New Products - ISO Containers

With all the work going on for the Skyway Project Kickstarter we have had allot of projects sitting on the shelf waiting for their time to shine. With 10 or more designs floating around at a time it is easy for then to fall through the cracks. This is one of those designs. It was originally planned for January release but we were just too busy. Then it happened, someone on the Kickstarter comment page asked it we offered any ISO style containers. The answer was, "Yes, we do."

This is our newest kit. We are offering it here as part of our general release in our sci-fi terrain line. The kits are sold in pairs and include 2 containers and 2 sets of mounting legs. Each container has fold down doors at both end and locking tabs for stacking units together. The units are approximately 3x3x6".

Sci-fi ISO Container 2 Pack,  SF-ISO-02 $25

To order a set email us at BURNINDESIGNS@GMAIL.COM or to find out more and stay on top of our new releases please  "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @burnindesigns.

Skyway Project new Kickstarter pledge level - Landing Party

When Burn In Designs started the Skyway Project Kickstarter, we thought we covered every possible combination when we designed the pledge levels. Then we started getting questions and opening up more discussions with backers and found out we needed to expand the project a little further. We added more kits and expanded the possibilities to match this demand. Now we have gone back and add more combinations and pledge levels. I present the Landing Party pledge level.

 

At $105 and above, we have added a 4 pack of apartment modules and lander platforms. This is the perfect set for people that have terrain but just want to add to it or are still on the fence about the whole Skyway package. When you get your pledge survey you will be given the option to chose which 4 kits you would like from the current 5, soon to be 6  or 7 different sets.

The set will tie into the rest of our Scifi terrain line and still fit at home in your current scifi terrain collection. The kits include bonus items as well like communications dishes, extra signage and furniture as well as any stretch goals we reach throughout the Kickstarter.

Not bad and to think we still have 25 days left. What will come next? Join us and find out.

Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level/

Closing in on the next stretch goal!

Yesterday was a great day making it to the funding goal. Now we are closing in on the first real stretch goal. When we make it to $11K in total pledges, everyone that pledges $100 or more will receive one our model painting racks. If you game an paint models it can be a little frustrating holding on them while painting so you attache them to old paint pots or sticks to give yourself a handle. The problem is even with this add-on they can still be a little unstable and tippy. This rack was designed to eliminate that by giving you a secure tray to hold the figures while they are drying. No more knocked over or smudged models while painting.

So if you haven't gotten in and pledge on the project yet what are you waiting for? Come join us and take your game up a level with the Skyway Project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level/

 

Next up we have more preview pictures of the alternate apartment modules. There will be a total of 5 different styles:

• Standard living quarters
• Large window office
• Research Center
• Storage unit
• Security Bunker
We will do a feature on each unit as the final textures are decided so you can get a good look at them all side by side. 

 

Funded in 4 Days! Thank you all!!!

WE DID IT!

The Skyway Project is funded and heading into production!!!

Thank you too everyone that has pledged with us to make this project come to life!

We knew we had a success based on the feedback and responses we were getting from you all and cannot express the level of gratitude we have for you.

Now that we are funded we can set more things in motion. We will be working with our vendors to get hardware shipped and optimizing cut drawings so we can get the highest yield from each cut. These are both big steps for us due to the scale needed to deliver this project.

There are over 50 different cut patterns for this set. Each drawing needs to be rechecked and tested to make sure we haven't missed anything. Our goal is perfection. Once this check is over we can begin combining common parts into larger drawings for mass production. These are big project but we are ready for them and will keep everyone involved in the process.

When the project ends we will send out surveys for the various parts in your pledge and you will have options to pick up not only the Skyway Project but anything else we offer in the Burn In Designs product line.

Thank you again. We could not have made it this far without you!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level

Kickstarter Update - 31 days to go and 90% of the way there

What a way to start this project! We are 90% of the way to our goal and haven't finished our first week. Great work on all of you for pledging and helping to get the word out there. There is still a way to go before this is all over and we need to keep it going. Get out and spread the word.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level

Even though we have completed all the major components of the Skyway System there are still kits we want to release. We have plans for landing platforms, court yards, interior furnishings and more scatter terrain and what we are showing below, new apartment modules.

The basic apartment module in the set is our workhorse kit. It is used in our Muse at Windsor Heights set and offers a simple kit that has a ton of uses. We have been meaning to expand on that for awhile but finally are getting a chance to do that. We have 4 new designs, a storage unit, a garage unit, new small office and the one shown here the large window unit.

