RebelDaves NEW Vehicle (NPC) Cards!

By RebelDave, in Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG

Ugh... I have been trying and trying to print these out, but they will not print correctly on a letter size paper (they shrink, and will not line up). Has anyone else been able to overcome this? Getting A4 cardstock paper is seemingly out of the question...

I did my best to take this into account. The cards are designed to be within the boundaries of both A4 and US Letter size.

Ensure you select "Actual Size" not "Fit" in Adobe reader.

The are designed right in the middle of the page, equal distance from both the ends and the edges of the page, so theoretically they SHOULD line up.

Now, I only have limited experience printing them, and in all honesty, all my major printing as been at work (Staples) on a Xerox copier.

I found printing them so them page went in long edge first they were slightly off, but printing them short edge first they were as spot on as I can expect from a machine of that type.

I dont know if Brad has had any experience printing them double sided or not...

I can try and do a second set of cards on Letter size, and see if that helps (I need to make tweaks to all the cards, as one margin needs tweaking to ensure consistency with the next batch, so I could do that at the same time... just might take some time depending on how many other tweaks that generates).

Also, thinner paper seems to be less effective than thicker stock, I did most of my tests of the full colour cards on 300gsm, but some calibration tests on 160gsm. 160 is probably the thickest you will get through a home printer, unless it has a straight pass feed, (rather than an up and over feed)

Yeah, it's an annoying setting on my printer that refuses to let me center the image... I will follow your lead and take in to Staples. What type of paper/gloss would you recommend at Staples?

Yeah, it's an annoying setting on my printer that refuses to let me center the image... I will follow your lead and take in to Staples. What type of paper/gloss would you recommend at Staples?

I have no idea how the UK and US Staples Copy Centres match up with services, so what I have avaialble over here, might be different to whats over there.

But I used the 300gsm Matt card we use for Business cards, as it was the heaviest stock card we held.

I didnt fancy the shiny gloss stuff we did (which topped out at 250gsm).

Keep in mind, different machines, different tolerances, and you might need to ask them to try Long Edge First (LEF) or Short Edge First (SEF) printing, and possibly manually double siding them (Print one side, then put the paper back and print the other side), rather than setting the machine to do it automatically... it only takes the machine to pull the card a fraction from 'off straight' for the error to magnify on the other side. ESPECIALLY if the machine constantly pulls to one side.. even 1/2mm squiff and you get a 1mm overall squiff, and with such fine margins to the edge of the cards, you can really see it.

For the current cards, the stat block at the bottom of the picture side currently has a 2mm left hand side margin from text to edge, this is going to have to be reduced to 1mm, becuase on the next set a 2mm border pushes the hyperdrive entry to two lines, to ensure consistency across all cards, I will need to change that, but its a very minor thing that I dont have the energy to deal with right now. (If I go back and redo them to Letter size for the US users, Ill do this at the same time... let me know).

Alot of this will come down to the machine, its tolerances, and how 'worn' the machine is.

If you are still having issues with the A4 format, Ill do a single set to Letter for you, and see if that works better.. if it DOES, ill do the rest so you can get the best results.

If you absolutely can't get them to print double-sided, you could always print the front & back on different sheets then sleeve them. In that fashion, you could get away with using lighter paper, as the sleeve will protect the card and also serve to hold the front and back together.

For myself, I'm lucky to have a really excellent local print shop just a mile or so from my house. They've done posters and banners for my wife's business and hobby stuff (tuckboxes, paper/card scenery, etc.) for me as well. When the time comes, I'm sure they'll have no problem printing these up for me.

I didnt fancy the shiny gloss stuff we did (which topped out at 250gsm).

A few months ago I would agree with you somewhat, but I recently tried synthetic paper for my X-Wing reference maneuver dial cards. It's gorgeous and washable. Those cards seem printed for eternity and I don't think that I will print cards like those on anything else anymore. They are about 250g/m², but that is more than enough for this kind of plastic-paper.

I didnt fancy the shiny gloss stuff we did (which topped out at 250gsm).

A few months ago I would agree with you somewhat, but I recently tried synthetic paper for my X-Wing reference maneuver dial cards. It's gorgeous and washable. Those cards seem printed for eternity and I don't think that I will print cards like those on anything else anymore. They are about 250g/m², but that is more than enough for this kind of plastic-paper.

