The Pathfinder - 3D Movement Measuring Chain

-NEW: DnD variant with 5 increments per inch available!-

-!!! NEW: 24 Inch Variant !!!-

2-Color Variant Available!

Thanks to the help of Udo's 3D World, I was able to create a 2-color version of the Pathfinder!

Huge thanks to Udo's 3D World – be sure to check out his profile for more awesome designs!

The Pathfinder is a flexible, print-in-place 3 dimensional measuring tool designed for fast and natural movement across 3D terrain in tabletop games.

Each segment measures exactly 1 inch (25.4 mm). Available in 6, 8, 12, 16 and 24 inch versions.

Perfect for vertical movement, tricky angles, and dynamic terrain layouts in games like the OnePageRules Games (Grimdark Future, Age of Fantasy) and more.

!Must Be Loosened After Printing!

When printed, the Pathfinder will be very stiff. This is intentional.

To make it usable, you must loosen each joint by hand.

Follow the YouTube tutorial!

The full step-by-step video: 

It shows how to unlock the Pathfinder safely – with patience, not force.

Features:

• 1" (25.4 mm) segments
• 3D movement: perfect for vertical terrain
• No supports needed
• Fully print-in-place – no assembly
• Flexibility improves with use
• Optional rolling trick: compress it into a ball to accelerate loosening

Print Recommendations:

• FDM printer
• No supports
• Print flat
• 0,4mm Nozzel
• Ignore slicer warnings about "floating parts" – it's designed that way!

Don’t want to print it yourself?
No problem! You can buy a ready-to-use Pathfinder here:

Etsy: The Pathfinder – Flexible 3D Movement Measuring Chain
https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/MakePlayThompson
 

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Changelog:

DnD20250729: added DnD Variant with 5 increments per inch

20250729: added 24" variant

20250624: Fixed gap between first segment and link – previously overlooked during wall reinforcement.
20250622: Reinforced link walls – Reduces risk of breakage when removing from build plate