Hero Miniatures, interest and/or even permissible?

[Remjin]

Okay, here's what I'm thinking... there are some of us who like miniatures in our games. Some of us are even good with them. I personally like making converted miniatures and even a certain amount of sculpting.I was thinking about making some miniatures to go with some of the printed materials. Obviously, that's intellectual property. For myself, I know that would be fine, as I'm not profiting from it and its my own personal miniature.BUT... if I wanted to make some available to the community here on the boards (on a very small scale), that would be a violation of properties unless I just gave them away. I'm assuming even trading them would be "profiting" of a sort... likewise with donations or any other silly loophole attempt.So I'm asking here... as an example, say I make a Grond miniature, maybe I even get one of those casting kits out there somewhere, and want to sell some here... who do I talk to about that? I'd mostly do it for fun and to help a few others out that like that sort of thing. I'm not looking to make a bundle of cash, just enough to maybe buy another couple of Hero books. :D Heck, I was just thinking of posting it in a forum and seeing if anyone wanted one.I'm just looking to do it all legal-like...

[Steve Long]

Actually, while we're not ready to say anything specific yet, if you'll hold off a little bit until we get some things arranged, we may have an announcement or two on the miniatures front. We can probably save you some work. Stay tuned. ;)

[Remjin]

Oh wow, VERY cool. Looking forward to it!

Am I to derive, from your reply, that barring interference or competition with whatever may or may not come to be from Hero, that I would not have my pants sued off of me if I did something on a fanboy scale? :D

Certainly, I'll wait for what may come to be... I'm in no hurry. I have a waitlist of about a dozen miniatures for campaign miniatures anyway. :D

[CourtFool]

Remjin, I have wanted to make some of my own minis…converting a certain Clix game. I am just too intimidated to try. Any advice?

[Steve Long]

Remjin, generally speaking anything you do for yourself alone is fine. Even if you wanted to, say, enter a Grond mini you'd made in a competition, that would be fine. Potential problems only arise when you try to "publish" (make available to others, whether for profit or not) things based on our IP.

[teh bunneh]

Even if you wanted to, say, enter a Grond mini you'd made in a competition, that would be fine.

:D

Llama, there are a couple of threads on the Champs board that talk about converting Clix figures. There's also an article in Digital Hero about it (I can't remember exactly who wrote it, but he's devastatingly handsome). ;)

[Remjin]

Remjin, generally speaking anything you do for yourself alone is fine. Even if you wanted to, say, enter a Grond mini you'd made in a competition, that would be fine. Potential problems only arise when you try to "publish" (make available to others, whether for profit or not) things based on our IP.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was referring to. The idea was that I'd convert and/or sculpt a figure and at least recoup my material cost, and sell it to people on the boards. I'm sorry my initial post was a bit rambling, but I was trying to ask if that would be all right somehow without infringing on Intellectual Properties and all that. I guess I'm looking for permission to sell a few minis on the boards based on your intellectual properties, assuming anyone is actually interested in it.

I won't do it unless I have permission. =) And hey, if anyone at Hero likes them, I'd gladly sell the thing to Hero if you wanted to pursue it. :D

[Remjin]

Remjin, I have wanted to make some of my own minis…converting a certain Clix game. I am just too intimidated to try. Any advice?

:D

Llama, there are a couple of threads on the Champs board that talk about converting Clix figures. There's also an article in Digital Hero about it (I can't remember exactly who wrote it, but he's devastatingly handsome). ;)

Yes, I have some advice for you. First, let me reference my <a href="www.rpg.net/columns/list-column.phtml?colname=roleplayinginminiature">articles</a> at rpg.net. However, I warn, a lot of it has to do with painting, equipment selection, where to find miniatures and the like. I only really start talking about converting miniatures in the next article, which is coming out on the 29th.

But, to summarize and simplify, you're going to need to buy:

1. Hobby knife (x-acto or otherwise), to more precisely cut things off. Warning: they're shAAAARP! And I have the numbness to prove it. Be careful, cut away from yourself, and keep important bits away, including in the path of the cutting away stroke.

2. Hobby Files (small files, you can ge them at hobby shop or even home depot). You'll use these to better fit pieces or even reshape them by slowly removing material.

3. superglue (get gap-fill style, the most common, and NOT extra thick or anything like that). BE CAREFUL. Having removed a lot of flesh after saying "oops," I cannot stress enough that using less superglue and keeping your hands away from it is a good thing.

4. Flush-cutting clippers, kind of like wire cutters but with one flat side. The flat side goes where you want to make a nice flat cut, the sharpened side goes to the side that you don't mind wrecking a bit.

5. Kneadadite putty, possibly. The "green stuff" that comes in a blue and yellow strip to fill any gaps and such and to help join some pieces, possibly.

This doesn't touch on paint. Refer to the articles about paint.

