Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Braz on July 23, 2010, 03:12:25 PM
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"Welcome colonists to your new home as we start transforming this world into tomorrow's paradise."
Or so went the inauguration speech at the of start construction on LV426.
After trying once to build the Hadley's Hope Operations Block on a base half the size of that in the pictures and being not quite happy with the results, I've restarted the build from ground zero and decided to document the build progress here. Going with a larger and more accurate Block size and layout will mean scaling down the whole colony to fewer modules so it will fit on my gaming table. So be it until I get a larger play area.
Let's start breaking ground.
Here is the dry fitting of med-lab walls to work out any kinks before applying textures and color:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019010951-416382134.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019010951-416392498.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019010951-416401139.jpeg)
FNG marines (unpainted) for scale are Copplestone troopers.
More to come soon.
C&C welcome.
Cheers
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It's scaled very nicely. The room size will make for some very claustrophobic encounters.
I'll be following along, great start.
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Braz,
I see thick walls and thin walls. And the base seems to be the same material as the thick walls.
So, what are the thin walls made of and what are the thick walls and floor made from??? :-)
Grimm
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Good questions Grimm.
The base and thick walls are 1/8 inch hardboard , 2.5 inch high on the outside and 2 inch for the interior walls. Once glued to the base with wood glue, will give the base some needed rigidity. The hardboard is quite solid and will support other levels. Also, it uses up those cutoffs I have laying about.
The thin walls are made of illustration board about 1.5mm thick and found in art stores. It's much, much, much easier to cut than hardboard. Note that I use the hardboard mostly for walls without openings in them because of this. Some of the illustration board will be doubled up at the doors with a gap in between to allow doors to be slid into place to indicate open or closed doors. The lower 2 inch internal walls ,standard to my builds, make it easier for players to move their figs about, allow door tabs to stick up above the walls, allow smaller internal "roofs" for each room to be placed to hide room contents, and may allow space for a ventilation system to be placed on top...I haven't decided on this last yet. I will have to add a few 2.5inch columns to support the roof though because of the width of the build.
I'll stop rambling now.
Here's a few progress pics with the east section of the Operations block layout added that includes the proper medical section (vs the medLAB) or a science lab with a quick furniture swap, a security section with a drunk tank, and a WC. Elevators and stairs located and the Operations walls with windows added.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019010951-41641732.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019010951-416422217.jpeg)
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Coming along very nicely! The use of hardboard rather than foamboard for the walls is an interesting idea. What's the extra weight like? I'm presuming it will be quite heavy once finished, but probably sturdier and will help the baseboard stay flat.
I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
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GM, as a rough guesstimate I'd say 3x the weight of foamboard and x2 the weight of illustration board but the extra rigidity IMO is needed to avoid warping and will be offset by hopefully not needing any extra bracing. I don't think that foamcore would have the strength needed. Sintra (foamed PVC) would have been ideal but I don't have that on hand.
Another guesstimate is that the build in the last pic weighs about 1 bag of sugar (2kgs/4lbs). What you see is also about the extent of the use of hardboard on level 2.
Cheers
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I'm using 6mm MDF for the outer walls to avoid the need for extra bracing, but then using 3mm foamboard for internal walls, to keep the weight down - used a similar mix for my Shopping Mall, and haven't experienced any warping of the 12mm MDF baseboards.
:)
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From what I can see already it is shaping up rather nicely. Can only imagine how fun it'll be to play cat n' mouse with some xenos in there.
Do you cut the hardboard with a saw or with a tile-cutter/knife?
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Akula, I've enjoyed your builds and glad to hear they are probably bulletproof. Good to hear you have no warping issues, it just remains to be seen if my half thickness hardboard will do the trick.
Bako, I mostly use a compound mitre saw for all straight edge cuts. When making cutouts for doors/windows in the hardboard I use a mix of box cutter/x-acto/ruler and lots of patience and many many small cuts that nibble away the material along the line I want to cut, followed by a file to smooth it out. Too much work IMO so used sparingly. Illustration board or foamcore for walls with openings in them and to reduce weight.
I'll be camping for most of the week so will be incommunicado, not ignoring anyone.
Cheers
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Very pleasant indeed, love seeing other people's take on the genre.
The Commander
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bulletproof
or at least childproof....
lol
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Bako, I mostly use a compound mitre saw for all straight edge cuts. When making cutouts for doors/windows in the hardboard I use a mix of box cutter/x-acto/ruler and lots of patience and many many small cuts that nibble away the material along the line I want to cut, followed by a file to smooth it out. Too much work IMO so used sparingly. Illustration board or foamcore for walls with openings in them and to reduce weight.
Ah, thanks for the information. I have some hardboard myself, but never found a good excuse to bother cutting it up.
Have fun camping. Hopefully the mosquitoes don't eat ya' in your sleep like they do here. :)
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It's been a while since I worked any significant amount on this build. Today a lot of progress was made on the ops and medlab sections. The exterior hardboard walls and some of the interior walls are glued in place. Structure is rigid but still has a bit of flex so will most likely need some reinforcement...TBD. Most walls painted, floor textures printed and cut to fit, ops platform base completed, door frames completed, detailing of walls continues, and a corridor test section completed. Plus a lot of small things elsewhere. Whew.
Most items are dryfitted only at the moment to facilitate painting and detailing and once enough parts are complete will be glued in place in a quick marathon of assembly.
Apologies for the lousy pic but lighting sucks on the assembly table.
Cheers
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019011657-416431363.jpeg)
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is that door frame, bottom left hand corner all scratchbuilt?
Presumably designed to have a drop in door - very tidy work indeed.
8)
I did consider something similar, but opted for a simpler, drop in door, on H-girders, due to the sheer number of doors I need.
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:o
Got your work cut out for you here.
Looking really good so far!
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nice, I really like the raised control area...
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Really nice.
Where did you get the floor textures?
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Everything so far is scratch-built including the drop-in door frames. It's not that much more work for the drop-in frames...plus I had no H girders on hand but it's a good way to do it quickly. BTW love the sliding main door I saw on Frothers.
Lots of work to detail but I'm enjoying it.
For the floor textures I used GIMP to modify and tile textures found on the net.
The grated metal floor texture in the ops area is part of a texture from: http://www.art.eonworks.com/free/textures/free-textures-01.html
The medlab I don't recall but may be from: http://www.cgtextures.com/ . There are lots of free textures online.
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There are really talented people on this site.
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"Welcome colonists to your new home as we start transforming this world into tomorrow's paradise."
