Terrain Building on CraftyManiac

DIY Pumpkin Stem to Wargaming Tree Stump

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 18:40:37 +0000

The Build

In this article, well look at the process of taking a common (yet seasonal) object and turning it into a piece of DIY wargaming terrain. Doing this made me realize that, with the right idea and technique, nothing is safe from wargamers.

Designing Terrain from Desktop to Tabletop part 2

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:04:55 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on July 11, 2012 by Highland Piper.

So you have made your 3D model and now your looking to make it a reality. Unless you have a 3D printer your best bet is to make a template and print it on a 2D printer.

Designing Terrain from Desktop to Tabletop part 1

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:30:51 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on June 18, 2012 by Highland Piper.

Lately I’ve been making my terrain with Google Sketchup which is a 3D software that allows you to easily build 3D objects. Sketchup is very simple to use and it is free. the ability to make your models to scale is invaluable to me as I will then open the Sketchup file containing my model with Ultimate Paper Craft 3D and unfold the model so I may print it out and build it. In these next few posts I will go through the process of making a piece of industrial Warhammer 40k terrain.

HirstArts Fieldstone Color Tests

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:30:01 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 29, 2010 by Rob.

Before I start, there is a KEY technique I use across all of these: I don’t dry brush in a sweeping motion. I dry brush each layer in a different direction. This cause different colors to be collected in different pockets and not get totally covered by the next layer.

Warhammer 40,000 and Magnets

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:50:07 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 1, 2009 by Highland Piper.

I have seen many posts that show how to add magnets to your Warhammer 40,000 models. Many of the figures and vehicles have such a multitude of options that it is almost a crime to permanantly glue just one option on to them. The best, and fairly simple, solution is to use magnets into your models. This way you can remove and add the options you need for each individual game. This also keeps you from purchasing multiple models in order to have all the options you may need.

Making a Stucco Wall

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:21:41 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 13, 2009 by Rob.

This isn’t “technically” a stucco wall. Its a variation on Wattle and Daub. Wattles were woven sticks or reeds inside a wooden framework and then covered with Daub (clay, dung, whatever was available locally.) This provided insulation and sealed the gaps against the weather. I’m sure that I’ve seen a similar technique applied to loose stone stacked between wood support beams but couldn’t find anything. Since I live in a fantasy world anyway, I thought, “What the hell! Slap me in a dress and call me Alice.” Err… I mean, “cover it in spackle and pretend its real”. I also figured more people would know what I’m talking about if I called it stucco. I’m very pleased with the result and to heck with reality.

Kit Bashing a Warhammer Fence

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:43:59 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 5, 2009 by Rob.

I was working on my Warhammer Manor and decided that I’m going to base it. Once that decision was made, i started to lay out the base features. I was futzing with the walls and fences when I had the brilliant notion to make the gate a functioning one.

Building Cellar Dwellers’ Blacksmith Shop – Part 3

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:49:58 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 11, 2008 by Rob.

Finally! Let’s finish this sucker up. You might want to reread the first two parts which deal with construction and painting.

Building Cellar Dwellers’ Blacksmith Shop – Part 2

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:05:44 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 13, 2007 by Rob.

Welcome Back! This is part 2 of my 3 part mini-series on building Cellar Dweller’s Blacksmith shop. It’s been a while so you may want to reread the first part, which deals with the actual construction of the model . This part is concerned with the painting and Part 3 will deal with “finishing”. (You thought painting it was the end? 😮 )

Texured Spray Paint test

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:30:55 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 17, 2006 by Rob.

After seeing the new “Rough” paint that Gamesworkshop is hawking, I thought….. “There must be other options”.

Styrene Jail Cell – With working door

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 17, 2005 by Rob.

I have a confession to make. I LOVE Styrene. There, I said it. Please don’t think less of me.

I’m just a hack when it comes to working with this stuff. I don’t have the best tools and I certainly don’t worry about scale. I build for look and functionality.

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #4: Ruined Urban Buildings

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 09:35:51 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 15, 2005 by Rob.

“Avoidance of built-up areas is no longer possible.” – US Army Field Manual 100-5

From now until the end of modern civilization, fighting in cities of every stripe will become the norm. Cities provide a ready-made defense, and are painful in terms of time and manpower to conquer and then hold.

Warhammer Chariot Race Track

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 22:08:01 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 16, 2005 by Rob.

Warhammer is a wonderful game in itself, but with all those miniatures you have collected, you would be foolish not to use them for other games. Games Workshop encourages these “mini-games” set within the various Warhammer Worlds, such as Jousting or Pit Fighting, or to some degree Mordheim or GorkaMorka. one of the best mini-games has to be the Chariot Races by GW God Space McQuirk. The rules are classic, and I mean that in the truest sense: they are old!\

Terrain – Keeping it Simple

Sat, 15 Jan 2005 12:41:39 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 15, 2005 by Rob.

