http://www.facebook.com/pages/MaxMinieu/126564650790648

But why CAD (computer-aided design)? There are several benefits of this method. First of all you can adjust the size and change details as long as you wish. With greenstuff you’re pretty much done after the putty cures. Secondly you can achieve perfect symetry and perfect edges – great for tech/mecha items.

So why won’t we switch entirely to CAD? First of all it tends to be really time consuming at first. Then it’s kind of tricky to add this personal touch to the model. Also IMO it’s better suited for tech stuff – but that changes quickly. There are already some great packages for working on organic sculpts (Zbrush, 3D Coat, Mudbox, Sculptris).

Computer design has other challenges as well – you have to learn howto apply it to making scale models. Something that looks good on a screen , not necessarily have to look good in small scale – because detail becomes too small for example.

The best way should be to use both traditional and computer aided sculpting together for best effect – using strenghts of both methods. And that’s how I see it for our future models.

But working on a computer is only half of a story. We had a cool design saved into .stl file, now it was time to turn virtual object into a physical one. This has been achieved using 3d printer. Not an easy task have to admit – it’s still difficult to find printer that offers quality needed for such small scale. It has taken me a while learning about various printing technologies – and one failed print attempt.

So how’s the model made? The printing method we’ve chosen builds three-dimensional parts through an additive, layer-by-layer process. In other words – the printer „spits” small drops of polymer that are used to build a complete physical model.

So here it is – from a digital file to an end product:

Those should be available by the end of June.

Oh, and check our forums for the other projects we’re working on – there’s quite a lot of stuff going on. Also check the webstore for new releases – the barricades and new gun cart option have been added .

So, now I can get back to my lair and work on setting new equipment in workshop (yup, the other thing that keeps me busy ) …. Till next time guys and gals .

We’ve returned to our workshop with the batteries fully recharged – and just in time I’d say .  The rush after our return has been insane and I’m still catching up with all the new things (new projects, new equipment, new contacts). But all is going smoothly – new releases just prove that. Got to admit that return would be far more painful, but the guys who stayed and managed the store while we were away did a stunning job!

First we have yet another beast from Adam Grabowski .  Immortal,  monster with 4 arms, clearly shows his talent for such fiendish creations:

Can’t wait to see how Olekkk will paint it .

Hamster52 has finally finished working on GunGlaives. This project spent too much time on a to-do list, but I’m really happy with how it has turned out:

We’ve spent soem time discussing how we should align the barrels before we’ve settled on most obious solution – using shaft as a gun barrel .

Robert Kurek is getting better and better. He finished working on zombie heads:

All the above items are already available in our webstore – http://www.maxmini.eu/store/

But there’s plenty of other stuff going on out here. I’ve already mentioned that new equipment has arrived. Well, sort of – UPS screwed it up and we got damaged package. But no worries, I’m pretty sure we’ll work it out really soon. Damn,  I never thought I’ll get some construction , engineering and chemistry skills when we’ve started MaxMini .

But now to juicy stuff – new projects. I can’t show you all , but you definitely should check latest set Maxime has just finished:

It’s also our first piece that benefists from computer aided design. It’s a huge improvent when you work on tech stuff – so much easier to solve symetry issues. Next week I should get the prints – I have my fingers crossed as I have high hopes and want to use this method more often in the future. This of course does not mean we’re forgetting about traditional sculpting – but I think that combinig both methods will pay off in the end (especially in terms of quality).

Majster is working on a new weapon option for the gun cart he did.  Here’s the first one:

It casts nicely so I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to add it within next 5 days .

That’s all for today – stay tuned !

There will be a number of previews:
- gothic backpacks (by Maxime Pastourel)
- scrap tank (our first vehicle and a new guy on board! YAY! There’s a chance we will have couple of copies for sale)
- Mechaworm (by Adam Grabowski)

Our stand will be located exactly as in 2010 – stand TM07. Can’t wait to see and meet some of you in person. So if by any chance you’ll be Salute 2011 please feel welcome to pop-in and say hello .

All in all that meant tons of work for us and extra hours at the workshop (I really look forward to get some holidays ).

Some changes are coming. You might noticed signs of the first one – I’m steadily adding pics of the painted versions of all our goods. Big thanks go to all the talented painters that help with that – Aleksander Kidawa (Jolly Roger), Slawomir ‘Slawol’ Borysowski, Nameless (Chest of Colors), Milosz Brendel. Then I need to thank Slawek Weinar for taking some of the pics. Definitely his photos are huge improvement .

But check paintjobs on the recent releases:

I’m slowly summarizing past year. I think that it will end as an article, but in short I got to admit  it was really good. We still need to work on taking advantage of more opportunities that we came across, but 2010 was another year of steady growth and lots of cool things happened (new workshop was amongst most noticeable changes).

