with me, so that I could update the artwork to reflect the new measurements.

I still have a couple of questions about how many folds should there be to create the curved section and how tall are the 'horseshoe' shaped slots?
  • [Update - 13th March: Thanks "MrT" for all the help - I've updated the artwork to reflect the new measurements you shared. Much appreciated, Mark]

Here's the artwork as it currently stands... I've exported this as a .PNG file to keep the filesize small. If all works OK, this should mean that you can:

  • Save a copy of the artwork on your computer (right-mouse click on the picture and select the option to 'save image as').
  • Then open some software to import the image (e.g. Microsoft Word).
  • Import the image.
    - In Microsoft Word 2003, you would need to go to the menu:
    • Insert > Picture > From File.
    • Locate the saved file, select it and click the Insert button.
    • The image is now imported into your blank page.
    • Then adjust your page size by going to the menu File > Page Setup.
    • On the "Margins" tab, set all margins to "0" and change paper to "Landscape".
    • On the "Paper" tab, select "A3" paper or an appropriate size for you to print such as "B ledger 11x17 inch" paper.
    • Click "OK" to accept your changes.
    • Then click on the picture and go to the menu Format > Picture.
    • On the "Size" tab, set the scale Height to "23.5 cm" and Width to "40 cm".
    • Finally move the image to the center of the page using the space and return key.
  • Now print! I suggest you print directly on sticky sheet paper and then mount to card.
  • Trim and fold the design to fit and attach to your playset. 
Please let me know if you make your own Cantina backdrops - I'd love to hear about them.

 Artwork below for saving on your computer:




Update: 20th April...

Ian T, has sent me some photos which he kindly agreed to share via my blog. These take the designs of the Cantina playset and scale them to fit the Kubrick figures. I think these look amazing - really appreciate seeing them. Thanks so much for sharing Ian. 

I'm still waiting on getting a printer (long story on the delay!), so I've been beaten to printing off the artwork and finishing my own model. It's really nice to see it come to life.








Friday 8 February 2013

Tatooine Mos Eisley Cantina Playset

Recently I came across a very cheap Creature Cantina set. It has most of the parts, but the original card backdrop was missing. So, I thought I'd draw my own...

Like with my previous designs, it was going to be a homage to the original vintage effect, rather than a movie-realistic copy.
This got me thinking further... Just add a couple more walls and I could create another new foamboard model. I'd add inside and outside walls to get the following. Notice, this includes a table top for the bar and some additional 'stand out' detailing.

The other walls include the doorway with 'droid detector' and a seating area for Han to chat with Greedo. Maybe in this playset 'drama' neither Han or Greedo shoot - they both just sit down for a nice cup of tea!

Eagle-eyed Star Wars fans will notice I recycled the door from my Blockade Runner artwork. Check out "Episode IV - A New Hope" - they did exactly the same thing in the film.

Fingers crossed on a new printer soon - to bring to life these drawings into 3D models!  Thanks for dropping by and enjoying the artwork.