BackerKit + File Access **PLEASE READ**
over 3 years ago – Tue, Jul 28, 2020 at 01:18:11 PM

The time has come! I have released BackerKit surveys and files! **PLEASE** take the time to watch the two quick videos below if you have any questions, or are new to my Kickstarters, as they explain how BackerKit and file access works.

BackerKit

You should all be receiving a survey access email, but if not you can also login and access here: https://the-terra-conflict.backerkit.com. Inside the survey you will see your extra funds from KS pledge, can select or purchase additional add-ons, and access digital downloads & rewards (more on that below). Here's an overview video for how to use backerKit and purchase add-ons:

Accessing, Browsing, and Downloading Files

All digital content rewards are served through BackerKit, and provided as a Dropbox link (which I use  to host the files) and a custom password for each access. After  completing your survey you will have access to these in BackerKit.  For all add-ons, the content is finished and you can download away, and each add-on and STL set has their own download password/link custom to you that you can see/access in BackerKit

Many of the items from this Kickstarter are finished and ready for your to print (about 65-70%). Though I carefully repair each item, inevitably some issues will be found that need repair in a few meshes. I recommend only downloading what you intend to print for now and wait a few weeks (until I give the green light that everything is done) to download the full set. Dropbox allows you to download individual folders as ZIP files from the browsable web interface (which I cover in the video below).

Please watch this overview video if you have any questions  below, and the always-up-to-date rewards spreadsheet is accessible here: https://go.ec3d.design/terra-conflict-rewards-guide

PLEASE ALSO NOTE - The spreadsheet above is the source of truth for all file statuses, changes, etc. Some folders exist in the rewards that are empty and will have a preview (labelled 'work in progress' in the image). That means that specific folder has not yet been delivered.

Watch this overview video to see how to manage/access digital downloads in BackerKit, how the spreadsheet works, and how to use the Dropbox links if you have any questions:

Physical Stat Block Books

Please note that the books are, of course, still a work in progress. I'll update you later as they are further along. You will not pay shipping for the books in BackerKit, but rather will be paying shipping for them later when they are ready to go via the printer/distributor (OneBookShelf) so don't sweat if BackerKit doesn't prompt you for a shipping address or shipping fee for the book at this time, that will come later.

A Note on Resin Supports

Supporting resin minis is tricky business. I attempted to do the best I could to make the models easy to print, and the support strategy is a conservative one that should work for most printers and layer heights. THAT SAID - like any pre-supported models you get, they are not perfect. They should print as-is on your resin printer, but if you are one of the people that is worried about tiny islands being left in the model, simply use a repair tool like PhotonValidator to fix the sliced gcode (which will be different for each slicer, printer, layer height, etc). I'll make a video this week on how to do that workflow easily to help, but I printed almost all of these without running them through a validator with no issues. (NOTE many people have a lot to say about leaving islands in resin prints, and they can certainly cause some issues but I have personally been printing for YEARS on many printers without stressing about tiny islands and have had minimal issues).

Anywho, thank you all again so much for 

Quick Update on Delivery
over 3 years ago – Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 05:56:17 PM

Hi folks! Hope all is well for everybody! Wanted to share a quick update. I've been busy getting as many of the ships finished, repaired, and supported as I can. We're looking pretty good, and should have ~70% of the content ready to print upon delivery - woohoo!

I just received an email from Kickstarter that they are finished processing funds, and I'm on the last leg of getting everything setup for distribution. Expect me to send out links to BackerKit soon - Sunday at the latest, but hopefully sooner than that. I'll be posting a full update on here as well with video overviews on the file structure, backerkit instructions for those of you who have never used it, or been a part of one of my Kickstarters, etc.

Thanks again for your support, and stay tuned for a big update soon!

Kickstarter Successful! Now what?
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 05:18:30 AM

Thank you all so much for an awesome, successful campaign! We unlocked 40 stretch goals and 2 full fleet add-ons, and had a hell of a good time doing so!  I am very thankful for an amazing community and support of backers - without all of you these projects wouldn't end up seeing the success they have, and I'm very excited to deliver to you hundreds of easy-to-print, but great looking files without breaking the bank!

I wanted to take a minute to outline next steps for those of you who have never participated in one of my Kickstarters before, and answer a few common questions. Here goes...

When Can I get the Files?

Kickstarter takes 2 weeks to collect payment from backers and hand it over to me. This is to account for failed card transactions and the like (which does happen). In that 2 week period I will be working to finalize/test/finish as many of the files as I can, and organize them in the final folder structure. Once Kickstarter releases the funding to me, I will make the files that are ready available to all backers. I'm estimating that at that time 50% of the included files will be finished and ready to print.

I always created a google doc that outlines all the files included, and their state of completion and when they were last updated. I use Dropbox to deliver files, and encourage folks to only download specific parts they want to print as the files are being finished, since there's inevitably a few repairs/tweaks here and there. I continually update the google doc as more files are added to the Dropbox and will alert everybody when all the file are finished and the set can be downloaded as a whole.