That looks really nice. I do mine in a different style, that sacrifices a little realism for a build-it-as-you-go approach, but I like yours too.
http://s866.photobucket.com/albums/ab228/gloriousbattle/Warhammer%2040000%20Ice%20Station%20Zoolander/?action=view¤t=IMG_9653.jpg
(http://s866.photobucket.com/albums/ab228/gloriousbattle/Warhammer%2040000%20Ice%20Station%20Zoolander/?action-view¤t=IMG_9653.jpg)
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GB, I like your style also and I do have plans for a "dungeon crawl" build as you go layout...the plans at least if not the time to build (other gaming priorities).
Here's a pic of some of the furnishings I've been working on instead of the main structure. I really like doing this part. Mostly scraps of illustration board, foam core and and GIMP textures.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019012237-416461231.jpeg)
Some of the wall details. The walls, floors and some of the detailing have now been glued in place. (no pics though)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019012237-4164469.jpeg)
Cheers and thanks all
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Looks like a great start!
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Very nice, that's certainly getting somewhere.
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Looking good!
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Somewhat silly request but sincerely made, might it be possible to see some 'point-of-view' photos taken by way of a tabletop 'periscope' ?
Such detailed work simply begs for such documentary treatment !
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Started assembling Ops and Medlab.(pics soon)
Patron Zero...will try to get some shots in. Don't know how I'll do it but will give a try .
Here's a few pics of the furnishings.
Medlab:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019012237-41645386.jpeg)
Operations:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019012237-416471802.jpeg)
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Very nice indeed. Looking better and better.
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Patron Zero...will try to get some shots in. Don't know how I'll do it but will give a try .
I'm thinking a small shaving mirror propped up at a 45 degree angle, camera above pointed straight down, using a long-ish focal length. Dunno how it's usually done, that's just what popped into my head.
This project is aces!
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Very nice. All the little details like the individual papers and such really make these doodads pop.
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Great looking furniture. I need to build some furniture for my table too, any tips to make stuff that looks as good as that?
Duncan
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Thanks all.
Connectamabob, found a shaving mirror and that seems to work but layout is cramped so still restricted to the shots I can get. Will need to reverse the pics otherwise seeing mirror image and need to set up some proper lighting first.
Duncan, here's a few tips and I'll document/mini-tutorial the next batch I make as I have a few things to make soon (desk, gun locker and bunks):
Most of the furniture I make is made with illustration board although sometimes I make it with styrene which gives crisper edges, sometimes with wood (balsa/toothpicks/bamboo skewers, etc) to get instant wood texture. Sometimes I make a full or partial card model in GIMP/Photoshop which I reinforce with illustration board or scraps of foamboard to help it survive gaming abuse. Whatever is around.
Sharp blade and steel ruler to get nice straight cuts. Don't force the cut, let the blade do the work.
Illustration board cut thin will flake...use something else in that case.
Furniture will be taller than life to accommodate the figure's extra height from the base and sometimes wider so that the base will fit under. Shelves will be taller. I find 2cm high to top of table/desk looks good (that's my standard). Have a based figure around to compare with to see what looks good. Check often. If you have the location, check the furniture in situ with based figure too. Modify as need be. Many items are thinner than life to maximize floor space for figures.
The two foot rule. You should have idea what piece of furniture/room is used for at that distance and it should not look sterile. Pimp it up to make it look as if it is used. Make relief items, panels, cupboard doors, etc with cereal box cardboard or card stock. Tiny relief makes a difference. Just a few extra details will give the correct suggestion.
I mostly forgo chairs against tables/desks so that figures can be placed against the furniture...the mind fills in the missing details.
Reinforce where it won't be seen, especially for legs of tables, beds.
Paint the whole thing with a base coat of artist/craft acrylics...hides flaws and paint seals the edges. Add/paint details after.
Watch many episodes of "The Furniture Guys"
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Some very good tips there. Most are obvious - once explained of course ::)
Don't know about watching "The Furniture Guys" though lol
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EVERY time I'm thinking I've fully resolved to be satisfied with my little corner of LV-426, a board where the first aliens show, someone comes along to total abash me... :'(
Then insult to injury, the Furniture Guys?
:D
Lovely work; waiting on tinters for it to all come together!
Doug
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Very cool, nice work.
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Thanks for the tips. I'm impressed at the leel of quality on your furniture, I'll have to satrt givingit a shot now.
Duncan
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Beast, no abashing intended. Most of ops and medlab are complete with just a few things left to do (but important ones) before I release pics for consumption. Should be quite soon.
GM, Dijit, most of the furniture builds are quite quick and straight forward.
Here's a demo of how I just built a weapons locker consisting of a weapons rack and bottom locker cabinet:
Start with a basic plan that it will be 1.5inch wide x 1.75 inch tall and cut out pieces
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPLocker001.jpg)
Glue the sides and top:
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPLocker002.jpg)
Use front piece to determine location of the middle shelf and glue in place. Then glue front panel in place.
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPLocker003.jpg)
Correct error... oops (front panel slightly too wide) Thankfully illustration board is quite easy to work with.
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPLocker005.jpg)
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A basic cabinet built...could be used for buffet or with extra shelves as a bookcase also.
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPLocker006.jpg)
Don't like the look of edges on top of the locker so cut out a top panel with cereal card to cover the joint edges. Tip:I use the locker itself to measure the dimensions.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014023-4164890.jpeg)
Cut out some panels from cereal card and glue in place.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014023-416491132.jpeg)
There's the basic cabinet
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014246-41650313.jpeg)
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Nice little tutorial there. o_o o_o
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I don't quite like the look so decide to add a top row of bins. Just a couple of strips of illustration board and some card. I often change design as I'm building if it doesn't look right. Easy peasy.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014720-416512393.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014721-41652356.jpeg)
Built the locker, a desk and two cots in about an hour (including photo shoots) and all it cut offs of board.
(http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Brazve/Terrain/FurnitureWIPPrepaint001.jpg)
And painted with a base coat.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019014721-416531555.jpeg)
Next detailing:
Tip: you can sand the edges of illustration board with fine grit sandpaper to remove imperfections but sanding the top or bottom just produces a rough surface
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AWESOME!!!
Great talent you got there, Braz!!!
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Didn't have/couldn't find spare weapons bits for the weapons rack, so... a few toothpicks (square and round type) and some cereal card trimmed a bit into the right shapes (two foot rule) and a back panel for the rack
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019015210-416542443.jpeg)
Cut and mount the pieces on the illustration board. Having a separate panel that will fit into the cabinet back makes it much easier to assemble, paint and detail.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019015211-416551758.jpeg)
Paint the panels silver/aluminum, and the weapons gun metal, brown and black (and yellow on the Taser), a Lettraset rub on letter, and pigma marker handles.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019015211-416562362.jpeg)
Completed weapons locker (less the digital combination lock pad still to add) All from scrap.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019015211-41657395.jpeg)
Batteries died so will post pics of the detailed bunks and desk once they recharge
Cheers all and happy building.
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You are a genius!
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Wow that looks awesome! Thanks for sharing all those tutorials as well.. i'm very inspired...
