3d modular for battletech pandemonium

[Jeffrey]

 O0new 3d modular terrain

[Jeffrey]

some more(w/ trees).   The acrylic pieces under the trees are to denote heavy or lite woods.  The blue is for lite and the yellow is for heavy (this idea is borrowed from Tactical Operations manual page 27 based on a color code used for target modifier dice).  When a unit moves into a wooded area, having the bases allows the trees themselves to be removed from the board creating space for the unit.  It is also easier to see from across the board whether the woods are heavy or lite thanks to the color code to aid in determining los.   What do you think, everyone?

[ApokalypseTest]

Can you tell us a bit more about it? How did you make it? Whats the module size? How do you keep it from sliding around etc.?

And: Nice work - looks cool.

[Jeffrey]

hex size is 1.5, it is made from owens corning foamboard cut with a hot knife scroll table, then painted, flocked and dotted.  We have not figured out how to keep it from sliding around yet unfortunately.  Any ideas???

[john blackwell]

Would felt on the bottom of the hills help keep them from sliding?

Nice board!

JB

[Jeffrey]

thanks we will check it out O0

[scatcat]

looks great! How did you make your stencil?

[Jeffrey]

 :)card stock cut outs.the same ones we used for the cutting.

[HavocTheWarDog]

Nice work! O0 [drool] 8)

[Jeffrey]

 O0 thanks

[Downslide]

what did you use for the dotting?

[Jeffrey]

black sharpie ,thanks to monica and her patience.

[BARNESGN]

Road trip to Va to see that work of art.  Great job-that's the kind of terrain that recruits players.

[btp2k2]

Hey Jeffrey, looking good. We did the same thing for use with a MKP hexed mat.

May I offer one suggestion....well, a couple really.

One, contour the sides. I used a dremel on low speed with a sanding drum...I just started whacking at the sides until I got a cool looking texture. Then, coat the entire hill in latex paint (just good old indoor latex paint like you would put on your walls....get a nice "earthy" color). The latex will protect the foam from getting beat you. Then, once that dries, paint a quick coat of acrylic paints in a nice earthy tone (this is where those cheaper Apple Barrel paints excel). Make a darker color wash and apply and finally....once the wash is done, dry brush with a lighter tone.

Your hills will go from being these straight edged platforms to this...




Sure, it's a lot more work....but it's well worth it

[Downslide]

black sharpie ,thanks to monica and her patience.

Ah, an excellent answer. Unfortunately, I have a "Jen," and apparently, those models didn't come with the patience option. ;)

[btp2k2]

Ah, an excellent answer. Unfortunately, I have a "Jen," and apparently, those models didn't come with the patience option. ;)

The "Brooke" model doesn't either. It does have a "Grumpy that you are always playing with your robots and not taking me shopping" mode though

[HavocTheWarDog]

My "Lorie" model, just doesnt want to get involved in any geekery, but indulges me, when i want anything (as long a the bills are paid!)

[House Davie Merc]

That looks REAL familiar .

If I could show you my boards you wouldn't believe how close they are !

Currently the base boards that I use are 3/4 inch insulation sheets that I use as my base boards .
I painted and focked them with GW grass .
Then I made a template for my hexes .
For that  I magnified the blank hexed side of one of the
Battletech maps by 114%   ( or something like that) for 1.5 inch hexes and taped
it to a sheet of plexiglass so that I could see the pattern through it .
Then on the plexiglass I put a dot at each corner and another two on each line for a total of 4 per line .
( JUST like the old Geo-Hex Battlescape so that they could be used together)
Then I drilled out each dot with a 1/8 inch drillbit . ( actually several and it took a long time)

Now if I need something hexed I plan out the edges ,drop on the template ,and just spray paint through the holes .
It's even EXACTLY the same amount of hexes wide and tall as the standard Battletech maps so
I can copy any map in 3D with 1.5 inch hexes .