Keeping it Simple
Working Foundations

A model is made up of individual components all related and connected. Sounds a bit too simple? Not really. Even the most complex diorama is a series of sub-assemblies that will eventually join together to form the whole. It is with this in mind that I approach all of my projects. In many cases the various components are constructed months apart, but what blends and ties them together? Color and weathering. The colors all fall within a narrow range of tones. They are never bright, nor do they stick out. That is not to say they are dull or boring! The weathering blends the colors. The various diorama elements appear to be about the same age. The weathering is done in such a manner as to enhance, not overpower the scene. A beautiful model will be remembered or judged by its most dominating visual feature. It is a mistake to make this a bunch of brightly colored springtime flowers, or a shiny new vehicle right off the showroom floor. While these may be very prototypical, they do not translate well into miniature. Not everything in the “real world” looks good reduced to scale! Subtlety will always be my number one rule of thumb!\

Idiots guide to making terrain #3: Fences

Sun, 14 Nov 2004 15:22:15 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 14, 2004 by Rob.

As you have seen from my previous articles, there is no right or wrong way to make terrain. While I am morally offended by the “book under the tablecloth” hill, anything you do that forwards your gaming table is a positive step. Today I have concocted a relatively simple formula for making durable and attractive wooden fences, using very little in the way of materials. Again, this isnt the only way to make them, just the one I will teach you for now (future articles will detail brick walls and chainlink fences.)\

Building Helms Deep

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:38:38 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 28, 2004 by Rob.

This Article is from GeBoom about his Helms Deep project. Im posting it for him as its very heavy with images. It truely is an AWESOME piece of terrain. I wish I had a chance to play on it.

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #2: Trees

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 19:21:39 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 26, 2004 by Rob.

As I have mentioned in lesson
1 of this series, terrain generally hovers between functional and attractive.

Today’s lesson starts with trees that are functional, easy and cheap. The latter
half of this article is definitely NOT for beginners, this is due more to the
tools needed rather than the skill required to do the job. If you are prepared
for this, the trees you can make will greatly exceed the quality and functionality
of the trees in Part 1.

Terrain Workshop: Ruined Watchtower

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:15:58 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on December 15, 2003 by Rob.

This is not really an extension of my “idiots guide” series, but the priciples learned in the first article are certainly applied here. Free free to review that one before attempting this project. Additionaly, this project uses the Hirst Arts blocks, a whole hobby in itself, which really disqualifies it from being a beginners terrain piece. Overall, however, the project was pretty easy, and only takes about 2 days to complete if you already have the blocks (due to some drying times).\

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #1: The Basic Hill

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 21:42:07 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on December 1, 2003 by Rob.

The hill is a critical terrain feature. Not only does it break up the flat, featurless table, it is the building block upon which almost all other terrain skills are derived. Lack of these skills would push some so far as to stack books under a tablecloth¹. This is unacceptable, and many would be driven to violence if forced to play under such conditions. Much of your future terrain-related angst can be avoided altogether by simply following these directions.

Spray Foam Terrain

Sun, 16 Nov 2003 13:52:08 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 16, 2003 by Rob.

While building a desert gaming table specifically for my Warhammer Skaven and Imperial Guard Tallarn units, I decided to try a new terrain making method: Spray Foam. Sold under a variety of different brand names, with Great Stuff being the most popular, the foam is commonly used as an insulator and all-purpose sealant in places such as where conduit or water pipes enter your home directly through a wall. I had seen it many times in my travels and noted how much the expanded foam resembled rock formations, so it was a natural leap to want to experiment with it on my gaming table.

WARNING WARNING WARNING

Hidden Door in Hirst Blocks

Sun, 02 Nov 2003 20:22:20 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 2, 2003 by Rob.

Just a quick write-up on a test for a working hidden door using HirstArts block. I like functional or multipurpose dungeon pieces. Several parts of my dungeon sections have hidden passages and removeable sections. None of them are “working” bits though. I’m swamped with work, which is normal, so tend to take shortcuts. I wish I had time to try carving custom blocks. *sigh*

Building a Dungeon

Mon, 04 Aug 2003 19:01:32 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 4, 2003 by Rob.

My first project after building the standard buildings on the Hirstarts Site was to attempt a Dungeon. Since this my first Dungeon so I thought Id document the process. Larger pictures can be found in my Gallery Album I’m just going to use thumbnails here so that it flows better. In building a dungeon there is one main question to answer: What type of floor pattern am I going to use?\