I also finished my first ever dual sided counter Loyal Cathar/Unhallowed Cathar. Will put pics up later tonight. I also made an Auramancer counter that I will hopefully get pics of tonight.
@Serrot - I hate you. That alter is BEAUTIFUL! Good lord man, how did you get your lines so clean? It boggles my mind! O_O
@sumpter77 - Nice, that looks really slick. Have you ever tried shaping your alters to add a little more subtle depth? I think it would help you to make them really pop.
@Mendi - I have looked into shaping, but I both lack the tools to do so, and I still don't quite understand how to shape properly for different pieces/layers.
@mendi: y'know, I too wonder how I get such clean lines. I'd say a steady hand but mine is shaky as hell. Thank you for the hate, it makes me such a happy boy.:grumpy: I want to say years of doing this helps me get around such downfalls.
@sumpter77: I did just notice something... Your straight edges are, well a bit rough. I would suggest a metal ruler. I personally use a 6inch metal ruler for all mine. A plastic or wooden one will be easily cut by these blades.
EDIT: I can't seem to find my metal shaping tools. But I use tools for shaping clay, the ones on my table atm are plastic. On my next piece I will try to remember to take pictures of me shaping something. I lay the art face down (depending on the bend) on a thick spongy mouse pad that I have. I carefully press the shaping tools into the cardboard to get a "bend". Lighter pressure yields flatter bends, heavier pressure deeper bends. Press too hard and you get creases or tool marks. The tools, like mine can be procured at any hobby store that has clay stuff. I think I got my plastic set at Hobby Lobby and my metal ones at an actual pottery supply shop. Plastic ones are definitely cheaper and do the same job, I just have more "shapes" I can bend with my metal ones. Another tool for bending is and bladeless x-acto handle. I actually used that until I remembered that I had clay shaping tools. You just have to be more careful while using metal tools.
@Serot - Well crap, I was hoping you had a tip for me...ah well. Practice practice practice.
@Sumpter - I have the exact same tools as Serot, I also have a wooden set but I don't use them as often. I think the plastic set was $2-$3. If you take a look at my Death's Caress and or the Ember Beast you can see the effect shaping has. Like Serot I will try to take pictures of me actually doing it on the Frogmite I am starting tomorrow.
My first 3d card, far from perfect. I cut it out with a pocket knife just to get a feel for the process.
I loved it, and will be investing in the proper tools when I get paid.
I think I only used 6 or 7 of the token and used 3card fillers between some of the layers. It's thick enough to make a life counter, but like I said, this was my first attempt, and it was rough.
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"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
This is not yet finished (still need to clean up some edges, glue it all together, and add the beads), but I thought I would share my progress to far
Nice one, john. If you haven't glued it down yet, experiment with some shaping. I think it could add a lot to an already awesome looking alter.
What I love about the alters I see on this forum, is that every has a different take on what would make a good 3D card. I love what you are doing so far!
Gotta start some where, thanks for sharing. If I may ask, what all are you planning to buy?
I plan on at least buying a couple exacto knives of diff. sizes, a cutting mat, and a proper ruler. I see some mentioning of markers, but don't exactly get why they're used. And if someone can suggest a better adhesive than mod podge (GF has a bottle so I just used that), then maybe I'll look into that.
I'll also probably look into some beads and what not to make my next one a life counter.
It will probably be a Wayfaring Temple, since I have almost 20 copies of that card.
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"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
If I may make a suggestion, don't buy a ton of stuff if you don't plan on doing a lot of these, save your money.
All you really need is an X-Acto blade handle, some #11 Blades (and #17 if you plan on shaving down the pieces), and some glue (I use StyroGlue or TackyGlue), and a cheap small paintbrush. You could use an old notepad in place of a cutting mat if you wanted.
If you want to get some extras, you can get a small cutting mat (s/b around $8), and some brush tip pens. These pens are used to color the edges of your cuts so the whiteness of the paper isn't so distracting. This is especially nice for the area where the life counter beads go. And if you want to go a step further you can get a small set of pottery tools for shaping your pieces.
I decided to build this one differently than I normally do. Since the background will not be there. It will eventually be done like my Barony Vampire with a spot for Terese Nielson's siggy.
@Stevey_72: I agree on all parts with mendi. Save your monies. I've dumped a couple hundred into my setup, but it was over a couple of years. I really should show everything I have/use..... For the tools you used, I would say that is a great start. Better tools will yield you better results. I use an Elmer's Craft glue that has been left open for 12 hours (and stirred every hour or so) so that it becomes more tacky. Get beads when they are on sale or you have a coupon (I'm looking at you Hobby Lobby) since they can get REALLY expensive.
