So I've finished the lower five trays copying your kayout and find myself feeling really sloppy. None of my cuts look nearly as clean as yours and my edges are all a little uneven. I used a t-frame to lay everything out before I made a single cut. Did you have some special tool to keep things that clean and get the different pieces to fit that tightly or you just as good at cutting as you are at planning? Even with yiur like layout handed to me it took me days to figure out the measurements myself and mine are off from yours in worse ways.

So I've finished the lower five trays copying your kayout and find myself feeling really sloppy. None of my cuts look nearly as clean as yours and my edges are all a little uneven. I used a t-frame to lay everything out before I made a single cut. Did you have some special tool to keep things that clean and get the different pieces to fit that tightly or you just as good at cutting as you are at planning? Even with yiur like layout handed to me it took me days to figure out the measurements myself and mine are off from yours in worse ways.

No special tools. I did a rough design of the layout in sketchup to get the arrangement right and "proof of concept" it to see if it would fit. Lessons I've learned that may help:

The smaller hobby exacto knives work much better than the large utility blades. Change your blade at the first sign of tearing when cutting. Foamcore dulls blades very fast. I probably went through half a dozen blades on this build.

Some cuts just don't come out right, don't get too discouraged by this, just redo and use the bad piece as scrap for the next smaller cut. I miscut the same piece more than once...

Mark your cuts by slicing small holes when measuring, rather than with a pencil, the end result is so much more accurate because the kerf of the cut is so small compared with a saw.

Measure and cut 1 piece at a time instead of laying it all out first. If you don't some cuts might end up bigger than intended and need to be trimmed, throwing off all the other cuts.

Assemble the outside of the boxes first, and then re-measure the interior dimensions. Not all foamcore are the same thickness and it can throw off your measurements, especially when switching to a new sheet of foamcore.

I've been extremely busy of late and haven't had a chance to put together a proper tutorial, but I have gone back and "fixed" the 3d model with the proper dimensions that I actually used, so I should be able to post something in the near future.

This is fantastic. If you could even just post the sketch up file that would be a huge help for folks that want to follow your lead.

Looks really good.

I've rebuilt this in 1/8" HDF. Took longer than I would have imagined to convert the design and prep it for a laser... might have taken longer than creating the original design!

The thinner, sturdier walls allow more interior space to be used. Weiss can be stored fully assembled, and the command cards are stored vertical instead of stacked. There's also much more room for mission and deployment cards, so cards from future expansions can be stored with it.

Here's some pics:

This is much easier to reproduce than the foamcore version, so I will be offering these for sale for those interested. More pics and ordering information can be found on my website at http://www.gothsonika.com .

I've rebuilt this in 1/8" HDF. Took longer than I would have imagined to convert the design and prep it for a laser... might have taken longer than creating the original design!

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is HDF?

Really nice work on these!

Ugh, I want this all so much... Can I justify another $120 on this game?

On the character boards, are those spots for stress tokens on the side of the character sheet and other cards just a way to indicate they've been used?

Ugh, I want this all so much... Can I justify another $120 on this game?

On the character boards, are those spots for stress tokens on the side of the character sheet and other cards just a way to indicate they've been used?

Yes, it's to mark card exhaustion. It takes too much room to flip them sideways.

Ugh, I want this all so much... Can I justify another $120 on this game?

On the character boards, are those spots for stress tokens on the side of the character sheet and other cards just a way to indicate they've been used?

Yes, it's to mark card exhaustion. It takes too much room to flip them sideways.

Cool, thanks.

I decided it was worth it because I'm insane. Hope I get them soon

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is HDF?

Really nice work on these!

High Density Fiberboard. Think of sawdust and resin pressed together under high pressure and heat. You end up with a wood product that has no grain or knots. No change in outward appearance that could be considered a blemish and a strength that exceeds plywood.

The final looks great. Consider talking with Go 7 Gaming if you want to sell the design but don't have an outlet. They already support a lot of FFG product.

http://go7gaming.com

This is much easier to reproduce than the foamcore version, so I will be offering these for sale for those interested. More pics and ordering information can be found on my website at http://www.gothsonika.com .

