Introducing OpenScreen! Print what you need. Skin it however you want. Swap accessories between sessions.
OpenScreen is the world's first Free, Open-Source, Modular DM Screen for your favorite TTRPG!
What's that mean?
Free - Duh, you don't pay for it. And you never will. We won't monetize this project through patreon or any similar venture (although we benefit greatly from your Likes, Downloads, Boosts and Ratings :D).
Modular - The Open Screen System builds DM screens with 5 different types of Parts ranging from the aesthetic to the functional (more on that later), that you can mix and match to truly make your screen your own.
Open Source - This is the big one - anyone out there can design and create Parts that are Open Screen compatible because…let's face it, we can't think of everything (and also we're gamers - not engineers).
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What's Included in this particular download?
This download includes a 1 x 4 Plate for the Deep Panel that is a magnetic initiative tracker.
DM Tip: We find that printing colored initiative blades works well with the Token Rings for Open Screen, so you can keep track of which monsters are where on the initiative order.
Are you looking for the main Open Screen Page? Here's a Link
Assembly Instructions
- Attach the Base Plate to the Top Plate using 5mm M3 Screws. Note: Hex nuts are optional; in our testing the screws held just fine without them.
- Insert 6mm magnets into the recesses in the face of the initiative tracker and the blades. We find that these go together well without glue, but if your magnets are falling out of the recesses, you should glue them in and this won't impact performance.
- You can create your own tags for the initative tracker using this template on Homebrewery, or just cut slips of paper and slide them into the trackers.
- Optional Step: The snaps that connect the Base Plate to the Panel are sized to use 6mm magnets, though in our testing we found that the snaps held really well. If you're using magnets, glue them in before connecting your Plate to your Panels.
No screws? No problem! The majority of our designs go together just fine with glue!
A Little Bit More About the Open Screen System
The open screen system uses 5 distinct parts, each with a specific function:
- Panels - These are the main panels of your DM screen. We've built several 4-panel configurations already, although it's quite possible for 3- or 5-panel configurations in the future. All panels include: (a) Zipper slots for connecting Joints; (b) slots along the top and bottom edges for attaching Toppers; (c) internal snaps for attaching Plates; and (d) holes on the front side for attaching Skins.
- Joints - These are the parts that connect between the Panels. The most common Joint is the Hinge Joint, but there are endless possibilities for what can be attached as a Joint, particularly at the end of your screen.
- Toppers - These are parts that fit along the top of your DM screen. Like with a cardboard screen, there is plenty of room for creativity for things like tracking initiative, or even more creative hardware uses like holding a reading light for the DM.
- Skins - These are slim 2mm panels that fit on the outside of your DM screen (facing the players).
- Plates - This is where the action is: Plates are the functional pieces of your DM screen, whether you're looking for something to hold a piece of paper, or a dice tower. Plates come in two parts: The Base Plate which has the Snaps for connecting to your Panels, and The Top Plate, which is where the functional bits are. You'll need to attach a Base Plate to a Top Plate in order to have a working Panel.
Our design philosophy is simple - we designed all of our parts to be easily printable, with the important bits facing up on the build plate, and using as few supports as possible (although, don't be surprised: the panels use supports in the zipper slots).
Hardware: We expect anything you can do in the Open Screen system to be achievable with Glue, however for best results, we recommend the following:
- 5mm M3 Screws - These are used to attach Skins to Panels, and used as the standard for connecting Base Plates and Top Plates. Additionally some Panels may use screws in their assembly.
- M3 Hex Nuts - These are primarily for connecting Top Plates to Base Plates and are completely optional. We've done a lot of testing with screws only and the plates hold just fine.
- 6mm x 2mm Magnets - There are a lot of optional uses for these magnets (for example, there are recesses in the Panels that allow you to use magnets to help keep them closed) and some Panels will require them to function (for example, the magnetic Initiative Tracker).
Additionally, the snaps that connect Panels to Plates are sized to accept 6mm magnets, however in testing we found that the snaps hold incredibly well without them.
Where Can I find Parts for the Open Screen System?
If you visit the main Open Screen listing on Makerworld (link), you will find a list of First-Party Parts that we've published on Makerworld. Hopefully the community creates others. We ask creators to include Open Screen in the title so that these are easily searchable on Makerworld or your favorite 3d printing space.
Hilliard Hall Games
