The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Creative Engineering => Dioramas => Topic started by: benjani_1976 on September 24, 2012, 08:13:11 AM
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Recently decided to put to use the old laminate flooring stored in the shed,it's never going to click back together again but it makes a crackin' box. Due to clan Skirata,the RC's and Mandalorian collection growing too big for the shelf they're on it was time to make a Mando scene.
As descriptions suggest part of the Vhey'yaim is dug into the ground(polyboard),sculpted the polyboard to produce a mound (being raised aids drainage in the rain), an entrance,topped with thick pieces of green felt as a base layer before the artificial turf goes on top. A large outdoor plastic flowerpot with plastic tray for the Vhey'yaim partly simulating the mud walls,will be given a detailed effect later......greenery (large nylon leaves) and branches with twine around the outside give the mud walls some protection from wet weather.
The barn roof is being created from bits of timber,so far that's as far as i've got.........oh an made a flickering campfire from some natural resources and a flickering flame tealight candle.
misplaced some of the early pics but they were just showing me knocking together the box
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more wip
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first mini dio/statuette i made,quite a while ago now.....
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SWEET! Love this! ;D
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Oh, this is an awesome start, if I can share a little with you from my conversations with Mrs. Traviss when I contacted her about a diorama that I wanted to buid of Kyrimorut back a couple years ago when there was a RC custom diorama contest...
Her:
"Kyrimorut – alas, I never drew a plan. The mental picture I have is like a hexagonal (or any other shape...) redoubt – a series of buildings connected by passages and tunnels, with an enclosed yard inside, and passages/ corridors branching off it. Because I have no firm plan other than a few rooms, you can do pretty well anything you like and not be wrong. I’ve linked to images of various fortifications on the UK’s south coast, which is where I come from, and the images I grew up with when it came to forts and stuff."
http://www.palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk/gallery/Members-Pics/1/
http://coalhousefort-gallery.com/Satellite-pictures-from-Google-Earth-
I should have said – on that second link I gave you, forts Widley, Purbrook, Southwick and Nelson are very good examples. You wouldn’t go far wrong basing something on any of those.
Best
KT"
part of my reply:
From some of the descriptions it seems almost like it's a small building build into a mound/hill where the most of the inner buildings are underground... is this the case, or are they more buildings with earth and grass on top to disguise them from the air? Looking at that link with the forts, that seems to be somewhat like the latter, which is what I was planning. Again, thanks again, I'll be googling the heck out of those forts in the next couple of days
...and then hers:
"Definitely the latter – some buildings sunk into the ground, but others just disguised with earth and grass, which is very much like the forts, as you say. Not totally buried.
There was a time when I would have drawn a floor plan before I started, but I don’t tend to do that these days.
Best
KT"
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That's some very helpful info,thanks very much. I'm kinda limited on space (3'x2' box) so I'm looking at building the main structure where they all sit around the campfire,talking and eating etc and the barn.
I'm from the south end of the uk and have lived near several old roman ruins of settlements in my time and they've given some insight into what mando's settlements would be like.
Mud stone straw branches twigs etc,seen it all being put into practice watching time team on the discovery channel,and with your info this dio should turn out ok I reckon.
Thanks for taking an interest. Ben.
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Very cool! Looking great so far!
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thanks spry,kinda stuck waiting on a delivery so i've been following up on the above links and doing a bit of research.
My thoughts of Mandalorian culture and settlements could be comparable to iron/bronze age Britain,dwellings similar to the Vhey'yaim pictured earlier,nomadic and living off the land,weapons and armour of forged heavily worked metals. A hardened breed of hunters,warriors camped out in semi-subterrainian hilltop settlements,near forests to hunt and a fresh water supply.....sounds very mandalorian,minus the technology of course.
http://www.britainexpress.com/zen/albums/potd/600Bostadh-30062006.jpg (http://www.britainexpress.com/zen/albums/potd/600Bostadh-30062006.jpg)
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4127/5003309495_fe1bec8b7e_z.jpg (http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4127/5003309495_fe1bec8b7e_z.jpg)
http://www.framearch.co.uk/t5/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/t5_basettlement_crop.JPEG (http://www.framearch.co.uk/t5/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/t5_basettlement_crop.JPEG)
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3280/2416820024_1418564218_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3280/2416820024_1418564218_z.jpg?zz=1)
http://www.falmouthprimary.cornwall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMGP1935-Small.jpg (http://www.falmouthprimary.cornwall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMGP1935-Small.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/uQGTm.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/uQGTm.jpg)
some ideas from old age Britain
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Simply wonderful work you've done here. I would write more but I'm quite busy at the moment kicking myself for not checking this out earlier..... OW!
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Those pictures are awesome, I love that last one with all the little rooms, must have been the richer nomadic bronze age'd people. That one even looks to have a walk in closet for the master bedroom, lol. Just remember for the actual houses structures, they had grass growing on the roofs to help disguise them from the air. I still have my diorama I was planning set up but never got far on it, so maybe after I get my customizing room put back in place, I'll dig it out and get back to work on it.