Be sure to keep safety in mind, especially with the

General rules:

1. Squash your fear. Its just a plastic mini, don't pay a lot for it, and just do it. Go nuts if you want. Its just a couple of bucks. The more you dare, the better you'll get. Mistakes are a learning tool.

2. Measure twice, cut once. Be sure you're cutting at the proper place and make sure the part is even going to fit with whatever you're attaching it to.

3. DESTROY! Better to cut off too much than not enough. You can always trim it down later to make that perfect fit.

4. Plan ahead. Figure out exactly what you need and how you're going to remove it before making a figure. Be sure to get that extra material to make adjustments. Have all your parts ready to go before you cut anything. Take it slow, stick to the plan.

5. You get what you pay for. Buy cheap stuff, get cheap stuff. You don't have to pay a fortune, just don't buy the absolute cheapest thing you can find. You'll be buying another one in no time flat. Find something reasonable and go for it.

6. Friends who know are a bountiful resource. If you know anyone who is already into miniatures, solicit their help. Its more fun to do this stuff with someone anyway.

And another tidbit... if there's a store that does a lot with miniatures, see if they can help you or direct you to a person who can. Barring that, if you have a local Games Workshop, bother them for help in converting and painting. You'll have to have a Games Workshop miniature or they'll be wary of helping you, though, but they can usually give quite a few useful lessons.

In any case, learning yourself isn't hard, nor is the process. Its just getting over the fear of messing up and just getting to it. Even the masters of anything were rank amateurs or new to it at some point, you're in the same boat. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the big time miniature guy in the future. =)

I haven't read Keyes_bills article, but I'm sure its good from seeing some of his miniatures.

[Darren Watts]

Remjin, if you want to sell or even give away stuff for free based on our IP, you need a license from us. That leaves the boundaries of "personal use." Now, the good news is, we're pretty easygoing as far as licenses go, as several other board members can attest. But you do need a contract- there's copyright info from us you need to include, and if you are selling we do ask for a nominal percentage. If you're interested, and we think the product's good enough, we'll even discuss selling it through the online store.

If you're interested in pursuing that, you should contact us directly for terms, etc. Things are pretty hectic around here now as we head into con season, but we'll get back to you as quickly as we can. dw

[steriaca]

:D

Llama, there are a couple of threads on the Champs board that talk about converting Clix figures. There's also an article in Digital Hero about it (I can't remember exactly who wrote it, but he's devastatingly handsome). ;)

What I want to see, is Champions Clixs!!!

Of course, I know that is nigh imposable, but it would be fun to see if Foxbat could take out a Mark V Sentnal, Galatus, AND Sinestro.

[Sketchpad]

Great news ... any ideas when we might hear more? :)

[Remjin]

Remjin, if you want to sell or even give away stuff for free based on our IP, you need a license from us. That leaves the boundaries of "personal use." Now, the good news is, we're pretty easygoing as far as licenses go, as several other board members can attest. But you do need a contract- there's copyright info from us you need to include, and if you are selling we do ask for a nominal percentage. If you're interested, and we think the product's good enough, we'll even discuss selling it through the online store.

If you're interested in pursuing that, you should contact us directly for terms, etc. Things are pretty hectic around here now as we head into con season, but we'll get back to you as quickly as we can. dw

Okay, this is more the answer I was looking for. =) I don't really want to start anything because of what Steve hinted at, hardly a point to covering the same ground twice, and I'm not looking to make huge money or even produce a lot of them.. well, er, I wasn't... until you mentioned selling it through the online store and all.

How do I go about contacting you directly? Really, I think I should probably make a few before I bother with all the legals, and figure out how I could even make more than one at a time in the first place, it was just an idea knocking around in my head and I thought I'd ask the question before I got wired up to do the project. :drink:

Its not like I'm a professional sculptor or anything... =) Hell, I'd barely classify myself as an amateur. :o Okay, so now I know I would need a license... so I'll keep that in mind when I get to this project. As previously mentioned, I have about a dozen miniatures ahead of this project in line, and I'm not exactly one to rush myself on these things.

[Darren Watts]

Easiest way to reach me directly is at darren@herogames.com, and make sure to put Hero in the header somewhere so you don't get filtered accidentally. Or better yet, come bring us some samples by at a show. dw

[Remjin]

Easiest way to reach me directly is at darren@herogames.com, and make sure to put Hero in the header somewhere so you don't get filtered accidentally. Or better yet, come bring us some samples by at a show. dw

Hmmm... I am considering going to GenCon, maybe I'll try and get a couple done for then...

[Captain Obvious]

Actually, while we're not ready to say anything specific yet, if you'll hold off a little bit until we get some things arranged, we may have an announcement or two on the miniatures front. We can probably save you some work. Stay tuned. ;)

It's been over 24 hours. How long are you going to make us wait?

[Sketchpad]

It's been over 24 hours. How long are you going to make us wait?
Might be an Origins Announcement ;)

I'm kinda hoping that Hero and Reaper have teamed for Reapers new plastic figs ;)

[JmOz]

It would bring me back to Hero Clix if they linked up...

