Using square grid tactical maps - Page 2

KLGChaos · 10-09-2016, 05:37 AM

While I haven't been able to find a hex white board, they do have hex vinyl maps you can buy. You just can't use dry erase markers on them, but wet erase work well.

JoelSammallahti · 10-10-2016, 05:06 AM

Have you tried printing a hex grid on a transparency in some bright color and then overlaying that on the map?

dripton · 10-10-2016, 05:23 PM

We're redoing the master bathroom soon.

Hex tile is pretty common, for example:

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...hroom+Hex+Tile

If I can convince my wife to go with hex tiles, we need to play GURPS on the bathroom floor at least once. (I suspect it will end up being exactly once, because it's not the most comfortable room.)

ericbsmith · 10-10-2016, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilmore

Hex grids are used to simply emulate 1" distances more clearly. So just measure all distances with a ruler.

In fact, There's a GURPS Range Ruler for doing exactly that, taking your game off the grid completely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dripton

We're redoing the master bathroom soon.

Hex tile is pretty common, for example:

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...hroom+Hex+Tile

Actually, what might be really cool is to take a cheap coffee table and put a layer of tiles like that on it. It would be a functional table, but with a really nice secondary use.

Joe · 10-11-2016, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

Actually, what might be really cool is to take a cheap coffee table and put a layer of tiles like that on it. It would be a functional table, but with a really nice secondary use.

Solid idea! Now I'm having dreams of a full-sized kitchen/dining table, topped with hex tiles and edged with a beautiful hard timber border. It could be really attractive (especially as outdoor furniture, perhaps). No-one would know it was for GURPS until they saw the gleam in your eye...

I wonder how well bathroom tiles handle wet-erase markers? Hmmm....

Bruno · 10-11-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

Solid idea! Now I'm having dreams of a full-sized kitchen/dining table, topped with hex tiles and edged with a beautiful hard timber border. It could be really attractive (especially as outdoor furniture, perhaps). No-one would know it was for GURPS until they saw the gleam in your eye...

I wonder how well bathroom tiles handle wet-erase markers? Hmmm....

Any smooth ceramic glaze should be fine - you've got more problems with the grouting between tiles, but if you seal the entire surface with something like urethane you can be certain everything's smooth.

ericbsmith · 10-11-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

Solid idea! Now I'm having dreams of a full-sized kitchen/dining table, topped with hex tiles and edged with a beautiful hard timber border. It could be really attractive (especially as outdoor furniture, perhaps). No-one would know it was for GURPS until they saw the gleam in your eye...

I wonder how well bathroom tiles handle wet-erase markers? Hmmm....

White tiles would probably make a really good surface for a downward facing projector. Then your only problem is getting the map zoom to roughly equal the hex size.

Joe · 10-11-2016, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

White tiles would probably make a really good surface for a downward facing projector. Then your only problem is getting the map zoom to roughly equal the hex size.

That's an interesting idea. My worry would be that the tiles would be too glossy, and thus be too reflective - maybe you'd get a nasty glare from the projector bulb?

But this is speculation... It might be worth trying it to find out!

Bruno · 10-11-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

That's an interesting idea. My worry would be that the tiles would be too glossy, and thus be too reflective - maybe you'd get a nasty glare from the projector bulb?

You can get some fairly matte glaze too, although I'm not sure if it's matte enough to avoid all effects. Some of the glare is going to be avoided either way once you put minis on the map - it will disrupt the light some.

Tiles are on the top of my mind as I've just tiled my bathroom >.>

dripton · 10-12-2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno

You can get some fairly matte glaze too, although I'm not sure if it's matte enough to avoid all effects. Some of the glare is going to be avoided either way once you put minis on the map - it will disrupt the light some.

Tiles are on the top of my mind as I've just tiled my bathroom >.>

Did you use hex tiles?

10-09-2016, 05:37 AM	#11
KLGChaos Join Date: Feb 2010	Re: Using square grid tactical maps While I haven't been able to find a hex white board, they do have hex vinyl maps you can buy. You just can't use dry erase markers on them, but wet erase work well.

10-10-2016, 05:06 AM	#12
JoelSammallahti Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: Using square grid tactical maps Have you tried printing a hex grid on a transparency in some bright color and then overlaying that on the map? __________________ https://diceandlives.wordpress.com

10-10-2016, 05:23 PM	#13
dripton Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern Virginia, USA	Re: Using square grid tactical maps We're redoing the master bathroom soon. Hex tile is pretty common, for example: https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...hroom+Hex+Tile If I can convince my wife to go with hex tiles, we need to play GURPS on the bathroom floor at least once. (I suspect it will end up being exactly once, because it's not the most comfortable room.)