Choosing a Site to Sell Terrain

One of the decisions I need to make is what site am I going to use to sell my terrain.  If you ask anyone that knows me, you'll know that I have been vascillated between choices.  These are my considerations:

• custom
• MyMiniFactory
• Patreon
• MyMiniFactory Tribes
• Cults3D

Each has their pros and cons which I will detail.  I have no desire to sell physical copies of the terrain, but instead will be selling the STL files.

custom

I am a software developer, and for the last 10 years, I've been a cloud engineer for a large fintech organization, so my first instinct when I originally thought about this was to just build my own website to host and sell the STL files.  I have domains hosted on GoDaddy, so I know they offer website hosting, but I'm also familiar with others like Google's web hosting services through work.  I also am very familiar with running Apache and/or Tomcat servers and I run Linux on my desktop, so I'm able to build the site from the ground up.  The biggest pros of going this direction are:

• fees are lower because hosting fees are low
• the site can be tailored specifically to my needs
• I will be able to control everything from top to bottom

There are tradeoffs to building a custom site however, including:

• it will take time to build the site
• it has no audience
• I will own everything about maintaining the site

Ultimately, the younger me would have relished the idea of building and maintaining the site, but the older me prefers a turn-key solution so I can concentrate on the end product, the STL files.

MyMiniFactory

To me, the cadillac of choices is MyMiniFactory.  This site was designed for creators to sell STL files and they cater to the table top gaming crowd.  The main pros are:

• it's a turn-key solution
• it has a built-in audience
• it has a targetted audience
• it has a large audience

Honestly, what more could you want?  This was my first choice and it would have been my go to solution, but there is one major, and for me, show-stopping drawback:

• it has a fixed, monthly fee

With a fixed monthly fee starting at $9.99 in addition to the commission of 15%, I just couldn't pull the trigger.  At least not yet.  I want to use MyMiniFactory, but I first need to prove that I am going to be able to make money from selling my 3D terrain designs.  I'm not willing to pay $9.99 until I know I can make money at this.

Patreon

Patreon is a popular choice for beginning creators.  It has several advantages:

• it's a mostly turn-key solution
• fees are low with 8% commission
• tiered follower fees

The idea behind Patreon is a creator just creates and gathers a following that pays them a monthly fee.  The follower fees can vary depending on several factors.  It sounds good except:

• followers are not sticky
• building an audience requires work
• I would need to be constantly creating
• Hosting STL files is done somewhere else

Honestly, Patreon is an enticing choice.  I know I am up to the task of creating decent terrain, but I'm not sure just how fast I can churn them out.  I'm still new to the tools and processes used to create the terrain.  Additionally, Patreon is not designed for what I'm specifically going to sell, STL files.  My understanding is I would need to host my STL files elsewhere.  This big drawback is addressed by my next choice however.

MyMiniFactory Tribes

MyMiniFactory Tribes is basically Patreon, except it is designed specifically for creators of STL files.  Unfortunately, I'm not going this route because I'm still concerned if I can produce enough terrain fast enough to keep a pipeline full to warrant an audience staying interested.

Cults3D

My final consideration is Cults3D.  It's advantages are:

• it's a turn-key solution
• it has a built-in audience
• it has a large audience

Cults3D is not targetted to the table top gaming crowd, but it is used by many to sell 3D files.  For me, the main cons are:

• a fairly high 20% commission
• payment is in euros

I'm based in the US, so if I use Cults3D, there is going to be a fee for converting euros to dollars.

Conclusion

Honestly, this was not an easy decision.  I like aspects of all my choices, but in the end, I have decided I will use Cults3D until I prove there is an audience for my terrain.  I will only see about 65-70% of the income by using Cults3D after commissions, conversion fees, and business fees, but the advantage is I am not paying any upfront money unless something sells.  If and when I see there is a business here for me to pursue, I will use MyMiniFactory which is the superior selling site for established terrain designers.

Risers

Nobody wants a flat world to play in so providing elevation is key.  The basic building block for elevation is risers, pieces that allow you to lift your terrain.  I designed four OpenLOCK risers on the S, E, EA, and U floor sizes which I use for almost all the terrain built for my table.

