MTV Modular Trading Vessels redefine tabletop sci-fi with customizable, gritty 3D-printable ships

When I connected with Philipp, the creator behind MTV Modular Trading Vessels, his passion for blending functionality, narrative, and modularity in tabletop sci-fi was immediately clear. What started as a love for gritty 70s-80s spaceship aesthetics evolved into an ambitious 3D-printable ecosystem. With the new MTV fleet, he’s not just offering models—he’s handing creators a dynamic toolbox to build, modify, and explore their own spacefaring stories. From Type S to Type L, each ship is a canvas, every hull a playground.

What Sparked the Creation of the MTV Modular Trading Vessels

Your designs blend utility, narrative, and modularity. What inspired the initial idea behind the MTV Fleet, and how did you envision these ships fitting into different sci-fi universes?

I started gamesART by Philipp about three years ago, always with the idea of modularity and cross-compatibility between my spaceships and models designs. I love the concept of parts being reusable across different builds – for example, taking the bridge of the Brick and placing it on the Aeon Eagle creates a completely new ship with a unique look.

This idea of modularity has become a core principle of gamesART. Following that vision, I try to give each ship an individual shape and purpose, while still making sure it stays compatible with parts from previous models. That’s how the UCV ship line began.I also wanted to explore the concept of playability: replacing a classic map with a full 3D ship model. Imagine boarding actions happening entirely within the hull, or a towering space hulk with multiple levels to explore. But a model like that would be huge – and that’s where modularity really helps. We can slowly scale up, piece by piece, instead of printing a giant monolith.

From Concept to Fleet

With the new GridForge system for interiors, we took this one step further. Now we can create fully modular interiors where every wall or console can be placed freely on a grid. The new MTV Modular Trading Vessels line builds on all these ideas. Ships in three core sizes – Type S, M, and L – form the base for future expansions. For example, we’re already planning an assault version of the Type S with a relocated cockpit and heavy weaponry. And with all future parts staying compatible, builders can truly shape their own fleet.

As for the design language: I’m deeply inspired by 70s and 80s sci-fi movies. I love the gritty, industrial aesthetic – sharp edges, visible machinery, and functional surfaces. My ships tend to sit more on the “low-tech” side of sci-fi – but they still work well in high-tech settings. Think of them as spacefaring oldtimers with character.

So whether you’re building a cargo hauler, a patrol vessel, or a rogue crew’s mobile base – the MTV Modular Trading Vessels are made to fit into any universe that values grit, scale, and adaptability.

Modularity as a Game-Changer

Each ship in the fleet is customizable and OpenLOCK-compatible. How does this modular design enhance gameplay, storytelling, and replayability for TTRPG and miniature skirmish fans?

OpenLOCK is great because you don’t need glue – you can connect parts easily, take them apart, rearrange them, and even extend the whole model. That flexibility opens up a lot of storytelling potential. I once played a Traveller campaign that ran for several years. Over time, the ship we traveled in changed constantly – we added turrets, removed others, added an external dock, expanded the cargo hold, upgraded the engines. The idea stuck with me: your ship is like another character in your story.

With the modular design of the MTV Modular Trading Vessels, you can do exactly that. Start your adventure with a basic layout, and then upgrade it over time as your crew evolves. Add new rooms, reconfigure the layout, swap out sections – just like you would upgrade your gear or grow your party. And the new GridForge tiles make interior customization easier than ever. If you need more crew quarters, just replace a few tiles. Want to switch the med bay to another deck? Go ahead. Your printer is your shipyard. For all of you do not know GridForge yet. It is a system that allows creators to build fully modular interiors using a standardised tile system – and since it’s open to other designers as well, you can expand your ship with parts from across the community.

This kind of flexibility is what makes the fleet feel alive – you’re not just printing a static model, you’re building part of your story.

Printing Made Practical

Many STL projects look good in theory but are hard to print. How did you optimize the MTV Modular Trading Vessels for home 3D printers while still maintaining visual detail and functional interiors?

