Learn how to convert a Pokémon card into a 3D card

Fans of Pokémon cards do not hesitate to customize them, as if they were a beautiful painting, as if converting them into 3D digital copies. But there is also a fan who follows in the wake of master Seishiro Ohkubo and has specialized in create Pokémon cards with a 3D effect by modifying the character assembly that appears on each of the collectible cards.

Below you can see a beautiful example of this kind of 3D Pokémon cards that offers Doctor8Alters on Reddit and if you wish make one yourself, you can without problem, you will only have to follow a series of indications such as those mentioned by the own Doctor8Alters on Reddit and that we we adapt for your comfort.

Alolan Sandslash 3D card alter desde Pokemon

General guide to create a 3D Pokémon card

In this mini-guide that we offer you will find the basics to make a letter become a 3D version and not only can you use this technique with your Pokémon cards, but also with others such as Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh !: Duel Monsters. Yes you have a good level of English and you want more detail on how to make these types of creations, read the full manual here.

What is 3D customization?

Putting it in an easy to understand way, 3D customization of collectible cards it is nothing more than creating a three-dimensional effect by cutting and adding layers under the artistic concept or image that appears in the letter. There is not much more to say about what this creative process itself is, although it would be nice to remember that it requires a good amount of work and a lot of patience to correctly manipulate the letter and achieve a good result.

The most important thing is to follow fundamental advice at the time of transform the letters, especially if it is the first time that you are going to face the creation of one of these cards. In fact, it is best to start with Pokémon Energy cards

What will you need?

Creating cards of this type will not be possible if not you have several equal cards with which to create the layers, evidently the layers could be created with cuttings of cardboard or other similar materials and then paste them and not spoil more letters, but the result will not be the same. In addition to those extra cards, you will need a paper or cardboard cutter and glue, although it would be good if you took some element into consideration that we specify below.

• Cutter for paper or cardboard: this is the most important tool to personalize your letters and you will need it to be one of the good and easy to handle to get a more hurried result, such as brand blades X-Act # 11 or Swann-Moreton 10A (not so common in our country). Keep in mind that cardboard will make the blades lose the cut pretty fast, so make sure you buy several to avoid setbacks.

• Glue: Among the many types that exist, but the best in these cases is to use a polystyrene glue or polystyrene foam how this one here and that will allow you to dry around the 30s and can be "cleaned" if it stands out, you can also consider the type superglue to complement and make sure what you hit doesn't move. Yes, try to position the layers correctly

  or there will be no going back.

• Cutting mat: a cutting mat self-regenerating (self-healing or that recovers from the cut marks) would be ideal, because not only does it protect your table or work space from unwanted marks, it will also increase the durability of the cutting base itself. Try to buy one that have an appropriate measure (for A4 size cards should be sufficient) and you can use another "protection" surface between the card and the mat, something like some thicker cardboard, a box of cereals, for example.

• Felt pens: will be necessary for color the edges of the letters Let them go blank and give them greater naturalness. Ideally, if you are a beginner, you should buy Sharpie permanent markers and if you think you have a lot of hand to make impressive cards, you could invest in something more expensive but better quality Like the Faber-Castell brush tip pens.

• Painting: you could use it for the same as the markers and usually offer better results, although applying it is more complicated and requires more work and patience than working with markers.

• Tweezers: also called tongs (the typical ones used to shave the eyebrows) that will allow you handle very small pieces of cardboard more easily. Obviously, look for ones that are thin enough to be able to pick up the pieces of cardboard without much trouble, but avoid squeezing too much when you do Or you could mark them.

• Sculpting tools: Normally they are used for sculptures or clay pieces, but here they could help you achieve the desired shape for each piece of cardboard without resorting to profiling or aggressive cuts. In addition, this allows jo in the pieces in a more continuous way

  and in which the edges will be less noticeable.

How is the proccess?

Then and in summary, you We comment on the steps to follow to make these 3D cards so showy

• Concept: First of all, it is necessary that visualize how you would like the end result to be of this 3D card, focusing on seeing which parts you want to highlight and how you can work on them. Also check if there are several focuses in the image or only one, it is important that the remarkable is separated from the bottom and the distance you want to put between that background and the "3D image."

• Initial cuts: press each card strong against the surface to prevent it from moving and proceed to cut in your direction. For curved cuts, you don't need to be very precise the first time, cut a guide first and then you will perfect the cut later with a sharper blade.

You could already try to see how the layers would look, but without hitting anything and when you see that you are happy with the depth you have achieved and how it would look, cut corners well, preventing fringes or protruding parts. If you wish, you could reinforce these layers with cardboard or cardboard, but without adding too much volume to the result, just to contribute greater firmness and durability to the whole.

• Edging: in this step you will color the white edges that remain in each cut and you will have to use markers or paints with a tone similar to the one in the illustration. Be careful to pass by squeezing the markers or adding too much ink on the sides of the illustration. it could spoil its finish or appearance and the result would not be what you want.

• Glued: if you are happy with the result you have achieved, it is time to paste each of the layers. Generally, it is better to start from the last one to the one that will be ahead, although this will not always be the case. Go slowly, making sure that you glue each layer well and without fading, using one small quantity of glue or you'll see that this tends to ooze, complicating the assembly task a lot.

• Painted: it is better to paint after assemblyWell, it will give you a better view on the parts that need to be painted and help you choose the right colors For each case. You could even make one background shading technique If you have a good hand, adding an extra depth.

• Finish: the final result will depend on several factors such as complexity of the letter, your ability to cut, paste and build and also the patience with which you face the tasks. Keep in mind that, on average, it will take 3 hours to finish each letter, so you don't want to do it all fast and running. As soon as you get some experience you will see that it will take you less time And the results are much better.

Other extras

As you can see in the image, the only limit to what you can do with each card is your imagination and your know-how on the table. So, you can add life counters on demand do or increase attack or defense power to always have the data controlled. The truth is that it's a pass to create collectible cards like these, so if you have hooked this tutorial and want to see if you are able to make one, do not hesitate and for that.

Other Pokémon items you will like