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I'm really enjoying watching how this project is going and look forward to seeing more soon.
Ron
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This is a very cool project, and I can't wait to see how you proceed with it!
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That was some great Traviss talk!
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Kandosii, ner'vod! Super awesome!
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Thanks guys for your interest,comments and compliments..........it's shaping up nicely now,all i'm waiting for now it some microfine astro turf to be delivered then I'll fly through the rest of it.
the main structure has been cut down half the previous height,fitted timbers and a vented thatched roof with camouflage,the cut off will now become a second hut.
I was going to do a deep forest backdrop,now I'm thinking instead of a winter landscape. soon gonna be Xmas heh ::)
(has the lightsaber turned up DO?)
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decided to rip off the foliage backing (1st photo) i was using for a dark forest backdrop and instead I've started to paint a landscape to give more depth to the dio........it's only a 3' x 2' area but already with only a few gulleys,hills,mounds and mountains and a scattering of trees it's starting to come together.
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more pics of current status
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This is looking AMAZING! So much mando AWESOMENESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! GOING TO EXPLODE! :D
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hehehe thanks bud.........the mountains are snow-capped now,the other half got me some artist brushes for my birthday last week.........had to give them a bash on this project ;D
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COOL! I cant wait to see that snow! Did you paint the mountains in the background! They look great!
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Very cool! Shaping up nicely!
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Yes ,painted the background myself........certainly gives depth to the scene.
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Been a while since an update with photo's but it's progressed along somewhat after hitting the buffers for a bit.Landscaped and the fine synthetic turf finally been laid,main and second building nearing completion.
Second building is the lab/communications with various consoles,equipment and a custom made haz-mat unit.
Snowcapped the mountains and started the snow on the trees,hills etc.
Started making a weapons rack,got Jaing adjusting a communications array with his nice dubiously light grey gloves ;D
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4 more WIP
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last dio pics for now,more tomorrow
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I really like the way this dio has been turning out, nice layout of the scenery and the backdrop just really adds to the depth of the whole thing very very well done indeed.
Ron
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This is AMAZING!
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Super cool! Love the "weapon" making box, never seen that before with the little white gloves on the inside it looks amazing.
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I agree. This update is a winner. Back on the front page.
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This is a fantastic update from paints backround and material Tamer is right this is a winner great job!!
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thanks for dropping by and your comments,am happy how it's turning out. And the update getting on the front page,much appreciated Tamer........next update should be the grand finale :)
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Very Cool! I haven't done a dio of anything because I don't have room. I need to make room. Thanks for the inspiration.
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tooklonger than it should but it's basically finished (until i get bored and find something else to mod).
2 sides painted to give the impression of depth,one side done in the shelter of steep rockface.
sides and floor of main shelter formed,campfire is battery operated.
weapons rack installed in the comms/lab building
finally large tree's secured to base and snowcapped........landscape dusted with fine acrylic snowdust.
dead stormtrooper's helmet on a stake.......imperial intruders WILL BE TERMINATED
anti aircraft turrets and a remote sentry.........been a busy few days on the final stages
hope you like it,i just glad i got somewhere for all my RC novels customs..........need a new glass cabinet
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4 more
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4 more
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here comes the snow.....it's soon gonna be Xmas >:D
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merry mando christmas ;D
aha a new custom thought......mando santa ::)
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let it snow let it snow let it snow ;D
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last 4 pics for now.......more to resize later at dr sn1
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Awesome job! I really love the snow pics! Very nice photos as well, all the hard work has now paid off.
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feels good to get it done,now it's onto the next one........or maybe 2 dio's on the go next.
definitely jabba palace/rancor pit,also got a bashed up eta-2 jedi starfighter I've been working on,need a workshop/factory scene to keep it.
some more Mandalore photo's.........RC squads at Kyrimorut
and a couple of my favourite pics showing the detailed backdrop of the mountains.
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SWEET! I love everything!
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hi mando........here's the basis for my next project. Aswell as Jabba's palace/rancor pit for my vintage goodies I plan to build the Imperial workshop - Coruscant........I recall reading somewhere that the jedi starfighters were all seized and kitted out for Vader in a factory on coruscant.
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Looking sweet! Cannot wait to see the completion of these projects!
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Your Skirata Camp came out great! On the front page.
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thanks for that Tamer.........turned out just right,glad you like it. :)
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Mando camp is AMAZING!!! soo jealous XD
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OUTSTANDING work my friend !!!!
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Wow. You've done Karen Traviss proud. Good work.
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i hope so,couldn't have done it without the detail wrote into the novels.....thanks guys for taking time to drop by and view my work :)
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Still a Traviss fan. XD It's such a travesty (I couldn't resist XP) that the series wasn't finished. I hope against hope that they'll bring her back one day to finish it up, but there's too much conflict with the current TCW...sadly.
