My Truncated Sphere Dices arrived (and quite fast)!
For those who don't know what they are, you will find more informations in this post.

I ordered them in Dyed Strong and Flexible and exceptionnally did some post-production on them: I highlighted the numbers with some pencil I used for Christmas cards (white, silver and gold) and added some acrylic gloss varnish.
In my opinion, the results are quite good (well, perhaps I should have waited a little more for the different coats to dry, but I am a always in a hurry...), and this is something I will do again for sure on my next models.

So I am glad to introduce the D10 with 4-fold symmetry:

A video of the D10 with 4-fold symmetry is also available.
Note that this die is currently not available for sale because I want to rework the numbers.

Then we have the rounded D10 with 5-fold symmetry:

the pointed D10 with 5-fold symmetry:
and the D12 that was used the created them:

A video showing these two D10s with 5-fold symmetry and the D12 is also available.

Next come the rounded D10 with a 3-fold symmetry:

and the pointed D10 with a 3-fold symmetry:

and of course the D14 from which they are derived:

I have a video showing these two D10s with a 3-fold symmetry and the D14.

And finally, here is the inflated cube:

and of course the video of the inflated cube.

I hope you appreciate them because more truncated dice are probably to come!

[Updated on: Sat, 19 November 2011 18:27 UTC]

I got fantastic pictures from Justin who received the D10 with 3-fold symmetry and the D10 with 4-fold symmetry in Stainless Steel. He inked the numbers so that they are more visible.
Here are the pictures:





I am very jealous since I only got them in Dyed Strong and Flexible... Actually I am sure it is the first time they are printed in Metal and the result is really outstanding.

Thanks Justin (and obviously thanks Shapeways )!

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[Updated on: Fri, 04 March 2011 12:57 UTC]

Some new Truncated Spheres Dice arrived.
The D4 is very interesting since it is easier to read the result than traditional D4 since the number are written on the vertices. Furthermore, its rounded shape make it roll better than a tetrahedron.


The D8 is probably as you could expect it .


And finally the D14 numbered from 1 to 14. This one is made taking a kind of non uniform cuboctahedron and intersecting it with a sphere.

A version with the weekdays and a version numbered from 1 to 7 twice is also available.

Only the D14 has an issue with the numbers because some of them are printed on horizontal plans.

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[Updated on: Thu, 08 March 2012 09:41 UTC]

Some newcomers.
The D9 Sphere in Red Strong and Flexible:

the shape is good, but I think the numbering can be enhanced.

And the D17 Sphere in Alumide:


This time, the D11 Sphere could not been printed in Transparent Detail, but it will come (hopefully) with the next batch.

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Ahaha! Thanks Dave.
D17, strangely, is the natural continuation after D11 and D14:
- 11=1+3+3+3+1
- 14=1+4+4+4+1
- 17=1+5+5+5+1
So basically, there is one face at each one of the 2 poles of the sphere and as many faces at the two tropics and at the equator.
Then, indeed, there is some mathematic calculation...

I had a quick look to the page you mentionned and even the D9 has a very special role (that I do not understand, honestly).
But I will try create some webpages to explain some details about those polyhedra...

I look forward seeing your painting!

[Updated on: Wed, 13 April 2011 17:44 UTC]

Two new Truncated Sphere Dice arrived today.

The D11 Sphere, quite old, in Alumide:

The Alternative D8, quite recent, in Black Strong and Flexible with the numbers on the bottom face (not my favorite numbering, to be honest):

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I decided to order the Truncated Sphere set in metal, more precisely in Antique Bronze Glossy (less expensive than in Stainless Steel for some strange discount reasons).

Here are some pictures...

The Truncated Sphere Set itself:


It is composed of the 7 regular dice that are used by RPG players.

- the D4 Sphere:

- the D6 Sphere:

- the D8 Sphere:

- the D10 Sphere:

- the D Percentage Sphere:

- the D12 Sphere:

- and finally the D20 Sphere:


They are not perfect (in particular, there are some lines on 2 opposite faces as if some clamps were used to maintain the part to remove the sprue, on some of them).

But they are still gorgeous in metal and I do not regret my choice at all.
They are also very heavy and that makes them feel even more precious.
Love them...

