The guy pictured is our resident wood worker and fed player, I am taking the photos, while he does the hard labor
The final table is 48 deep space panels, 6ft by 6ft. the other panels are slightyl modified planets and a new set of asteriods I made specifically for this map. all terrain is removable.
The next stage is to start creating 3d environments, planets, asteriods, etc.
I use Photoshop for my weapon of choice when making ship cards or map panels. For the actual surface I scanned in the deep space panel, and all the terrain panels and converted them to PDF format. Then I took the Deep space panels and I made a version that had no white hex and had it copied 42 times. Then I had the normal panel copied 6 times. I also got 1 of each of the planet panels.
For the asteriods I took the asteriod panels and overlayed them with the deep space panel, then cut out the shape of the asteriods and filled that with a light dusty texture. I reduced the opacity of that and then used a brush that would scatter nicly and make a nice asteriod field, overlayed that, and filled it with rock texture. That gave me the asteriod field effect.
Then I used spray on adhisive (very messy) to attach the map panels, 8 long and 6 wide, for a total of 48 panels. Very nearly a perfect square. Next I cut the planet panels up so it was just the planet, giving me total flexibility of placement. same for the asteriods, I cut them in such a way that I could place them in one shot but be able to create custom asteriod fields.
To attach the planets and asteriods I use an artists putty that sticks nicly but also removes nicely. What I do to make it look so flat is place the terrain, then put some books on top over night and it keeps it nice and flat for game night.
What I need to do now, as my next project, is create planet and miniatures. The asteriods will be more or less easy since pumice makes good space rocks. I can keep the same hex layout and texture, and just add the asteriods to that to enhance the effect. The problem is the planets. the solid ones will be easy but the gas giants can be passed thru so I might need to just leave them as 2d map peices. The other thing I was to do is find a material that is very thin, but also rigid enough that I can glue these terrain peices on it and not wory abotu curl at the edges.
Thats the game room area upstairs in my house, we can seat about 10 players comfortably. The map really worked out well last night.
That game had 10 players in battle cruisers, with feds, gorn, kzinti, klingon, hydran, ISC, Lyran, and Andro (experimental rules). It was a huge game, lots of ships went boom (starting with the poor Andro) and we had a great time!
I love the idea of the folding top. I might have to look into something like that. Could make it fit on the table I have and just fold out for more room.
D7 off the asteroid, through the Ion storm, nothing but net.