The idea with this unit was one of a storefront or garden module. The final design will incorporate a skylight similar to that used in the Skyway Waystation kit. It has a removable roof like the other kits and uses the same magnet based stacking system found on the regular module. It will fit in the Windsor Heights stacking tower so you can easily use it as an upgrade for that kit as well.

Beside the new module we are also working a lander base. This piece give you another way to position modules. The base raises the modules about an inch to an inch and a half. This will let more models use them as cover and adds a little realism to the idea that the modules are quick universal buildings.

Anyway thank you all again and if you haven't done so already, get you pledge in. If you have you can always add to it.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level

Thank you! 

The Skyway Project Kickstater is now live!

Today is the day and we are now live with the Skyway Project Kickstarter!

We have put together a wonderful project and added a great production partner in Germany to service our EU demand. 

The Kickstarter is live now and awaiting your pledge. Join us and take your gaming to a higher level.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/the-skyway-project-gaming-at-a-higher-level

http://www.twitter.com/burnindesigns

Final Day to Launch of the Skyway Project Kickstarter!

Only 2 Days Left! Skyway Kickstarter - Stretch Goals

Only 2 days left!

3 Days left! Skyway Project Kickstarter. Apartment module closeup

3 Days to go!

The apartment modules are kind of a signature piece for Burn In Designs. It is a common shape we using on our The Muse at Windsor Heights set. The idea was a small modular building that could quickly be put into service in new settlements and off world colonies. They were design to stack like shipping containers so you could get the most density possible. Each module comes with multiple doors, both surface and recessed mount, a removable balcony section, ladders and other bits to give them options for customization. Shown here is the basic kit. As the Kickstarter progresses we will be offering other variants for shops and storage facilities. 

For more previews follow our Twitter feed @burnindesigns and take a look at the preview link for the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/598474680?token=25c10a1a

Skyway Kickstarter. 4 Days to Launch! Elevator kit closeup

4 Days left!

For today's preview we are going to take a closer look at the Elevator piece of the project. This was a piece that posed a bunch of new challenges for us on both the construction and design side. The piece integrates wood and acrylic parts to give it a fresh look. 

The piece started out very different from the final version as all project do. The first version was just a single tube shaped to match the shape of the other walkway tubes. That version looked really good and tied in perfectly but had one real flaw. There was no way to move models with it. It was a closed box. The next build opened things up but still had issues. Then went through several other versions including ones with moving parts to finally stop and ask what is the real goal for this kit. With that question asked things immediately fell into place. 

First the hoop was split into 2. This gave us more room for models and added visual interest to the kit. With the 2 sides separated by a center divider we were able to open up situations you normally wouldn't have like models from different teams both occupying the same piece of terrain for those cinematic standoff moment. 

The part that really sets this apart is the acrylic sections. These were added to do 2 things, first to lighten the piece. With all solid walls it made for a very heavy piece that didn't blend with the rest of the set. Second it opened up the idea of line of effect  "LOE". True LOS is something we all understand and is pretty common in games, LOE is a little tougher offshoot of that. The acrylic is still a wall even if you can see through it so you essentially have cover even when standing out in the open. This should pose some new challenges for players and open up tactical possibilities. 

On the game play side the piece includes 3 levels rather than 2. This was done to keep people from getting killed waiting for the elevator because they don't have the movement necessary to get to the top in one turn or if a n entire unit is moving up they can still stay in cohesion even though they are on separate levels. Continuing with that, the platforms are sized for 40-50mm bases so larger models that would logically fit in an elevator can be placed on them. Will it fit a Dreadnaught or similarly sized model? No, but would one of those fit in a normal elevator anyway. That is why we have stairs. Then again, what about a cargo elevator...I will have to think about that.

We are getting close now so get ready it is going to be a great ride.

For more previews follow our Twitter feed @burnindesigns and take a look at the preview link for the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/598474680?token=25c10a1a

Skyway Kickstarter! 5 Days to go to launch!

5 Days to Launch!

Sample Layouts and Learning More!

I have been getting a few questions about the sets, how they all attach together and when can we get a link to the Kickstarter. 

