Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Gunbird on March 25, 2007, 10:41:34 PM
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I first planned to keep this a secret untill I had the first batch painted and prepped, but I can't keep this to myself anymore.
When I saw the modular sewer pieces I remembered a few sketches I made and my try outs (and failures) through the years to make something similar. I quickly put those away again as I saw no way to get busy casting or any other method.
But I had my Eureka moment when I saw my young nephew play with his wooden blocks, and everything fell in place ....... in this case quite literally!
What am I rambling about?
Most of you have seen the modular sewer, or played games like Space Hulk or D&D with floorplans, so keep that thought into your head, as I have been making my way towards a fully modular underground (bunker) system suitable for 20-28mm figs.
<cue slide 1>
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/geheimproject51.jpg)
My original idea involved a cartload of free plasticcard i got. This turned out to be rather unstable, combined with my inability to cut straight lines, and a dead end.
The basic idea was good though, and I had some left over 6mm MDF from another project, so desided to do a small test
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testfit2.jpg)
With a whopping 20cm high wall this seems rediculously over the top, I know, but it gave me the 10cm x 10cm mantra so to speak. Everything I make for this will be based on 10cm x 10cm squares, or derivates of that like the 20x10 tile with the 20cm high wall (which is for a future U boat pen btw). The fig on the left is a 28mm model (ok, more like 32, its a GW Imperial Guard Psyker) and the two on the right a 20mm TQD zombies.
Ok, 20 is a bit high, so how would 10cm tall pieces do, and how do I represent corners? Well....
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testbox2.jpg)
Stable, and tough,and fully modular. Ok, here and there there might be a small crack in between pieces but noboby is perfect.
Using the pieces I had made last week I was ready to assemble them into this:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testfit1-1.jpg)
and with some swapping of parts this:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testfit4.jpg)
I decided the big 20cm tall pieces would be suitable only for big aircraft hangars, V-2 rocket bunkers and U boat pens and the 10cm pieces for your everyday storage rooms and warehouses.
This left me with making a stack of 5cm tall pieces, and boy, my local lumberyard must have been happy with that order (NT)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/5cmtestpiecemet20mmmodeltestfit.jpg)
A quick test to see how everything fits, and from now on I started to give every wall some support. Due to the way it is built most don't need it, but it does help with stacking them for storage (more about that later) and ensures most rooms have a space wide enough for a acces door.
With the components then available to me I started building more and more pieces, untill today, I ended up with enough pieces to assemble this:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testfitlarge.jpg)
using just these components:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Thebasiccomponents.jpg)
i have made various sketches to see what kind or pieces I would have to make extra, but so far all the ones I made can be formed to create the ideas I have in my hand which makes me rather happy. This means I'm on the right track and all I need to do is create quite a few more parts of the basic set to be able to create everything I want.
So far "all" I have is this:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/dungeonprogress2.jpg)
Which I stacked for fun to see how much room it would use up in my storage cabinets (though the 20cm wall pieces are missing in this one)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/dungeonprogress.jpg)
(seeing this pic gave me quite a few extra ideas like recreating the derelict and unfinished flats I saw in Beirut or in Mogadishu (for the people who saw Black Hawk Down or the modular Tank Factory I once designed for Warhammer 40K)
The basic plan I have at the moment is to make enough bits to give me a level playingfield of about 1 square meter including 1 U boat pen, paint and finish that, and then create more bits.
Everything will be grey (like a bunker i mean) and the floor will have the idea of tiles (25mm squares) and a lot of the walls will have magnets imbedded in them so I can put up non permanent posters, videocamera's, sentry guns, banners and god know what, easily adapting the surroundings to whatever game I will be playing. Scenery will be loose and placable anywhere. A lot of that will be bought, but I am working on a few pieces in plastticcard that possibly will be reproduced in resin at some later date. Doors are of a later concern, as I can either use my router of print out some PDF's and laminate those to thick card on a base.
What u see now is the result of starting this idea 2 weeks ago and just about 15 euro's worth of 6mm MDF, and I'm very happy with it.
Is this everybody's cup of tea? of course not. The dungeons I saw had tiled floors and walls etc (but those cost a few 100 for tha amount fo space I'm covering now) and for the do-it-yourself Hirst arts stuff you need to buy the moulds and the plaster and it is still fragile (in these quantaties anyway)
But for the people who want to roleplay with their models, or play games like Bunkerstorm, or , like me, want to recreate games like Return to Castle Wolfenstein or Inquisitor on their dinnertable, this is a good, affordable way forward. Put in a few players and let loose the zombies or automated killing machines. or add a Predator or 2, who knows? Or use it as a secret facilty defended by the Germans, or even as Hitlers underground bunker in Berlin. Your mind, your idea, just go for it.
