I posted this over on BGG too, but I figure maybe there's some different people here
I found
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/374295421/dstone-art-space-game-mats
a while back - pretty cool mats.
I backed them, but I'm not connected in any other way really. I just thought I'd share because I know some people are interested in mats....
Backed it as well.
This just in: Project Successfully funded, so, hope they look good.
Well, it looks like i missed that one, but i also found this kick starter .
Looks like a pretty solid game mat, and i backed it for their star field mat.
As with the original poster, I have no association with with the makers of these mats, just thought that other people may find this useful.
Looks interesting.
I will certainly post a review when my mats show up
The problem with the mats out there is that they dont feel 3d. (and they all look like those posters from the 80ies)
I am thinking about doing an experiment with latex.
The plan ist to pour black latex over some fabric and add light blue paint in it to create stars.
When it is dry, I paint another layer of thinned out black latex.
If it works, it will look like the stares are actually in a distance.
(it might be more layers with stars)
But I think it must wait until its hotter outside:)
Another thing is that planets either are to sharp or to faar away.
If the planet is so faar away that you can se the whole planet, then it should not be as sharp as the ships.
Another thing is that planets either are to sharp or to faar away.
If the planet is so faar away that you can se the whole planet, then it should not be as sharp as the ships.
Why not? A telephoto lens can keep everything in focus.
Those are some expensive mats. That's why I didn't back.
Those are some expensive mats. That's why I didn't back.
Yeah - I bought a $25 one at the FLGS. It's not as "non slick" as I'd like, but it really helps to identify the play area! We've started putting two tables side by side so there's room for it. Until I bought this the local players just used the table and marked off "about right." :-)
Another thing is that planets either are to sharp or to faar away.
If the planet is so faar away that you can se the whole planet, then it should not be as sharp as the ships.
Why not? A telephoto lens can keep everything in focus.
...but your eyes cant, so it will look wrong
I think your layered latex mat idea is really great, but we don't see space as 3D. The stars are much too far away to create a parallax effect for our naked eyes.
I think your layered latex mat idea is really great, but we don't see space as 3D. The stars are much too far away to create a parallax effect for our naked eyes.
That is true, but when you add closer thing (like ships) you se a difference.
So the difference is not between only the stars, but thestars and the closer stuff.
When it gets hotter here i can do a test on a smaller scale first.