[Updated on: Thu, 12 May 2011 21:40 UTC]

The metal dice you have seen are actually polished since the material is Antique Bronze Glossy.
The Polished material I was referring to is Polished White Strong and Flexible.
Concerning the number of dice, I will have to make a inventory of what I have done, and most of all, of what is still do be done...
And thanks for the link. Loki has his own shop here, with very interesting dice: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/loki3

[Updated on: Wed, 18 May 2011 20:36 UTC]

OK, I was holding this one since the begining of May, but it is time to release it
Here is the Truncated Sphere D24:


Very handy in RPG if you want to select an arbitrary hour of the day.

The numbering is quite classical (opposite faces sum to 25) but I have worked on a special numbering I discuss in this separate thread

[Updated on: Mon, 20 June 2011 20:16 UTC]

A lot of new Truncated Sphere Dice arrived!

First my two D7 Sphere...
D7 with 2-fold symmetry (actually there are two mirror planes):

D7 with 3-fold symmetry (3 mirror planes):

Here is a picture that show both dice with the symmetry planes:

I also receive the D13 Sphere (lucky or unlucky?):


the Alternative D24 Sphere:

(compare the shape to the D24 Sphere)

and the D32 Sphere (one of my first Truncated Sphere dice, but this is the first time that I take a picture of it)

Note that the D32 is HUGE (3 cm of diameter intead of 2).

Very happy with all of them... Alumide is a nice material for dice (not as good as metal, obviously )

[Updated on: Sat, 19 November 2011 18:30 UTC]

I'm primarily interested in acquiring dice with numbers of sides that I don't already have. The gamescience D3, D5, & chessex D7 are beyond old news, so it was wonderful to find the Shapeways site a few weeks ago.

I placed an order for The Magic Shop D11 & D15 (along with a D60 from clsn). I tried alumide for the D11, frosted detail for the D15, and indigo s&f for the D60. They are all nice materials, but the alumide is wonderful. Picture below...



I gotta say that the D33 is very intriguing... it might be among the next ones I get.

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Hi Td3379,

Thank you for ordering those Truncated Sphere Dice. I agree with you, Alumide is great. Metal is even better but is much more expensive (and you can kill someone with a bag full of a dozen of metal dice ).

This kind of dice (spheres with identical circular flat faces) allows any number of faces, in theory.
But all my Truncated Sphere dices also have interesting symmetries, which are sometime difficult to find.
Another point is to have faces as large as possible (this implies that most of the faces are touching their neighbours).

The D33 was a special order from Kevin Cook. I designed it in a couple of days only. Perhaps I could try to redisign it, taking my time...

Anyways, you can check the complete family of my Truncated Sphere dice to see if some number of faces are missing to your collection:
D3, D4, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D%, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D24, D32, D33.

There also some alternative shapes, for existing number of faces:
alt D7 (2-fold), alt D8, 3-fold D10 (rounded), 3-fold D10 (pointed), 4-fold D10, 5-folded D10 (pointed), alt D24 (snub).

And if your are patient, these ones are coming soon:
D21, D22, D23, D50.

You could also be interested by these shapes which are also coming from the Truncated Spheres:
- Concave Dice: Concave D4, Concave D6
- Shell Dice: D3 Shell, D4 Shell (my favorite), D8 Shell.

And of course you will find a lot of strange dice from other designers (Clsn has a D9 and D24, Mctrivia some prime dice and two D144 etc.).

Welcome to Shapeways!

[Updated on: Sat, 19 November 2011 22:39 UTC]

Ah, my Xmas gifts arrived... 3 out of 4 are great!
D9 in black s&f
D19 in red s&f
D17 in matte bronze... this one is exquisite up close
...and what was supposed to be a D13 in dark gray s&f



I'm really disappointed that somehow the numbers didn't make it onto the d13 in the upper right corner. I guess I need to contact Shapeways and ask them what went wrong! Very, very strange...

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Hi TD,

Nice presents you got there
As usual, the metal dice are really gorgeous.
I am sorry for the D13 was not what you expected.

