Thread starting! Today we (Restoration games) revealed the full-color render of Fireball Island. Here are a few pics that show how we got there. 1/
We took our initial 3D model, had it 3D printed and put some clay on it. It was rough but it allowed us to start working out paths and marble flow. 
At first we had to use string to figure out where we wanted the paths. This enabled us to pick them up and move them as need be.
This was an earlyish build showing preliminary locations for treasures and snapshot sites. We marked Xs where spaces were going to go so we could play around. We also had early tree locations (just the roots are placed). Pieces of paper show caves.
Here's how the summit looked, with the heart of Vul-Kar's location.
And here's how that looks as a plastic model. The game is going to be printed on clear plastic with the printing on the underside. This allows marbles to roll without ever scratching the paint. We have a sample of the island but completely clear along with 3D printed figures.
So my wife (who did lots of art in college and is our production artist) and me (I like painting!) set out to hand paint the model. First we put the paths on to make sure that we we envisioned actually made sense on the final version.
We printed out the final art as a mirror image so we could put the trays on top of the art to see what we were doing. Here we have the paths and the fireball troughs (where marbles roll but people don't walk).
Next came the grass and greenery. The final art looks like actual grass and shrubs. Our painted version is more impressionistic. The summit is upside-down while the two coasts are right-side up.
The summit is done, with all the rock painted on. Working on the shorelines. Turns out I have a latent ability to paint abstract sea spray onto clear plastic (email me for quotes!).
And, now a few shots of how it looks all assembled. This prototype still has clear clingwrap to the top so it is shinier than the final version (and you can see it peeling in places).
Our beachside view (ladder goes to summit).
The scarside of the island. (The Scar is the trough where fireballs that go into Vul-Kar are stored.)
Here's the summit!
And, finally, a look at the three-mouthed idol that will be the pleasure and pain to all those who visit.
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