I've been considering making more portable boards by using some type of pre-made hexed
matt and using styrafoam insulation for just my hills . The styrafoam boards can be hard to transport.

That looks kind of like what you've done .

I HAVE to ask a few questions that could help me work out more portable boards .

Is that a rollout hexed matt under those hills ,and if so who made it and exactly which one is it ?
What size is it ?

The color of your flocking looks pretty close to your matt in the pics .  What kind of flocking did you use ?

If the flocking you use is not the Game Workshop flocking ,do you know how close it would be in color to your flocking  ?
( Looks close to GW in the pics if it isn't -that's what I use on my minis because it's available locally )
Sorry to be technical with my questions but I've been working on my terrain for years .
After damaging my boards in transit I want to switch to a hexed matt for the base but I've
never been able to find anyone with one on hand that I could look at  .
If it's close enough I already have my mountains and woods made .   
( I use  the woodland scenics tree armitures and light green for light woods , dark green for heavy)

Thanks for any info you can give me .
It could be a HUGE help in working out a new set of more portable terrain .

[Papabees]

Hey Jeffrey, looking good. We did the same thing for use with a MKP hexed mat.

May I offer one suggestion....well, a couple really.

One, contour the sides. I used a dremel on low speed with a sanding drum...I just started whacking at the sides until I got a cool looking texture. Then, coat the entire hill in latex paint (just good old indoor latex paint like you would put on your walls....get a nice "earthy" color). The latex will protect the foam from getting beat you. Then, once that dries, paint a quick coat of acrylic paints in a nice earthy tone (this is where those cheaper Apple Barrel paints excel). Make a darker color wash and apply and finally....once the wash is done, dry brush with a lighter tone.

Your hills will go from being these straight edged platforms to this...




Sure, it's a lot more work....but it's well worth it

Can you give us some more pics in your own thread?

[Downslide]

Can you give us some more pics in your own thread?

He's got a thread here: btp2k2's slick gaming table.

I just found it yesterday.

[Downslide]

The "Brooke" model doesn't either. It does have a "Grumpy that you are always playing with your robots and not taking me shopping" mode though

My "Lorie" model, just doesnt want to get involved in any geekery, but indulges me, when i want anything (as long a the bills are paid!)

You guys do realize that if our "models" read this thread, we're hooped.  ;)

[btp2k2]

You guys do realize that if our "models" read this thread, we're hooped.  ;)

After being married for 14 years.....I'm already hooped.

[Jeffrey]

 ::) [cheers] lol

[gaussgirl]

You guys do realize that if our "models" read this thread, we're hooped.  ;)

I guess you're a lucky guy then Jeff, stuck with me the awesomely patient and uber-geeky  ^-^"Monica" model

[Jeffrey]

O0

[Downslide]

Good on ya, Monica!  There's never enuf uber-geeky ladies in the ranks!


I would never trade my Jen model in though. I love her to bits.



"No warranties, exchanges, or returns" was the line I got from my father-in-law at the wedding reception anyway. ;)

[gaussgirl]

 O0

Good on ya, Monica!  There's never enuf uber-geeky ladies in the ranks!


I would never trade my Jen model in though. I love her to bits.





"No warranties, exchanges, or returns" was the line I got from my father-in-law at the wedding reception anyway. ;)

Just remember, all "models" work more efficiently when administered chocolate regularly  ;D

[btp2k2]

O0
Just remember, all "models" work more efficiently when administered chocolate regularly  ;D

In my models case, shoes and bags.

It's a working relationship. She "works" on ignoring my ever growing Battletech collection, I "work" at ignoring her ever growing shoe collection.

[gaussgirl]

In my models case, shoes and bags.

It's a working relationship. She "works" on ignoring my ever growing Battletech collection, I "work" at ignoring her ever growing shoe collection.

ah yes, more shoes tend to keep me at peak performance too  ^-^

[kuttsinister7]

Looking sweet!  O0