The website Hero Forge is an easy way to design your own custom gaming mini for the tabletop.
I know it’s easy to use because even I was able to design a mini that looks great.
What next? What’s in the pipeline for Hero Forge and the innovative world of 3d printing? In this interview, I get to speak to Hero Forge’s Content Specialist, Avalon Irons and find out how to submit ideas I have for them.
Two Heroes is currently in beta, and some users can check it out right now. That’s the focus of today’s interview and kicks off the 2022 preview video below.
What is the Two Heroes feature?
Our new Two Heroes system allows users to add a second character to the base of a mini. This configuration of two characters on the same base is fully customizable and prints with the same high resolution and quality as our single character minis. This second character is treated as base item and can be added to an existing or new configuration through the Stage menu.
Can you share some examples of how or why people might use it?
There’s virtually no limit to what someone can create with Two Heroes. Since both characters can be customized with advanced posing, users can create dynamic fight scenes, unique character moments, and so much more. We’ve even seen people merge the two characters together to create monsters or to add even more options to their characters. A favorite has been a second character as a spirit haunting the main character.
I believe it’s been a popular request from Hero Forge users; why do you think that is?
We think that users very much enjoy creating scenes just as much as they love creating their own characters. With the addition of Two Heroes, those scenes can be even more intricate and can exist in a printed medium. Whether a user wants to commemorate a critical moment in their campaign or celebrate their friendships, Two Heroes gives them a unique avenue to do so.
Is it a big project for Hero Forge?
Yes, Two Heroes was a big project. Many components that run the character creator needed to be updated, and in some cases, brand new systems needed to be made to handle adding, importing, and editing both characters. We also had to make important UI changes to communicate the editing controls for which character was being worked on.
How does project management work on a platform like Hero Forge? Do you have to plan a whole year ahead? What else is in the pipeline?
To get a part from idea to final implementation can take several months or more. Sometimes it requires building a new system, like we did for our prosthetics release and Two Heroes update. We have been working closely with cultural consultants to make more content representative of international holidays, clothing, and hairstyles. We don’t want to spoil too many surprises for 2022, but we do try to plan farther than just a single year out. There will definitely be some exciting and unique parts coming out this year.
If I have an excellent idea for a part to add to Hero Forge, where should I submit it?
Hero Forge welcomes suggestions for new species, gear, and parts through our suggestion wishlist (HeroForge.com/suggest). If there’s a part you’d like to see added to the creator, we’d love to hear about it!
How many of those do you get a year?
We get tens of thousands of suggestions per year. It’s amazing to see the enthusiasm and excitement creators have for Hero Forge®. We try to pick the submissions that best improve the character creator or have been asked for the most frequently.
Is it actually hard turning designs into minis these days or does the software make it fairly easy? What’s Hero Forge’s process?
Our team is full of talented, brilliant people that take up the herculean task of making the Hero Forge® character creator as comprehensive as it is. A lot of hard work is put into developing all of the parts, species, and systems. An immense amount of research is put into our releases, as well as iteration time working out how to make the parts aesthetically pleasing and printable. From start to finish, even small parts have to be taken from concept art to sculpting, rigging, color zoning, and testing both on the character creator and the printer. But deeper than that, it’s more than just making parts. We want to make parts that work with all other existing parts on our character creator so users have virtually limitless options of combinations to make their designs.
Hero Forge® strives to make character creation intuitive and accessible. Even though the library of parts is vast, the organization of these parts and the different tools built into the character creator make the process less daunting. All parts are searchable within each sub menu. Advanced posing is made more approachable by joints being connected to specific actions like twisting, bending, and rotating.
My mini has just arrived, and it took a few weeks to do so. What’s the waiting list like, and what’s the most time-consuming part of the process?
The most time-consuming part of the process is the actual 3D printing. Hero Forge® uses highly specialized 3D printers that can print many minis at a time, but the process still needs to be carried out delicately. Each mini is packaged carefully and individually before being sent on its final quest to its owner’s home.
When might Hero Forge users get access to Two Heroes?
Currently, Two Heroes is in Beta, so Pro and Pro Plus subscribers have access to it right now. We are rapidly approaching a finalized version of Two Heroes to implement for all users. Stay tuned to our social media channels as we’ll announce access for all users there!
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