Well, enjoy lads, tell me what u think of it, good or bad, give it a shot, I'm always happy with feedback. And if you have any questions, do feel free to ask.
Johan
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This is hugely inspirational, thank you (although I get the feeling you make it sound more effortless than it was :D ). Someday I'll try this myself, albeit with less pieces as I'm trying to rationalize all my miniature gaming projects.
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.....trying to rationalize all my miniature gaming projects.
Ouch! Good luck :)
Johan
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I'm inspired, these look great, really looking forward to seeing them all painted up.
This is going on my list of things to try, I've got a jungle to finish first and then a village, café and castle exterior. But this looks like a great way to build up an interior for the castle.
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.....an interior for the castle.
Yup, and a bunker, factory, research lab, inside of a freighter or other kind of ship and whatever else you can think of really.
I'll try and get the first lot ready for paint as soon as possible. Meaning somewhere in April.....I hope.....
Johan
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.....trying to rationalize all my miniature gaming projects.
Ouch! Good luck :)
Johan
Actually not that big a sacrifice, thanks to some great "low maintenance" games like those from Rattrap.
Incidentally, do I understand you correctly in that you had the lumberyard saw the pieces for you? It's an avenue I haven't considered, but would make things much easier.
Oh, and what's the modular sewer you mentioned? Are there pictures?
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Yes, I just drop off a note with the sizes I need, tell them when it needs to be done and pick it up then. No extra charge (try finding that in this day and age) for their effort, so I come by to collect orders for friends.
By now they are used to "the guy that always orders large amounts of small blocks" and they don't mind.
And it makes life so much easier, I order the stuff I need plus extra, put it in labelled boxes and when I feel like building something most of the pieces are in front of me.
The modular sewer would be the one you can find on the Old Crow website >>
http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/aisewers.htm
In time, I propably will have a go at that system too using the same principle of 10x10 blocks. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt, it just will need a bit more wood, and I might even get it to fit in with my current system.
Ok, enough daydreaming ;)
Johan
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I just caught up with this thread, and I wanted to compliment you on the construction of your modules. I think it's a great idea to paint them all gray and then use them as you will for different projects. It's certainly something I could see myself trying, since I'm trying to rationalize a bit as well.
How'd you cut the 6mm MDF? Table saw?
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I don't cut it, I'm having that done at the lumber yard slash DIY shop.
That way I make sure everything is cut perfect (which to be honest, isn't my strong point), saves me a lot of time (i get home late from work and I live alone so there are always more importnat things to do around the house then my hobby it seems) AND I don't have to lug big plates of MDF with me on the back of my bike, or else I would doing an E.T. impression at the nearest Viaduct I try to pass.....
They don't charge anything for cutting up the wood, thats a service they give, and with my members card I get a 10% discount too on top of that....can't beat that.
I will make a few special pieces soon, but I have 2 routers in my basement that will be up to that task...as soon as I get my work bench installed that is :)
To make life easier for everyone I will make a tutorial about this, and put all of my notes in legible writing, but I'll be honest, its basically 6mm MDF slabs of 10x10cm, and variants of it. If you stick to the basics you can have enough for a square meter done, painted and prepped, in about a week if spending an hour or so on it.
Of course, as I will be adding magnets (or iron) on fixed locations takes a bit more time but will make it so much more diverse.......well, thats the idea anyway.
For the interested, I just received another batch of cut wood, bringing my spent cash for this project on roughly 50 euro's, half of that for a big can of primer and the other half is, as soon as the parts are done anyway, enough for a table 200 x 100 cm table with ease.
I'll keep you updated on further progress.
Johan
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Please do!
I've already begun planning the pieces I need, providing my local lumber yard will render the same service.
I can definitely see the vision you're going for. I'm picturing terrible mutant-critters dropping down from the ceilings. Half-heard slithering noises coming down darkened passageways. Beleaguered marines searching desperately for a way out of the nightmare. And zombies! Lots of zombies! :mrgreen:
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Damned insomnia.
Ok, here is one just to show off, a try out for a bigger level without the U boat bunker.....100 x 120 cm's setup with room for your dice and tea..... i could use a cup right now.......
