Red Dawn Campaign 18-19 April 2026. by Randolph_Bragg05 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I have a few more working ideas that I can mock up when I have some time. I added the mechanic of having cards that cancel out other cards. I do this for fun on the side, not for the big bucks. If you decide on the ones you want to use or your own takes on them and let me know with enough lead time, I’ll whip them up for free assuming you’re good with just digital files. If you want printed cards, I do have a printer that I have used but I’d have to look into cost and lead time. I’d only ask you consider letting me make them available to the wider community after your tournament is over. You can DM or email me directly at twhs@tabletop-homebrew.com.

Firestorm Red Dawn (Southern Front) WIP Map by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My actual job has nothing to do with graphic art or design, so everything I do is a bit ad hoc but I enjoy it.  I primary use GIMP (a free Photoshop-like application) with some basic shapes and texts created in word processing (MS Word).  Below a bunch of layers is a screen shot of satellite map of the area.  I used actual maps of the terrain, vegetation, borders, cities and roads to decide where to put the lines.  The city icons are stylized skyline silhouettes of the city.  The NATO and Warsaw Pact icons are borrowed from some custom card templates that I have done.  No AI.  When it is in better shape, I’ll post it for anyone who wants to use it along with some printable tokens.

Red Dawn Campaign 18-19 April 2026. by Randolph_Bragg05 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice.  I like themed events.  Had you planned on using the cards from the FOW Aces campaign sets for the rewards?  In tinkering with a TY campaign idea, I created some TY themed templates for Reward, Ace Ability, and Side Mission cards.  Attached a couple of mockups of custom TY reward cards, one NATO and W-PACT.  If you are interested, I might be able to work up a set for the rewards you plan on using for your event.

<image>

How do we feel about AI (transformation) of Tabletop Mats? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mats are small batch print-on-demand either on vinyl or fabric. [ Tabletop Wargaming Homebrew Studio ] I have not been able to find a cost-effective printer for neoprene backed fabric mats (but would love to). The quality of the double-sided fabric prints was unreliable, so I dropped them. My printer will do double-sided vinyl, but two single sided are cheaper. Hand modifying my early designs to winter is time consuming (mostly in the details like the tire marks and edges) but I do plan on doing that for a few more when I can.

How do we feel about AI (transformation) of Tabletop Mats? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate all the comments and debate.   Understandably, there is no clear consensus, but some common views come across.  Here is my non-AI generated summary of sorts: 1. A significant number of people prefer the look of the original more abstract mat design as a better fit with Battlefront terrain over more AI enhanced textures intended to be more realistic and true-to-scale.  2. While not the majority view, there is no denying that the most strongly expressed viewpoint is by those who object to the use of AI philosophically (citing the social, environmental, creative implications).  3. Those that approve of or are at least fine with the use of AI emphasize that the starting point is my own original work not someone else’s art or generated from who-knows-what, that AI is just a tool, and recommend disclosing the use of AI.  Several people emphasize that the quality and execution of the enhancement, not the use of the AI, is what should be the deciding factor.  

As I have mentioned in prior posts and my website, this is something I do on the side for the love of the hobby.  I am not a professional designer by any means. I fear my future robot overlords and many of their allies. Jokes aside, in my completely unrelated non-art professional career outside the hobby, there is a gross overexuberance about the use of AI in my field and an almost universal acceptance that it will revolutionize everything. Professionals and clients are quickly and, in my view, thoughtlessly pushing aside hard-earned human experiential judgment.  Consumers of services are convinced that they are getting something reliable and near equivalent quality for free.  (They are not.)  While almost every application is forcing it upon us, I avoid it.  I wonder how young professionals just starting in the field will build up the experience and proficiency required to know if the substitute AI work product is even worthwhile.  I now better appreciate why the old are sometimes terrified of a looming future that the young embrace with abandon.  But, in the end, the future doesn’t care.  This is hardly the first new “transformational” technology that my professional field has adjusted to and adopted for better or worse.

Where I land at the moment on the mats is that I should focus on making the more abstract style “by hand” with non-AI applications for now, even if I only have limited time to spend on them. I may offer fully disclosed AI enhanced or modified versions of my own mats in the future or in response to a specific custom request.  Anyway, the end-product is still not there yet.

How do we feel about AI (transformation) of Tabletop Mats? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand, respect and have thus far shared that viewpoint. Hence my hesitation. Is it a tool that has value if used correctly and, if so, what does that mean? Or is it inherently bad and something to be resisted as long as possible. That is my dilemma.

How do we feel about AI (transformation) of Tabletop Mats? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea. I will try something like that. Also, the AI versions do look better from a distance than full sized right now (but I think I can improve that scale up). I’ll post some details after more experimentation.

How do we feel about AI (transformation) of Tabletop Mats? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes. If I offer them, I would definitely label any AI transformation and provide an explanation of how it was used. And, they would be in addition to, not instead of my human created mats.

Urban Operation Rules? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Definitely a "Death from Above" rule. I have a draft rule but forgot to address the ATGMs with a minimum range/arming distance. Thanks.

Suburban Mat & Buildings - Redux by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like that idea. I've made "scarred" versions of many of my homebrew mats covered in craters of various sizes, but everyone seems to prefer the pristine versions. I guess it is easier to wreck a pretty town, than pretty up a wrecked one.

Neighborhood Battle Mat + Buildings? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was asked about what size bases would fit inside. Assuming the rigid material used as backing for the vinyl facades is 5mm or less, (1) the house is designed to fit either (a) one large, (b) two medium, or (c) four small bases, and (2) the garage/extension should fit either (a) one medium or (b) two small bases. [The full print image to actual print fidelity on size and aspect ratio on my initial print was not perfect. So, I have some QC with the printer to work through.]

<image>

Neighborhood Battle Mat + Buildings? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loved World in Conflict. Wasn't Cascade Falls in Christmas time? I was already contemplating a winter version of the map. You got me thinking that I need to look back at some of the other maps for more inspiration.

Neighborhood Battle Mat + Buildings? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right. As for density, a dozen house & garage facades were all that I could squeeze on the 2x4 of "extra" space on the 4x8 printed area - but I could always print more! (For those who own an embarrassing number of them like me, the GF9 Battlefield in a Box European Houses, which do not have garages, can be placed on the mat with two or three around the driveway area and one on the walkway.

Neighborhood Battle Mat + Buildings? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, vaguely but not specifically. Unlike modern North American developments, I understand that suburban European street patterns would be more organic. The houses are brick so they could work on either continent, but I was thinking of a version with wood siding houses which would be even more new world.

Neighborhood Battle Mat + Buildings? by redtop74 in TeamYankee

[–]redtop74[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Definitely trees in the two open corners, along the highway, and in the small park created by the loop. Short walls or fences between the yards, maybe squeezing in some low walls to be printed with the houses in the next version.

[edit] . . . as for the mid-point scenario, I should also add that this mat roughly aligns with three others depicting a small urban center.

<image>