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Miniatures Adventure => Post-Apocalyptic Tales => Topic started by: Manchu on May 02, 2018, 09:44:24 PM

Title: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Manchu on May 02, 2018, 09:44:24 PM
Trigger Warning: This is technically (and maybe literally) a Future Wars post but thematically it really belongs in the PA section.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the "silhouette style" MDF ruins. In addition to being ubiquitous they are also pretty, er, boring. But oh man are they cost effective. Inspired by others, I set out to make a set with more visual appeal.

Words on the blog:  http://lifeonjasoom.blogspot.com/2018/05/ill-be-back-er-i-am-back.html

But pics reposted here for your convenience:

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WInNtfl8aU/Wuoch0m6ZuI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6hghVu_VgcQvP7PIGBdmnMiqj6g69dmfwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/---duZi189_o/WuockyIzB1I/AAAAAAAAAPc/Ne0m4ooTJE81HXcuWlGC6VZEdHJCu5r6QCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q9D7QaDydc/WuockwbenPI/AAAAAAAAAPU/_ochKH4LzIAOrMdardjSME3e-i55aL2rQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEY_EGBGqaY/Wuockw5mirI/AAAAAAAAAPY/Zqg8uvwUDIQpySLcoSihJLRVv5VuUD6RgCLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQrZpe9Ac8I/Wuocldm1qwI/AAAAAAAAAPg/alzB7gFQf-8w08YdFgxzLBPA-3Zy_VsKQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg)
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Koyote on May 04, 2018, 04:21:59 PM
It's not boring at all.  I like it very much.

Now you can start adding scatter terrain (e.g .heaps of rubble, cars, trucks, machinery, jersey barriers, fences, etc.).

Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Manchu on May 04, 2018, 08:16:11 PM
Thanks very much!

I have a good amount of PA scatter (e.g., the ace Pardulon junk piles republished recently by Crooked Dice) - been mulling over doing up some wrecked cars. Ideally, I'd love to use the (in)famous Marx Future Cars shells but I only managed to snap up one before the prices skyrocketed.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: NurgleHH on May 08, 2018, 07:56:19 AM
Great board with one small error. How do all these soldiers come to the upper levels? No ladders, no stairs. You see these missing ladders and stairs often.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Malebolgia on May 08, 2018, 08:10:21 AM
Perfect ruins for games like Terminator Genisys! Well done, like them a lot.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Manchu on May 08, 2018, 07:17:00 PM
Great board with one small error. How do all these soldiers come to the upper levels? No ladders, no stairs. You see these missing ladders and stairs often.
Excellent point, I was thinking of remedying the issue with [these (https://www.etsy.com/listing/528103967/3-ladders-for-28mm-war-gaming)]. I also thought of using [gantries (https://www.sarissa-precision.com/Roof_GantryGround_Walkway/p1603368_13107114.aspx)] to connect some of the upper levels.
Perfect ruins for games like Terminator Genisys! Well done, like them a lot.
Thank you kindly, I am hoping these will also serve for Fall Out, etc.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: NurgleHH on May 08, 2018, 11:04:39 PM
Maybe destroyed escalators, some crates or ladders. Everything could be an idea.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Machinegunkelly on May 10, 2018, 07:59:27 AM
Nice work!
Some suggestions: If you cut long stripes from 1 or 2mm card and attach either vertically or horizontally on the outside, you will transform a 2D surface into a 3D Surface. Cheap and almost no work at all but pleasant for the eye. Also if you put a string of glue along the floor and wall connection and put some sand on it and you will get a feeling of clutter/debris.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on May 10, 2018, 08:54:32 AM
On a similar note, before painting you can use various wood strips to provide details to the walls.

I must follow my own suggestions, I have some Warbases Stalingrad ruins awaiting detailing.
[Edit - damn you autocorrect]
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: jon_1066 on May 10, 2018, 09:01:02 AM
Needs more rubble!

Have a look at at this thread:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=106733.msg1332074#msg1332074 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=106733.msg1332074#msg1332074)

He uses scatter brick rubble to great effect.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: Manchu on May 15, 2018, 09:59:13 PM
If you cut long stripes from 1 or 2mm card and attach either vertically or horizontally on the outside, you will transform a 2D surface into a 3D Surface.
On a similar note, before painting you can use various wood strips to provide details to the walls.
Sure, I have seen (on this very board) someone take a kit and rig it out with a facade, using texture (sand IIRC) on one layer while keeping the outermost layer smooth for contrast. My aim here was to add only a single step more than I have otherwise seen usually done because the beauty of these template-style ruins seems to be low price/low effort. My one additional step was, which I hoped would take them a long way, was using a layer of textured paint. It could be, of course, that this minimal additional effort isn't taking the kit that much farther than simply priming it gray and adding a bit of wash/ink. IMO it has made a world of difference, however.

He uses scatter brick rubble to great effect.
Really lovely stuff but way too far down the diorama end of the spectrum for my goals.
Title: Re: MDF Ruins - Hopefully Not Boring
Post by: The_Beast on May 19, 2018, 01:41:48 PM
And, of course, there are folk that can add faux details with paint and stencils. A little false shadow goes along way.

Still, I wish I could get myself to do the painting YOU'VE done, so I applaud the results of 'low effort'.

...It could be, of course, that this minimal additional effort isn't taking the kit that much farther than simply priming it gray and adding a bit of wash/ink. IMO it has made a world of difference, however...

Especially 'in person' perhaps? Wish I could.

Doug