Where do I access the Files when they are ready? And How can I choose/add new Add-ons?

I use BackerKit as a pledge manager. This will be setup over the next ~1.5 weeks or so. When ready you will be emailed a link and I'll post an update on here with access info as well. In BackerKit you'll see any additional funds you pledged beyond your pledge price, and can use those funds to choose add-ons you want. You can also add additional funds to purchase add-ons you did not account for in your pledge. Backerkit is also where the links to the reward files will be shown/delivered to you. Please note that there is no need to tell me which add-ons you wanted or pledged for, you handle all of this in BackerKit.

Art & Stat Book

In addition to the STL files, the art & stat books will be worked on as well. They will take longer to complete than the files, but we're committed to getting it all done as fast as we can and in your hands for gaming! Stay tuned for updates on these pieces as we get into the next phase of work.

Feedback, Sharing, Etc

As part of all my campaigns, I setup a FB group for backers to share pics, ask questions, etc. I am a one-man operation so need to focus my time/energy, so apologies if you aren't a FB user but I only have time to manage a community on one social network. The FB group is the best place to ask about issues, share print photos, and more - but you can always message me on here or comment with feedback as well, or email me at [email protected]. I'll be setting up and sharing the FB group around the time the files are released.

What's next for EC3D?

We have many cool projects in the works - including our next huge scifi miniature/terrain/spaceship KS designed for 28-32mm gaming. This will include 80+ support-free miniatures of various races, bounty hunters, etc, scenery for a seedy backwater space port town (named Novus Landing, which is also the name of the project) which will include cantinas and clubs, casinos, chop shops, slums, checkpoints, etc. There will also be some full-sized spaceships with playable interiors, including the Sparrowhawk and Peregrine (the free minis from this campaign!).

In addition, I have loved writing the lore for The Ignis Quadrant, The Terra Conflict, and the upcoming Novus Landing - which all take place in the same world, and - to further expand on that - I'm working on a full-length Graphic Novel and collaborating on an awesome 32mm scifi skirmish game with some great folks. There's TONS of fun to be had in the future from EC3D, and I truly hope you stick around on the wild ride with us. Happy printing!

The final stretch goals - EVERYTHING UNLOCKED!
almost 4 years ago – Wed, Jul 08, 2020 at 11:16:10 AM

With under an hour left to go, I wanted to share the final stretch goals - which have all been unlocked!

When this project first started I had a loose idea of the fleets and items to be included and just kept making a ton of stuff, and then frantically attempted to sort it into meaningful stretch goals during the campaign - which led to there being MUCH more stuff than I had thought, but no problems there - it just means more value for you! 

First, a backer made a comment about the 'mega cruisers' I had mentioned before, which made me realize I had completely forgotten about the Alliance Mega Cruiser. We have concept art for it, and I snuck that one in there too so you'll be getting that in the rewards. Also, we unlocked the final remaining pieces, including an awesomely detailed asteroid mining facility, Atrella Station, a modular shipyard (usable alone or can be arranged in a ring, with an optional center piece to produce a huge shipyard), and the epic "Odrora Oasis". The Oasis is unique in that it has a large dome and artificial atmosphere in the center, and will be designed to print with the dome in translucent resin so you can see the inside city details, and is one of the larger pieces in the campaign. 

With well over 120 ships, stations, creatures, features, components, etc I'm personally thrilled with the content included. After the campaign concludes I'll send out another update with details on expected timelines, how BackerKit & Add-ons will work, etc - so look for that in the next few days.

MORE stretch goals - The final hours!
almost 4 years ago – Wed, Jul 08, 2020 at 10:57:45 AM

Hello lovely folks! I'm not gonna waste too many words here, as we are in the tail end of the KS (only 14 hours left!) and we're unlocking stretch goals like they are going out of style! Here's what's been unlocked since I posted my last update yesterday:

Lots of diverse, interesting stuff for any types of space combat or role-play scenario you might encounter. There are just TWO STRETCH GOALS LEFT and I'm more than confident we'll get them unlocked. Including the 2 add-on fleets there's about 115 items in this KS currently, and if you grabbed the fleet add-ons that means it's ~ 35 cents per ship, which is crazy - but I wanted to jam as much stuff in here as humanly possibly, and we aren't done yet. I have tons of confidence that we'll get those last two stretch goals unlocked and deliver every single thing I had planned for this project!

I showed the newly added Sylwarin add-on fleet yesterday, but one of the main ships was just concept art in the graphic. We got it done, and it's probably my favorite ship from the campaign so far (I keep saying that, but they keep getting cooler!) so I wanted to share a shot of it in the update - as well as a detailed one of the 'space jelly' which is one heck of a weird best. Hope you enjoy, and - as usual - thanks so much for your support on this project!