[Remjin]

I would REALLY REALLY dislike it if they hooked up with the clix thing. Not that the game is bad, just the miniatures... well, they're getting somewhat better, but they still suck. Hooking up with Reaper would be good... the company I see that has the most licensed stuff is Magnificent Egos, and I hate their minis overall. Scrolling through 84 miniatures to find 2 you like isn't a good ratio... though some of the stuff they make is interesting for being unique.

Meh... rather than speculate, I'll just wait... I put 6 figures on my work station today to try and knock them out. Got one sculpt-conversion nearly completed, 1 paintjob is pretty close, 1 is halfway, 1 in primer, and 2 that are cleaned but need primer + painting.

If all goes well this week, with my few days off, I'll have some stuff done and put away! =) I wonder what published miniatures to do... hmmm...

[Steve Long]

It's been over 24 hours. How long are you going to make us wait?

As long as I can psychically feed off your anticipation and mock-agony. :eg:

[Captain Obvious]

As long as I can psychically feed off your anticipation and mock-agony. :eg:

:cry:

[Sketchpad]

As long as I can psychically feed off your anticipation and mock-agony. :eg:
Wow Steve ... you should hit the NGD then. It's a virtual smorgasbord there ;)

[teh bunneh]

I haven't read Keyes_bills article, but I'm sure its good from seeing some of his miniatures.

Well then, allow me to recommend (to you and the Llama):

DH#12 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=124835) – Selecting the perfect mini
DH#14 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=144678) – Customizing a mini
DH#27 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=191759) – Building terrain & SFX
DH#28 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=192343) – Terrain on a budget
DH#29 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=193161) – Photographing your miniatures
DH#32 (http://www.herogames.com/viewDHIssue.htm?issueID=195684) – Basing your miniature

I was in the process of writing another one about painting SFX like fire, water, lava, metal, wood, and stone, but never got around to finishing it. :(

[Steve Long]

Wow Steve ... you should hit the NGD then. It's a virtual smorgasbord there

Ewww... junk food. :eek:

[Steve Long]

but never got around to finishing it

Well, get hopping!

[BobGreenwade]

Personally I'd want miniatures for the various alien species in the Hero Universe, for Star Hero games.

I know it'll probably be a while before anyone even considers them, if it ever happens. I'm just saying.

[Blue]

As long as I can psychically feed off your anticipation and mock-agony. :eg:
Wow, your powerset has changed!

[Captain Obvious]

:cry:

[Greywind]

Torment.

It's what's for breakfast...

[teh bunneh]

Wow, your powerset has changed!

He had a radiation accident.

Bill.
(For most people that would mean horrible burns and death by cancer; for Steve it means he becomes a psychic vampire!) :thumbup:

[CourtFool]

Wow Steve ... you should hit the NGD then. It's a virtual smorgasbord there ;)

He did. We chased him out. His Troll-Fu is weak.

[Spence]

Personally I'd want miniatures for the various alien species in the Hero Universe, for Star Hero games.

I know it'll probably be a while before anyone even considers them, if it ever happens. I'm just saying.

Neat idea.

for myself I wish someone would put out "generic" figures. A basic form designed to be modified. Not that I have any idea of how to accomplish that feat of mini making.

But then I am the consumer. I only have to want!!!!

FEED ME!!!!! just don't bother me with details :D

[Captain Obvious]

Neat idea.

for myself I wish someone would put out "generic" figures. A basic form designed to be modified. Not that I have any idea of how to accomplish that feat of mini making.

But then I am the consumer. I only have to want!!!!

FEED ME!!!!! just don't bother me with details :D

I've seen armatures that can be used to build minis on with green stuff or what have you. Probably a little more labor intensive than what you're asking for here, but still worth pointing out.



They're a little too talent intensive for me, for that matter.

[teh bunneh]

Neat idea.

for myself I wish someone would put out "generic" figures. A basic form designed to be modified. Not that I have any idea of how to accomplish that feat of mini making.

But then I am the consumer. I only have to want!!!!

FEED ME!!!!! just don't bother me with details :D

Try this:

http://www.bronzeagemin.com/miniatures_html/25MM/GENERICS/generics.htm

These are essentially "naked" posed figures. You use green stuff to sculpt their hair, clothes, weapons, armor, whatever. Theoretically, you could make them into superheroes in skin-tight spandex doing only minimal sculpting -- just paint them the way you want.

[teh bunneh]

I've seen armatures that can be used to build minis on with green stuff or what have you. Probably a little more labor intensive than what you're asking for here, but still worth pointing out.

They're a little too talent intensive for me, for that matter.

Reaper puts out a couple of different versions of these:

http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/search.php?substring=armature

[Captain Obvious]

Reaper puts out a couple of different versions of these:

http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/search.php?substring=armature

Yeah, those look like what I was thinking of. The Bronze Age guys might be easier to start out with though...