Arch Span and Support

Arches add variety to your terrain.  I wanted to design pieces that can be used for both bridge and on buildings.

I used the same techniques for the arch span and support as I did for the stairs.  Here is an arch span:

Arch Span

The arch span is printed upside down.  This allows for a clean arch without requiring supports or having ugly printing artifacts.  Clips with top locking pins are printed separately and inserted into the top of the arch.

Arch Span and Separate Clips with Top Locking Pins

Clips with Top Locking Pins Inserted into Arch Span

The top locking pins in the clips match those found on walls with top locking pins.

Clips with Top Locking Pins Inserted into Arch Span

Right now, there are two types of arch spans, one with I side ports and another with L side ports.  I will be adding a O side port version as well.

Arch Span with I Side Ports

Arch Span with L Side Ports

Now that we've introduced the arch span, here is the arch support that is used with it:

Arch Support

Arch Support (alternate view)

Arch supports are also printed upside down for the same reasons the arch span is printed upside down.  No clips are required however, since these are meant to be covered with the arch spans and floors.  Two arch supports can be connected together to make a support the same length as an arch span.

Arch Supports Connected

You attach the arch spans to the arch supports to complete the arch.

Arch Spans and Supports Connected to Form Arch

The arch spans and supports are versatile and can be used to create bridges or to add variety to buildings.  To create bridges, you just need to assemble floors with low walls and stairs/ramps.  The example here uses low stairs, but you can use high stairs as well.

Assembling Bridge

Bridge Example Using Arch Spans and Supports

Bottom of Example Bridge

The arch span and support was designed to accommodate floor terrain placed under them.  Here I show that you can fit floors under them.  Eventually, I want to design floors with water so it will look like water is running under the bridge.

Arch Spans and Supports Accommodate Floor Terrain

The arch supports can be connected to other arch supports to make arches as wide as you need.

Wide Arch

Multiple arches can be combined to make longer bridges.

Longer Bridge Example

Bridges can also be made taller by using risers and more stairs/ramps.  Here, I raised the bridge by 2 inches (size of A wall), but you can raise them as high as you need.

Tall Bridge Example

Tall Bridge Example (alternate view)

The arches made from arch spans and supports are not limited to just bridges.  Here is an example of the arch spans and supports used to make an alley between buildings.  For the bridge, I used the arch spans with the L side ports, but for this building example, I use the arch spans with the I side ports.

Building Example

I will create a few different lengths for the spans and supports.  Right now, I just have a span that is 4 inches (Q wall) long, but I do want to add a few more lengths.  The idea with these was to be able to build bridges AND use them in buildings.

If you made it down to the end of this blog post, I want to thank you.  As always, I value your feedback, so please let me know what you think.