Those fit inside the core box, yes? And do you ship to Europe? Because if both the answers are yes, I will order one today

/edit: uhhh 80$ shipping for a 60$ item. Have to think about it, but maybe I'll still order

How long after oder does it the to get one of these? I am assuming they are made to order instead kept in stock.

Love the look of your HDF inserts, but I'm missing something. Where do the deployment cards and the map tiles go?

heh, guess my question doesn't matter anymore. My wife just ordered the box insert for me. Now I just hope they come assembled

*edit*

Also this is the kind of thing that will help me get IA to the table. Due to the daunting setup (descent suffers from this at my house as well) IA keeps getting passed for other easier to setup games. So I've only gotten to play it 3 times since it came out.

I see on your blog you are trying to get a descent one going too. Thank you for your work and good luck with that! I'd love to see this same thing for descent.

My inserts and hero trays arrived today. They're fantastic! Thanks.

Love the look of your HDF inserts, but I'm missing something. Where do the deployment cards and the map tiles go?

There are more pictures on my website. They have the same layout as the foamcore ones so I didn't repost them here.

heh, guess my question doesn't matter anymore. My wife just ordered the box insert for me. Now I just hope they come assembled

*edit*

Also this is the kind of thing that will help me get IA to the table. Due to the daunting setup (descent suffers from this at my house as well) IA keeps getting passed for other easier to setup games. So I've only gotten to play it 3 times since it came out.

I see on your blog you are trying to get a descent one going too. Thank you for your work and good luck with that! I'd love to see this same thing for descent.

Yes, they come assembled! There are 120+ pieces. Maybe one day I'll figure out a way to package it as a DIY kit, but for now it's simpler for me to assemble it.

I'm almost done with the descent design for the core box. I ended up going with an insert that sits about an inch above the rim of the box, so the lid only goes on half way. It was a compromise in order to get all the hero, class, monster, and overlord cards from all the expansions in it. I'm hoping to have the prototype built this week, I'll post it to my blog when I do.

My inserts and hero trays arrived today. They're fantastic! Thanks.

Glad to hear it!

In regards to the descent box - With how large some of the units are for Descent, that is not surprising.

Is the descent core box just Core items, or is it some expansions? I'm highly interested. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to derail this thread.

In regards to the descent box - With how large some of the units are for Descent, that is not surprising.

Is the descent core box just Core items, or is it some expansions? I'm highly interested. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to derail this thread.

It's somewhat related since the inserts are similar... right?? It's not really derailing it since IA is so similar to Descent. I think we can expect the same kind of expansions, so Descent is a good template to plan for future IA releases.

Right now it's core set + core lieutenants + all cards except plot decks (but including the agent cards). The idea is that if you use a card from an expansion (like choose a monster as an open group) you can reference the expansion icon to know which box to look for the model in. I'm going to do the same with the imperial assault expansions as they're released.

Plot decks are they tricky part. Pick your agent from the core set and find the plot deck and miniature in the respective expansion box. Small compromise but it's only once at the beginning of a new campaign. With 10 cards per lieutenant x 17 lieutenants, there's just too many cards to put in the core box that won't be used in a campaign. It's a neat feature of Descent, but I'm glad IA didn't go this route.

The cooperative expansions also won't be in the core box. Those tarot cards are just too big. I think I'll make a custom box for them and the hero and monster collections.

Been a while since I broke out my descent. Are the plot decks for the LT's the decks that came with the LT? If yes. I'd really like to see those in with the LT somehow if box 1 is Core plus wave 1. Especially since I don't have any expansions. But that's just what I would like to see. That may not be realistic with what you are laying out and what is physically possible heh.

I really like the way you are handling both games. Core + Wave is a good way of doing it. Cause that might translate well into Box + wave for all box'ed expansion and the fig waves between the box expansion and the next box expansion.

In my collection I have Core, and all the LT's that are used in Core, and Crown of Destiny.

So that brings up another question, how are you thinking of accounting for the Hero and Monster remakes from D1 like crown of destiny and the like?

Being as the setup and organization of a game will determine if I'll be able to play it again beyond the first 2 or 3 times is a really big deal for me. I'd be more than happy to offer the incites of a severe ADD gamer on what would help me (or others like me) to play a game more and give FFG (and you) more money

As an example. My IA has been played 4 times. And then shelved. Mostly cause my ADD won't let me take it off the shelf cause there is too much to deal with. Descent actually got almost a full campaign because I had a friend that played it before and he was willing to handle all the setup. But with IA, if i'm imp, I have to handle the setup for campaign. So your core + wave 1 box is going to give me the chance to get IA back into rotation.