How did you come up with your layout? Was is just trial and error or did you have something in mind already?
Thanks!
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Loving this thread.
Keep up the fine work!
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MrH, way, way too much watching of Aliens (nah..can't watch it too often). Then trying to resolve how the internal layout worked based on the interior scenes, what was said, plans that were seen, and exterior views. Stupid curiosity and a continuing fascination with space colonies. Then trying to resolve lots of discrepancies, lots of unseen areas and came up with this plan which was fairly close but still with quite a few errors that have since been corrected.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019015830-416581176.jpeg)
Some changes of course made to accommodate game play but some errors still exist (like an itch I can't scratch)
Also see this thread:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=20667.0
Cheers
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Braz, not to worry, my ego shall mend. It always does... :D
Strangely, most of the tutorial was pretty much what I expected. That to me was a demonstration of skill. Really, you do fine work, and I'll try the same thing, but it WILL be lopsided and awkward. No fear, I'll still have it to play.
What really was the kicker for me was the 'I'll just whip up some weapons to show how the locker should look'. Seriously crude pieces combined for a quick bit of smashing. THAT smacked of genius.
I take back that part about my ego mending anytime soon... lol
Of course, Pappa Midnight does that to me ALL the time, so you don't have to feel the full burden.
Take the compliments and run, dear boy.
Doug
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BTW Thanks for sticking with this thread. It is really nice to see such a project as it actually grows and matures, rather than just seeing the finished product, accompanied by some line like "...and I made this using only super glue, balsa wood, parts from a hibachi, and an old pair of my grandmother's underwear." ;)
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Beast, Yup, it's pretty straight forward to build. Just wanted to show how relatively fast and easy it is as I see so many builds that are just empty shells (corridors and empty rooms except for ubiquitous stacks of crates) that are just aching for just a few pieces to spruce them up.
GB, I love following builds and projects also so thought I'd share the love. Plus keeps me motivated and focused as there are so many bright and shiny things that could catch my eye.
Here's the completed furniture. Cot has pillow and blanket of tissue paper soaked in watered down PVA and a little paint. Desk
has computer and comm images mounted on cereal card. Cup is hollow styrene rod and plate is hole punch circle of card stock with colored pen and triangle cardstock sandwich.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019020617-416638.jpeg)
Here's a preview of something I just whipped with wire and greenstuff. Thanks again Hubbabubba for the inspiration http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=21854.0 and tutorial http://www.frothersunite.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27983
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019020617-41661996.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019020616-416601280.jpeg)
Thanks again and cheers
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please go on, this is getting better and better :)
I like your approach on the facehuggers
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Like the furniture alot. Be good to see those huggers against a 28mm figure as they look very nice, but very large too. Got my specimen jar ones done now, just need to paint then suspend.
Looking forward to seeing more.
The Commander
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Okay, I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy, then you have to demonstrate talented green stuff sculpting... >:(
"Plus keeps me motivated and focused as there are so many bright and shiny things that could catch my eye."
Here's hoping my feeble attempts at humor help the focus as well. We all suffer 'shiny'.
Doug
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Commander,
Pic as requested. The ones in the stasis tubes were made with 30/32 gauge wire. The wire frames are the right size but I made them larger as wanted to make sure details were seen in the tubes. The next batch that's destined to be based will be smaller though made with 30gauge wire.
The based one (Queen facehugger) is quite large. It was my trial armature and made with 20gauge wire...too large, too stiff but had extra unused green stuff and the armature was just laying there. So...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019020617-41662178.jpeg)
Cheers
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Great work on those stasis tubes & facehuggers!
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Great looking project. The work on the furniture is very good, and the huggers in the tubes look great.
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Truly excellent. Dare I hope you'll be doing a drop down Ceiling for the Xenomorphs to drop in from? :D
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Achilles, haven't found the right size ceiling tiles yet ;) although thinking on having something for the aliens to drop down from (at least a game mechanic).
Haven't done too much this week. Mostly been avoiding finishing work on ops/medlab. Built some stairs, detailed the elevators and corridor wall sections and started the rooms across from ops.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019021556-416641331.jpeg)
Cereal card and illustration board and some bamboo skewers . Each is detailed differently and different lengths to fit properly in corridor.Doh..should have planned that better but it's still quite quick to do
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019021556-41665347.jpeg)
Painted with some detailing still to be added.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019021556-4166659.jpeg)
Stairs and wall sections in place:
Outside Ops
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019021556-4166844.jpeg)
Corridor to elevator (view from the stairs):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019021556-41667205.jpeg)
Cheers all.
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Yummy!!!! :o
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That is very impressive.
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Now just splash those walls with some grit and grime and it'll quite look the part.
You wouldn't mind me pestering you for some of the printable graphics you've been applying to this fine terrain, would you?
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That is so awesome!
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You wouldn't mind me pestering you for some of the printable graphics you've been applying to this fine terrain, would you?
I'm glad you asked, because I've been thinking the same!
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Heh me too ;)
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This is awesome!
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Just wanted to chip-in with a "That's some serious scenery going on there!"
Keep at it though - I know how long these things take to do, and you often run into times where it gets harder and harder to finish things off - but its well worth it, so keep on plugging away at it!
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Stunning. :D
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Wow this is really first class work and most inspirational! Thanks :-*
Lots of ideas to improve my own Hadley's hope ;D ;D
CG
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Thanks all for the positive feedback.
Bako, Dijit, Anpu, PM sent.
More to come soon. Cheers
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Brilliant - loving this project.
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Major update today in that most of Ops/Medlab is finished barring a few details and touch ups. All pieces came together quite quickly having been dry fitted and detailed earlier.
Still unsure of the trusses in Ops...may want to go with styrene ones eventually as I didn't have any on hand. Drew up a texture in GIMP and with a few bamboo skewers....TaDa! They are currently not stuck in place and I may just want to make them removable somehow.
Here's what you've been waiting for.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022314-416691994.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022314-4167072.jpeg)
Focus on the East side of the Module
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022314-416711859.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022314-416722320.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022314-416731851.jpeg)
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More views of Ops:
Note that the shutters are close-able.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022838-41674713.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022838-41676812.jpeg)
Hicks checking the ceiling
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022838-416772251.jpeg)
Vent duct access room
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019022838-41675634.jpeg)
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Looking good! :o :D.
Have you thought of using magnets to make the girders removable?
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I just keep noticing the mistakes that will need correcting. Doh!
And of course Medlab:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019030506-417662471.jpeg)
Love at first sight.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019030506-4176380.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019030506-417651730.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019030506-41764275.jpeg)
Cheers all
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Looks fantastic, great stuff.
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Looks great!
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By the maker, it's an ocular viagra, I swear!
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Now that is just wonderful!
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looks great
8)
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:-*
Stunning!