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/testdisplay.jpg)
Black is 5cm tall (regular level) white is 10cm tall (storage and whatever) red is the entry point. I used colour to highlight the parts for visibility purposes.
The entry point block is one I will see myself making quite a few more of, as I have to beat someone at Space Hulk.
I'll put everything, including the measurements to paper, propably this weekend.
Now I will go and crash. Later.
Johan
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Okay, now you're just showing off, insomnia or not. :)
Looks amazing, really amazing. I'm also shocked that your local supplier does the cuts for you. Here in the US at the "big box" stores, you get one cut for free (if you can find someone to help you) and after that it's 25 cents a cut. You have to measure and mark yourself, too. :(
Great job, Johan!
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Yup, the big boxes here do that too, but I always go to my local (ok, halfway across town, but still). better service, staff who actually have a clue what they are doing, and all that for a few cents more :)
But if I would have to pay for every cut I would invest in a table saw, at 25 cents a cut I would be paying more for the cuts then for the wood itself......
Johan
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Some more progress and trials, after having added even more sections (damn, this must be addictive.....well, either that or I like getting high on MDF dust, and that can't be a good idea)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Moredungeontests1.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Moredungeontests.jpg)
I've used the blocks I wasn't using to fill in the open parts to give it a more closed feel. It has a nice effect, I say. I'm progressing very well on the drawings for sewer sections and stairs, but all of that will be done after these are finished to not overcomplicate my work. But that will make for instance the docks more raised and will enable features like elevator shafts, walksways, etc.
Another trial was this:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Hangar.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Hangarinside.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Hangaraddon.jpg)
...to be used as a Hangar (or a landing platform on the Deathstar for all I care). The openings in the back correlate to the openings in the 5cm blocks so they slot neatly against each other without any problems.
I could even add a roof to both sections and plonk it down on a gaming board, and be done with it.
I have also purchased a large volume of 25mm wooden cubes from a childrens playset to be painted up as wooden cases.....great filler.
Johan
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wow :o just wow :o that was a lot of work wasn't it?
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Actually, not at all (I feel almost ashamed saying that)
Last night, while watching TV, I managed to make another 12 10x10 blocks in an hour or so. With everything being pre cut for me all I have to do is glue the parts together the way I want them to be.
Though of course some parts will need some sanding and everything needs a lick of paint, but still, it really isn't as hard as it seems. Honest.
Johan
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An member of a different forum noted how much it looked like one of those Arab walled villages.
Now there's a thought, and a few rough quick pics.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/villagetrial.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/villagetrial1.jpg)
If I wanted to turn it into a village I would have to sprinkle some sand onto the concerete to make it look like alleyways, and make some loose tops to go on top, but apart from that I found it a smashing idea (one that I hadn't thought of yet)
Johan
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This is some serious genius stuff. Now I'm going to have to go price 6mm MDF.
Excellent planning, brilliant execution!
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What Pete said.
I tried getting the same service from a lumberyard the other day, but no dice. I'll keep looking.
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My apolagies for the shoddy pictures, it appears I spent a great deal more time in the basement sanding then I had anticipated so when I decided to come out it was already dark....... think I was a wee bit too focussed.
Anyway, finished seven 10x20 3cm pieces and 3 10x10 3cm pieces to raise the U boat dock area. Like I said before, basically just 3cm tall hollow caissons to keep down the weight.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Uboatdock.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Uboatdock1.jpg)
Also added 6 more tunnelsections, and experimented with strips of wood I picked up at the recycle shop, enough strips to last me for about 50 tunnelsections, at the unprecedented price of 2 euro's :lol: (They had loads more, so I'm going back next week to pick up some more bundles of the stuff.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/corridorsidepanels.jpg)
Again my apolagies about the lack in detail.
The idea about this section is that it is more of a corridor between rooms or sections or whatever. Should work just as well painted yellow/beige and representing an egyptian tomb section :)
Johan :lol:
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Lookin' good, Johan!
You might want to get the sea worm screens replaced, though. Or scrape off some of those barnacles... :wink:
I went out and priced 6mm MDF over the weekend. But the goblin who was operating the saw could only grunt "Twenty-five cents per cut after the first!" in response to my questions. Nor would he lend me a pencil. Rumor has it there is an Amish-owned lumberyard near my parents' house. I'll go check there.
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I went out and priced 6mm MDF over the weekend. But the goblin who was operating the saw could only grunt "Twenty-five cents per cut after the first!" in response to my questions.