S-Riser Mid (left)
S-Riser High (right)

E-Riser Mid (left)
E-Riser High (right)

EA-Riser Mid (left)
EA-Riser High (right)

U-Riser Mid (left)
U-Riser High (right)

The mid riser is the same height as a low wall.

A-Wall Low (left)
E-Riser Mid (right)

A high riser is the height of a full wall.

A-Wall (left)
E-Riser High (right)

Each is available with and without the locking pins.  The versions without the locking pins allows me to elevate terrain that does not easily lock into one of the four sizes.

EA-Riser Mid with Locking Pins (left)
EA-Riser Mid without Locking Pins (right)

When deciding on the location of the locking pins, I wanted to account for the two different types of OpenLOCK floor terrain I have.  The "square" design is an older version which I've seen on some terrain from Printable Scenery while the newer version provides a better printing experience.

older configuration S-Floor (top)
newer configuration S-Floor (bottom)

In addition to handling both types of floors, the risers need to be able to handle the situation where the floor tiles are locked together before placing them on the riser.  The worst case situation would be if I-Floor tiles are combined to make larger floor pieces and these risers handle that situation.

older configuration I-Floors locked (left)
newer configuration I-Floors locked (right)

Because the risers use the same tesellation as floor pieces with the addition of columns, risers with pins can be stacked to achieve the desired height.

stacked risers

Ultimately, the risers are hidden inside your terrain using a combination of walls and floors attached to the top and sides.  They are a versatile piece that I find essential for my terrain.

temple terrain using risers

I have made the OpenLOCK Risers by Stryfell Studios available for free on Cults3D.

Tommi for Stairs

I've been using a template for high profile (full height) and low profile (half height) stairs so the stair height is uniform.  This has allowed me to design stands for the miniatures to sit on during game play.  The design is simple and I have 25mm and 50mm stands for both high and low profile stairs.  My group refers to a stand as a tommi, named after a player at the table.

25mm low profile tommi (left)
50mm low profile tommi (2nd from left)
50mm high profile tommi (2nd from right)
25mm high profile tommi (right)

I've gone through several iterations of the bottom before I settled on the pattern you see on the right two tommis.  The idea is to make the bottom rough so it can grip the stairs better than a smooth piece.

example of a 25mm high profile tommi being used on stairs

We use tommis in our sessions whenever a player or monster movement ends on stairs.  My group enjoys tactical combat and this helps everyone visualize where the PCs, NPCs, and monsters are at during gameplay.

25mm high profile tommis being used on raised portal

50mm high profile tommi being used on raised portal

Here is another example, this time with low profile tommis on low profile (half height) stairs.  Since I like using stairs in my terrain, these stands help keep things sane at the table.

25mm and 50mm low profile tommis being used on stairs

For part 4, we will look at high profile banisters which allow for the use of newel posts.

Stairs and Banisters

By adding side locks to the stairs, we can add banisters securely.  I have both a narrow S-Stair and the wider E-Stair variant.

S-Stair High Altar (left)
S-Stair High Altar w/ Side Lock (right)

E-Stair High Altar (left)
E-Stair High Altar w/ Side Lock (right)

The banisters we are adding to the stairs are low profile, meaning they will be about the height of the stairs and therefore will not need newel posts.  They are the same width and depth as an A-Wall and there is also an AS variant.

outside view
A-Stair High Banister Low Temple (left)
AS-Stair High Banister Low Temple (right)

inside view
A-Banister Low Stair High Temple (left)
AS-Banister Low Stair High Temple (right)

A left and/or right banister can be added to the stairs.  The right banister is simply a mirror of the left banister and they lock in on the side of the stairs.

S-Stair with left and right AS-Banister

By adding some A-Walls and E-Risers, you can achieve higher stairs.

Stacking 2 Stairs

separated view
Stacking 2 Stairs (separated)

Using this technique, you are able to go as high as you want with the stairs.