Keep it coming.
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It's just amazing!
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Wondeful! The only thing I can find to fault it is the unpainted figure lol
I'm really looking forward to seeing some game pics on it ;D
Just watched Alien3 again last night on one of the Sky channels. Not a great film, but the sets were pretty good. I'd love to see a table set up based on that.
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Uffff, very perfect job, I like very much!
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Wow :o
Just wow....
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Truly fantastic!
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This
is
AWESOME!
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Really awesome 8)
As a side note, after seeing your location, do you know if there’s still a wargaming club meeting at the Musée Canadien de la Guerre?
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First, thanks for all the positive comments.
Smillie, just trying to find the best way to refit the magnets into the build ("It must be something that isn't in the plans. Something we missed")
GM, the figure is wearing laser reflective armour...yeah that's it... okay I've got to get down to painting them soon. Have to convert a few first though.
The sets are great in Aliens 3 and would be a good use for all those desolate factory builds out there...just need tall walls and corridor sections to separate and link up areas. Ideas churning. And railings for those catwalks... how I hate catwalks without railings (rant over).
Calimero, the OttawaMiniatureGamers group still exists but since the new museum was built, has gamed in different locations in town. Je suis moi-meme originaire de Chicoutimi. Ton sobriquet me rapelle de mon enfance. :) Off to YouTube now.
Build continues in a thousand different directions...more sections of level 2 complete (walls, doors, floors), some of the external structure detailing done , level 1 framework cut and glued and the framework for next modules is being cut.
No pics this time though :(
Cheers
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Just be sure to get some more when you can find the time. I await more saliva-inducing imagery.
Is the reflective upholstery/detailing on the terrain, especially around the glass cubicle, a shiny foil, thin plastic, or just painted card/paper? White metal sheet? Some of it looks too thin to be painted card. :)
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For the metal look I use the services of tiny 28mm sheetmetalworker elves that do the work in during the night.
Actually I use aluminum foil tape which is the real duct tape...the stuff that is to be used on air ducts. You'll find it at your local DIY in the duct section. Sticky as all heck and hell on xacto blades but wonderful stuff.
Camera is giving up the ghost, or at least the batteries are.
Piccie of outside of the modules prior to detailing. On the right is a half module that can be positioned as is (as per the movie) or can be placed adjacent or behind any other modules. Size wise the Ops module is 1 1/2 the size of a standard module. On the left is, or what will be, the casino. It's a leftover standard module from my first go at Hadley's and at half the size of the current modules will need some serious work. Need to raise the outside walls 1/2 inch and cut some new doors. Hope my cheapie, no name dremel is up to the task.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019030817-417672483.jpeg)
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Coming together nicely now.
What kind of roof sections can you remove separately? Or do you need to take off the whole thing?
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For the ops module the 2nd level roof/third level floor can be removed in two sections. You can see in the picture at the back of the ops module the separate section that can be removed. That section covers the hallway cross junction, elevator and stairs and two smaller rooms. The front section that covers ops/medlab (3rd level floor) is removed as one section because of the weird layout of the third floor. For the other modules all the floors/roofs come off as single levels, at least the ones I made so far.
I'm not worried too much as to how the roofs are removed as the way I designed it the outside walls are 1/2 inch higher than the inside walls. That will allow me to place cardboard cutout roofs on top of each individual room to hide the contents if need be and to hang the ventilation shafts on.
The only thing I am undecided on at the moment is whether to make the interior of the first floor a separate tile altogether. If game play occurs on multiple levels I will have to split up the module anyway and it might be unwieldy. In that case the existing frame would just be a support for the second level and the first level would be on a separate tile. Ideas/comments?
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Just caught up with this - but flipping brilliant :-*
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:o :o ;D ;D :-* :-*
Dude!!!!!
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Much like everyone else, I'm loving this thread.
Is there any way you could show us more of your design drawings, like the layout drawing you have on the first page? I had just started a corridor and room project for a Colonial Marines game before you started this thread. Now I'm stuck. Instead of a generic set up I want a faithful representation of Hadley's Hope. I'd love to see more of your design work. You've mentioned your main resource is repeated viewings of Aliens, but are there any other sources you've found?
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The only thing I am undecided on at the moment is whether to make the interior of the first floor a separate tile altogether. If game play occurs on multiple levels I will have to split up the module anyway and it might be unwieldy. In that case the existing frame would just be a support for the second level and the first level would be on a separate tile. Ideas/comments?
Thats what you get for doing too good a job! ;)
Seriously though, its partly why I decided to go with a generic design, rather than a room for room copy, excellent as it looks.
I got around the multi-layer dilemma, by opting for a ampitheatre style approach - ie the upper levels are more around the outer edges of the table, allowing for sight lines across the table - my vent shafts do go across the table, but don't obscure the gameplay too much - it means I haven't got a replica of the colony, but it avoids having to have liftoff sections. In short, go with whatever makes you happiest! :)
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:o :o ;D ;D :-* :-*
Dude!!!!!
SWEET!
What does mine say?
(If you've not seen Dude where's my car then know of this makes any sense).
This is still looking lovely, the mix of simple ideas, textures and well planned execution is just a sight o behold. Good job and hang on in there and get it finished.
The Commander
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You should definitely have the seedy little space colony bar there somewhere.
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This is getting better and better. Kind of reminds me of the "futuristic" architectural models that we saw in the 50’s and 60’s that were suppose to represent what houses would look like in 2000… lol
But anyhow, this is a truly fantastic wargame "scenery piece" :-*
Calimero, the OttawaMiniatureGamers group still exists but since the new museum was built, has gamed in different locations in town. Je suis moi-meme originaire de Chicoutimi. Ton sobriquet me rapelle de mon enfance. :) Off to YouTube now.
Quand à moi, je ne suis à Chicoutimi que depuis 3 ans environ, je suis originaire de Magog (dans les Cantons de l'Est) 8)
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OH MY! Thats look EXACTLY like in ALIENS 2!
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Dude! (Got the ref)
Thanks all for all the positives.
Calimero, Where is my flying car? Loved looking at those models when I was young.
Bako, the space bar is planned. Definitely need a a seedy hangout for those wildcatters. The only thing is how can such a small colony support a casino?!? Probably a leftover from when they built the atmosphere processor when there were mucho construction crew about.
Akula, I also usually prefer more generic builds but this sort of took a life of it's own, at least getting ops/medlab somewhat accurate. It just happens that ops/medlab is really big compared to my usual builds so it's a different beast for me in terms of lifting levels. Different from lifting a small 9x9 building floor. Always a trade off of visual with playable. Darn. The other modules are to be more multipurpose and can be interconnected in different ways or be standalone. Getting more generic from now on except for inspirational purposes. Just want to keep the gritty busy prefab functional look. I only have a 4x6 table with a smaller side table so a lot to cram in a small area. My plan for a recreation module is amphitheater style, more like your build. BTW any updates on your build?
