Nice custom maps with the GIMP

Having nice maps adds a lot to any game. Here is a nice article about using the free software GIMP to make some high quality maps. Although geared towards RPG maps, obviously it would work for anything. I haven't tried it yet-- it looks complicated, but it has step-by-step instructions, so it should be doable. The results look like it's probably worth the time to figure out. One of these days...

...and I would have based it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!

My last four stands of OG 15mm old glory CD early war German infantry are lying on table. Next to them lies four stands of HMGs. All are loose, though. Because somebody in this house has taken my @$%#ing glue. Yes, my glue. The one with "DAD'S GLUE! DO NOT TAKE!" written on it repeatedly in bold black Sharpie. It's written thusly because harsh experience has shown my two older kids will TAKE my glue and, with callous disregard for me, not return it. I inevitably do not notice this until it is needed, late in the evening, once they are all asleep in bed, as I have been slaving away over the ungrateful little heathen all day. Frankly, I suspect another culprit in this heinous crime. The devious duo typically leave their ill-gotten goods in some easily found location. Yet I have scoured all the bedrooms and closets in the house with my pitiful iPod for a flashlight, and not discovered my glue anywhere. This leads me to believe that their mother has cleaned up the evidence of their crime behind them, and placed it in some godforsaken location where the kids' art supplies are apparently kept. Like a mafia hitman, I always know when my wife has "cleaned something up," as I never see hide nor hair of it ever again.

Productivity

It's an unsustainable pace, unfortunately, and already I'm burning out a little, but I did kick a little butt the last two days. I finished (well, other than basing) sixteen stands of Old Glory Command Decision early war WW2 German infantry. In fairness, I took the day off work on Friday, so I had a bit more spare time than normal. Still, I'm pretty chuffed. I'm looking to finish another four stands, then four HMG stands and eleven HQ stands. My goal was the end of March, and I'd say that looks very achievable.

Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps

The last piece from the GW 40k Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps set. I didn't think any of the other pieces needed a base, although it came with one of these large 40mm bases for each piece. This spindly piece would never stand on its own, though. Plus, it's perfect for an objective marker, which doesn't hurt to have with well defined sides. The set includes two more of these; when I get around to painting them up, I will include some Imperial Guard detritus from the bits box. That might be a while, though-- 15mm France 1940 is in full swing! I painted forty figures for ten infantry bases just yesterday alone.

Fun with paper dolls!

Er, I mean, create your own custom Star Trek paper miniatures! (May require IE, blech!) I love this kind of stuff. Watch out for the new Vulcan commander Phase-fro!

Sci Fi Girl Squad!

They have a crush on every Sci Fi boy!

Here are some female Sci Fi figures that have been sitting around for quite some time waiting for me to base them. I'd like to thank them for their patience. I didn't really have anything in mind to use them for, I just felt like painting them up. Many might see some action in a Supersystem game or two, or could even form an Inquisitor and retinue for 40k. The Copplestone/Grenadier warrior in the camo pants is painted up to match my Necromunda Orlocks, though, so should we ever get around to running another Necromunda game, my gang will have a bit more gender equity.

George Nafziger's OOBs Online

George Nafziger just donated all his lists of orders of battle to the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Research Library-- link here. Front end is here, or use the old list of files here.

Achtung-- Panzergrenadiers!

I've been working on these for a while and am glad to finally have enough to play with. I have two combat platoons and the company HQ painted. I also have a Sig 33 platoon, and am working on transport for them (still have to pick up some Sd Kfz 11s). The Sig 33 also works for early war, which I'm also doing, so I didn't paint up any camo on them. They should work just fine as long as nobody notices the command squad has a StG 44. I still have one more platoon to paint up, which I'm really not looking forward to, and a Panzer IV Ausf. H platoon.

Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps

I also painted up some of the elements of GW's Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps. This is a fun little box set with a variety of markers. As objective markers seem to be the hot thing in rules today, and I'm not particularly productive or creative, that's a useful set to have. I especially like the Space Marine helmet wired to the hand grenades, although you're really going to have to yank that helmet to actually pull the pin on the grenade, which wasn't pulled beforehand!

40k Deathwatch

I finished up enough late war Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers (2 platoons and an HQ, plus a Sig 33 platoon) to field on the table. Now it's time to work on early war in earnest. However, I was getting really tired of painting the little guys, so I took a break and painted up some Space Marines that had been in a box for a while. The heads, guns and left shoulder pads are a metal accessory kit sold by GW, so it was a bit of a mix and match putting them together. I'm pleased with how they turned out. I free-handed all the shoulder pad decals.

New Terrain Initiation

My new Terrain Guy game mat and hills got their maiden battle Friday night. Mik has a report and pictures. I am a satisfied customer.

Zombie Cinema Martians Variant Board

Mik and I were considering doing a Zombie Center variant game for a War of the Worlds-style martian invasion. Here is my first pass at a Zombie Center track for it....(more)