From: signal9 Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2025 05:03:40 +0000 (-0600) Subject: new article, cad and bases X-Git-Url: https://git.vexinglabs.com/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=954af263db934b272af42b6e0eb18d2b657f8fb6;p=vexingworkshop.git new article, cad and bases --- diff --git a/content/battletech-bases-2025-09-11.md b/content/battletech-bases-2025-09-11.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8fe773f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/battletech-bases-2025-09-11.md @@ -0,0 +1,57 @@ +Title: CAD Exercises - Battletech Bases +Category: Craft +Date: 2025-09-11 +Tags: FreeCAD, 3dprinting, resin + +When I started 3D printing several years ago, I was worried that I would just +fill my house with plastic toys. I quickly set about starting to learn +[FreeCAD](https://www.freecad.org/) so I could design printable parts when I +needed. I've used my rudimentary skill to make replacement parts for around the +house, cases for electronics projects and occasionally hobby bits. + +One point of pride has been printing my own bases for my miniatures. While I did +start by creating circular bases to match all of Games Workshop's "standard" +base sizes, I soon wanted bases for my 3D printed Battletech proxies. In much +the same way as I created my circular bases, I used calipers to match the +measurements of my [Catalyst](https://www.catalystgamelabs.com) models and +layed them out in FreeCAD. + +![Basic Hex Base]({static}/images/basic-hex-base.png){: .image-med} + +I learned from a previous project that I could have multiple bodies in a single +file. This allowed me to copy the first, basic base I'd created and paste a new +body to modify. First I made a new version with a reinforced peg hole for +Aerospace models. + +![Aerospace Base, Top]({static}/images/aerospace-top.png){: .image} +![Aerospace Base, Bottom]({static}/images/aerospace-bottom.png){: .image} + +Tonight I find myself needing bases with recesses to accept 6mm infantry models. +I'll be building three platoons of basic infantry for my [Republic of the +Sphere](https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Republic_of_the_Sphere){. .anchor} Standing Guard, and +in looking for suitable models, I found this really interesting project called +[Canadian Trees](https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/6mm-canadian-trees){. .anchor}. +(I don't know why they're called Canadian Trees). Each column holds I think +between 25 and thirty models, each column holding different variants. I found I +could put 15 columns on a built plate, so I did. That gives me somewhere between +350 and 400 individual soldiers. I'm set for life. + +![Canadian Trees]({static}/images/canadian-trees.jpg){: .image-med} + +To add these additial base variants took less time than it will have taken to +write this post. Like my Aerospace base, I was able to make a copy of the basic, +original body. I placed on the surface a single, 5mm diameter by 1mm deep +recess, constrained it to a corner, then used a Polar Array to layout copies of +the recess. As the input to the polar array is a number of units, I could simply +create the first, then with each duplicate change that parameter. I was done +very quickly. + +![Infantry, Six Models]({static}/images/infantry-6.png){: .image} +![Infantry, Five Models]({static}/images/infantry-5.png){: .image} +![Infantry, Four Models]({static}/images/infantry-4.png){: .image} + +Now I will export these each as a separate .STL file, and slice them for my +printer. I find I can print six bases at a time on my small built plate. With an +infantry platoon consisting of four squads of six, I'll be able to print all my +necessary bases in two batches. 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