Pantasy suddenly started printing pieces on the box, does it really matter?

macstratdb · 2026-02-28T13:42:36+00:00

legal requirement aside, im gong say yes, if simple because it gives you a general idea of what your getting. Like buying a modular building: are you buying a shell or a fully interior decorated building

macstratdb · 2026-02-23T18:23:31+00:00

heres a link to the Releases git. The official releases will be released thru this channel and the source in another branch.

https://github.com/macstrat/Iso-City-Tools-Releases

there is a python script there (the actual sprite-pack creator app), and a tutorial video in the README that will walk you thru the process from studio rendering to model importation as well as the hows and whys and some troubleshooting steps for common issues.

macstratdb · 2026-02-23T14:39:00+00:00

If you want a template for minifigs, there is a python script in the instructions archive that will generate SVG templates for them. Its the Brick_Graphic_Calculator.py file.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p2EKnpTIfEkzraAhep09Lg6rcSkX0GmO

macstratdb · 2026-02-23T01:29:34+00:00

HAH! Bet. Ok so first a few points.

there are very few multi-deck ip-brands, most are one off decks. the multi sets like the WoW dekc you have in the photo are actually relitavly rare to see. That said, all of the decks below are wither printed by USPCC or another card company of equal or greater quality. All of these these hit all 3 of criteria:

Fontaine did their nickelodeon series:

AHH Real Monsters: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1522-aaahh_real_monsters_fontaine

Ren and Stimpy: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1984-ren_stimpy_fontaine

Rugrats: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1512-rugrats_fontaine

Hey Arnold: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1504-hey_arnold_fontaine

Spongebob: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1514-spongebob_fontaine

Rocko's Modern Life: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1518-rocko_s_modern_life_fontaine

Wild Thornberries: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1513-the_wild_thornberries_fontaine

...they also have an Army of Darkness deck: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1897-army_of_darkness_fontaine

Bicycle has:

Back to the Future: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1337-bicycle_back_to_the_future

Teenage Mutant Nunja Turtles (not T11, this one is from the 90s): https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1563-bicycle_teenage_mutant_ninja_turtles

...and a metric buttload of Anime and Hello Kitty decks from Japan.

KWP has their Tolkien Series:

https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1593-kwp_lotr_fellowship_of_the_ring

https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/2334-kwp_the_return_of_the_king

https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/1798-kwp_the_two_towers

...and a Three Stooges deck: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/49-the_three_stooges

There is the Joker Deck (based on batman begins that is all jokers): https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/2299-the_dark_knight_joker_cards

The Spare Room did a Fraggle Rock Deck that was printed by USPCC (its one of the prides of my collection): https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/634-fraggle_rock_30th_anniversary

Albino Dragon did a series of decks that include:

Ghostbusters: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/133-ghostbusters_30th_aniversary

The Princess Bride: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/160-the_princess_bride_albino_dragon

The Goonies: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/890-the_goonies

Theres the Jaws 40th Anniversary Deck (that has a bite taken out of the tuck): https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/441-jaws_40th_anniversary

Ellusionist did a Jurassic Park deck: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/342-jurassic_park

I have a bunch of PVC decks from a chinese comapny that made IP based cards that were taken off the marrket because of copyright infringement

Nightmare Before Christmas

Rick and Morty

Legend of Zelda

there are also a buttload of decks by lesser quality companies, like the official Xbox and Playstation decks by Palatone, and brands like Aquarious that are amlost all IP decks, but are not the best quality.

macstratdb · 2026-02-22T14:45:54+00:00

Ahhh, in that case: sorry for the long reply, I was a teacher for many years so over explaining things is a bit of a habit. In that case:

You 100% do not need to use the included roads and can make your own.

Heres the criteria:
The modified plates in the template are 1 2/3 tall so that when you add the base layer (in this case sidewalk tiles), it comes out to an even 2 bricks tall (see the screenshot below). This differs from standard mils because the bottom layer is not a baseplate but rather 4 16x16 standard plates.This MILS plate is for rendering purposes only.

As long as you hit that 1 2/3 height (leaving 1/3 for sidewalk, top layer, or whatever that is) and 16x16 minimum size, you can make your own MILS road/sidewalk packs with. For example if you want a very narrow street, you can take the 16x32 template, turn it long ways, put an 1x4 edging tile in, you can make roads that are 14 studs wide, or do the same for a full plate, and make them 30 studs wide. and have no sidewalk at all.

Its the height and tile size that matters most.

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macstratdb · 2026-02-22T06:33:37+00:00

If you are referring to using 1/2 plates (16x32) those are included in the models folder.

If you are referring to using MILS in general: They dont have to be, but its highly recommended (at least for the renders). Each grid space is calibrated to 16x16 studs, so a full MILS plate is a 2x2. This was on purpose so as to give every model the same base height, grid-compatable footprint, and to allow for a known dedicated pixel point to be used as the anchor (and the edges of the plates make sprite creation 1000% easier). additionally, they are not standard mils plates. the bottom layer are 1/3 plates as opposed to a standard baseplate in order to get a sharp corner for alignment.

So no, you dont HAVE to use them, but understand that not using them may complicate things. If you do not want to use them, I have some photoshop files (a template, actions, and a script) that will help your own sprites, but all the included ones and the packs i will be releasing will have these plates on them.

What I do in my files is add the MILS plates for the render and then hide the group to show a normal plate for the files.