Michka, I hope you have an 8x10 table. ;) That's what I estimate for an accurate Hadley's Hope model..yikes. Another resource I found helpful was the extras gallery on the Aliens DVD... some interesting pictures there. Are you referring to more drawings like the ones in post #44? I have a few but no where near as nice. Couldn't find them offhand, will look later.
Rambling now, need sleep.
Cheers
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OH MY! Thats look EXACTLY like in ALIENS 2!
That'll be ALIENS then....and the whole point of the project! ::)
(oh do keep up 007!).
:D
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I haven't checked in on this one in a little while - excellent! 8)
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Bako, the space bar is planned. Definitely need a a seedy hangout for those wildcatters. The only thing is how can such a small colony support a casino?!? Probably a leftover from when they built the atmosphere processor when there were mucho construction crew about.
I don't recall a casino in the plans, but the idea of it acting the part of a miniature "Lost Wages"-type location for the concrews is sound. If there was a casino mentioned then I missed it because I was too busy drooling over the eye candy while I watched my own copy.
Any plans for making the wildcatters' ride(s)?
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Yup there's a casino...how low can WY get?
As for the wildcatters ride I've been thinking of this with a slight kit-bash:
http://www.ebblesminiatures.com/shop/sandmaster.php
Mel makes excellent models including this one even if I have one started in styrene:
http://www.ebblesminiatures.com/shop/m722_lev.php
He also has some nice cargo loaders bots and I've used his internal furnishings before. Aside from that that I've been collecting and on the lookout for dollarstore finds to populate the grounds with mixed success.
Not much work this past week, mainly working on templates for detailing the exterior.
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If you're looking at papercraft models, here's the wildcatters ride, AKA the Jorden Tractor:
http://aliens.humlak.cz/aliens/aliens_papirove_modely/aliens-lv426-v-tractor_gb.html
Same site has the APC and other assorted Hadley's Hope vehicles. Figure you've seen the site already (seem to remember links to his colony exterior models in an earlier page or thread), but worth another mention anyhow.
The Toposolitario Samsera would make a good colony tractor too, IMO:
http://www.toposolitario.es/workshop/samsara.html
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Looking for any models; resin, paper, plastic, mixed media...whatever will work.
Can't believe I forgot to mention the Jordan tractor card model. Thanks Connectamabob. The only caveat is that is 1:148 scale and at 1/3rd the required size I'm not sure how well the details and texture will scale up.
I was planning on using an unarmed version of the Samsera as one or two of the abandoned vehicles...I like the option for a crane. I've made several of Toposolitario's models and I recommend them.
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The detail issue on the Jordan Tractor might be solvable by cutting out the details on different sheets and layering them onto the model.
'Course a lot depends on how much time you want to put into it. Vehicle might be worth extra, since they can be recycled in other settings/other games.
Fenris's resin APC would make another good "extra" colony tractor, sans turret, or with a crane:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marauder-LSV-command-vehicle-resin-kit-/380192453677?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item58853c742d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marauder-LSV-light-APC-resin-kit-/150401103860?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item23049ab7f4
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Those Fenris models are a beaut! Thanks for the pointer.
Correct about the multiple uses of vehicles effort wise. May just use it as a template once resized to scratch-build the tractor.
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Haven't done much due to a major kitchen injury (healing nicely now) but was able to get these pics taken.
Here we have some of the templates I will use to detail the exterior as the elements are repetitive and this is the easiest way to reproduce accurately and quickly.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019122250-416831010.jpeg)
Here we have a preview of the exterior detailing with the side elements glued and the other templates dry fitted to see what needs to be changed/added to. The pink foam will probably have channels cut into it to represent some of the air ducts.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019122249-416821717.jpeg)
Here are two of the modules I built to populate some of the rooms of the east section of the operations block (the rooms across from Ops/medlab that we don't see in the movie except for the doors). I see part of this section as the regular medical section where regular injuries are treated vs medlab that deals more with exotic non-terrestrial ailments. The modules allow me to change the purpose of the room easily if I want something else such as a science lab there instead.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019122249-416801966.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-251019122249-41681346.jpeg)
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looks great - especially like your detailing.
8)
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Here is an overview of the east section of operations block that includes the medical section and a rest room (Steve F this is for you lol)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019002335-416901733.jpeg)
The same with the medical modules in place.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019002335-416911471.jpeg)
A different view.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019002335-41692355.jpeg)
Office and restrooms
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019002335-416871977.jpeg)
Cheers
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Great details. Am finding this so inspiring.
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Looking good.
I like the idea of furnishing the rooms using modules, nice way of getting more mileage out of your buildings. :)
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Splendid project. :-*
Always amazed at each update.
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:-* This is great!
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Hah, excellent, excellent!
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Fantastic project - there are going to be some great games played on that! Love the detailing, and the little blood pools around the place on floor and furniture.
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Wonderful stuff! There are currently some superb projects on the go, with amazing levels of detail.
I am in a state of shock and awe :o
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Looking more amazing every time! Thanks for the inspiration!
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This is a fantastic project, great work and really inspiring.
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Really is getting better and better. Almost too nice to game in.
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Bit of a hiatus from posting on this thread. RL and other stuff. I've only been doing a few minutes here, a few minutes there, and this is the result.
Here's an exterior view of the South Lock entrance with some preliminary detailing made of cereal card.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003128-41693861.jpeg)
Ops Module, Level 1 overview. This is a partial rough-in of the layout for the first level. Most wood walls are glued in place for support and rigidity at this point. Illustration board sections/doors won't be glued in place until painted and detailed and floor textures are done.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003128-416941076.jpeg)
My solution to avoid having to lift off levels during play as this module is just too big. The entire 1st level comes out! This gives me the option of either playing with the first level inside the ops module or moving it to a separate table. Eases storage too.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003128-416951513.jpeg)
Cheers
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:o Amazing work once again. Have you calculated how much gaming room this project will have in the end? Any idea on what the "total playable area" will be? ::)
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Looking good mate - am going to start working on mine again, alongside the buildings for my Battlefield game, and yours is good inspiration!
8)
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Akula, can't wait to see progress on yours. Your stuff inspires also. BTW like your Battlefield terrain.
Calimero, it's going to fit on my 4x6 table but would be better on a larger table of course. IIRC, to recreate Hadley's Hope would need a 10x8 or some such unwieldy size table. I wanted to get Ops/medlab accurate but to fit the rest of the colony on a reasonable size table there will be less modules, downsized ones and more modular type buildings. The Ops block is approx. 2x2.5 ft to give you an idea of size. So for the rest I'm aiming more for the feel of the colony as I do like to game other stuff also.
Cheers
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Very nice indeed.
