What foam scenery should I make?

[Hairfoot]

My office was throwing out a pile of polystyrene boxes so I grabbed a few to cut dungeon scenery out of, but I'm short on ideas for what to make.

So far I've thought:

Boxes/crates
Sarcophagi
Pillars


...and that's about it.

Got any suggestions for what I can do with it? Or links to websites with some examples? I'm a rather poor craftsman, so any DIY guides would be helpful.

 

[Festivus]

My office was throwing out a pile of polystyrene boxes so I grabbed a few to cut dungeon scenery out of, but I'm short on ideas for what to make.

So far I've thought:

Boxes/crates
Sarcophagi
Pillars


...and that's about it.

Got any suggestions for what I can do with it? Or links to websites with some examples? I'm a rather poor craftsman, so any DIY guides would be helpful.

Cave walls
Straight walls
Barrels


Photos would be neat too if you wanted to share em.

 

[jdrakeh]

I vote for this.

 

[frankthedm]

Big tips
1. Shape your foam over a big waste bin, though try to save most of the bigger pieces.
2. Foam dulls blades fast.
3. The best value on hot foam cutters will be at craft, not hobby store.
4. VENTILATION IS A MUST with a hot foam cutter.
5. Seal your foam creations with cheap white glue [PVA /wood glue / Elmer's Glue All] [washable school glue is TOO washable] before painting.
6. Most spraypaint eats foam. Use discounted [aka OOPS!] cans of latex housepaint for big projects.

Ruined stone walls and some rock formations to start. Make them on old CDs so they have a good base, but can be moved around.

Here is what i would say is the ultimate terrain web page.

TerraGenesis: Forum Index

good ruins
http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page376.html

This one is pretty cool, though limited use
http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page505.html

this is also a space saving idea
http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page419.html

 

[Rechan]

First thing I'd make would be a hollow thing that looks like stalagmites/stalagtites. Or a ruin-wall; parts of it have crumbled down.

You could also make a wall with a ledge or two.

Altar.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Turn your imagination loose and make anything you like! I second the recommendation for a craft store foam cutter. They run about $10.00 these days. They also are selling inexpensive straight wire tools that you can use to melt designs into foam. If you use an X-acto knife, be aware that they dull easily and can break sometimes. FranktheDM's advice is right on the money, especially about ventilation!

In contrast to glue, I recommend using artist's gesso to seal your foam. This is a paint-on acrylic used to seal canvas. It works well on foam, though it still suffers from the melting issue that's described. Gesso costs as little as $7.95 for a big bottle that will last a long time. You can do multiple coats or just one coat depending on the color you will put on top of it.

You can often find multipacks of cheap brushes at a dollar store. You'll need a selection to get started.

 

[Zaukrie]

A-Z Index of Custom HeroScape Terrain Creators - Heroscapers

http://www.heroscapers.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=30

I suggest copying grungebob's stuff, and leifkicker's

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm building a giant helm's deep with my 11 year old son right now (6x6 feet, in four sections). I've built many floors and walls. I've got many cave walls. I don't use a hot foam cutter, due to the poisonous fumes. I just use a blade and change them a lot (and I used a roto zip for round walls). I should have a "tutorial" up in the next few weeks with pictures and instructions on how I do the work, for what it is worth.

 

[Storminator]

Every DM should have a pirate ship.

PS

 

[Rechan]

Big tips
1. Shape your foam over a big waste bin, though try to save most of the bigger pieces.

Shaping? Why would you want to shape it on a trash can? Do you mean cut it?

5. Seal your foam creations with cheap white glue [PVA /wood glue / Elmer's Glue All] [washable school glue is TOO washable] before painting.

Why seal? Do you have to cover the whole thing?