Sounds like the experiences I've been having, too. I can't be bothered to look around for more lumberyards anymore.
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I don't suppose they have Amish carpenters in Sweden, do they?
Incidentally, there's no Lemax stuff here locally. I've driven to all the local places, and quite a few places that strain the definition of "local" and come up blank on the cobblestone mats and other doo-dads. Fortunately Christmas is becoming both compulsory and arriving earlier every year, so we'll probably end up with a restock in August. (I've been meaning to e-mail you that for a couple of days now--sorry for the laziness.)
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Oh dear, I hope I haven't made you drive all over the Eastern seaboard looking for one of those mats! :)
I feel guilty now. You need to stop.
Incidentally, just ten minutes ago, I arrived at the conclusion that I HATE building terrain. I received an order I'd made over a month ago from a (local Swedish) wargaming webstore. The time it took isn't the problem, I knew it would be delayed because part of the order was a bunch of balsa I knew they had to back-order (I wasn't in a hurry so I was OK with waiting a month). The problem is that after all this wait, the damn balsa wasn't in there! Only a quick note saying it's "out of stock" and please to try ordering it again later.
God I hate building terrain. Or more specifically, hunting down all the materials I need for it. From now on, producers of ready-made scenery will start getting much more custom from me.
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I don't suppose they have Amish carpenters in Sweden, do they?
No, but Latvian. At least for a while before they were scared away by the unions for dumping the market.
So now we are left bored geezers who charge you halt your salary to cut 6mm plywood sheets in half.
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I wonder if it might actually be cheaper to take the ferry over to the Baltic states and get them to cut the plywood there... :lol:
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I would be highly amused if it were cheaper to get the wood bought and cut in the Baltic states than Sweden. Somehow it seems like a return to the old days of the Hanseatic League or something--Swedish citizens contracting with Lithuanians to buy and cut wood from Russia, and moving it back on German ships. I mean, the only thing left to complete that picture is a nice little war over Polish succession or Martin Luther.
Johan's from the Netherlands, so we can even blame him for instigating the whole thing. :mrgreen:
Seriously, here in the US, 6mm MDF is now cheaper than 1" thick pink insulation foam. The price on the pink foam fluctuates with gas prices, and the Big Box stores stop stocking it after April. It's now nearly twice as expensive as MDF.
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Sure, blame me, :P
1m2 of 6mm MDF costs me 6 euro's, and they sell 1 inch thick blue foam for 7.50, so we are not there yet. (pink foam is nearly impossible to get, even if the one of the few factories in the Netherlands that makes it is located in my own city (and never bothered to reply to my enquiries)
I know I am blessed with not having to pay per cut.
If I would though, I would just have it cut in long 5cm wide strips and invested in a cheap electric.....ehm, verstekzaag in Dutch, not sure what that would be in English. At 25 cents a cut you would earn that back pretty quickly and you could always keep some long strips in stock and cut what u need when u need it.
or if I felt really over the top invest in a circular table saw and just buy big plates of the stuff. Seeing how my only mode of transport is a bicycle and this country can be windy and wet, not an option :)
Why not harass a old woodworker/uncle/ other relative or 2? You never know :)
Rhoderic: I love building terrain. What do you need? :)
Johan
Johan
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Hope no one thinks its weird to necromance my own thread, but here goes. I finally managed to find the time to paint all of those damned blocks.
Tonight, I have started tiling them, and here is the result sofar. First without models.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concrete1.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concrete3.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concrete2.jpg)
Not happy with the last pic, I should redo at least part of it.
All are tests to see which methode gives me the best results the fastest, as I have loads and loads and loads of tiles to paint. With only 3 colours 8)
Then, with figs and filler.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concreteextra1.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concreteextra2.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concreteextra3.jpg)
As planned, 25mm squares. Not as planned was using a pencil to mark the walls and the sides, but as I was painting I figures it was the way to go.
The big tile is a better result then the second, propably due to having more paint (I experimented on it) so might go back over the narrow tile and redo parts of it (as I have to partially redo the back anyway)
So, what you think of it?
Johan
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I think it looks stunning... another one to add on my Christmas list.
