"HELP: Moulded Styrene Sheets For SciFi Corridors, Floors" Topic

Applied Imagination International Inc./Precision Products is willing to consider making affordable moulded styrene sheets for scifi settings, such as corridors and floors.

However, though I proposed the idea to them, I am at a loss as to what to sketches/drawings to provide to him so that this can become a reality.

Therefore, I am BEGGING for your help here!

Here is what John asks for after he read the comments on the previous threads:
TMP link
TMP link

CC
--------------------------------------------

Dear Dan,

Okay, I've read the comments and viewed the few pictures and am getting a better feel for the project.

Remember, I'm not a gamer, sci-fi or any other and the games mentioned are a foreign language to me.

However, I started my working life as a pipe fitter and rose through the ranks of plumbing, sheet metal and heavy fabrication and amongst other things have owned 2 consulting engineering companies and a construction company. So these ideas are NOT falling on sterile ground.

Not withstanding this, I need pictures and sketches. Remember this is my business, so I need to produce popular and salable products.

I'll describe my efforts to date…

The sheets are 3D (with raised details 1/8" to 1/4" high approx.).

Details on the walls will be raised panels of various shapes, airlock doors, personnel and vehicular, piping, screens, and other technical looking bits of equipment ( that's where I need help, I've yet to take my first inter-galactic trip ).

The sheets will be 16" square, 15" x 15" usable with walls and floors on a 3" square module.

The sheets are white custom blend styrene which has a UV stabilizer and a small % of rubber for strength and flexibility. Our sheets are usually mounted on our Perfic Panels ( a unique foam core board with a styrene skin). The panels can easily be cut with an X-acto type knife, either into 3 " high strips or 3" sq. pieces and shuffled around. The floor can also be mounted and cut into any strips on the 3" x 3" module.

I use MSPublisher to draw up some preliminary ideas which I will forward to you to critique when they are more complete. Do you have MSPublisher ?

So I need pictures and drawings, lots of them and for simplicity, I would prefer if they could be channeled through you.

Your comments please.

John, Precision Products

One more thing.

When I asked John Hutt "From concept to production, how long does it normally take to develop a product?", he had this to say:

"It can take several weeks, as there is no use to releasing just one style in a theme or scale I would want to release 3 – 4 styles at least."

Thanks.

CC

So we would need 1 to 1 scale drawings (15" sq.) of the proposed sheets? The drawing part would not be too hard. I can do that. Coming up with art that doesn't infringe on copy write, but is close enough to generate appeal is the tricky bit. For me, I'd like them similar to Sci-Fi sets from the movies and TV, but they wouldn't have to be exact for me to love them. They would do 3 or 4, so that would cove 2 each for gleamy modern and rust-bucket industrial.

Artslave,

"The drawing part would not be too hard. I can do that."
That would be wonderful!!!

"The drawing part would not be too hard. I can do that. Coming up with art that doesn't infringe on copy write, but is close enough to generate appeal is the tricky bit. For me, I'd like them similar to Sci-Fi sets from the movies and TV, but they wouldn't have to be exact for me to love them."
If we can brainstorm here and get you images of those sets for "inspiration", are John's specs sufficient to get you going, or should I get further details from him before you proceed?

CC

Artslave,

Would any of the suggestions here be of any help?
TMP link

I'll try to dig up some more.

CC

Here are some Star Trek shots:

link
link
link

Star Wars:

picture
link

CC

I get from your post that the 15" sheet would be divided into three 3" panels(3 3" X 15"). Am I understanding that correctly?

Oh no, the TMP maintenance drone is going to shoot us down. I'll check back.

Well if they get done I will be getting some.

Tony
occultwars.com

This is a great idea – I have bought in the past lots of corridor systems and they are just too heavy and not flexible enough to do what I want. I have sold them all but I keep looking for the ideal one and this sounds like it – as for textures how about the Tardis Interior – I have a Picture but don't know how to post it for you guys

This sounds like a good idea. The Star Wars style is pretty "classic" with deck plating for floors. Also, a generic riveted plate (may already exist).

