Tell me about the terrain accessories...

[TheAuldGrump]

Another shout out for World Works and Fat Dragon in regards to cardstock. World Works has a biit more detail, but are a bit more finicky to build. I like both. (Favorites for each company: Maiden of the High Seas by WorldWorks, and the Earth Drill by Fat Dragon.)

For trees - look for bags of pine trees sold as Christmas decorations (I got a bunch really cheap at a Michael's Craft Center after Christmas a few years ago. For deciduous trees look for the tree kits from Woodland Scenics - fairly cheap, and not at all hard to put together, about $12 per bag, the numbers of trees per bag varies according to the size of the trees.

A quick way to make a woods is to get a little help from AOL - those free CDs that you used to get in the mail, find at malls, etc. or if you have any CDs that turned out to be coasters those can be used. Mount a few trees on each CD, then plunk them down when you need a woods, a lot easier to position than individual trees, and a lot less likely to get knocked over, and it gives a good outline for the woods.

I only use cardstock trees that both companies have when I need to put figures up in the branches, but when I do want them up there the paper trees are a huge help.

The Auld Grump

 

[WereSteve]

Try your local hobby shop that carries model train supplies.

For general scenery building Woodland Scenics is carried by most model train stores and often some crafts stores in case there aren't any model train stores nearby.

As far as companies go that supply buildings for model trains, might want to check out Faller Kibri or Vollmer when it comes to Medieval European style structures. Probably the biggest US distributor for these items would be Walthers which most local hobby shops can order from.

 

[Kealios]

This site is the one that got me interested in building wargame terrain, Terragenesis. It's possible to build great terrain inexpensively. Most of my stuff is made out of popcicle sticks, glue, craft paint and scrounged materials. This was the first project I ever tried, and I made enough ruined buildings to cover a 2'x4' battlemat for about $5.

I shouldnt be surprised that I was beat to this, but I make a TON of wargaming terrain for the half dozen Miniatures games I play. Terragenesis is quite likely my favorite source of ideas.

Also, Games Workshop has 2 editions of "How to Make Wargames Terrain" and I have them both - neat books, cool pics, good tips.

Railroading miniatures sites have good ideas too. Here are some Trees research I found on the Internet:

Hedgerows http://www.terrainthralls.com/articles/hedgerows/firstpage.aspx

Trees http://www.brushthralls.com/terrain/tree-templates.html

Trees http://www.trainweb.org/tomfassett/models/trees101/

Trees: http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=135

Trees: http://oz.games-workshop.com/hobby/scenery/MAKING TREES.pdf

Trees: http://www.cdhm.org/tutorials/making-miniature-bonsai-tree.html

Trees: http://home.westbrabant.net/~besem/modeling/trees.html

Trees: http://www.barrule.com/Workshop/extras tree making.htm

Trees: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/1980-11-01/Magnificent-Miniature-Trees.aspx

Trees: http://crcyc.railfan.net/minis/trees/trees.html

Dead Trees: http://www.hirstarts.com/tips13/tips13.html

Trees: http://www.xs4all.nl/~raicho/mcorner/trees/trees.htm

Trees: http://www.trains.com/mrr/objects/pdf/mr_sc_5-05_toweringtimber_01.pdf

Trees: http://www.fsmtrees.com/tutorial1.htm

Trees: http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page425.html

Trees: http://www.greatescapegames.co.uk/Tree guide intro.html

Trees: http://ryan.skow.org/tutorials/trees/index.html

Trees: http://www.warfactory.co.uk/scenery/acaciatrees.php

Forest: http://us.games-workshop.com/games/warhammer/woodelves/terrain/trees/default.htm

Trees: http://www.armorama.com/modules.php...le=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=113240&page=1

More Trees:
http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3175

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=444

http://www.modelgeek.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1804 <--tall grass

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1651 <-- flowers

http://www.ghostofzeon.com/diy/trees/diotrees.html

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page462.html

Hope that helps

 

[frankthedm]

Their pipecleaner trees are super simple to make, look great, and you can bend them how you want them.

And they make great Cthonians with a little hot glue!

 

[rgard]

How do you handle squares on terrain like that? Like a grassy hill, etc.

Ruler or tape measure.

 

[rgard]

For trees check your local dollar store around Christmas time. Some like Dollar Tree carry a boatload of scenic holiday miniatures. I picked up a bunch of pine trees at 2 for $1.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Thunderfoot]

Terrain for wargames are usually built, not sold. Here's a link from Games Workshop that shows you all the tips on building your own. As stated Woodland Scenics has great stuff and railroad model magazines have some really cool tips. Grab a hot-knife foam cutter and start carving.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

A quick way to make a woods is to get a little help from AOL - those free CDs that you used to get in the mail, find at malls, etc. or if you have any CDs that turned out to be coasters those can be used. Mount a few trees on each CD, then plunk them down when you need a woods, a lot easier to position than individual trees, and a lot less likely to get knocked over, and it gives a good outline for the woods.

Arrgghhh.... I just chucked out a bunch of junk CDs about a week ago. Fantastic idea, will definitely have to try this out.

 

[Gilladian]

I like to make my own terrain, sometimes, too.

Here's a tree I made this weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilladian/sets/72157601082049021/

Its made of a roll of aluminum foil 3" tall, an altoids tin lid, some cardboard, and a lot of polymer clay.

Simple instructions: cut a circle of cardboard the size of the altoids tin lid. Cover it with a piece of green clay, then stack another smaller circle of clay on it. cut a hole in the center about as big as your foil trunk (I used a 1/2" round cookie cutter to do this).

Roll foil into a log 3" tall, roughly as big around as your index finger. Cover with brown clay. Make sure the clay extends longer top and bottom than the foil (1/4" each end is ample). Plop the trunk on the green base, shaping the excess into roots; make sure the foil fits down into the hole in the base. You may need to pull off excess root clay.

Cover the top of your round tin lid inside and out with green clay. I used "mokume gane" patterned clay, but I'd suggest just marbling two shades of green together for a good simple effect. Plunk the covered lid on the top of the trunk, molding the excess trunk clay into "branches" under the lid. I also added a ring of brown clay for support, but do as you see fit.

(NOTE: a real model builder could add an armature of 18 gauge wire in the center of the trunk, punch through the lid, and fold the wire over to be covered with clay on the top of the lid. I didn't bother.)

Then roll your green leaf clay out thin, cut a bunch of leaf shapes (a teardrop cutter works nicely) and apply them around the edges of the tin lid to make a "leafy edging". This is a purely artistic touch and could be left off if all your tin edges are covered in the earlier steps.

Bake at the temp your clay wrapper mentions (either 225 or 275 F) depending on brand, and for at least 1/2 hour. If your tree seems inclined to "lean" in the baking, then prop it up either while baking or as soon as it is done but is still hot; it remains flexible until cooled.