"Second Guessing the Greatest Generals in History"

Map Construction

Materials

Legal (8 1/2 by 14 inch) labels
Matboard
White 2mm adhesive foam sheets (foamies)
Foam board (3/16 inch and 1/2 inch)
Matt finish spray
Glue

Tools

Color printer (available at Kinkos)
Steel carpenter square
Xacto knife #1
Utility knife
Cutting mat

Instructions

Print the 3D map PDF pages on a color printer on legal size labels. Spray each page with matt finish spray. Allow time to dry.

Each map page begins with a map base, a rectangle of matboard cut to the same size as the map page (approximately 8 3/16 by 11 13/16 inches depending on your printer). It is important to construct each map page from the base up so that the more flexible foam layers conform to the rigid base.

Above the map page matboard base, it may be necessary to add one or more layers of filler in order to raise the first printed layer above the base. The web page for the map page will provide instructions on whether and how many layers to add. When multiple layers are required, thicker foam board may be substituted for foamies both to economize and to retain rigidity. (Note that the 3/16 inch foam board is actually closer to 5mm and the 1/2 inch foam board is closer to 13mm because the stated width is that of the foam core and does not include the cardboard front/back. So two 3/16 inch foam boards are equal to 5 levels, a 3/16 inch foam board and a 1/2 inch foam bard are equal to 9 levels, and two 1/2 inch foam boards are equal to 13 levels.)

2 x 3/16" boards: 5 levels
3/16" + 1/2": 9 levels
2 x 1/2": 13 levels

The first and lowest level map page layer, which will always be a full page, is affixed on the (raised) base.

For each map page layer above the lowest:

Use utility knife and metal ruler to trim the map page to the printed hexagons, trimming away empty space to reduce wastage.
Select one or more sections of foamies that the trimmed map pages will fit on. Measure by spreading the trimmed map pieces and plan where each can be laid to minimize waste.
Carefully affix each trimmed map page on the foamies as previously planned.
Use a utility knife and metal ruler to trim the straight sides and the xacto knife to trim away the areas that are not represented on the level.
Plan the placement of the layer by laying the trimmed map pieces adhered to foamies on the base by matching up the hex numbers and then affix them.

In some cases it may be hard to judge the elevation of hexes (e.g. partial hexes on the left and top of the map). If you click on the map image on the map page you will see an elarged map that shows the actual elevation of most hexes. You can use the adjacent map to determine the elevation of partial hexes.