Terrain Day (Combat Engineer Commendation)

[Knight's Bane]

Hey gang,

Caleb and I are going to be in the store ourselves through some terrain building tutorials some day next week (undecided). I'll post again when I get a good day. We'll basically be watching youtube tutorials on how to build houses and other stuff with the materials there to follow along. This will count towards the Combat Engineer commendation in your League journal if you participate and bring some stuff to build. I'll link the youtube video soon.

Secondly, I'm stupid and didn't realize there were some new strategems for Blasted Heath! I'll bring them to the store today.

[hexjumper]

Honestly, I'm not sure that I would try to get an entire piece of terrain done in one day; it usually takes me multiple days just because of paint drying time. However, you can make an excellent start.

My suggestions:

- Use foamcore. Black foamcore is much sturdier and cuts better than the white stuff, but it's more expensive.

- If you're going to be cutting foamcore, invest in a sharp knife and - to protect Kevin's tables - a cutting board.

- Don't expect - or try - to get the whole thing done in one day. Getting a firm start on it isn't a bad idea, though.

- Get good glue. Tacky glue is good; Elmer's Glue is not.

- I can bring some little plaster accessories - barrels and whatnot - to add on, if you give me a time.

- Expect your project to look like complete shit that needs to be thrown away RIGHT STAT NOW about halfway through. It happens to me all the time.

- On the same note, making terrain is as messy as shit, particularly if you're using flock. You might wanna do certain parts outside.

- Check out this site for a bunch of tips and ideas: www.terragenesis.co.uk

-Darren MacLennan

[hexjumper]

- If you decide to use the pink insulation foam from Home Depot or places like - the same kind I make my hills out of - the best way to cut it is with a hot wire cutter, the same kind you can get at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. (I think.) But the fumes that the foam releases when it melts are toxic, so doing it outside would be best.

[Knight's Bane]

This is going to be a simple introduction to terrain building. We're not getting hardcore into it; I'm just trying to spark some interest. If anyone is interested in some of the pieces we'll be making, here is the link I will be using to learn how to make a building:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSI1mRZKnE

Let's do this Friday, June 18th (this friday) around 2:00.

Anyone is free to join in at anytime; we'll all be learning as we go. I'll bring my cutting pad to protect Kevin's table (though it's relatively small).

[hexjumper]

How did this wind up working out? I wish that I'd seen the movie beforehand, or I would have let you guys know that you can't get the thick kind of foam that they're using down here; they only have it in places that see subzero temperatures.

-Darren MacLennan