All our parts are carefully test-printed using standard FDM settings – a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layer height, and PLA filament. Our process always follows the same steps: design the part, test print, optimize the file, and run a final print. That way, we make sure every piece works in practice – not just in theory. Our focus is on making large, detailed models that are still reliable to print on a regular home printer.

We’re often asked why we don’t label our models as “support-free.” And the answer is simple: these are complex, feature-rich designs – and not every part can be printed without supports. That said, most parts can be printed without supports, and whenever supports are needed, we include clear guidelines and the best print orientation in the instructions.

So please, don’t worry about supports – used correctly, they’ll help you get great results.

Expanding the Frontier: From Type D to Type L

You’ve gone from small shuttles to massive multi-deck command ships. How does each class serve a unique purpose in tabletop scenarios, and what were some of the design challenges as the scale increased?

My earlier Kickstarter projects already focused on large ships for tabletop and TTRPGs, and I wanted to keep going in that direction. The idea for the Type M came first – a sturdy trading vessel with a big cargo hold and lots of interior space for gameplay. I also wanted to keep the ship’s exterior playable: ladders, ledges, and hatches where you can place your miniatures and run skirmishes both outside and inside.

From there, the S and L types were developed to form a complete line – each with its own purpose, but based on the same modular chassis. The Type S is more compact, ideal for small crews or fast missions. The Type L is a massive command vessel, built for large teams and multi-level exploration. The Type D – a drop ship – wasn’t planned at first. It emerged naturally during the Type S development, when I realized we needed a smaller craft that integrates with the rest of the fleet.

One of the biggest design challenges is keeping everything compatible: parts, floor levels, even the visual language. For example, the Type L has an open front gallery by default – a two-level storage space. But what if you want closed decks instead? You can take floor components from the Type M and repurpose them. So these parts have to work as a solid floor in one ship and as a believable ceiling in another.

The second challenge is structural stability. These are big prints, and they need to hold together even when moved around on the table. After four campaigns with large ships, I’ve developed a solid system of connections and tolerances. Still, the only way to be sure is to test every single model – and we do that. Thoroughly.

The Vision Ahead: What’s Next for the Fleet?

You hinted at asteroid factories, carriers, and even a GridForge-integrated battleship. What long-term future do you imagine for the MTV universe—and how can fans help shape it?

The MTV line marks the beginning of a new chapter in my spaceship design. As mentioned earlier, we plan to release more versions of every ship, expanding the possibilities across the whole fleet. For example, there’s an assault version of the Type S in the works, with a relocated cockpit and heavy weapon loadout. You won’t need to reprint the whole ship – just a few new roof sections and weapon parts. There’s also the idea of using a Type D cockpit as a dockable module for other ships. Or linking two Type M hulls side by side to double the ship’s width.

We’re also planning themed add-ons – like med bays, fighter bays, escape pods – and over time, all of this will lead toward one massive, multi-level flagship for your table. That’s the long-term vision: a fully modular sci-fi ecosystem, where everything connects and evolves. As a solo designer, I can only do so much on my own – so community feedback means everything to me.

You can support the project by spreading the word, joining our Discord, and sharing your ideas. In the end, I’m not designing these ships for myself – I’m building tools that let others create their own worlds.

A huge thank you to Philipp for giving us a look behind the bulkheads of the MTV fleet. With modular parts, OpenLOCK compatibility, and GridForge integration, these vessels are more than scenery—they’re story engines. Whether you’re planning tactical skirmishes or galaxy-spanning RPGs, MTV ships are built to evolve with your narrative. Ready to launch? Your shipyard awaits.

MTV – Modular Trading Vessels – 3D-printable 28mm Spaceships

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About GamesArt

Philipp is a lifelong sci-fi enthusiast and 3D artist who creates printable spaceships for tabletop games under his label gamesART. With a background in RPGs and digital design, he specializes in modular, OpenLOCK-compatible terrain and vessels that combine retro charm with practical flexibility.

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