As Pfeiffer Stylez mentionned, this is probably due to the original model of the co-creator being without numbers: for some reason, the co-creation customization was not taken into account, and the initially uploaded model was printed. Please contact the customer service, explain them the problem and ask for a reprint.

@Pfeiffer Stylez the reason why it is a co-creator is precisely for the customer being able to choose the numbering: numbering on top (the default), numbering on the bottom face and no-numbering. And the uploaded model is the blank one (without number) instead of the default one (numbers on top) because it has a largest volume (and thus this is the one that sets the price of all three models).
But I am considering removing the co-creators on my dice, since everybody is ordering them with numbers on top... Initially, I though there would be more demand for no-numbers (for people that want to add their own numbers or symbols) and with numbers on the bottom face (for those not really comfortable with numbers positionned anywhere on the die). But this is not the case...

Once again, sorry for the inconveniance.

I hope you had a nice Christmas, and wish you all an excellent 2012 year.

[Updated on: Mon, 26 December 2011 16:25 UTC]

Magic wrote on Mon, 26 December 2011 12:24

Please contact the customer service, explain them the problem and ask for a reprint. I hope you had a nice Christmas, and wish you all an excellent 2012 year.

Ok! Will do! I shall ask for a reprint. I'm not upset at anyone... I just couldn't figure out why it was blank... it makes sense now. And in the meantime, since I do have a blank D13, I think I will take the opportunity to add my own symbols to it! Just gotta think of what there is exactly 13 of...

The 13 original United States colonies? That might be cool

And thanks, it was a great Christmas... looking forward to a great new year

Oh, and 1 more question for @Magic:
Is it possible to do the gold plated option with your dice? Or is it not an available option because the plating would wear off with continued handling/rolling?

Cheers,

TD

[Updated on: Mon, 26 December 2011 17:55 UTC]

The only reason why Gold Plating is not available is that, in my understanding, only objects that can be hanged to a wire can be gold plated. So you need a hole or something to grab them, like the dice from the "Shell" collection (D3, D4, D6, D8).

Please, someone correct me if I am wrong.

TD, feel free to post the result of your D13 once finished. I'd like to see it

PS: probably Shapeways will propose you a coupon: before re-ordering the D13, if you still want a numbered one, please wait for me to remove the co-creator (cannot do it right now: I am not at home and I need to upload the numbered model): this will avoid any other surprise...

[Updated on: Sat, 31 December 2011 15:28 UTC]

Got my other D13... this one ended up being free after the coupon that Shapeways issued to me. I ordered this one in white strong & flexible since they were having a sale on that material... I put the extra few buck I saved toward the purchase of another print. Also pictured is my original D13. I decided to just add regular numbers to it... I used a red fine-tip Sharpie to draw thin numbers in my own handwriting. I decided that it didn't look so great (hard indeed to write well on a textured surface), so I thickened the numbers and then outlined them with a marigold fine-tip Sharpie so that they look like fiery numbers. I think it looks pretty nifty now.



Also, nice alumide dice, Magic! It's always odd how they look so bumpy in the pictures, but the actual dice are so smooth.

Oh, and about the gold plating... I see a few that don't look like they could be hung available in gold here:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/298837/
http://www.shapeways.com/model/272573/

Might order one of those next time just to see what happens.

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[Updated on: Mon, 16 January 2012 03:30 UTC]

Three arrived today!



The D18 in glass, D7, and D33
The links, respectively:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/459598/
http://www.shapeways.com/model/358971/
http://www.shapeways.com/model/248173/

The glass D18 is interesting... I got the milky matte glass... there is a slightly white/gray/green(?) color to it. I will have to be very careful when rolling it. The detail is quite good.

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[Updated on: Thu, 08 March 2012 08:48 UTC]

Thanks Orangery, you are very comprehensive
Faulty postage stamps can have a huge value: this faulty D33 can also get a very high value, but probably only after I'll become famous

Actually what is surprising is that nobody tolds me there was a problem until these last days, whereas I sold something like12 of them on a period of more than one year.

Now all the D33 of my shop are fixed but honestly, I am very embarrassed with this mistake for those who already bought one. That's why i will be more than happy to try to find an arrangement with them.

[Updated on: Thu, 08 March 2012 13:43 UTC]