Unfortunately, we dont offer that where I work, and have no idea what it is. But since I plan on sleeving all my cards anyway (To protect my FFG ones, and the rest to match), I'm not sure I would go to the extra cost of this.

Plus, even if I could get this paper, I dont know if we would be allowed to put it through the machines we have at work.

So far, I’ve only ever printed these cards on my laser printer here at the house. When I’ve printed them double-sided, I’ve used the auto-feed feature of my printer, and I didn’t worry about misalignment because I wasn’t actually trying to cut anything out.

When it comes time to print them “fo reelz”, I will either use makeplayingcards.com, or I will see what I can get from a local printer.

Wohoo!! Looks fantastic!

IMG_3651.jpg

Wohoo!! Looks fantastic!

IMG_3651.jpg

Did all the margins come out alright? Nothing squiffy?

Are the cards the same size as the FFG NPC cards? (Mine came out alittle short)

I cut them to size (!), and they look great.

Just printed all these out, and they look awesome! Thank you so much!

Just printed all these out, and they look awesome! Thank you so much!

You are very welcome.

Hopefully they will be useful... ive been working on more, but it strikes me... having a QR Card for a freighter might not actually be that useful...

I can see Starfighters being useful for impromptu space battles, but freighters?...... would they be as useful?

So far, I’ve only ever printed these cards on my laser printer here at the house. When I’ve printed them double-sided, I’ve used the auto-feed feature of my printer, and I didn’t worry about misalignment because I wasn’t actually trying to cut anything out.

When it comes time to print them “fo reelz”, I will either use makeplayingcards.com, or I will see what I can get from a local printer.

Speaking of....

Any plans to post the individual card files (front and back)? From the limited playing around I've done with makeplayingcards.com, that would make it much easier to set up for printing there.

Awesome cards! Love the layout. I'm trying to get a layout that I'm satisfied with to make cards of my custom NPC's, ships, etc. so I know how much work this entails. It's most definitely appreciated.

Actually, yes, Brad and I have discussed this, and ultimatly I will be trying to set these up as independent files for each front and back.

I actually have a template that matches FFGs NPC Card format too, as I was pondering creating NPC cards for NPCs FFG have not covered, but thats entirely dependant on time and available suitable artwork.

I am sure I could build you whatever cards you wanted for your own use. :) I would just need an image and the stats.

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

Believe me, I rebuilt my stat blocks about 5 times, so I know all about perfectionism.

But then I also want all my own stuff to match the style of FFGs, so I had to take that into account.

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

Believe me, I rebuilt my stat blocks about 5 times, so I know all about perfectionism.

But then I also want all my own stuff to match the style of FFGs, so I had to take that into account.

Indeed. That's exactly where my tweaking and tinkering is coming in.

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

So, the problem with OggDude’s generator is that it saves everything as a graphic — I don’t remember if it’s GIF, JPEG, or PNG, but it’s definitely a graphic file. Alternatively, you can read the XML that is created to store the character. However, neither of those are easily editable in the way you’re thinking about.

The templates that RebelDave has developed are exactly the sort of thing you’d want for this, but of course you’d need to be using his templates with the program he used to create those templates.

And as OCD as I am, so that I had to re-create the stat blocks we were using for “Spark of Rebellion” from Rancor Publishing Group, I can tell you that RebelDave is even more obsessive-compulsive, and he has since re-created those stat blocks and improved on the work I had previously done.

So, if you want to claim “Top Geek” OCD status in this group, you should be aware that you have a very high bar to clear. ;)

Edited by bradknowles

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

So, the problem with OggDude’s generator is that it saves everything as a graphic — I don’t remember if it’s GIF, JPEG, or PNG, but it’s definitely a graphic file. Alternatively, you can read the XML that is created to store the character. However, neither of those are easily editable in the way you’re thinking about.

The templates that RebelDave has developed are exactly the sort of thing you’d want for this, but of course you’d need to be using his templates with the program he used to create those templates.