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Painted a few more modules last night (and this morning). I keep changing and mixing techniques now, washing one minute, drybrushing the other. But sofar, I think they tie in nicely, even after adding another colour to the mix, but that I mostly use for a wash of the first layer now for added oomph so to speak.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concretetest5.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concretetest4.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concretetest3.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concretetest2.jpg)
The large wall is one of the walls for the hangar/U-boat bunker/warehouse. The strip you see will have a few magnets imbedded to add things like cranes etc. Decided to do all of the magnetising after I painted the lot...seems easier at the moment.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/concretetest1.jpg)
And may I now point your attention to the block on the right?
All of the blocks that are able to stand upside down unsupported, as well as the basic floorplates, will be painted on the bottem as well, to make them even more modular then they were to begin with.
Quite ingenious, even if do say/think/create myself :mrgreen:
And now I'm off.....Merry Christmas to you all!
Johan
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Did I paint it that badly? :cry:
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Not at all man, it's looking good.
It's nice to see a few projects I've followed here coming together.
Next step is to see some game in progress shots of the complex in use. :)
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no, looks great, =)
Great idea:)
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Game shots might be a while, for most ranges I can muster a few figs max (28 's and 20's) and I really never wanted to play with unpainted figs....which is a good thing yet a bit painfull when U work so hard yet have no sparring partners so to speak.
I should have more pics up this weekend with some settings and a rougher version of my "concrete" for which I couls use a verdict.
I'm also shopping for bits from various manufacturers, and once again I'm finding GW's extensive ranges (and the bitz sales on Ebay) to be a major boon for my converting and planning.
But it also feels like I'm working too much on the scene and I haven't hired any actors yet. Though I must say people have invited me to come and play games like 40K Killteam with it, so who knows.
I could use a good nudge for direction here cause, odd as it might seem, I get the feeling I made it so generic (as it really can be anything) I have too many options to play with :cry: , though 75% of these options fall into the WW2 range.
Can a person be too creative for his own good?
Johan
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Some recent updates and a notice.
First, the notice.......I've started a Blog.
Now now, don't moan, not another one, this one is pretty narrow (minded) and will be just for my Bunker and Bunkerfiller project.
Here is the link >> http://gunbird.wordpress.com/
I'll keep posting here as well as the pics can be a bit bigger on this forum :roll:
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Bunkertest1.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/Bunkertest2.jpg)
Things that are new from last time, a stairwell, extra blocks and a WIP Imperial Eagle on the reverse side of a 20x20 tile. It looks nice, the effect is what I want of it and there will be a lot more :)
Johan
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I love that staircase, looks good and game practical. I'll have to poach that idea. :)
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Very nice work!
Troll
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I didn't reply because I was out of the country.
I really like your modular sets, very much so. This current set is no exception. What I like best is that at 6mm MDF it must be very solid to hold, and won't move around when bumped accidentally.
But an Imperial Eagle? What were you thinking! :)
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This is very impressive!
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you see me green with envy and speechless ;)
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Aww, thx guys :oops:
But an Imperial Eagle? What were you thinking! :)
Sadly thats about the only way to get the local "GW or nothing" gamers to say anything about it, and I thought what the heck, why not, good practice. ANd a reason to demo it using Killteam someday.
A gamer on another forum mentioned it had to be very heavy, all of that wood. I said it's propably the same or less then the same kit in resin or plaster......but I like to be sure so did some weighing, and suprised myself.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/wayswatcher/20mm%20WW2/Geheimproject%2051/5cmtestpiece.jpg)
1 = 120 grams
2 = 140 grams
3 = 110 grams
4 = 165 grams
a 20x20 plate like the one with the Imperial Eagle weighs 200 grams, a 20cm long corridor 225 grams and the stairway 280 grams. The heaviest piece sofar is one of the big 30cm wide 20mm tall wall pieces for the U boat bunker, these tip the scales at 540 grams each.
Considering the amount of space one can cover with this, plus the fact I have already designed a mode of transport for the blocks, had me pleasantly suprised.
I will add some more pics in the coming weeks, working on some more Bunker filler at the moment.
Johan
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Now this is a spiffy idea, very well done sir!
I notice that you went with a standard grey color for the blocks, good choice.
Borrowing an idea from TV, specifically the original Star Trek, you could make them even more diffrent or specific to a game.
All of the Trek sets were painted the same grey color, the sets were then altered using colored lights, so I don't see why you can't do the same.
I would suggest some of these battery "tea lights":
http://www.100candles.com/Items/Item_8301.htm
They come in diffrent colors, aren't very big, are cheap, and could very easily be made into a prop that fits the scene. Maybe red for a bunker, or green for a lab or some such.
Just a thought.