Terraforming Mars Game Tiles and Markers

This post describes the sets of tiles and games markers that I print for the board game Terraforming Mars.  The tiles themselves were designed by Frank Strauss.  There are a set of articles on this blog that talk to them here, here, here, and here.  All of my proceeds for printing these models will go to support my wife's entry in the 2018 London Marathon where she will be running in support of the MS Society.

The cost for the game tiles and markers is 70 GBP with a case available for another 30 GBP.  Tracked and signed for shipping will be included if you live in the UK.  The tiles consist of 16 City Tiles, 24 Green Tiles, 9 Ocean Tiles, and the 11 Special Tiles.  The markers consist of one each of Generation, Oxygen, and Temperature printed in a material called Steelfill and then polished. They have a weight and look to them that is much like steel.

The default set of tiles can be printed in all grey if you are planning on painting them.  Alternatively they can be printed in the following colours:

• City Tiles - Grey
• Green Tiles - Green or Matte Green
• Ocean Tiles - Blue
• Special Tiles - Tan (other than Nuke Explosion which will be orange)

Cases can be printed in red, black, gold, green, or light grey.  Top and bottom can be different colours.

Note that there are three designs for City Tiles that I believe Frank means to represent different eras in construction:

Requires Gumball Top - Not Provided! 

You can mix and match these tiles within the standard 16 city tiles or you can purchase additional tiles for 1.35 GBP each.  My default mix would be eight of each of the first two styles shown above.

There are two ways to order and pay for these items.  Both start with an inquiry through 3DHubs.  In the first case I will create an order there for you once we agree on the composition of your set of tiles.  This gives you some buyer protection but the MS Society will get less money.  The second method is different only in that once we agree on the details I will provide you the price and you make a direct donation to my wifes page on Just Giving.  The MS Society will get more money but you will not have 3DHubs as your agent if I turn out to be a scallywag.

Ocean - Blue - X9

Green Area - Green or Matt Green - x24

The tiles below are the "Special Tiles"

The case

 The markers

Picture of a final product

Pigmenting Resins

Given that I really don't need one, much less, two resin based printers one could question all the time that I am spending calibrating, mod'ing, and generally learning about them.  But it is fun so I do it.  If it felt like work, why would I do it?

I have a collection of resins that I am working with to better understand their characteristics.  I have another article that will review a number of these resins but here I am going to briefly talk about pigmenting.

My thought process was that I could offer my 3DHubs customers a wide range of colour choices without having to stock a wide range of expensive resin.  Enter two of my resins, both from Fun To Do.  

Enter also the Fun to Do Pigments.  

Finally, from stage left, enter a collection of dyes meant for fabric painting!

An easy first test was to pigment the IB resin so I chose red.  The result is pretty good!

I can stock IB unpigmented and offer black, red, yellow, and blue.  Or mixes thereof!

A second test was a little more odd ball as it involves using some pigments that are 'def not designed for the task.  My first attempt showed an obvious need for better mixing and filtration!

A subsequent test, however, was a dramatic improvement.  

I think some better filtration and it would be perfect.  This opens up the FTD SW to being able to be a lot of different colours!  I have not done any strength testing on the final product but I would note that it seemed as though it might be a little more brittle than the nature resin.  I would also say that the addition of this non-standard pigment has "softened" the look of the model.  Slightly less surface detail.

Finally, I wanted to see if the FTD pigments would work on a non-FTD resin.  The only thing that I had to test with was the Wanhao sample so I added some black to it.  My intent was only to add enough to change the resins printing characteristics.  The print on the right is pigmented (slightly I will admit) and the one to the left is not.   Note that on the red I used 15 drops of pigment for 225ml of resin.  On the Wanhao resin the ratio was more like eight drops to 100ml.  It seems like it should be much darker!

When I had tried to calibrate for maximum sharpness I had so many issues that I gave up.  The slightly pigmented resin, however, printed much better.  I am still giving up as I do not intend on using Wanhao resin but I thought the impact of the pigment was interesting.