MTG Salvation

@Raynfal Try using new blades and cut slowly. I normally will just press down along what I need to cut then take the blade out of the card, move a little further down, and then press down again. Small little cuts by using pressure. Down try to cut it one try. Im not sure if this makes sense, but I dont know how to explain it exactly.

@Raynfal: for thin cuts like that, I tend to trace the line over and over whilst applying light pressure until I get it done. But I like Panda's suggestion more than mine. If it becomes flimsy, sometimes I'll just add a small bit of glue on the back for 'support'

@Raynfal - You could also thin the card from the back until just before the blue half-way point. With half the thickness to cut through, it makes it easier to cut thinner pieces without them breaking.

Edit - And knowing you are in Michigan, stay safe and warm!!

Guardian Angel Life Counter

I decided to Finish my "twitch" counter and change things up a bit. Ive seen others put beads in the art box, so I thought I would try it.

Just finished my first dual sided card.

Screeching Bat

Stalking Vampire

@menozcm is that an actual dual sided card, or did you just pick two different cards and glue them back to back? I like it.

@Panda yes it actually is a dual sided card.
The "background" card for both artwork is the same card and exactly in the middle of the counter. I messed up a little on the vampire the legs are supposed to be behind the cloak level not on the same level (had them in the wrong order and realized it after I glued them).


Edit: Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker 3d lifecounter (finished).

This one i did just for fun to try different techniques. I like the way it turned out.

@Panda: Your work is always fun to see. That tunneler is rather nice, but is it just an art piece? I can understand the art having a functional use (lifecounter, dicebox, etc), but I always have an issue with just making a 3d card. That is just my personal take. I like the alternate background. It's always a nice touch when you can do that and pull it off like it is supposed to be there. On the twitch, what is the purpose of the dice/beads AND the wheel counter? It is a cool idea/concept/creation it just seems ... unnecessary. The cutting of the art is, as always, done rather well. Keep it up.

@menozcm: I love the art for Stalking Vampire. Both sides of that card are perfect for cutting. I never have as I couldn't see enough elements there to cut. It seems you pulled it off just fine. I gotta say, that Bolas is bad ass. Did you enjoy working on the foils? The Guardian Angel looks pretty cool too. The black edge colors in the text box and the outer border seem rather bold (disctracting).

Also, as of late, I've been a little busy. I've got A LOT of cards cut, and many more to cut as well. I will have ~20 abacus... abacuses(?)... abacii(?)... cut and ready for filler and edge coloring and beading up and gluing.... In other words I have a long way to go.

@serrot The bolas looks even better in person. Working with the foils was not the most fun but it was ok.

@menozcm - Your Guardian Angel came out really nice, it has a simpleness to it that I really like. How did you like working with a double-sided card? Lastly, I loooooooooooove the Bolas! I haven't done a planeswalker yet, but I have been meaning to.

@SimplyPanda - It's been forever since I have seen that Twitch artwork, that one really does lend itself to a nice 3D alter. Also I believe that I saw your Tunneler on Reddit, I have to say again that the artwork is awesome and I didn't even notice that the background art isn't the same as the original.

@Serrot - Abaci or abacuses. Nice work on the Viridian Revel, is that one counter? it looks like there are a ton of spacers. Also your signature links are borked.

Nope. That pile is roughtly 10 different 3d cards with no filler. I still have to cut the filler. Which I am dreading as it will be a LOT of cutting. I'll probably have my wife color all the edges while I start planning the layering on these things and filler cutting. And there are 2 Revels being made. I guess I need to fix my siggy links. Been too lazy... thanks for pointing it out and reminding me.

I just can't get over it. That Bolas is sweet.

@serrot - The Tunneler is not yet finished. I have not decided what I want to do with it yet. I just ordered some beads so It will most likely be an abacus counter. And it still needs touch ups. I agree with the 3D card, I dont like them as just 3D cards either. They need a purpose, not just as something cool to have. As far at the beads for the twitch, I thought I would use up what seems like empty space. If you are like me and play a life gain deck, 99 life is just not enough so I cannot really use the life counters. When I added the beads, I thought I could use them as addition life. Each bead could represent 100 life, or what ever you want.

@mendicantbias00- The double sided card was a lot of fun. Everybody loves the Bolas.

@Panda: with the right beads, you can make an abacus that can count to 1110. 3 rows of 10 beads. I've not made one with that many, but a few who have commissioned me considered the idea.

Quote from serrot_29

@Panda: with the right beads, you can make an abacus that can count to 1110. 3 rows of 10 beads. I've not made one with that many, but a few who have commissioned me considered the idea.

I have seen counters like that elsewhere, but it always seems like it would be cumbersome to use...

I got an unusual commission for this life counter but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Mixing card frames was interesting but I think of the context of the cards used it worked out.

@menozcm: That's a terrible pun. You pulled it off rather well. HOLY CRAP. I love how you "hid" Tek's border. I didn't even realize it was there. *claps hands*

@serrot- I probably spent way too much time thinking about how to mix the borders and make it look like it was supposed to.

I'm having an issue with cards that are printed off center. I usually don't notice this until after I cut and line them up. Does everyone throw out any cards that are off center or do you somehow incorporate it into the design? Maybe use them for small pieces?

@Natsume: Yeah, that happens. Especially on older cards. I just finished 2 Disciple of grace and an Angelic Page. The arts on a few of the cards are slightly shifted and some are WAAAY shifted. It would be a good idea to use the art elements for those small pieces. I usually just say eff it and use the card. On new cards the shifts aren't as frequent. Which is why I rarely do anything older than M10.

I've been slowly working on what I started late last year with my 3d-athon. The first 5 have been completed. I've taken a few progress shots, but I'm not sure if I should be taking more. Let me know if you guys/gals want to see any part of my process. I've still got 10 left to finish cutting filler for. I've got 5 that I'm currently working on as well. Progress shots can be found here. I'll post better close up shots of all the pieces once I've completed all of them.


[edit]
Found my Gift of Orzhova Images.

I'm thinking of doing another Gift of Orzhova for a prize for Born of the gods Gameday as a promotion to get more commissions.

I've managed to do my first 3D card and would like some feedback if possible. I took a different approach by using a laser cutter to cut out the cards. Deathcult Rogue is the first attempt to see if the process would work.

I'm somewhat happy that it does seem to work and can cut out very detailed areas. Since the process is repeatable, creating spacers is easy. However, I am noticing some issues: the cut sides are brown like cardboard, it's not a completely clean cut, sharp angles are difficult, and the slightest offset will result in wrong cuts like his thigh. Some I will experiment to fix by tweaking the settings, but I know a good jig is necessary.

My next experiment is to see if the process is repeatable with the same/similar results. I'm also hammering down the process in order to avoid mistakes.