Sadly descent will stay out of rotation (without a good box) as my friend that used to play with us lost interest. I got another set of people that would be interested, but without a good organization I can't get my head wrapped around bringing it out. Yes I know that makes me sound pathetic, but my ADD is so severe that if there are options or too many steps to do something I will be paralyzed with indecision and default to laying on the couch and staring at a wall when not on my meds. And I only take my meds during the work hours of my day otherwise I can't sleep at night (if I take enough to carry me through to after work).. and because they are really expensive I don't take them on weekends.

*edit*

OH PLOT DECKS! not the LT's deck, but the new plot decks that come with the other expansions. Since I have only core's plot deck, the only thing I could think of was the LT's mini deck. My ADD would have no issue with retrieving a plot deck from a different box if I chose to use that one. That makes sense organizationally speaking that the plot deck would remain with the expansion it came with.

Been a while since I broke out my descent. Are the plot decks for the LT's the decks that came with the LT? If yes. I'd really like to see those in with the LT somehow if box 1 is Core plus wave 1. Especially since I don't have any expansions. But that's just what I would like to see. That may not be realistic with what you are laying out and what is physically possible heh.

I really like the way you are handling both games. Core + Wave is a good way of doing it. Cause that might translate well into Box + wave for all box'ed expansion and the fig waves between the box expansion and the next box expansion.

In my collection I have Core, and all the LT's that are used in Core, and Crown of Destiny.

So that brings up another question, how are you thinking of accounting for the Hero and Monster remakes from D1 like crown of destiny and the like?

Being as the setup and organization of a game will determine if I'll be able to play it again beyond the first 2 or 3 times is a really big deal for me. I'd be more than happy to offer the incites of a severe ADD gamer on what would help me (or others like me) to play a game more and give FFG (and you) more money

As an example. My IA has been played 4 times. And then shelved. Mostly cause my ADD won't let me take it off the shelf cause there is too much to deal with. Descent actually got almost a full campaign because I had a friend that played it before and he was willing to handle all the setup. But with IA, if i'm imp, I have to handle the setup for campaign. So your core + wave 1 box is going to give me the chance to get IA back into rotation.

Sadly descent will stay out of rotation (without a good box) as my friend that used to play with us lost interest. I got another set of people that would be interested, but without a good organization I can't get my head wrapped around bringing it out. Yes I know that makes me sound pathetic, but my ADD is so severe that if there are options or too many steps to do something I will be paralyzed with indecision and default to laying on the couch and staring at a wall when not on my meds. And I only take my meds during the work hours of my day otherwise I can't sleep at night (if I take enough to carry me through to after work).. and because they are really expensive I don't take them on weekends.

*edit*

OH PLOT DECKS! not the LT's deck, but the new plot decks that come with the other expansions. Since I have only core's plot deck, the only thing I could think of was the LT's mini deck. My ADD would have no issue with retrieving a plot deck from a different box if I chose to use that one. That makes sense organizationally speaking that the plot deck would remain with the expansion it came with.

Plot decks are the ones that come with each LT. It's a 10 card deck + 2 agent cards to allow you to use your chosen LT in any campaign (even LTs from other expansions) as an open group. You pick your agent and plot deck at the beginning of the campaign, just like the hero's choosing their class. The plot decks will be in whatever box their LT is in, so for the core it will have the 6 LTs, plus 6 plot decks. The other 13 plot decks will be split among their respective expansions.

The other new decks that come with the expansions are the a) secret room deck, and b) rumor card deck. Both are pretty small and can be played in any campaign so they will be in the core box.

I really appreciate the feedback. The organization gets to me too... so much that I've spent more time designing and building organizers than playing the game. We have a group that just started a descent campaign, so trying to get a prototype done before we meet up next week. Of course my OCD wants me to get them painted before then also, but I can't do both!

Ok yeah that still makes complete sense. For some reason I got the impression that the wave 1 (for lack of a better word) plot decks would be in other boxes. Heh.