My project has conpletely stalled so will live vicariously through your colony base until I can find the time to start again!
;)
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That's really amazing. Excellent job.
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Quid Pro Quo, Commander, Quid Pro Quo for my other projects.
For a change of pace I bring you the Casino module WIP.
I used the old southlock module from my previous attempt at building some modules. The casino just happened to have the same general shape and size...lucky me. It's made with 3mm hardboard/mdf with an inside footprint of 10x10inches. I ripped off (carefully) 4 of the old walls that either had doors where there shouldn't be doors or blank walls that were missing doors. Cut new doors or blank walls of mdf as needed and at this point raised the bottom level walls by 1/2 inch to make the bottom walls 2 1/2inches tall and kept the top level walls at 2inches tall. At this point I cut out the the huge 7x7 floor section of the top level that allows looking down on the lower level. Added an extension for the front entrance airlock and built a railing and windowed interior wall all of mdf. That's probably all the mdf work on this module completed. Quickly reassembled with wood glue to get the basic frame of the casino to get:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003927-416992151.jpeg)
Next decided to build the diagonal walkway linking the casino with the Ops module.
Started with some calculations and a paper template as this is all funny angles.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003927-416962435.jpeg)
I next placed the modules (Casino and Ops) in position and with some scotch tape, the template, and a template extension piece I was able to determine the correct size for the walkway floor. Used the template to cut out the walkway from 3mm hardboard/mdf...I didn't want it to sag.
Built the walls from illustration board...lots of tricky angles. Measure twice, cut once. Made two archways to support the walls at the proper angle and added a few pipes from bamboo skewers.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003927-416972399.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019004429-417011419.jpeg)
The exterior was detailed with corrugated cardboard sheets; 4 square feet for $1 at the dollar store. Cereal card was used for the bracing and, most importantly, to hide defects.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003927-416982287.jpeg)
More interior and exterior detailing needed prior to painting.
The walkway in place.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019003927-417001657.jpeg)
Comments welcome.
Cheers
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You were looking for weapons for the weapons locker : Hasslefree has many spare weapons including pulse rifles (Aliens movie ones) :
http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/range.php?range_id=39&subcat_id=17
How did you draw the Weyland Yutani logo on corrugated cardboard ?????
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I'm going to pick some weapons up when I next do an order with HF but didn't want to do just an order for that. Lovely Pulse Rifles they have there.
It's an optical illusion Yiu. Some work in GIMP generating a flat image of corrugated shutters with a super-imposed outline of the WY logo on a transparent background. Technically it shouldn't be visible on the outside and on all windows for that matter but it looks better that way.
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Your technique is awesome, I really thought it was corrugated cardboard...I'll steal your idea ;)
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Since the weapons locker was mentioned recently, I noticed in a set photo they used regular old M-16s in one weapons locker. It's in the room where Frost is checking Pulse Rifles. It was probably too expensive to make rows of pulse rifles that wouldn't be used in the movie.
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Michka, there's also a bunch of bullpup assault rifles...possibly L85's. Me have weak gun-fu so uncertain am I.
Had two cameras die on me in three days. Argh! Resuscitated one but it's not quite recovered (no zoom and lens likely to lock up).
Anyways progress continues on the Casino:
On the exterior, mostly cereal card and illustration board paneling and the start of the casino sign.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019004859-41703857.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019004859-417022227.jpeg)
On the interior prepped and dry-fitted most of the door mounts. Started to paint the second level walls prior to laying down carpet texture and wall decorations/columns. Easier to do now before everything is assembled.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019004859-41703857.jpeg)
Cheers
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This project is imense! When I looked through the pics I could actually recognise the sets from the film.
Can't wait to see some more, makes me want to make something big!
:-* :-* :-*
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Since the weapons locker was mentioned recently, I noticed in a set photo they used regular old M-16s in one weapons locker. It's in the room where Frost is checking Pulse Rifles. It was probably too expensive to make rows of pulse rifles that wouldn't be used in the movie.
The Colt assault rifle that looks like an M16 as well, and I believe a British bull-pop rifle too.
Diggin' the casino's look abd layout so far. The red was a good choice for the interior, methinks.
If I ever find an excuse to head over to that end of the country I'd go just to drool on the thing. lol
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Another Casino module update.
15minutes here and 10minutes there and eventually you start getting somewhere. Stupid other projects to work on and real life otherwise would be done already.
Here is an assembly shot of some of the interior details. Tables made with a washer, piece of dowel, some illustration board and photoshopped image for the table top. The washer gives the table some mass so it doesn't move around too much.
The ladder is assembled on a simple jig of low tack painter's tape that is taped down with the sticky side up. The pieces stay where you place them until the glue is dry but can easily be removed from the tape.
Lastly the staircase made from illustration board and bamboo skewers that have been painted separately and will be glued later.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005159-417051798.jpeg)
The top level is pretty much done except for a few details here and there. Still trying to decide what motif/decoration to put on the gold panel on the back wall. Overall I'm going for a mix of luxury with some frontier functionality showing through ( a place workers would want to go to part with their hard-earned credits). The first level is still wip but coming along at a fairly fast clip. Washroom entrance can be seen below the stairs.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005200-417061977.jpeg)
Passageway from the overpass going to the casino forward and to the recreation/cafeteria module to the right. Recreation module is my designation btw based on best wag.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005200-41707824.jpeg)
Cheers all.
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The casino area kind of reminds me of the bar scenes from the movie Barbwire. Yes I have a copy & have watched it many times.
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:-*
Incredible effort here.
This is going to be a huge layout when finished. Fantastic!
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Never finish this, please. You´ll put yourself in danger to get robbed and looted by a horde of envious gamers...
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This is gorgeous!
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Excellent, excellent. Will there be any neon/argon signing around the dance area?
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Thanks for the comments.
Now I'm going to have to watch Barbedwire, a movie that I've only seen a few scattered minutes of. Ah...Pamela.
Michi...security has been advised and your image circulated. ;)
Good idea for the dance floor. I wasn't going to have a dance floor although something from Saturday Night Fever might be nice with flashing floor squares. To keep the building versatile, the lower floor gambling furnishings are going to be able to be replaced with a stage and pole combo and now I guess a dance floor and booths/tables also. The main sign will also be able to be changed depending on the venue. There will also be a removable fire escape for the second floor side door. Always more stuff to do.
Cheers
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El wire will be perfect for the neon sings, floor etc..
Lovely work as ever, thought about a matt sealing spray to lose some of the paperiness, if you know what i mean?
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Maybe the colour is just subconcious on your part, but when I saw that shade of red and the floor tiles it immediately reminded of the dancing areas I've seen in various media. System Shock 2 had a very good example of this. Glad I gave you an idea. :)
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Commander, El wire is exactly what I need. Thanks for the pointer. I'll be a able to retro fit it easily once I get some. I often give my stuff a spray of matt varnish or marker sealing spray but I only spray outside due to toxic considerations. I should be able to spray once the weather is more cooperative in about 4-5 months by use of judicious masking; most of the furnishings are removable and will also get a spray of protection.