The last question is the big one and oddly enough the easiest to answer. The final link for the Kickstarter is not ready yet. Kickstarter does not publish the link to any project until it goes live. This is a bit of a problem since we can't give you a direct link to the project until launch on March 15th. So this is a bit of a buzz kill. We can however give you a link to the preview page like we did on the first day of the 10 day countdown. What you didn't see the link? It is there, go ahead and take a look, we'll wait...10 Days to Go!. There is 1 link on the page but you have to look closely to find it. It is at the tail end of the line "10 days to launch of the Skyway Project. " The period at the period at the end of the sentence is underlined. and if you click it you get to the preview page for the launch. Now we know it was a bit of a trick but a few of you found it and contacted us about it and even had us make some changes in the pledge levels and suggestions on stretch goals. Well it is time to let everyone else in. Here it the link.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnindesignsceo/598474680?token=25c10a1a

Now that that is out of the way. How do the sets connect together? Magnets it is all magnets. At the end of each kit there is a bar with locations for 4, 1/4" magnets. We tested several different ideas but magnets were the best option. The 4 magnets are stronger than we need to hold things together as only 2 are needed to hold things together in most situations. The follow up question is are the magnets included with the kits? Yes. Each kit includes 4-8 magnets and a guide for installing them. We also will include an option to buy extras if needed.

The last question was how big are the layout? We took some pictures to shows some sample designs and layouts. We will also be making available paper templates as part of the Kickstarter so you can see the true scale of the parts. 

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you as we get closer to launch.

Final countdown - 8 Days Left

8 Days to go.

Painter Friendly Details

Painting terrain is not high on most gamer's list of things to do. Partly because they are normally large pieces and partly because most terrain is smooth expanses with little texture. This kind of terrain can be bland. We though about that for this set and it helped shape the patterns and textures used in the set. 

Normally when you see laser cut terrain you see thin cut lines that help to define panels. They work but do get lost from a distance. This is because they are vector lines. Basically shallow passes of the laser head. They cut fast and you can stack several passes to make them a little wider. They are great for speed and this is the primary reason you see them. We chose to go a different rout though. We are raster engraving the parts. Raster engraving works like an black and white inkjet printer drawing the image on the material one row at a time. This allows you to create nice wide lines and even lines of different depths just by changing the number of passes you go over the sheet. What that means is now we are not limited to simple lines or geometric patterns. We can engrave textures like diamond plate, brick or metal grating directly on the parts that once painted can be pulled out further with a quick drybrush of contrasting color. 

The only downside is the extra time required to raster engrave parts compared to vector engraving. We feel this is not an issue so we can produce the best looking products on the market.

Final Countdown - 9 Days to go

9 Days to go!

The Design Process

One of the things that we strive for with the Skyway Project was the ability to mix and match parts so you can build what you want with the only limit being the amount of room you have to build in. With that in mind, we started looking at the elements required to get to this and boiled them down to the most critical. The first was the walkway deck. The base for the whole system. It needed to be wide enough to accommodate multiple game systems without being too specific to any one game. Next were the corners. We played around with several different designs and angles before settling on 90 degree corners. This limit allowed us to make the layout flexible without needing 3 or 4 different angles. Following along that same idea we came up with T intersections. This piece opens up the most possibilities. It works so well for just about everything. Last was the stairs. Again a critical piece. After all you have to have a way to get to the walkway and stairs are the simplest. Strangely enough such a simple piece called for 9 different prototypes. Spacing, length of tread, number of treads, railings, overall size, angle, landing or no landing. So many options. 

Once the core was fleshed out we moved onto destinations for the walkway. Here was a chance to tie the parts from another set we built into the system. The building modals are compatible with the ones from our The Mews at Windsor Heights set. Those buildings were a simple design that just fit perfectly and established an easy way too tie multiple sets together and allow people to mix and match terrain from across our range. 

Finally were the extras and idea change parts. Things like the staircase made simple since but we needed something a little more high tech. That is what spawned the elevator kit. Again this is a part that went through several prototypes. There was even a failed moving version that I am so glad we killed it off. Not our best design work. The same holds true for the Way Station kit. There really isn't a single part in the final kit that matches the original design. 

There is so much more to say about each part but we have to save a little for later. See you tomorrow.

Final Countdown

10 days to launch of the Skyway Project. 

For the next 10 days we will be previewing different parts of the kit and giving additional details about each one. 

First up is the standard walkway deck. This part is available in 3 different lengths 5, 8 and 11 inches and features a fully engraved surface. The design is modeled after the tube road systems you see in scifi films and anime like Cowboy Beebop. The hoops are designed to give the maximum area for large figures and even vehicles. The kits include the walkway deck, hoops and pylons.