@john03016: Looking good. The art cuts are very clean.
The Tutorial thread has some good info smattered throughout. Most of which is rather relevant. Also there is this:
I've been using #11 knife blades for many years in my other hobby, RC airplanes, and have a tip to share about keeping them sharp:
Buy a fine sharpening stone, such as an Arkansas Soapstone to sharpen your blades with. You'll end up saving money on replacements and trips to get them. It only takes a few swipes on each side of the blade to rejuvinate their sharpness.
The only issue I have with this piece of advice is that it is mainly the tips that affect us. When your tip breaks, you MAY be able to use it a bit more. That can cut into your tight curves if you aren't careful. I will probably try this. Maybe.
Yeah I'll definitely wait on stuff like pens until I really get the hang of it, but everything else I mentioned is useful to have anyways and can be used in other crafts or something if I were to stop doing this.
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"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
Almost forgot to share my latest two alters. These were a little rushed for my taste, I was trying to get a stock ready for the M14 pre-release at my LGS.
Loyal/Unhallowed Cathar (Double Sided) - There is more detail work I wold have liked to have done, but I didn't have the additional cards or the time to do so.
Auramancer - This was done for monthly challenge on the /r/mtgaltered subreddit. I was hoping I could do some really neat things with this alter but none of the details popped like I was hoping they would.
EDIT - I totally missed your new piece, Serrot. Gods, man. Those cuts are beautiful. Is this going to be a counter or just a 3D alter to get signed?
@mendi I do color the borders. The wayfaring temple looks a lot different to the naked eye, but I've since cleaned up the tree in the foreground. Nice marrow, the lantern looks awesome in foil.
@serrot beautiful charm. Bump for some shaping tips.
@john good stuff. Your cuts are cleaner than mine and I've been doing this for months.
@sumpter I like that you repurposed a token for krenko, looks pretty good.
@Stevey I started with an exacto, super glue, a wood cutting board, and sharpies. I recommend those minus the glue. I recommend goopy styrofoam glue, like floracraft. Awesome effort for just a pocket knife.
What are some other ways people tack life counting means onto these things other than beads? Anything with numbers?
Somebody on this thread pulled it off, I just don't recall who and how many pages back... it was this year I believe. I'm too lazy to look. Since the number wheel has to stick out past the rest of the card a bit, I could see that being damaged. I just like the look and customization of the abacus. That and I can make an abacus count higher than a wheel, which is a bonus.
Edit!!:
The glue needs to cure overnight so it should be pretty solid. Only used 6 of my inserts. I will start on my next one in the next couple of days. So I will have 2 of these beauties.
The glue needs to cure overnight so it should be pretty solid. Only used 6 of my inserts. I will start on my next one in the next couple of days. So I will have 2 of these beauties.
Maybe you mentioned it already, but what is your plan for these?
Maybe you mentioned it already, but what is your plan for these?
Well, have a look at my Barony Vampire. I will be using that border and the white area (for a signature) from that card. It will be an abacus with the beads being vertical on the left side of the "art box" and the EWit on the right side of the "art box". The background is going to be a blanked foil with some painted art on it. Getting them both signed in the white area like with Daarken's siggy. Keeping one and getting rid of the other. I also want to make Terese a 3d card of her art for her to keep. I did the same with Daarken, so I feel I should keep the trend going.
Well I met Daarken (and his wife) @ GP Austin. So that's how I got that Vamp signed. Hopefully a friend of a friend can help with the witness.
The Vamp came from a pack insert. The border came from that same insert. I still have some so I will make use of them here. The white part is just a card with the print removed via eraser. Acetone would seep into the card stock, so I only use it on foils.
Well I met Daarken (and his wife) @ GP Austin. So that's how I got that Vamp signed. Hopefully a friend of a friend can help with the witness.
The Vamp came from a pack insert. The border came from that same insert. I still have some so I will make use of them here. The white part is just a card with the print removed via eraser. Acetone would seep into the card stock, so I only use it on foils.
Ahh ok, wow that is a whole lot of brilliance in one card.
EDIT: Figured I would share some of my recent progress. No assembly yet though.
Saw this thread at one point and went "I need to do one of these!"