But getting back to news – apart from the items above you might be interested in checking the torsos that Hamster52 and Jarek Smolka did:

And check out work in progress on another cool beasties by Adam Grabowski on our forums. Damn, Adam keeps suprising me with his sculpts. The thread is here: http://www.maxmini.eu/forum/index.php?topic=433.0

Last but not least – Artur decided to concentrate developing Kromlech line full time. We’ll miss you mate – you’re the best! It will be hard to replace you in the workshop. Remember to pop in and say hello from time to time bro .

Of course the whole Kromlech line will still be available through our webstore .

While we’re having some days off to rest with our families the whole new batch of releases is ready and lots of things are going on. Keep your heads up for updates .

Webstore will be back online on Tuesday.

Of course cheap, regular shipping can still be chosen. And I’m even more happy to say it got improved . We’ve signed a contract with Postal Services of Poland and our packages are handled slightly different. I’ve been monitoring delivery times for the past 3 weeks and they reach the destination faster . YAY!

At the moment I can say that we’ll propably relase some more in the near future. Big pieces are so much fun to make !

Also we will be (finally) switching to new email addresses – check our contact details.

And getting back to workshop – with the new place we’re again striking with steady flow of releases.  The cyclops hit the store, along with the grenade launchers, evil heads, more fur pieces for those barbarian/nordic fans.  Artur hasn’t been sleeping with his Kromlech venture – check out new post apocalyptic turrets by new guy on the block, Cyril Hamelin. I’m sure you’ll agreeCyril is hell of talented fella.

More stuff is in the works – if you check our forums you’ll notice AA turret platform by Matus and siege gun by Marcin “Majster” Szmyt. There’s also list of some of the bits we’re working on – but note that actual, real list is much longer. To the point it’s hard to track all those projects .

Expect even more changes and more new stuff from us – but that’s another story …

The preparations have required a lot of work , and staying in the workshop for the extra hours but in the end I’ve found myself onboard the plane to Indianapolis couple of days before the event. The first surprise came when I’ve left the airport – “ heck, I simply can’t describe how hot it was there and the humidity was simply insane. I’ve felt like being smacked with a wet, hot towel. I was really happy that Maciek and Will decided to pick me up from there . Pretty soon Rob from Darkson Designs joined .

Next day we’ve waken up early, and after quick breakfast we’ve picked up the goods (with the help of Q-Workshop folks) and went to get the badges and prepare the stand. My first thought was “WHOA! It’s huge! ” . Really,  the hall is impressive.

The assembly went smoothly and Cipher Studios turned out to be a really cool bunch of fellas. The only nasty surprise was it has turned out one of our boxes haven’t made it on time and we were left without the banners. But at least all the goods arrived safely, and display miniatures suffered only minor damage – nothing a drop of superglue couldn’t fix.

Next morning I’ve waken up a tad tired with a desperate need for coffee . The main hall was still quiet and nothing prepared me for the madness that was to come. At least not until I’ve seen the que before the start of the event! The first day was probably the most busy for us, and a hard test for my language skills which proved a pain at first (no morning coffee sucks ). But at the end of the first day and thx to Rob’s encouragements I’ve started to feel a tad more comfortable.

I was really happy when I’ve noticed that most of the customers knew us, and were able to find us even with the lack of banners. Many even had a long shopping lists .

Also it was a pleasure to see Helldorado miniatures taken by Cipher Studios, and rulebook for AE: Bounty (from the first look it seems it sold like hotcakes).

Igot some previews with me and especially the new turret platform attracted attention.

Next day was a tad slower so finally I got some time to do some sightseeing and spend some cash. I was surprised to find out how varied was the offer on the show. You could buy t-shirst, funky swords, art prints, rulebooks …. – all the stuff for the sf/fantasy geeks. For me the most surprising was a stand with tables for gamers. At first I laughed but at closer inspection they’ve turned out insanely cool. Heck, I had to keep my wallet shut, but even with such precautions I’ve ended with a bunch of minis and books.

The good side for us was that our banners finally arrived. Wooohhooo!

It was also a day when we had some more time to chat with the folks. It was a pleasure to meet many of you in person.

This nicely led to the 3^rd day during which we had to exchange lots of business cards and make some new contacts.

Last day started with some exchange deals with other manufacturers. Yup, it means I got even more stuff and my return luggage started to look suspiciously big . I also have impression that it was 2^nd best day when it comes to sales. A good ending of the show .

In the end it was a blast. I really look forward for the next year – hopefully it will be even better and we’ll come prepared better. I can only thank Pulp Monsters, Cipher Studios, Darkson Designs, Q-Workshop teams for helping us out with this our first GenCon. It wouldn’t be possible without you guys! Also it was great fun meeting you folks and seeing that games like rpg are still strong.

I can only recommend taking part in GenCon. You’re able to meet likely minded individuals, take part in numerous games, check all those cosplay dresses (damn, so of them insanely well made), party, spend some cash and in general have a good time for a whole 4 days!