Author Topic: diorama: the motivation (Read 40230 times)

john blackwell · « **on:** 26 January 2011, 21:21:23 »

I've been working on a 2' X 4' table to build something for storing my regiment. I first planned to use plaster but switched to cork after seeing a binary of clanners on cork [EDIT: IAMCLANWOLF's work]. I'm far from finished but thought I'd share my progress so maybe to inspire others.

#1 The table surface

#2 The cork I used (2'X4' but only 1/16" thick). I needed two layers

#3 I organized the location by battalion, then company, as if this is a base of operations

I'll update as I continue.

Happy hunting, JB

john blackwell · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:26:09 »

#4 I cut out where each mech would stand and added cork to some hexes to add elevation variation

#5 I acquired some bark chips since these look like slab rock. The area begins to look a bit more rocky with some rocks carved to accomodate the mechs. Afterall, the ground is rarely perfect for such a large formation. It might need some 'adjusting'.

john blackwell · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:28:19 »

#6 I used the cork from the cutouts to build more 'rock' to add between the 'holes'. Giving the terrain some grass should bring out the 'rock'.

Hope this inspires someone else to do things similar.

JB

iamfanboy · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 January 2011, 03:36:01 »

Could I give one serious suggestion, since you're not quite close to done?

Raise up half of the board that has 'Mechs on it to at least 1 level (1/2 inch), and another 1/4th of the board past that to a full 2 levels (1 inch). Otherwise, you're obscuring the rear-ward 'Mechs from full view, dismissing them from attention.

Example, my MUCH smaller diorama I made recently (just two companies fighting):

The reason it has hills in the back is to break up the field of view, as well as letting me put some 'Mechs back there without hiding them completely. Though that Archer on the lv2 hill is still... well... easy to miss. Maybe I should put the Atlas on there...

Just a thought. Otherwise, I LOVE the idea of making displays that allow people to look at our stuff and ooh-ahh!

john blackwell · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 January 2011, 05:14:05 »

Yeah . . . if I had realized how little the cork actually raised the mech, I would have gone much thicker. [tickedoff] Unfortunately, the cork is down and I'm out of terrain money. [tickedoff] The added elevation in the rear gives some depth and layering. Oh well. My 'ground' is afixed, and the slab boulders are nearly finished and ready to placement. I'll have to live with the result. [tickedoff] On the bright side, since the 'mechs were in a flat surface anyway, the new table at least makes the surface better to view :) . . . just not as good as it could otherwise be. :-\

JB

iamfanboy · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 January 2011, 12:09:34 »

Heh, no worries, I understand COMPLETELY about running out of money, and not being able to change things when halfway through a project. Way, way, way too well in fact. <_<

I didn't go as expensive as cork, myself; I just used some foamcore board. It's not as durable, but it's cheap and it matches the height of a hexbase perfectly.

I can't wait to see the finished product!

john blackwell · « **Reply #6 on:** 05 February 2011, 19:49:49 »

#7 - After trying white gluewater, I decided to use a rock-grey paint for attaching the flocking. This would allow me to leave exposed rock wherever I wanted.

#8 - a close-up on the effect. Not bad for there being no highlights or any kind at this point.

john blackwell · « **Reply #7 on:** 05 February 2011, 19:51:50 »

#9 - The board is flocked. Time to clean up a bit and begin adding ground cover.

#10 - a close-up on the ground. I am pleased.

noobk · « **Reply #8 on:** 05 February 2011, 19:54:14 »

Looking good so far! [rockon]

maddyfish · « **Reply #9 on:** 06 February 2011, 16:59:35 »

Looking sharp

Vlads Fangs · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 February 2011, 17:13:22 »

RacerX · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 February 2011, 11:11:16 »

Things are starting to take shape. Keep the reports coming. I've been thinking about some larger dioramas and was wondering how to pull it off. This is giving me some interesting directions that I hadn't thought of before.

How long did it take you to cut out all of those hexes? Also, you used paint to glue your flock to the board? Did I read that correctly?

john blackwell · « **Reply #12 on:** 09 February 2011, 12:28:12 »

Thank you for the compliments. I hope this can inspire others toward their own projects.

It did take a long time to cut out all that cork - twice. Time and 3 exacto-blades. Cork tears if the blades aren't super sharp. The 2X4' sheets are only half the height of a base, so I needed two layers. I test fit each spot with its future resident mech. This continues periodically to ensure no changes as the cork gets wet and dry during gluing or painting.