Here's the second one I did. the first one being a 4 Layer Gold Myr, nothing special. Here's an 11 Layer #238 Swamp from Shards of Alara by Chippy:
I could use more practice, but I'm happy with it. Maybe turn it into a life counter if I can figure it out. Right now it's being held together by just a clear sleeve. I accidentally dinged the art with the sharpie I was using to handle the white edges. I might end up redoing that later another time as I still have a few spare swamps.
@Sesordereht: Holy mother of giant perchers! Your layering looks good. If you added some filler between some of the layers, they would pull away from each other adding to the effect. Nonetheless, well done. Some of us make the abacus life counters. Feel free to ask questions, someone might have the answer.
@mendi: Some nice cuts you got there. Never considered doing Frogmite.... I may play with one now. Probably not though. OMG.... I'll cut one for Terese for signing my EWits! Damnit mendi, I could kiss you (I won't tho ;))
Currently, I'm taking a break whilst I wait for the cards for my next commission to come in via the snail mail. I will probably work on EWit#2 during the commission's down time.
@Mendi - I have looked into shaping, but I both lack the tools to do so, and I still don't quite understand how to shape properly for different pieces/layers.
@sumpter77: I did just notice something... Your straight edges are, well a bit rough. I would suggest a metal ruler. I personally use a 6inch metal ruler for all mine. A plastic or wooden one will be easily cut by these blades.
EDIT: I can't seem to find my metal shaping tools. But I use tools for shaping clay, the ones on my table atm are plastic. On my next piece I will try to remember to take pictures of me shaping something. I lay the art face down (depending on the bend) on a thick spongy mouse pad that I have. I carefully press the shaping tools into the cardboard to get a "bend". Lighter pressure yields flatter bends, heavier pressure deeper bends. Press too hard and you get creases or tool marks. The tools, like mine can be procured at any hobby store that has clay stuff. I think I got my plastic set at Hobby Lobby and my metal ones at an actual pottery supply shop. Plastic ones are definitely cheaper and do the same job, I just have more "shapes" I can bend with my metal ones. Another tool for bending is and bladeless x-acto handle. I actually used that until I remembered that I had clay shaping tools. You just have to be more careful while using metal tools.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
@Sumpter - I have the exact same tools as Serot, I also have a wooden set but I don't use them as often. I think the plastic set was $2-$3. If you take a look at my Death's Caress and or the Ember Beast you can see the effect shaping has. Like Serot I will try to take pictures of me actually doing it on the Frogmite I am starting tomorrow.
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
I loved it, and will be investing in the proper tools when I get paid.
I think I only used 6 or 7 of the token and used 3card fillers between some of the layers. It's thick enough to make a life counter, but like I said, this was my first attempt, and it was rough.
"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
My Trading Post
-Thanks for updating the Mana Sigs Brofaux!
WUHaunted HumansUW
BUGNephaliaGUB
GToken SwarmG
BRVampsRB
GElvesG
To Build:
BWTokensWB
To NOT build:
Any Red deck. Ever. (Slivers excluded)
Nice one, john. If you haven't glued it down yet, experiment with some shaping. I think it could add a lot to an already awesome looking alter.
What I love about the alters I see on this forum, is that every has a different take on what would make a good 3D card. I love what you are doing so far!
Gotta start some where, thanks for sharing. If I may ask, what all are you planning to buy?
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
I plan on at least buying a couple exacto knives of diff. sizes, a cutting mat, and a proper ruler. I see some mentioning of markers, but don't exactly get why they're used. And if someone can suggest a better adhesive than mod podge (GF has a bottle so I just used that), then maybe I'll look into that.
I'll also probably look into some beads and what not to make my next one a life counter.
It will probably be a Wayfaring Temple, since I have almost 20 copies of that card.
"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
My Trading Post
-Thanks for updating the Mana Sigs Brofaux!
WUHaunted HumansUW
BUGNephaliaGUB
GToken SwarmG
BRVampsRB
GElvesG
To Build:
BWTokensWB
To NOT build:
Any Red deck. Ever. (Slivers excluded)
All you really need is an X-Acto blade handle, some #11 Blades (and #17 if you plan on shaving down the pieces), and some glue (I use StyroGlue or TackyGlue), and a cheap small paintbrush. You could use an old notepad in place of a cutting mat if you wanted.
If you want to get some extras, you can get a small cutting mat (s/b around $8), and some brush tip pens. These pens are used to color the edges of your cuts so the whiteness of the paper isn't so distracting. This is especially nice for the area where the life counter beads go. And if you want to go a step further you can get a small set of pottery tools for shaping your pieces.