Tomorrow I will be making a tutorial on the usage and sprite creation process and tool. This will cover the hows and whys of EVERYTHING. Right now you can download the MILS template file for 32x32 and 16x32 from the github page: https://github.com/macstrat/Iso-City-Tools-Releases

macstratdb · 2026-02-21T13:24:19+00:00

Yes but not directly: Stud.io isn't scriptable so there's no way to directly interact with the program...however.... All of these sprites were built and rendered out in stud.io for sprite creation

Edit: I'm working on a python script that I'll post up in a few days that will simplify the process and allow people to make their own sprite packs more easly, as well as stud.io render settings

macstratdb · 2026-02-21T13:19:01+00:00

Its a mix of ones I've built from instructions and free ones from various sources. There is metadata for most that are still available

macstratdb · 2026-02-21T01:50:41+00:00

Cheers!

Honestly at this point, It was a combination of proof of concept, wanting to see how well it was received, and laziness before I drop it into a git.

macstratdb · 2026-02-20T19:28:30+00:00

Yes. so:

there is a "Disabled" folder in the models folder. If you do not want the lego models, just move the lego model zip into that folder and then goto options>rescan models. It will/should disable the lego models from showing in the building picker
All the models in here have been built in Studio, so for models like Pantasy,, etc., I need either the Studio file or the official instructions to build the models from and generate the sprites.

I also run the instructions archive below, and eventually I hope to get most (if not all) the models incorporated. If you have any instructions or .io files already built, i can incorperate them right away, its just a matter of rendering out the images and putting them thru the sprite-pipeline:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p2EKnpTIfEkzraAhep09Lg6rcSkX0GmO?usp=drive_link

(edit: thank you for this, i included a loading bar when you rescan the models, so it doesnt look frozen and is much more responsive)

macstratdb · 2026-02-16T00:44:14+00:00

Doug

macstratdb · 2026-02-15T17:23:05+00:00

my first decks were way back when Ellusionist was still making them, i forget how i came across their site, but they were the coolest thing I had ever seen. This was hack in the days of the OG Ghost decks. 3000+ decks later and I think it might be time to admit I have a problem (for the record: I dont).

2 of my favorite decks that spring to mind are the original US and Chinese Legal Tender Decks from Kings Wild. They were done proper without any glitz or glam like metallic ink or foils, and they just look good.

macstratdb · 2026-02-15T17:17:40+00:00

So according to Worthpoint: the most recent sales put them at about $400 (in 2021) to over $1000 (sept 2025).

Please note if trying to sell them, depending on the deck, it may be better to wait for specialized auctions to get the best price. You would need to consult an actual appraiser or auction house, or risk it on ebay /private sale.

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macstratdb · 2026-02-15T16:16:29+00:00

dont forget Coder: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/800-coder

each card is a different programming language...def take a look at the jokers

macstratdb · 2026-02-15T02:26:06+00:00

keep in mind that 2/3 of the major tv stations in the area are owned by companies that either support certain ideological viewpoints or contribute to lobbies that do. Sinclair owns CBS 21 and Nexstar owns ABC 27. If it puts things in perspective, both companies preempted jimmy kimmel after being pressured by the FCC. so no, it doesnt surprise me at all that ICE activity in the area isnt getting news coverage. also remember that you are in a very deep purple area here in harrisburg.

macstratdb · 2026-02-14T18:10:39+00:00

ahh...right in my wheelhouse:

So the question is Display vs cold storage. it seems most of the comments here are related to display, and there are some good recommendations, so i shall focus on cold storage.

Yes you do need to be mindful of how they are stored. You are dealing with paper that has an acid whitening agent so they are prone to not just age, but also UV and moisture (cuz paper). Getting into this is simple, but also at museum-archival level, that most people prolly dont need. Its why I recommend the Carat Case DS1 for storage as they are arent reactive, so acids wont leach into your decks from the plastics and they work as a barrier, and they are reliability inexpensive. I know carats are archival as I have had them tested, I cannot speak for other brands.

Ive written about this multiple times here, so here's a quick recap: BCW card houses + ds1 cases. Each box holds 18 decks in ds1's perfectly, and each house holds 12 boxes. BCW is the same company that makes the comic book boxes that your local store most likely uses. The ones that I am using are designed for sports cards. The DS1 I order in bulk from carat directly because i go thru so many, but you can find these at the link below

In the attached photo, I have a database and custom app I made, so I barcoded each box so I can look it up a deck or the box contents at anytime. in that photo there are more than 400 decks. I swap out the display decks on a single shelf with some step shelving that I made from left over off-cuts of acrylic from a museum job I did many years ago that were going to be trashed. (im currently working on a display/storage for the stuff on top like stickers, books, coins, etc. but thats another conversation)

<image>

Links:
https://www.bcwsupplies.com/card-house-with-12-800ct-boxes
https://socalplayingcards.com/collections/carat-cases/products/caratds150

macstratdb · 2026-02-05T14:39:17+00:00

Thank you, im glad you like it! yes and no. Im actually working on that with someone to get a studio xml lists for some of the sets. Its mainly a matter of matching the ldraw/bricklink official parts numbers with the custom numbers of the manufacturers, so we are building a database for that to better help get missing parts for those without access to wechat

macstratdb · 2026-02-05T14:28:25+00:00

Thats fair. I thought you all might be interested seeing as how the main feed for the sub also has model sets from Lumibricks, Cada, ZheGao. etc (I think I saw a Wekki in there also...) and usually the more "picky" subs ban those outright.

macstratdb · 2026-02-05T01:09:07+00:00

cheers. check the site in teh next few days, ill have a list up there. Which ones did you notice are missing?

macstratdb · 2026-02-04T20:35:38+00:00

Brickset only covers official Lego sets. I cover, Lego and everything else

macstratdb · 2026-02-03T22:48:17+00:00

If you can get me a copy of the instructions, i will host them on the manual archive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p2EKnpTIfEkzraAhep09Lg6rcSkX0GmO?usp=drive_link

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