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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Bravo Six on August 23, 2011, 07:36:22 PM

Title: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Bravo Six on August 23, 2011, 07:36:22 PM
I'm wondering if anyone here has done, or has seen anyone who's done sand dunes or drifts for a tabletop? I'm thinking of adding some to surround my Egyptian ruins and block line of sight.

-B6
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: OSHIROmodels on August 23, 2011, 08:39:33 PM
In the next few weeks I'm going to for a Martian board but haven't given it any thought just yet  :?

Keep your eyes on my 'Japanese on Mars' thread on the VSF board and it will pop up eventually  :)

cheers

James
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Ramirez Noname on August 23, 2011, 09:47:34 PM
Hi Todd,

I knocked this together as a centrepiece scenery item -

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=22967.msg280781#msg280781 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=22967.msg280781#msg280781)
 
WIP

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=16105.msg198754#msg198754 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=16105.msg198754#msg198754)

... and I was going to make some dunes to go with it - they are still in their raw form - i.e. MDF board and polystyrene.

I had run out a crescent shaped dune, but it turned into a hill  :? for another campaign.

Harvey
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: magokiron on August 23, 2011, 09:53:37 PM
May this Terragenesis idea can be useful:

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page367.html

Cheap and quick, and not just the "Hill painted sand color".

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Bravo Six on August 23, 2011, 11:24:34 PM
Quote
Keep your eyes on my 'Japanese on Mars' thread on the VSF board and it will pop up eventually

Thanks Jim I shall! :D

Harvey..... Wow!  :o That stuff is amazing! Loads of inspiration there. How the hell did I miss that thread?!

I forgot about Terragenesis. Thanks! All good ideas and a good jump off point for planning. Much appreciated!

-Todd
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Bravo Six on August 23, 2011, 11:30:20 PM
BTW- when cutting mdf bases in circular type shapes, are you using a jigsaw? I've used a skill saw for my square bases cut from mdf and all my circular jungle bases are pre-cut jobbies from Michael's craft shop.

Just curious...

-Todd
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Ramirez Noname on August 23, 2011, 11:55:05 PM
Hi Todd,

"Harvey..... Wow!  That stuff is amazing! Loads of inspiration there. How the hell did I miss that thread?!"


Ah, they just slip in every now and then ....

About the bases -

I normally use a power jigsaw when cutting my bases. I have an old "Black and Decker" which I can set at 45 deg. so I can cut a chamfer on the bases really quickly. I always wear a dust mask when working the MDF and do all my cutting outside because of the dust risk - MDF is not nice to work but does provide sturdy scenery. I also try and get it painted as soon as I can to seal it.

Harvey
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Bravo Six on August 24, 2011, 12:24:24 AM
Excellent info thanks. Yes MDF is nasty stuff, carcenagenic and all that, but agreed makes excellent bases. Looks like I'll need to get me a jig soon. :D

-Todd
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Argonor on August 24, 2011, 02:10:24 PM
I did a couple small ones from styropor on CDs. I even posted a small LotR AAR with pics, but I cannot find the thread  lol

I could take a couple of pics when I get home... at least I think I know where they are  ::)
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Argonor on August 26, 2011, 09:22:24 PM
Finally:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/38_26_08_11_8_39_33_0.JPG)

Just 2 CDs, some styropor, some filler, glue, sand, and paint. The tallest one blocks LOS for infantry, the lowest on can just be looked over. I need more, obviously, and different sizes...  o_o
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Henrix on August 27, 2011, 02:36:48 PM
I'm thinking about how to do some dunes (for FoW - I'm helping some friends make north african terrain).

Cut out the basic shapes in styrofoam with a hot wire cutter. It should be perfect to get the right shapes.

And then cover it with acrylic caulking, and paint the shapes, the waves, with a wet brush on the wind side.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Dune_en.svg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Morocco_Africa_Flickr_Rosino_December_2005_84514010.jpg/398px-Morocco_Africa_Flickr_Rosino_December_2005_84514010.jpg)
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Raxxus on August 27, 2011, 03:33:52 PM
when i saw this thread i thought of something i found on dakka dakka but then i couldnt find it.
I now have found ithttp://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/344895.page (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/344895.page)
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Henrix on August 27, 2011, 05:04:43 PM
Goodlooking tower and desert, Raxxus. The wind eroded tower is fantastic.

The sand dunes ending just before the tower and cliff are very odd, though. The sand would not fall down on the lee side like that, it would build up against the tower.
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Raxxus on August 27, 2011, 05:06:55 PM
its not mine
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Marine0846 on August 28, 2011, 05:55:52 PM
Sand dunes, great idea. thanks for sharing. Hope to add some to my Lost Tombs.
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Henrix on August 28, 2011, 09:32:54 PM
Sorry, Raxxus, did not mean to imply that it was yours. Meant as a compliment on terrain pictures well found. ;)
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Bravo Six on August 29, 2011, 02:09:07 AM
Thanks for the link to those amazing desert pieces!!  :o

Argonor, what is styropor?

-Todd
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: zizi666 on August 29, 2011, 06:17:29 AM
Argonor, what is styropor?

this is :

(http://www.very-faery.com/costume/images/miscpics/styropor.jpg)
Title: Re: Sand dunes/desert drifts... suggestions
Post by: Argonor on August 29, 2011, 08:03:01 AM
this is :

(http://www.very-faery.com/costume/images/miscpics/styropor.jpg)

Exactly, awful material to cut, actually, even with a hot wire cutter, hence the need for filler to smooth the surface before glueing the sand onto it - I only use it, because the famous pink/blue/green dense insulation foam for some reason has not been approved in DK, and is not available (I need to find somewhere just across the German border to raid for supplies of that material).