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
I decided to build this one differently than I normally do. Since the background will not be there. It will eventually be done like my Barony Vampire with a spot for Terese Nielson's siggy.
@Stevey_72: I agree on all parts with mendi. Save your monies. I've dumped a couple hundred into my setup, but it was over a couple of years. I really should show everything I have/use..... For the tools you used, I would say that is a great start. Better tools will yield you better results. I use an Elmer's Craft glue that has been left open for 12 hours (and stirred every hour or so) so that it becomes more tacky. Get beads when they are on sale or you have a coupon (I'm looking at you Hobby Lobby) since they can get REALLY expensive.
@john03016: Looking good. The art cuts are very clean.
The Tutorial thread has some good info smattered throughout. Most of which is rather relevant. Also there is this:
The only issue I have with this piece of advice is that it is mainly the tips that affect us. When your tip breaks, you MAY be able to use it a bit more. That can cut into your tight curves if you aren't careful. I will probably try this. Maybe.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or the man afraid of the light?"
My Trading Post
-Thanks for updating the Mana Sigs Brofaux!
WUHaunted HumansUW
BUGNephaliaGUB
GToken SwarmG
BRVampsRB
GElvesG
To Build:
BWTokensWB
To NOT build:
Any Red deck. Ever. (Slivers excluded)
Loyal/Unhallowed Cathar (Double Sided) - There is more detail work I wold have liked to have done, but I didn't have the additional cards or the time to do so.
Auramancer - This was done for monthly challenge on the /r/mtgaltered subreddit. I was hoping I could do some really neat things with this alter but none of the details popped like I was hoping they would.
EDIT - I totally missed your new piece, Serrot. Gods, man. Those cuts are beautiful. Is this going to be a counter or just a 3D alter to get signed?
Soooooooooooooo pretty!
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
@serrot beautiful charm. Bump for some shaping tips.
@john good stuff. Your cuts are cleaner than mine and I've been doing this for months.
@sumpter I like that you repurposed a token for krenko, looks pretty good.
@Stevey I started with an exacto, super glue, a wood cutting board, and sharpies. I recommend those minus the glue. I recommend goopy styrofoam glue, like floracraft. Awesome effort for just a pocket knife.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
I want it...I want it to have my children.
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
Somebody on this thread pulled it off, I just don't recall who and how many pages back... it was this year I believe. I'm too lazy to look. Since the number wheel has to stick out past the rest of the card a bit, I could see that being damaged. I just like the look and customization of the abacus. That and I can make an abacus count higher than a wheel, which is a bonus.
Edit!!:
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
Note sure about that but thanks for the complement!
Maybe you mentioned it already, but what is your plan for these?
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
Well, have a look at my Barony Vampire. I will be using that border and the white area (for a signature) from that card. It will be an abacus with the beads being vertical on the left side of the "art box" and the EWit on the right side of the "art box". The background is going to be a blanked foil with some painted art on it. Getting them both signed in the white area like with Daarken's siggy. Keeping one and getting rid of the other. I also want to make Terese a 3d card of her art for her to keep. I did the same with Daarken, so I feel I should keep the trend going.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
What do you use for the white and If I may ask, what did that border come from on the Barony?
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
The Vamp came from a pack insert. The border came from that same insert. I still have some so I will make use of them here. The white part is just a card with the print removed via eraser. Acetone would seep into the card stock, so I only use it on foils.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body
Ahh ok, wow that is a whole lot of brilliance in one card.
EDIT: Figured I would share some of my recent progress. No assembly yet though.
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
Here's the second one I did. the first one being a 4 Layer Gold Myr, nothing special. Here's an 11 Layer #238 Swamp from Shards of Alara by Chippy:
I could use more practice, but I'm happy with it. Maybe turn it into a life counter if I can figure it out. Right now it's being held together by just a clear sleeve. I accidentally dinged the art with the sharpie I was using to handle the white edges. I might end up redoing that later another time as I still have a few spare swamps.
3D WIP's: Izzet Staticaster, Mountain,
@mendi: Some nice cuts you got there. Never considered doing Frogmite.... I may play with one now. Probably not though. OMG.... I'll cut one for Terese for signing my EWits! Damnit mendi, I could kiss you (I won't tho ;))
Currently, I'm taking a break whilst I wait for the cards for my next commission to come in via the snail mail. I will probably work on EWit#2 during the commission's down time.
URGEDH Biovisionary.dec BShirei WBSelenia
The brain is the muscle that pumps stupid through the body