Lasercut tiles for Settlers of Catan
Description
Instructions
- catan9.cdr -- for use with CorelDraw X5
- catan9.x3.cdr -- for use with CorelDraw X3
- catan9.svg -- for Inkscape and everybody else
This CDR file contains three layers:
- a "cutting" layer containing nothing but vectors for cutting
- a "raster" layer for etching
- a "NOTES" layer for instructions (don't print)
Thing thing requires two passes on the laser cutter: an etching pass, which takes about 45 minutes on an Epilog Helix, and a cutting phase, which takes around 15 minutes on an Epilog Helix.
Note that the "raster" layer contains some vectors. You need to either convert the entire raster layer to a bitmap (step 4 below), or else take other steps to ensure that the raster layer only etches, not cuts, your design.
Suggested build process:
1. Materials: I've had good success using wood and cardboard for this design, and moderate success (so far) with etched acrylic.
2. Load up the design, and scale all layers to fit your material (but don't change the aspect ratio).
3. Test cut one of the surplus "port" tokens on the left side of the design to get your etch/cut settings right. After step 4, you won't be able to do individual token test-etches anymore.
4. In CorelDraw, select the entire "rasters" layer and convert it to a single bitmap (invoke "Bitmaps -> Convert to Bitmap..."). By consolidating all the bitmaps into one master bitmap, your laser cutter will etch more efficiently. Also, since the entire rasters layer is now a bitmap, you can fine-tune your laser parameters to have the bitmap settings for etching, and the vector art settings for cutting.
5. Delete the NOTES layer so that you don't accidentally cut it.
6. FIRE THE LAZZZOR! On TechShop's 65W Epilog Helix, this design took just under an hour to etch and cut into acrylic.
EXTRA CREDIT IDEAS:
* Consider turning off the "rasters" layer altogether, and instead printing some very nice color printouts that you then glue onto your laser-cut pieces.
* Consider cutting the different game pieces out of different colors of acrylic.
* If you have suggestions for improved etchable artwork for the tiles, please submit them to me and I'll incorporate them into the design!
* Consider flattring me: flattr.com/thing/134363/Lasercut-tiles-for-Settlers-of-Catan (Definitely not required, I'm just curious if this flattr thing will catch on.)
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JMNE - I am using Google Chrome and cannot download your catan9.svg file.. I have business grade comcast service but clicking on the link just brings up the bottom picture from the column on the left - no download.. Is your link broken?
For those who fancy a set of this, but don't know how to get hold of a laser cutter, try a fablab :)
http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/f...
Full list of fablab locations wolrdwide: http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/l...
Question - The red acrylic set in the photos seems to have different designs for sheep and grain than the black
&
amp; white screen shot of the cutting file.
Which set of photos goes with the downloadable files?
Thanks for sharing all of this! I'm thrilled to get my own set made.
I would like to see a DXF or DWG version of the files too, but I would also like to get a version of catan8 in svg. I'm going to try to cut using wood, so I like the more detailed versions of the wheat, sheep, etc.
Is there any way you can save these files for DXF, or DWG perhaps? I'm in contact with a company that does laser cutting and those are the files they need. Thanks for any assistance
Sorry, but I'm not selling printed sets. I'm giving a few away to friends, and of course I encourage you to print you own.
If you plan on renting laser time, I should warn you that it takes me about an hour to etch-and-cut a full set of tiles. Good luck!
Very Cool, great job and hard work! Might have to make some on my laser. :-) But what are the implications of making these for others? you'd have to charge or trade for the wood or acrylic, which seems to probably be okay as long as it wasn't sold as a "SoC" game per se. Interesting article on that http://www.publicknowledge.org...
Interlocking pieces would be MUCH better. I like the acrylic look and it would hold up better than the wood.
Would you also consider making water tiles? Would be great for the expansion sets :D
X3 dump isn't loading on X4. :(
It shows as preview, but comes up as "format is not supported". Bizarre. Would you mind uploading an X4 or (different) earlier? I prefer to go native format to be sure I've got it uncorrupted.
Is anyone else having a problem with the SVG in Inkscape. All of the port tiles text is not aligned properly. Otherwise this is really awesome.
SVG is a poorly specified format, and everyone implements slightly different subsets of the standard. I'm saddened but not surprised to learn that CorelDraw and Inkscape can't interoperate this way.
Usually, PDF works as an exchange format, but I gave up when my Inkscape-
&
gt;CorelDraw via PDF exchange failed the last time.
Love these! Also very nice that the tiles won't move around now, they are all locked in.
Could you also create files for the expansion packs's? Would be even greater if you could play those as well! :P
These are awesome looking!!!
Being an absolute Luddite and lacking any creative ability and not knowing anybody with a laser cutter. Please advise on how I might acquire a set or two of these must have items.
I've just uploaded the 9th version, catan9, to thingiverse. What's new:
1. duplicated lines are removed, no more overcuts!
2. problematic images (sheep and wheat) have been replaced with high-contrast line art. This version should be more suitable for etching on acrylic.
Daniel Holmes of JNC designs does laser cutting jncdesigns@hotmail.com tell him Paul sent you.
This is amazing!The one problem i have with the game is getting those little cardboard pieces to fit right.. Now to find someone with a cutter..
I love this, but were I doing this, I'd change one thing: The tile for the desert should also have a center-cut which would be filled with either a blank number chip or one that matches the rest of the tile. When the tiles you have are shuffled, the fact that the desert tile does not have a hole makes it really easy to tell where the desert will end up being placed, even while it's being shuffled.
Otherwise, some of the concepts you've used are spectacular! I love the interlocking tiles, and the cutaways for the number chips are an excellent addition.
FYI, the acrylic version came out lousy. The images I used simply aren't appropriate (constrast-y enough) for use when etching acrylic.
I'm currently working on a fresh version using high-contrast line art for an acrylic-etched set. If anyone would like to contribute some artwork, I'd happily consider integrating your artwork into the set.
what version of CorelDRAW was this made on? I opened it in X3 and all I see is a "dummy layer".
Nice job on the 3D version... very, very nice! Can't wait to see it here.
Wow, that's a nice 3D model! Lots of detail, I guess you're planning on fabricating it huge!
I was thinking of having them printed in high res somewhere like shapeways and then casting them like this. http://intrinsicallysublime.bl...
As well as designing some more basic settlements and cities for printing on lower res machines. I did scale the tokens and settlements/cities larger than normal to make printing easier while not making the over all set much larger.
License
Can you design water pieces maybe some with the ports on them? maybe just a simple symbol and 3:1 or whatever? I like that you dont need the outside to hold them together but dude.. a brotha's gotta play Seafarers and stuff...
Just a thought, prob wouldn't be too hard since you ahve the pieces drawn up.. if you do hit me up
ChristianAce@msn.com