Stacking 3 Stairs

side view
Stacking 3 Stairs

back view
Stacking 3 Stairs

For a recent session, I built the following raised portal which shows the possibilities with these stairs.

side view
raised portal

top view
raised portal

For part 3, I am going to show the figure stands we use on the stairs.

Stairs

One of the reasons I like to use 3D terrain for my gaming table is because it offers me the opportunity to create a world with varying height.  I think it is boring if the world is flat and I love the opportunity to use height to challenge my players.  One of the fundamental terrain pieces that helps characters navigate the world is stairs.  I have been predominately using the OpenLOCK stairs from Printable Scenery for my terrain.  Recently, I created my own stair template with some enhancements to allow for the addition of assorted banisters and newel posts.  I also want to be able to create very high stairs for temples, altars, and daises and was interested in some inner/outer stairs to complete the look.

For the high stairs I designed, I wanted the top stair to end even with the floor above and I made the stair height uniform so I can make little stands for the miniatures to use on the stairs.  By making the stairs uniform in height, I can use these stands across all the stairs I create.

Stryfell: S-Stair High Altar (left)
Printable Scenery: S-Full Schist Wood Stair (right)

Stryfell: S-Stair High Altar (left)
Printable Scenery: S-Full Schist Wood Stair (right)

To showcase the difference the height makes, here is a mockup of the interior of a building to show the difference between the Printable Scenery and Stryfell stairs.

Stryfell: S-Stair High Altar
1st floor

Stryfell: S-Stair High Altar
2nd floor

Printable Scenery: S-Full Schist Wood Stair
1st floor

Printable Scenery: S-Full Schist Wood Stair
2nd floor

For part 2, I am going to show how these stair can be paired with banisters to create very high stairs.

Female High Elf Warrior (DSM7414)

My favorites metal miniatures tend to be those made by Dark Sword Miniatures.  They have several lines and most of the figures are useable as either PCs or NPCs but they also have an decent offering of dogs and anthropomorphic animal characters.  Their selection of monsters is unfortunately limited.  The figures are 28mm heroic scale, but they are a little taller than the WizKids and Reaper minis but not so tall that I would not use them together on the table.  Prices for the minis range start around $10-12.

The Female High Elf Warrior (DSM7414) is a good representation of Dark Sword's offerings.  Dark Sword Miniatures are pricier, but most of their minis are works of art.  This mini from their Visions in Fantasy line is no exception.  The figure is clad in elven armor and wields a sword and shield.  Her cape is billowing behind her and she looks ready to act.

Visions in Fantasy
Female High Elf Warrior (DSM7414)

Visions in Fantasy
Female High Elf Warrior (DSM7414)
comparison to WizKids Male Viking Guard

This high elf reminds me of the high elves made by Citadel and is clearly inspired by Tolkien.  I wish Dark Sword Miniatures would produce more variety of these elves as an elven army in this style would be a much appreciated addition to the table.

Vikings (90175) - Male Viking Guard

The bulk of the miniatures I use for my gaming are purchased unpainted plastic minis from WizKids and Reaper Miniatures.  Both companies have a multitude of brands they support and Reaper even produces metal miniatures although that seems to be phasing out.  Wizkids unpainted plastic miniature lines including:

• Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures
• Pathfinder Deep Cuts
• Critical Role
• WizKids Deep Cuts

Of the WizKids brands, I find myself buying minis from the above four brands.  These minis are all 28mm heroic scale and they are comparable in size across the lines.  The Nolzur's are the official Dungeons and Dragons unpainted miniatures whereas Pathfinder Deep Cuts represents Paizo's Pathfinder RPG.  The Critical Role minis are inspired by Matt Mercer's Critical Role campaign and WizKids Deep Cuts tends to be a catchall line consisting of more generic fantasy miniatures.

The Male Viking Guard is a nice figure in the WizKids Deep Cuts line.  It was released in the Vikings (90175) box set along with other Viking-themed miniatures and scatter terrain.  The figure is in a static position with his hands resting on a large axe and has a large shield strapped to his back.  Because the figure is standing upright, I am going to use it as my base figure when comparing sizes with other miniatures.

Make Viking Guard
from Vikings (90175) box set