Man I can't wait for your descent box to be done, and my IA box to get here.

I really like your insert designs. I've been waiting to get my expansions before deciding how to divide up my boxes... Still can't decide.

My current concepts:

1.) Core set/Wave 1 inserts, and then new inserts for each expansion and the wave that accompanies them.

2.) Single box for all 'game' components, so that whatever factions I'm playing, I have one common box with cards/tiles/tokens. And then one separate box for each faction figures (three total).

3.) One big box with everything in it (i.e. lots of open space for future tiles/figures/etc.)

Any thoughts on which would be easiest for storage, play, and transport?

It seems like you'd have to lug everything around one way or the other, so option 3 seems the best IMO for play and storage, but transport could be an issue.

Heck, How much was your commission and how long do you think it takes to make one?

I really like your insert designs. I've been waiting to get my expansions before deciding how to divide up my boxes... Still can't decide.

My current concepts:

1.) Core set/Wave 1 inserts, and then new inserts for each expansion and the wave that accompanies them.

2.) Single box for all 'game' components, so that whatever factions I'm playing, I have one common box with cards/tiles/tokens. And then one separate box for each faction figures (three total).

3.) One big box with everything in it (i.e. lots of open space for future tiles/figures/etc.)

Any thoughts on which would be easiest for storage, play, and transport?

It seems like you'd have to lug everything around one way or the other, so option 3 seems the best IMO for play and storage, but transport could be an issue.

I went with option 1 because I really like the artwork and the feel of the "board game" boxes. By it's nature it expands as new expansions are released. I left room for new deployment cards when future expansions come out, and they should have an icon that indicates which expansion they are from so you can find the components in the right box. I'll end up carrying them all around in a larger box or large bin, so sort of a combination with option 3.

Got my organizer.

You know how on ebay shipping is like $15 for anything from a small card to a jewel box (things that should not cost $15 to ship) because the seller is trying to show a low "price" and get money back on the shipping?

That is NOT the case with Gothsonika. My package came packaged in at least $8 worth of materials, and it was WELL wrapped. Each piece separately taken care of in it's own little bubble. So I say to anyone who is looking at that $15 in shipping and going "Man that is a bit pricey for shipping", JUST DO IT! I suspect that had he not taken the care that he did, the box insert would have arrived broken. Don't get me wrong, it is very well constructed, and sturdy. But the mail people in my area are reaaaaaly rough with packages. They even managed to destroy a box of dragon shields I ordered.

And on to the actual insert. My god I love this thing, and I cannot wait for you to get the Descent one done! I have now taken my inserts in and out of the box like 10 times, just to enjoy how easy it is to setup a game. Easily cut 10 to 15 minutes off of my setup and break down time. And I suspect that will get even faster as I get used to the tile placements. Not only that, but now I don't have to worry about organizing the tokens and cards around the game board either. As they all have their own modular homes.

Tonight is board game night with a local group that meets up at a Denny's for various games. Usually about 15 to 30 people show up. And several play IA. This arrived just in time for me to show it off. Goth, you should have included business cards in my box

Thanks for the work!

*edit* do you have something small in mind for those of us who might be buying multiple wave 1's, that would match up with this? Not go inside the box mind you. Right now my second set of sabs fits on top of two of my other chars, but I have no idea what I'm going to do if I get more reb troopers than what I have.

I got to use the box insert last night, and just as predicted setup was smooth sailing. And general game state organization was superb with all the cards and tokens having nice homes to sit in and be arrayed around the map. It looked really organized, and stayed really organized the entire game. So not only did it make setup easier, it kept the game state cleaner during the missions. And this cut down on "looking for crap" time.

Thanks again for this item. It was well worth the money. I hope you can get the DYI version setup as I think the $75 price tag is going to keep some people from getting this amazing game helper.

To me, it was worth every penny, as without it, I would have $200 worth of crap just sitting on a shelf, while I sulked on the couch wishing I could play it, but being locked in place by my ADD.

*edit* After I finish buying all my airbrush supplies (need new airbrush and compressor) I'm so getting the hero and imperial card holders next!

*edit 2 * You should add another picture to your snapshots, of a game in progress, with the various components arrayed around the map. This was what got the most Oooo's and AAwwee's last night.