And as OCD as I am, so that I had to re-create the stat blocks we were using for “Spark of Rebellion” from Rancor Publishing Group, I can tell you that RebelDave is even more obsessive-compulsive, and he has since re-created those stat blocks and improved on the work I had previously done.

So, if you want to claim “Top Geek” OCD status in this group, you should be aware that you have a very high bar to clear. ;)

Let the wookiee win ;)

Much appreciated. I don't mind making them...I'm just being somewhat perfectionist in finalizing my layout, and trying to figure out the best way to manage the stat blocks...do I want to just save and edit a block generated from OggDude's Character Generator, or have a blank block on the template and enter the values.

So, the problem with OggDude’s generator is that it saves everything as a graphic — I don’t remember if it’s GIF, JPEG, or PNG, but it’s definitely a graphic file. Alternatively, you can read the XML that is created to store the character. However, neither of those are easily editable in the way you’re thinking about.

The templates that RebelDave has developed are exactly the sort of thing you’d want for this, but of course you’d need to be using his templates with the program he used to create those templates.

And as OCD as I am, so that I had to re-create the stat blocks we were using for “Spark of Rebellion” from Rancor Publishing Group, I can tell you that RebelDave is even more obsessive-compulsive, and he has since re-created those stat blocks and improved on the work I had previously done.

So, if you want to claim “Top Geek” OCD status in this group, you should be aware that you have a very high bar to clear. ;)

Let the wookiee win ;)

Oh, I have no aspirations of challenging such a title.

But if either of you have stat block designs that mirror the adversary cards for characters/creatures that you don't mind sharing....

All the stat blocks I’ve done can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nlsl6lu20pmgtg4/AACfwY9E-xZ68IIx3oha8xnBa?dl=0

This includes minions, rivals, and nemesis stat blocks. I haven’t done any Creature-specific stat blocks, but you’re welcome to use the ones I’ve developed so long as proper credit is given as “Created by Brad Knowles for the Rancor Publishing Group — http://www.rpg.buzz ”.

If you want to point out to me any differences between regular stat blocks for Adversaries versus Creatures, I can take a look at what would be required to make appropriate modifications.

But do keep in mind that I consider the work Dave has done to be better than my own.

Edited by bradknowles

Thanks, Brad.

They look pretty darned good to me.

OK.. for anyone who is interested.

Work progresses. There is stuff in the pipeline. Cogs Turn. More to come, etc.

However, I am going SPARE trying to find suitable art for the following ships. If anyone can help, it would be hugely appreciated.

Space Master Transport

Starwind Pleasure Yacht

(Both of these have nice images in the Edge CRB onpages 262 and 263, but are unscannable as due to the spine of the book)

DP20 gunship.

Interdictor Star Destroyer (and maybe the Vindicator cruiser... i have one, but it could be better)

Corellian Star Shuttle (I also have one, but it will require ALOT of formatting, and is clearly a photo of a model, rather than art).

Secutor Battle Carrier

I'll leave it there for now, as I have lost track of what I'm planning on doing.. hah!

So yeah... any help appreciated.

As usual, they need to meet the following criteria:

Ideally Art, not screen grabs from Games or obviously such.

Not Comic book illustrations unless they happen to look accuratly drawn.

Not black and white.

Matches what it known as 'Canon' (so if the ship has NO canon images, it is ruled out, in case they are added by FFG later, simply to avoid confusion)

If they have no background, suitable for imposing on a new background with my limited abilities.

Cheers!

Folks,

Just wanted to check in. Has anyone been able to find good examples of artwork for any of the following ships?

Space Master Transport

Starwind Pleasure Yacht

(Both of these have nice images in the Edge CRB onpages 262 and 263, but are unscannable as due to the spine of the book)

DP20 gunship.

Interdictor Star Destroyer (and maybe the Vindicator cruiser... i have one, but it could be better)

Corellian Star Shuttle (I also have one, but it will require ALOT of formatting, and is clearly a photo of a model, rather than art).

Secutor Battle Carrier

If you have, then please make sure you’ve shared that with Dave and confirmed that he has received it. He’s working hard on these cards for the community, so it would be great if the community didn’t leave him hanging.

Thanks!

I have honestly rolled a Google check.... Got no successes, two threats. Sorry.