Bako, the colour scheme is by design. Did a bit of research online and there's a whole science to it. Basically warm, rich colours (deep reds, browns, golds) to elicit feeling of comfort and welcome so people want to stay. Avoid cold or clashing colours such as silver, blue, vivid red which irritate and/or depress people. Flashing bells and whistles near the outside to attract people, calmer and quieter inside so that players don't get irritated. Carpets are ultra busy (ugly?) patterns to hide wear and tear, but conspiracy theories abound from subliminal messaging to hiding casino chips that fall on the ground.
Cheers
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This is absolutely stunning. I can't wait to see more pictures.
Keep the fire burning!
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This gets my vote for the best project.
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Bako, the colour scheme is by design. Did a bit of research online and there's a whole science to it. Basically warm, rich colours (deep reds, browns, golds) to elicit feeling of comfort and welcome so people want to stay. Avoid cold or clashing colours such as silver, blue, vivid red which irritate and/or depress people. Flashing bells and whistles near the outside to attract people, calmer and quieter inside so that players don't get irritated. Carpets are ultra busy (ugly?) patterns to hide wear and tear, but conspiracy theories abound from subliminal messaging to hiding casino chips that fall on the ground.
Excellent. Good to know these choices were on science's part and not just the owner having a thing for that sort of stuff.
Colonial dance parteh.
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Thanks for the comments and encouragement all.
Bako, I'm supposed to go to Las Vegas in June but couldn't wait to do the field research. I guess that's a laugh as there's a casino across the river that I've never been to. I guess at this point with so few colonists the casino is more family oriented and used as either a community center or a day-care. Time to sculpt some 1/56 scale children toys. ;)
Received some more Horrorclix aliens today. Total 9 warriors, 2 Queens. Only acquiring them when price is okay so patience is my friend. Might not have to go with plan B to sculpt and cast my own.
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I guess at this point with so few colonists the casino is more family oriented and used as either a community center or a day-care. Time to sculpt some 1/56 scale children toys. ;)
Sounds about right. I have to say though, due in part to my love of seedy space bars, but perhaps the casino could also cater to 'Adult Swim' hours? Like as in some time after evening the casino switches into a mature peoples club or something.
The daycare idea is pretty cool though. A 'happy' colour-puke room would be a delish' contrast to colony-drab.
It seems to me that I'm the only one not being able to find HorrorClix xenomorphs.
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Speaking of 1/56th scale toys, does anyone know where you can get a 1/56th scale big wheel? The deleted scene with the kids playing near ops is just so creepy.
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Quite a bit of progress on the casino module. The interior is pretty much done barring a few minor details. The alternate furnishing of a catwalk with pole and extra tables is also completed. No pictures. Next to finish is the exterior detailing and painting. What do I mean no pictures? Well, my camera that I managed to resuscitate died the final death. Sent an urgent request to Santa at which point I will be able post some pictures.
Michka, good idea. Now I'll have to scratch-build a Big Wheel.
Bako, just a lot of patience and some luck unfortunately.
Okay. I do have some pictures. This is a side extension to the casino module for when it is not used as part of the LV426 complex. Got to keep the builds multi-setting useful. It's a general employee room/change room/staircase and it can also be used as a stand alone hut.
Here is the basic structure made of illustration board with a hardboard base.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005953-417081096.jpeg)
Painting the edges of the illustration board for general looks and to seal the edges for durability. It's easiest to do this at this stage.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005953-417091578.jpeg)
Corrugated cardboard paneling added to close the walls .
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005953-417101764.jpeg)
Added bamboo skewer trim to hide ugly construction details.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005953-41711450.jpeg)
Scratch-built a cereal box cardboard door and the 4th wall. This last wall is added later after the interior is painted and detailed as it is much easier to do it this way.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019005953-417121950.jpeg)
Camera dies at this point. Arghhh! Lots of undocumented construction.
Cheers all.
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Wow - this project gets better and better every time I look in on it. Great work and very inspiring.
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Excellent stuff. :)
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amazing as usual.
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Time for an update.
Casino is mostly finished...a final ink wash/dry brush coat, gotta resolve some minor warping on the roof, and I'll call it a day...pics as soon as I set up some proper lighting.
In an effort to avoid working on the Ops block (or shoveling snow), spent a few hours today and assembled most of the vehicle maintenance access ramp as well as started the three small huts.
Base made of hardboard cut to proper dimensions. Basic structure made of foamboard.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010605-417131262.jpeg)
Basic assembly
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010605-41714865.jpeg)
Added side supports made of illustration board and edged the exposed foamboard sides with cardstock strips.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010605-41715489.jpeg)
Added the bulk of detailing made of cardstock, illustration board and electrical wire. A few more items to add to finish the detailing. Still need to manufacture and add the side trusses. Behind the vehicle entry can be seen the mockup dry run of one of the huts.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010605-41716387.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010606-417172364.jpeg)
Here's a preview on the alley without the concrete pads for the buildings.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019010912-417182415.jpeg)
Cheers all.
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Looking great!
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I am in awe this project is superb :-*
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Amazing build. ;D ;D ;D
This has to be up there with THE zeppelin.
Should there be some kind of award for the most extravagant and epic builds?
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Looking amazing.
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Loving that street-level shot! It's already out there.
This has to be up there with THE zeppelin.
I dunno', I think I like this one better. :D
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First of all, thanks for all the great comments.
Special thanks to Bako for some invaluable reference pics.
Apologies again for no casino pics (soon). I've been flitting from one item to the next and back again instead of uber-concentrating on one item so lots of in progress pics of different items. I've been building lots of the smaller structures from the west side of the colony that can be easily adapted to generic games.
Three huts...self contained structures with different interiors. Foamboard walls, functioning doors, hardboard base and cereal card detailing. Here I'm dry-fitting the floor texture which will only be glued in place once the walls are painted so no paint mess on the floor.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019011904-41719596.jpeg)
Building the roof structure. Illustration board top glued to insulation foam to bulletproof the structure...two young kids and a cat about. I'll probably use cereal card for the next roof though.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019011904-41720927.jpeg)
The rest of the insulation foam is covered with card paper. I'll probably use cereal card next time as it does look a bit wavy due to the thinness of the paper but most of that will be covered with detailing so no big deal. Template was planned, drawn, and cutout to make the roof structures from cereal card.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019012639-41724849.jpeg)
The roof structures get reinforced with whatever scrap pieces are laying about within reach...in this case foam-board.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019011904-41723180.jpeg)
More detailing added to roof
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019011904-417221651.jpeg)
and to the sides.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013120-417251562.jpeg)
Still lots of small details to add before detailing the interior. Second and third huts are at the first picture stage.
