Arena Builder

Hemlock · 04-03-2017, 11:09 AM

Anybody know where I can get software to help build an arena ?

Pacey · 04-03-2017, 12:14 PM

By "build an arena", do you mean:

1) Draw one - Photoshop (expensive, from Adobe, though there used to be a free online version - not sure if it still exists), GIMP (free, search on Google), lots of other drawing packages

2) Plan one out in 3D - Google 3D Sketchup. You might even be able to use a 3D room planner, of the sort used to plan kitchen refits.

3) Actually build one - I'm assuming at reduced scale... A decent 3D package and a 3D printer.

josephrey · 04-03-2017, 03:13 PM

If closer to Pacey's #1 option, Adobe Illustrator would be good too (or any vector based program), because you can resize the arena without suffering from an pixelation or image quality lose.

You might be able to download a trial version of Clip Studio Paint, which can do both rastor and vector.

But other wise, Sketchup is really good (and free), and you can print your 3D model in 2D images.

Parody · 04-03-2017, 03:43 PM

I use a desktop publishing program (think InDesign rather than Illustrator) for my arenas and counters, but the idea is the same: create vector-based layouts rather than bitmap ones so you can scale them as needed.

schoon · 04-03-2017, 05:52 PM

InkScape is my standby for 2D, and Sketchup for 3D.

JimTullis · 04-03-2017, 06:47 PM

Open Office Draw. Not the greatest. But it's free, and works reasonably well.

I'm drawing a 6-lane Interstate map that will cove a 30 x 60 table.
It will have photo textures that I pulled from royalty free stock art sites.

jimmylogan · 04-04-2017, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemlock

Anybody know where I can get software to help build an arena ?

Are you wanting a digital arena? Or something on paper?

Back in the day, I would just buy the arena paper from SJG - and I also picked up some drafting graph paper from a local store. Either way just take it and draw. :-)

josephrey · 04-04-2017, 08:27 PM

Yes! Thumbs up to drawing it by hand!

Chernobyl · 04-04-2017, 09:31 PM

I created my Dumbarton Slalom using a combination of software.
The original file was drawn using MS Publisher - microsoft drawing shapes and lines are all vector art. using lines and adjusting points you can make any shapes you desire.
the large scale of the double arena had to be printed to adobe PDF in 2 stages, because adobe wouldn't print a 17x4 foot pdf. These got stitched together in photoshop elements and reduced to about 200 DPI in order to make one big image in a PNG format.
Uploaded the PNG to a banner printing site and now I have a matchbox arena I can roll up and stand in the corner.

I made all my dropped weapon counter graphics in MS publisher as well. I've posted the PDFs of these at boardgame geek, you can upload them to printandplaygames.com and have your own set made as I did.

josephrey · 04-05-2017, 01:03 PM

That link didn't seem to work, is it https://www.printplaygames.com/ ?

04-03-2017, 12:14 PM	#2
Pacey Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Leeds, England	Re: Arena Builder By "build an arena", do you mean: 1) Draw one - Photoshop (expensive, from Adobe, though there used to be a free online version - not sure if it still exists), GIMP (free, search on Google), lots of other drawing packages 2) Plan one out in 3D - Google 3D Sketchup. You might even be able to use a 3D room planner, of the sort used to plan kitchen refits. 3) Actually build one - I'm assuming at reduced scale... A decent 3D package and a 3D printer.

04-03-2017, 03:13 PM	#3
josephrey Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: on the road!! check out www.chingchingwong.com to see where we currently are. :)	Re: Arena Builder If closer to Pacey's #1 option, Adobe Illustrator would be good too (or any vector based program), because you can resize the arena without suffering from an pixelation or image quality lose. You might be able to download a trial version of Clip Studio Paint, which can do both rastor and vector. But other wise, Sketchup is really good (and free), and you can print your 3D model in 2D images.

04-03-2017, 03:43 PM	#4
Parody Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Twin Cities, MN	Re: Arena Builder I use a desktop publishing program (think InDesign rather than Illustrator) for my arenas and counters, but the idea is the same: create vector-based layouts rather than bitmap ones so you can scale them as needed. __________________ Michael Miller St. Paul Area Road Knights ESG Labs - Convention Events

04-03-2017, 05:52 PM	#5
schoon Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oakland, CA, USA	Re: Arena Builder InkScape is my standby for 2D, and Sketchup for 3D.

04-03-2017, 06:47 PM	#6
JimTullis Join Date: Feb 2013	Re: Arena Builder Open Office Draw. Not the greatest. But it's free, and works reasonably well. I'm drawing a 6-lane Interstate map that will cove a 30 x 60 table. It will have photo textures that I pulled from royalty free stock art sites.

04-03-2017, 11:09 AM	#1
Hemlock Join Date: Nov 2007	Arena Builder Anybody know where I can get software to help build an arena ?

04-04-2017, 08:27 PM	#8
josephrey Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: on the road!! check out www.chingchingwong.com to see where we currently are. :)	Re: Arena Builder Yes! Thumbs up to drawing it by hand!

04-04-2017, 09:31 PM	#9
Chernobyl Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: California	Re: Arena Builder I created my Dumbarton Slalom using a combination of software. The original file was drawn using MS Publisher - microsoft drawing shapes and lines are all vector art. using lines and adjusting points you can make any shapes you desire. the large scale of the double arena had to be printed to adobe PDF in 2 stages, because adobe wouldn't print a 17x4 foot pdf. These got stitched together in photoshop elements and reduced to about 200 DPI in order to make one big image in a PNG format. Uploaded the PNG to a banner printing site and now I have a matchbox arena I can roll up and stand in the corner. I made all my dropped weapon counter graphics in MS publisher as well. I've posted the PDFs of these at boardgame geek, you can upload them to printandplaygames.com and have your own set made as I did.

04-05-2017, 01:03 PM	#10
josephrey Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: on the road!! check out www.chingchingwong.com to see where we currently are. :)	Re: Arena Builder That link didn't seem to work, is it https://www.printplaygames.com/ ?