Artslave,
It would also, be great if they have a "grid" pattern to them like some of the home made stuff you have done.

I can vouch for Artslaves drawing skills. He does nice work, he just needs the right inspiration.

I would love to buiy into these. I have been wanting to do a large scale space type themed maze of corridors and rooms for some time, but never want to do it all from scratch! My only suggestion would to make the floors have squares, alla the Games Workshop Space Hulk thing, that way they could be used for that, but would also look good for any other set of rules or figures as well..

"I can vouch for Artslaves drawing skills. He does nice work, he just needs the right inspiration."

I agree. We definitely need to post for him as many inspirational images as possible.

CC
PS. Artslave, John just emailed me a file showing the exact dimensions of the rows. How can I get that to you?

"My only suggestion would to make the floors have squares, alla the Games Workshop Space Hulk thing, that way they could be used for that, but would also look good for any other set of rules or figures as well.."

Sharpes,

Would those squares be 25mm or another size?

CC

I did a quick concept sketch, with two walls and a floor/ceiling panel. That would be a good format for the sheet, I think. Yes, you could post the file to the file section of the Stargate gamers site for a semi-private discussion, or direct to me, artslave4 AT yahoo DOT com. Meanwhile, I must return to killing grass.

Go kill that grass!

I'll send you what I've recieved from John so far.

Thanks!

CC

With his approval, here is the text of one his John's latest emails. It might provide additional and useful details of interest to all.

CC
--------------------------

Dear Dan,

I working on some preliminary drawings right now, however to get Mr Artslave on track, I have attached a drawing to show that the basic sheets will be 15" sq. and have 5 rows of 5 modules = 25 modules per sheet, that can either be cut into 5 module (15") long strips, 1 or 2 rows high or 25 individual 3" sq. modules.

I hope the attached drawing clarifies the above.

Kindest regards

John E. Hutt, Precision Products

Can anyone find more examples of walls, corridors and floors other than these?

For the clean look:
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
link

For the industrial look:
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture

Any other inspirational images that we can share with Artslave for this project?

Thanks.

CC

A lot more here:

link

CC

Don't forget to look at video game tiles for inspiration.

All of the early FPS games used lots of corridor textures to make 'em look good.

the DOOM series, Unreal Tournament, etc.

-Mike

Sharpes,

Would those squares be 25mm or another size?

CC

I dont know. I dont actual;ly play Space hulk, but figured if you had them the same size, they would be desireable to a larger collection of people? I will likely use mine for stuff of my own invention, so 1 inch squares work fine for me…. Once you build walls, it becomes too difficult to measure with a tape, much easier to simply count squares…

Here are a few more nice corridors and walls with clean lines:

link
picture
link

CC

For the industrial look:

picture
picture
picture
picture

CC

Here is what I'd like:
picture
link
picture
Or this:
picture
picture
picture

I'll look for some others. It takes me a long time to load in screen caps.
picture
picture
picture
picture

Apologies if this has been linked to before.

ironhands.com/spacehlk.htm

40mm squares would be necessary for the new GW terminators to play space hulk. At 40 mm it might even be possible to play the Doom board game on them as well.

Perhaps an 'infested' set as well, with gigeresque alien stuff ?

Here are some nice "Clean" ship scenes:
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture
picture

It is interesting to note that the set is the same for the creepy/dark mysterious ship that they find, and the later "hyper-real" ship from the dream scenes. A few life pods and lighting totally change the feel.

Artslave,

I keep getting the following message when I click on the link on your last post.

CC
-------------------------
Dear visitor,

If you see this page, it means, the site where you tried to download the file is hotlinking to our page. Please, visit Abydos Gate to download the file you want.
Please, don't hotlink to our files.
Stealing bandwith is a crime!

