Base for RPG miniatures projecting a FOV

2025-05-07

This cylindrical base for RPG minis has a built-in field of view (FOV) cone that can be adjusted to different angles. The FOV is projected onto the table, making it easy to see what the mini can see.

I find the FOV features of tabletop simulators like Roll20 useful, so I wanted to create something similar for real-life use.

It's made of three printable parts and a light source. Here are the STL files:

I used these balloon lights as light sources. You can use something else as long as it fits into the rails of the bottom part (w: 10 mm, h: 10 mm, d: 40 mm) leaving some space in the depth direction to allow the adjustable beam angle to function properly. You might need some adhesive to glue the light to the slider. Sticky Tack, poster putty, or Patafix should do the trick.

Pictures

Individual Parts

Individual parts of the Beam Base: the base, slider, and top, shown alongside a light source and an RPG miniature.

Narrow Beam

3D printed Beam Base projecting a narrow field of view cone onto a tabletop, with an RPG miniature placed on top.

Wide Beam

3D printed Beam Base projecting a wide field of view cone onto a tabletop, with an RPG miniature placed on top.