What Kind of Material for Tatooine Buildings?

Mean Obiwan

Well-Known Member
I'm pulling a new project together. I've got a huge sheet of plywood that I intend on building a Mos Eisley type diorama on, only problem is the buildings. I'm not sure what to make them out of. I've got a bar I made before out of cardboard and began covering it with bondo. The bondo leaves a pretty nice effect I think, but I was wondering if there are any cheaper or simpler methods out there to achieve that adobe/pueblo type look. Or another kind of material I can use to make the buildings besides cardboard. Any tips would be great! :thumbsup
 
Constructing out of MDF is amazing. It carves and shapes wonderfully.

check out the base of my TIE fighter stand. I just used a bench sander to get the shape and then covered it with some modelling sand compound.

MDF is really nice to work with for organic shaping.

http://www.therpf.com/attachments/f...er-picsart_1334964568297.jpg-91569d1334964879

http://www.therpf.com/attachments/f...er-picsart_1335831447694.jpg-92868d1335832522


http://www.therpf.com/f11/putting-off-my-falcon-even-longer-1-72-tie-fighter-143034/
 
What scale were you planning to use? Mterial details scale differently. Also, if your local library has Model Railroader back issues, go to the website and type adobe. I can guarentee that somebody has made model buildings in adobe in just about every scale and that there have been several articles on how to model it.
 
Yep...just grab some florist foam in the craft section at walmart which is super easy to carve and sand into shape, and some spackle or drywall mud at home depot. You can even add real fine sand to it for a more grit if needed, but at diorama scale you probably don't need to. Drywall mud will have the right texture probably.
 
How about that textured paint with some foam core/foam buildings. Lots of color choices and they come in spray cans. You'll have to primer the foam first with something like gesso so it doesn't disolve when covered with the spray paint
 
I agree with the floral foam. I have used it for model landscape and it works great. Very easy to sculpt and work with. I glued it together after shaping otherwise the glue leaves a seam where you sculpt. I covered it with a mix of 50 percent water/ 50% Elmer's white glue mixed with grout sand for a really nice sand texture. The grout sand comes in multiple colors and you can dry brush it for great weathering effects.

Best of luck,

Heath
 
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