On the subject of stealth… How about seeking inspiration from the works of the Golden Greats of scifi illustration?

For example:
* Jim Burns – link
* Chris Foss – chrisfoss.net
* Peter Elson – link or link
* Syd Mead – link or scrubbles.net/sydmead.html

Also, for something less industrial/gritty, one might seek inspiration from Farscape's Moya and Talyn interiors (which look a bit like insides of a seashells for the most part); add a few blisters and pods and you have reasonable not-Wh40-Eldar walls.
link

Another path less taken to follow would be to produce Art Nouveau style panels with stylizied, plant-derived mural forms and swirls:
link

I'm having a bit of trouble visuallising how the sheets work.

It's a 15 x 15" square of plastic, right? A little like a vacuum-moulded sheet?

This can then be cut into pieces and the individual pieces are walls/floors etc?

Apologist,

I think that you description hits it right on the nail.

They are moulded plastic veneers that will add considerable realism to any of your existing walls, corridors, floors, etc.

Thanks.

CC

This is the latest progress report received today from John Hutt (Precision Products).

CC
--------------------------------

I've ordered materials to make the masters for…

16071 Walls & Doors 1
16072 Walls & Doors 2
16075 Floors 1 (as noted below)

I'd like to know what "hieroglyphic" walls are.

If all goes well we will add to this series.

Kindest regards

John E. Hutt, Precision Products
--------------------------------------
(from Sunday)

Maybe I should have more plain floor panels.

2 corners
6 edges and
17 plain = 25
?

Ah ha! I see the problem. I tried to link images to our site, which the fan site does not allow. I should have read the fine print. Although I can see the pictures when I click on them, they obviously don't link to anyone else.

I was showing pictures of the Aurora from season 2 of SG-A. With lighting and some extra props, they filmed the same set to make two very different looks. Very cool. On topic is the "clean" look of the Ancient cruisers.

A good point about original approaches like Art Nouveau or the organic feel of Moya. Borrowing from artwork is ok if the artist is long dead (public domaine).

You guys will definitely like these news . . .

CC
------------------------------

Dear Dan & Glen,

I'm going to proceed with the 3 sheets already mentioned as I want to take them to Historicon, in Lancaster PA end of July to test their interest.

Please continue to send and encourage others to send me pictures/sketches/ whatever for future consideration.

kindest regards

John E. Hutt, Precision Products

I think this is great news! I am going to Historicon, and this would give me a chance to buy some of these and give them a try. I can also have some sketches to give to John by then, as we develop some alternatives. What he sent to us in the way of panels, floor and airlocks are great starters, and completely generic, as far as I can see. No IP monster. They will work just fine for the basic spaceship look.

I particularly like the fact that John is still leaving the way open for future projects. So, if sales are good, then designs that did not get produced this time might be done in the near future.

Thanks Artslave for all your design contributions and all the useful feedback. I realized, after the fact, that I was in over my head when John requested sketches and drawings. In my panicked state I didn't know where to turn. Thanks so much for responding so promptly to my request for help.

And thanks everyone for adding inspirational image links to this post, and for the fantastic suggestions that guided this first batch of walls, corridors and floor tiles.

Remember, if it didn't get included this time, it might be with the next batch. So, as John said, "please continue to send and encourage others to send me pictures/sketches/ whatever for future consideration." Feel free to continue adding to this thread.

Personally, I have never seen, or even heard of, something happening this quickly, with any company or manufacturer.

I emailed John a few examples on June 18 and asked if he would be interested in making something for scifi gamers. He responded the very next day and asked for input. Within 7 days (by June 25th), John felt he had sufficient material to design and proceed with production for an unveiling of a first set at Historicon in late July.

A truly amazing example of a combined effort. You guys continue to reinforce my faith in TMP!

I really hope that the final product lives up to everyone's expectations and needs.

