I'm thinking of (yes this will be a lot of work for one day) assembling each map one by one and scanning them on a large flat bed scanner. Then printing each one out on a large format color printer at like kinko's or something.

That way my group can do away with the 15 minute's between mission map setup crap. And get more missions in per sitting.

The printed sheet in my scenario will sit under an acrylic layer in my game vault (I have a geek chic emissary).

Thoughts? Maybe alternate ideas to not have to futz with tile setup and take down of tiles every mission?

Right now I use baggies in increments of 5. But it still takes about 15 to 20 minutes for tile setup and tile tear down combined.

*edit*

I would not be printing any tokens or markers on the mission rules, and if I do this, I will not be making the files available to anyone. If I am successful though, I will post here so others than own their own sets can do the same.

Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Miniatures games used large foldout maps for their terrain. Made setup quick and easy.

Many people also made their own maps (professionally done, too) which could be downloaded and printed.

A great idea, but then the costs came in. In the UK, cheapest i could find to print full colour A2 size was about £30, expensive for a map. Printing at home using a standard printer also worked out costly, and never looked that good having loads of a4 sheets sellotaped together.

But if these are not a concern to you, go for it. I would if i could!

I have filing systems for flat file so it's not really a concern. The storage that is. Nor is the cost. Will all the maps fit on A4 in proper scale? If so then I don't even have to go to kinko's as my printer can handle that format.

As far as the cost goes, I look at it as $ vs time saved. Over the life time of the game every hour of saved setup time/work time is worth $30 to me time wise. And that means again over the life of the game, more hours to play the game and not be screwing with setup.

So two missions worth of setup time (lets say it's the short setup time and not the long one) of 15 minutes each for setup and break down. 30 minutes, that is $15 of time value for me. If ALL the maps cost me about $100 in ink and paper, then I have already recouped 15% of my value.

*edit*

I have yet to build the largest map, does anyone have the dimensions? If I can confirm they will all fit on A4 to proper scale, that would be great!

If you create files of the images or know of someone who has them, please let me know. I am looking for this both as a player and as a TO for the game. I am also concerned about the setup/tear down time and would prefer to use paper/vinyl mats.

I've taken picture of all the maps... did a little photoshop and can now use them on maptools so I can play imperial assault with some friends that are ou of town

I like it.

The campaign guide for "Descent" was a LOT easier to read/put together than in IA, so I wouldn't mind just having a pre-printed little map for the campaigns. Heck, you could even store the actual tiles in a different box and only bring them out for custom scenarios/new campaigns.

It would also look pretty sweet if the area outside the times matched the terrain of the tiles...

Can someone suggest the what the largest map set would be out of the mission book and skirmish book? I have trouble telling. If I can confirm that the largest one will print out in proper scale on A4 that will make this cake. Sometimes the pictures look like the map will be massive, but then I assemble it, and it's not big at all heh.

If no one has a suggestion or knows, I'll just sit down and count squares on each map in the book. Just hoping to avoid another tedious task on top of the assemble, scan, assemble, scan I will be doing.

I wonder how the skirmish game would play of instead of using the game tiles, you used a wargame board? Each square is 1 inch, so the math would be easy enough.

I like the idea of having the maps printed out, rather than assembling them every time we play.

I do enjoy the tactical feel of moving the minis on tiles rather than simply on printed paper, but the time and convenience factor is enough to push me toward the side of using printed maps.

We thought about doing this awhile ago, but haven't gotten around to it.

Seems that most maps will fit on a tabloid size page.

I did it and it works great. I want to run this at a con but I didn't want to use time assembling the map tiles. Played a game using it last night and it was a great time saver.

http://boardgamegeek.com/image/2381415/star-wars-imperial-assault

I completely agree. If you guys get a good scan...could you share it?

Haven't gotten my copy yet, but Im thinking I will sort the tiles into separate quart sized ziplock bags, label bags, and have a cheat sheet for which bags I need to pull stuff from when setting up. No bag will have any duplicate sizes/shapes in bags so pulling the right one from the bags should be a snap.

Not sure if that will work for the biggest pieces, but it should work for enough that I can cut down on setup substantially. On a small side note I will be painting my models and intend to pack them separately so the box should have plenty of room after pulling the models and insert.

Haven't gotten my copy yet, but Im thinking I will sort the tiles into separate quart sized ziplock bags, label bags, and have a cheat sheet for which bags I need to pull stuff from when setting up. No bag will have any duplicate sizes/shapes in bags so pulling the right one from the bags should be a snap.

Not sure if that will work for the biggest pieces, but it should work for enough that I can cut down on setup substantially. On a small side note I will be painting my models and intend to pack them separately so the box should have plenty of room after pulling the models and insert.

I kind of already do this. I broke all tiles down into sets by their number. so 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 etc. Then each set goes in a bag. There are not a ton of tiles in the bags. It works out pretty well for the first mission you setup. But break down of that mission and then setup of the next one becomes cumbersome.

Maybe I'm weird, but I like the assembly. Seeing the next mission unfold in front of you is fun and gives other players a chance for a break.

But I definitely see how it can be time consuming and annoying in a con. Or if you assemble them all the time.

I arranged my pieces in sets of 1-9, 10-19, 20-29 etc...

Assembling the map was never a problem with Descent.

It really doesnt take that long.

Wouldn't scanning the maps infringe on copyright laws?

Even more so sharing those scans?

I created a thread asking for FFG to provide the images for skirmish missions, since I think this will greatly improve tournament play for it. See link below. I will be sending them an e-mail later today.

LINK TO SKIRMISH REQUEST

As for campaign though, I agree, I prefer the tiles. Honestly, I like the tiles for the most part, I just don't think they work for a competitive environment.

Assembling the map was never a problem with Descent.

It really doesnt take that long.

Wouldn't scanning the maps infringe on copyright laws?

Even more so sharing those scans?

The comment about the sharing was in regards to The Dubber 1's post not yours.

I would not think fantasy flight would have a problem with scanning your own maps box, I would like it if they could confirm it.

Especially for competative play. There I agree a printed map would work great.

I would suggest looking for some of the WOTC map designers out there they have made some great maps that I use for my EOTE game.

http://maps-of-mastery-store.myshopify.com

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1165033900/map-pack-6-vile-dens-of-slime-and-treachery?ref=users

Also look on the miniatures market.

Salcor