I used a sharpie to draw the layout on the cork. Mistake. After painting dark gray cork and flocking it, the lines still show through in direct light. I'll need to figure out some solution to that.

The paint makes for a good way to wet the surface for flocking. I chose gray since unpainted areas can be touched up to resemble exposed rock.

I am currently painting/flocking the hex-holes covering up all exposed table. I am also making 'foot prints' for the mechs (more on this later). A dust-buster keeps the loose flocking up, and cheap hair spray acts as a great sealer when finished.

Each step is rather lengthy, and I have been working on this table for several months to get this far. For once I'm not rushing a project, but am being patient and working deliberately toward a final goal.

Happy hunting,
JB

john blackwell · « **Reply #13 on:** 05 April 2011, 13:13:36 »

#11 - the ground where mechs walk is chewed up and the hex-holes where mechs will 'reside' are slowly being painted and flocked dark

#12 - the pine-bark chips painted

#13 - the pine-bark chips flocked

Again, I am pleased

john blackwell · « **Reply #14 on:** 05 April 2011, 13:17:43 »

#14 - the aisles are finished (fair), all hex-holes flocked (good), the slab rocks are on (cool), and 1 of the 2 gravel roads is in

#15 - close-up toward the road (looks good)

john blackwell · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 April 2011, 13:19:19 »

#16 - a close-up of the road (better than expected). I used crushed kitty-litter. Now I just need to keep the cats off the table! ;D

john blackwell · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 April 2011, 13:23:10 »

#17 - placing the shrubs, dead-wood, and rocks . . . one . . . at . . . a . . . time (but far better than anticipated)

This will take a while, but I am very pleased with the effect. After this, the storage facility, trees, other nuggets. Finally acrylic sides/top and then mechs.

Happy hunting!
JB

RangerRob · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 April 2011, 13:30:17 »

[rockon] [notworthy]

Legion · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 April 2011, 14:00:37 »

Wow, those rocks and trees are VERY impressive.

RacerX · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 April 2011, 08:50:34 »

Looking good. Keep it going.

I am Belch II · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 April 2011, 10:05:22 »

Can't wait to see the finished product.

CoffiNail · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 April 2011, 15:45:34 »

Spectacular! I have wanted to do this since the start, though on smaller scales, binarys and trinarys, novas, etc... need to start collecting first though haha. Boxset hopefully will be here soon!! QQ

Fatebringer · « **Reply #22 on:** 07 April 2011, 08:49:09 »

Nice job. The Diorama I was thinking about making is still in the planning stages :P

M-Rex · « **Reply #23 on:** 07 April 2011, 09:41:34 »

Tagged to follow. Nice! I've been drawing out something like this. I like your progress pictures.

Slideways · « **Reply #24 on:** 07 April 2011, 09:54:01 »

Great job John, this looks fantastic.
Green with envy here. :)

john blackwell · « **Reply #25 on:** 10 April 2011, 16:31:55 »

I bought some trees that didn't look right. Time to build my own. Thankfully I already have 55 that I planned to use for my Heroscape board. They'll have their stands removed and get 'planted'. 55 down, 60+ to go.

14-gauge wire twisted, dipped in paint, flocked, and covered in shrubs. I'm happy with the effect. Enjoy these shots - it will be a bit before there's another update.

Happy hunting,
JB

Saatch · « **Reply #26 on:** 06 May 2011, 15:48:56 »

Wow that board looks great! What an awesome project.

I would have never thought to use that pine bark but it's absolutely perfect the way you've painted and flocked it. I'm going to get some TODAY! Thanks for sharing that.

john blackwell · « **Reply #27 on:** 07 May 2011, 09:29:50 »

The board is coming along well. I thought I'd update some elements of the project:

#18 - War is hell and some don't return. Crushed kitty-litter held down with hairspray.

john blackwell · « **Reply #28 on:** 07 May 2011, 09:33:42 »

#19 - #21 industrial parts. I picked up 2 z-scale 40' shipping containers, 2 coolant trucks, and a mobile command HQ for scale and perspective. A ping-pong ball @ 1:300 holds about 70,000 gallons. The other parts are two wooden dowels (there are always extras in furniture boxes), and end-caps from a white-wire closet shelving project. Not finished, obviously, but coming along nicely.

john blackwell · « **Reply #29 on:** 07 May 2011, 09:36:07 »

#22 - Just add trees. I still need to build over 60 trees and remove the stands from these, but placing them along with 4 maddies gives an idea of how the finished product will appear. I think it'll work.

More updates later.
JB