CC

I have always liked the IDEA of Space Hulk, thought it a brilliant way to get "Feel" into SF games, to make the players' skin crawl if ever so slightly,as their characters/figures are wading hipdeep in slime or feeling the texture of printed circuits, ribbed flooring etc. Even solo you never know what you are up against. Keep it up, Gentlemen!
Ian Winterbottom

Historicon is too far away:D

I strongly encourage someone to have a look at Natural Selection, the computer game (a half-life modification) as it has some amazing grilles, treadplate, and other "texturing" to make it look quite nice even though the game engine is very old. If you could get someone who was arty to give the game a walk-through they might get a LOT of inspiration.

I'm pretty sure, just by the way, that Legions of Steel and Space hulk both used 25mm squares.I wonder what size Star Wars CMG uses?

I am glad to see Precision Products (aiii) already listed among the exhibitors:

PDF link

Someone please let me know how those new sheets look!

Thanks.

CC

Slight set-back.

CC
--------------------------------

Dear Dan,

I'm still working on the Masters, as I write.

It took far longer to get materials from my local hobby shop, as they had to be ordered.

Thus I'm way behind schedule and will not have any Sci-fi styles ready for Historicon, which is next week.

However, I have made up a few fliers should anybody be interested.

kindest regards,

John E. Hutt, Precision Products.

--------------------------------

Dear Dan,

I'm still waiting for some materials and I now have to concentrate on stock for Historicon.

I have some personal stuff to attend to in mid August.

So, to be realistic, I'll shoot for Sept. 1st and hopefully have 2 wall sheets and 2 floor sheets in production by then.

I'll take some Sci-Fi Fliers to Historicon and give them to any interested attendees.

Kindest regards,

John E. Hutt, Precision Products

Dang, everytime I see a new post here, I get excited and start reaching for the ol' credit card as I click on it. Oh well, the wheels are in motion! Keep up the good work!

Soon, it seems (fingers crossed)!

Don't worry. The moment I get my hands on those, I will start on a model and photograph it all the way to completion.

CC

Did anyone stop by the Precision Product's booth at Historicon?

CC

Yes, I did several times. Each time John was very busy selling his popular product. As he didn't have the sci-fi stuff, I couldn't get some to try. There was only so much time, and so much to do I couldn't hang around for a chance to get in two words. There will be a slight delay of game until the new panels come out. I don't feel like I could submit sketches without some experience with working with the product. Sorry.

In the meantime, I raided my daughter's makeup cache (not so I could put on lip gloss, you preverts) and found wonderful "panels" of plastic packaging, that work great (not as stand alone corridors, but to fix to my wooden "Space Hulk" type walls and paint over). Really neat stuff. If y'all have daughters, its worth a look. I guess wives and GF's too, but my last excuse for being caught in my GF's panty drawer didn't hold up after questioning ("I …was…looking…. for… panty hose to make… "Starship Troopers" Mormon colony tents…and.." :( )

Am still looking forward to the precision stuff, however.

CC,
Any word on the Moulded Styrene Sheets For SciFi Corridors and Floors? Thanks.
JR

I just sent John Hutt, of Aiii/Precision Products, an email asking if he had any updates on the release dates.

He is very good about replies. So, the moment he responds to my email, I will make sure to post it.

CC

I just realized that I never posted his email from after Historicon . . . ooops.

CC

-------------------------

Dear Dan,

For us, Historicon '07 was very good. We seem to do better at each show.

The attendance, as far as I know, was never announced.

Only one attendee asked about the planned Sci-Fi style sheets and I showed him the drawings. He was impressed and I said they should be ready for Fall-In '07.

His son had a good idea, to make an additional sheet of "DAMAGED MODULES". This sheet could contain a mixture of walls, doors and floors, all damaged.

So once I've caught up with the back log of orders that accumulated whilst I was at the show, I'll be straight back to the Sci-Fi masters.
Kindest regards,

John E. Hutt, Precision Products