Also in the works is the tower structure located behind the Bar and Grill.
Started with two templates, one slightly smaller than the other. Taped them together so they are centered and labeled them carefully to indicate alignment and orientation.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013120-417261970.jpeg)
Next drilled 8 holes for the 3/16 inch dowel support columns. With the two templates taped together when drilling, I'm insured that all the holes will be aligned between the top the bottom plate. That's why labeling the orientation is important. Tip: drilling on a sacrificial block of wood prevents splintering on the bottom piece.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013120-41727807.jpeg)
Dry-fitting the structure together. The dowels were cut to length and two simple cube structures were made from foam-board. I'm not sure what function these have and to keep maximum flexibility, the cubes were given interior floors so that figures can be placed inside comfortably. That way I can use them as elevated science huts or as simple water tanks.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013120-417281337.jpeg)
Batteries died. More pics later
Off to make pizza now.
Cheers
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Superb! :-*
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Off to make pizza now.
Any WIP photos of the pizza?
Looking great mate - keep it going.
8)
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Any WIP photos of the pizza?
Only pieces of crust left now. Will endeavor to better document future meals. ;D
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Great work. I look forward to seeing these pieces finished.
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Amazing build. ;D ;D ;D
Agree. 8)
Has motivated me to start my own (really, rellay small, in fatc in comparison microscopic) colonial marines project.
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Silent Invader, seen your project start and and it's inspiring.
Hut 1 ready for painting. Two more huts to finish
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013753-41730174.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013753-417312469.jpeg)
Inside walls are painted and floor texture added. The interior is now ready for detailing. This one will be a workshop.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013753-41732757.jpeg)
Vehicle Maintenance Entry. Ready for painting. I'll be painting at some point a trompe l'oeil entry ramp to go in the entry area for lack of an actual ramp/raised gaming board I can dig a ramp into.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013754-417332462.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019014028-417351042.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019013754-41734533.jpeg)
Shack. Just the start of one of three shacks. Basic frame from 1/8inch hardboard
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019014514-417361705.jpeg)
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The Tower WIP photos
Pinvise used to drill holes in the supports.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019020738-417382142.jpeg)
20 guage floral wire bent at the ends and inserted into the drilled holes.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019020738-41739537.jpeg)
The wires stay in place by themselves but added superglue (CA glue) as insurance.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019020738-41740212.jpeg)
Cut out some detailing from cereal card
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019020738-417371578.jpeg)
The tower modules exterior detailed.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019020738-417412091.jpeg)
The whole assembled. Added bamboo skewer cross beams and cardboard tube as ladder tube to climb up
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021229-417431730.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021228-417421504.jpeg)
Still need to attach wire ladder to the base and detail the interior of the modules once I decide what to put inside. Once painted I'll be adding about six LED spotlights to illuminate the terrain, the battery box probably going into one of the modules.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021229-41744894.jpeg)
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Once painted I'll be adding about six LED spotlights to illuminate the terrain, the battery box probably going into one of the modules.
OOOOH, AHH! Yeah!!!
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Amazing project.
Have been really enjoying this thread.
It's going to be a monster when finished... :o
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Braz, this project is going from strength to strength!
At the rate you are going, you will be finished before I restart mine in mid-April.
:D
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Looking great. Any chance of a wide shot with all the buildings to date. It's going to be huge!
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Thanks all,
Michi, glad to have gotten you all excited.
Akula, I may be finished this one but you'll probably have finished two (or three) other projects in the meantime.
Uti, I'll endeavour to get a wide shot setup. It's getting too huge... I dispair :'(
I now present the Casino.
Roof curl still in need of fixing. Will give a paint coat underneath to try to offset the curl. Still needs a wash coat but gotta fiddle with the formula, it's drying too fast and leaving streaks.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021823-417451270.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021823-417462225.jpeg)
The entry airlock has a separate roof.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019025408-417611199.jpeg)
The overpass from the ops module.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019021823-41747997.jpeg)
The side door would lead to an adjacent module (what I designate as the recreation module).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019022414-41749382.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019022414-417481597.jpeg)
The upper balcony
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019022414-417501248.jpeg)
The video screens/betting board boards are magnetized and the images can be changed. Got some sports games and such.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019022414-417511830.jpeg)
The ground floor
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019022414-41752879.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019023043-417542017.jpeg)
Pausing to freshen up a bit.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019023043-41753778.jpeg)
Cashier cage/DJ booth (the window can be changed)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019023044-41756498.jpeg)
The real source of profits.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019023044-41755369.jpeg)
Let the fun begin. When not used on LV426, the casino sign can be changed so the module can serve a different purpose.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019025408-41760826.jpeg)
The interior floor plan can also be changed.(still need to build a lighted dance floor at some point). And gotta get these http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=25466.0
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019023744-417571161.jpeg)
When used as a non LV426 building, the side shipping module serves as the employee area. Usually it would not be there as the doors on that side would normally lead to the another module.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019025408-41759691.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019025408-417582490.jpeg)
It can also be used as stand alone habitation shack when the side entry is closed off with a bedding unit. Thanks Ebbles miniatures.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/41/2880-261019025654-417621574.jpeg)
Overall a fun build. Can't wait to play in it
Cheers
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Only one word will do: awesome. :o 8)
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Awesome is right. My computer shorted out because I was drooling on the keyboard....
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Wowza.
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Class, pay attention - truly a work of wargames art.
8)
Roof curl still in need of fixing. Will give a paint coat underneath to try to offset the curl.
Just a suggestion, but had you considered sticking a skirt on the lip of the roof (ie card that obscures the join between roof and wall) ?
Might well hide the curvature.
:)
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Looking fantastic, keep up the great work.
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Thanks.
Putting a skirt on the lip of roofs/floors is what I usually do when I can. If the paint don't work, a skirt it will be. I figure strong glue and the skirt will straighten out the roof just fine if not just hide the curve.
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This project just keeps getting better with every new post.
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:-* :-* :-*
As the others say this project is getting better and better.
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An incredible piece of work... I'd be loathe to let anyone near it though once it's finished. :o
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I just stumbled upon this post and WOW!
Excellent work.
I look forward to more.
Thanks
Amalric
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Wow! Just wow! :o Its looking good with the detail and colour! :-*
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Braz, first of all ur work kicks ass :D
Seccond, where did you get the floorplan of the whole place?
I'd love to have it since im making a multiplayer map of this for half life 2
I'd be so helped out if i had the map ur using :D
(http://www.xs-chaos.co.uk/xeno/pics/mikeyshope/mikeys-hope0017.jpg)
(http://www.xs-chaos.co.uk/xeno/pics/mikeyshope/mikeys-hope0011.jpg)