I've been trying to make custom dice for the game. Ideally, colors that match the theme and big numbers in the game's stat font.
I tried two different methods: STLs for the actual dice, and using stencils to paint dice blanks.
Design and Planning
When designing dice, remember that opposite faces should add up to 7:
- 1 - 6
- 2 - 5
- 3 - 4
3D Printing
I built STLs for the dice and tried different approaches to printing on my FMD printer.
So I tried printing these dice six at a time with various filaments.
What I'm seeing is that the die face that is on the bottom seems to always be a little smooshed and likely affects the balance of the die. That smooshing plus the 2mm-deep numbers means I can't guarantee that these dice are fair. But it was still fun to try and I think they look cool!
I did try orienting the die so that it was "pointing down" with supports, but I could not get a good print. I'll keep trying but I'm running out of ideas.
I think a resin printer with proper orientation and supports would likely give far better results than FDM, but that still doesn't solve the balance/fairness issue.
Stenciling
I designed an STL for a box that can hold six 16-mm dice blanks and a stencil that fits into that rig. This worked pretty well, although the tolerances on my prints and the variations in the dice blanks' sizes meant that there was some bleed-through and some imprecise numbers, plus some dice were rubbing against each other which smudged or scratched previously-painted numbers. But the effect kind of works for Ruinstars: We get that "grungy" feeling to the numbers.
Process:
- Print the rig and stencil
- Place the die blanks in the rig
- Lay the stencil on top of the die blanks
- Optional: Put tape over the seals/around the stencil to avoid bleed through
- Use spray primer to paint the numbers on the die faces
- If you have an airbrush, that might work better and also be less wasteful
- Wait for it to dry, then rotate the die blanks for the next face
Conclusion
All in all, I like the stenciled blanks best. It's not too difficult, likely blanaced, the stencil and rig are reusable (and fast to re-print if needed), and dice blanks are cheap.