I'm really loving your custom figs tho, and that strill is amazing. So jealous by the way...THREE EUROS for Revan!?! Thanks for the great comments, and I'll be sure to check out your upcoming figs, especially that corellian flightsuit galen (one of my fav. costumes). Tell me how you like KOTOR II XD
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I'm struggling to get into the first Kotor,gameplay seems to be dragging.........kotor II however l have been hooked all throughout from peragus mining facility right through to malachor and the MSG. anybody else found this to be true?? Does it get better after meeting with canderous ordo in the lower levels?
Really liking your work,you should post more if you can spare the time.
Revan was a true bargain of the century, despite the damage, I think the custom one is in my figures, I'll be posting a group shot of all my sith soon but he looks good. Replaced the damaged robe with black cloth and the front reddish bit from po nudo I think,could've been mas amedda or palpatines.........po nudo is becoming an aqualish sith from Krayt's mob, I'll use the dio for photo's of them.
We can only hope some day that the series is completed,left dangling like that isn't on........once the clone wars series is finished maybe the gaps will be filled with a new novel?
Thanks to everybody who has been following the progress of this clan skirata camp scene and the comments/compliments,I wish I had the space to expand it even bigger but the kids won't bugger off and get jobs.........being only 8rys and 13 yrs old isn't a good enough excuse,i need more room heh ;D
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Got some photos of the new dio but due to a dead laptop they'll have to wait. Spent an hour going through ROTJ taking pics for reference and layout,and pleased to say its going to plan and to scale.
Building jabba's throne room and rancor pit in one piece.Once complete I intend to finish it off by making it into a display cabinet to protect the dio but especially all the vintage figures
Walls,arches, plinths and steps all done.
Working trapdoor and chute into the pit in place,and secured with expanding foam filler,5 more cans should do for the pit rockwork,found cheap supplier on eBay.
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Cannot wait to see it!
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Early stages of palace/pit combo
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Nice! You just can't beat this combo for a diorama/playset.
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Agreed there spry,been a blast building it..........and once it's encased in wood and all lit up the vintage figures and playlets will be safely displayed..
Need another 500ml can of foam to fill in the gaps and Rancor living quarters then I'll be at the halfway point.
Wish I had more pics but I've only just got a new iPad yesterday......easier to post work with a tablet than a PC/laptop.
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The Mando Camp turned out beautifully and the Jabba Palace is already looking fantastic, I can't wait to see it complete.
Ron
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Cheers Ron...........got the skirata camp pretty much how I expected it to appear. And for an expert like yourself to like my effort means a great deal. :)
Taken a time out from the palace this week for Xmas shopping and preparations,the mrs and myself want to get the majority of it ready nice and early before the last minute shoppers come out in force. Especially if it snows heavy again like it does most years...........last minute shoppers and 2ft of snow = chaos ;D
So far the top is almost ready for stone effect,it looks basic.......steps,plinth,walls and arches. No detailing fitted.
Working trapdoor fitted.
Chute was positioned and secured in expanding foam filler.
Doorway from viewing pit to the rear enclosure secured in expanding foam.
Viewing gridwork halfway to complete.
Didn't take long to get it that far so after the weekend I may get a lot more done.
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Oh yes this Jabbas palace your building is epic. can't wait to see more!
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this is starting to looks seriously awesome!
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It's so cool,starting on it again this weekend as I've been busy getting ready for Xmas. Just been pottering about when I can doing a few figures here and there.
http://www.imperialshipyards.net/SMF/index.php?topic=7974.0
Check my thread,recent work goes back a couple of pages :) I'm sure you guys will like some of them
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Only a small update.........been tinkering with lighting recently. Took plenty of trial and error but I'm happy with the red lamps now. Not too bright,not too dull and even light distribution across the lens thanks to some opaque dense foam filler.
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I like how the lights have turned out and they will look perfect once the wall are painted.
Ron
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New pics of palace/pit progress about 75% complete
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More views
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A few more
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More to come
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Still going.
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More pics soon,been busy with other family stuff going on but I'll be back more often with updates soon.
Comments welcomed as always.
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Time to get this on the front page with your update too. Wow, love that Rancor pit and all the bones!
Update: This was just too good not to get its own front page post.
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Fantastic dio! I really like that pit!
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You are pulling out all of the stops on this one.
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Thanks guys,been meaning to get back to putting more work on here.....been sidetracked by mine and grandfathers trainset,fixing motots,cleaning up tracks,12-18months of dust where it hadn't been ran while sick.
Might post it in the non Star Wars collecting when I've got it all running and laid out.
As for this dio I'm currently sourcing some board and decorative wood trim to build a cabinet around it,and some acrylic to keep the dust out.
Then onto the Jedi council chambers...
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Heck yea man! This is looking awesome! Hour of fun will be had playing with this palace!
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really great job !
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Cheers guys,come along well now and i think its got a new fan hooked already.
It's been on hold for a bit while researching/sourcing more materials,then I lost my soldering iron,broke the trigger on a glue gun.
After the CW contest,I hope to get a cabinet on wheels built around it.......it's not very portable as the weight creeps up.
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Your Jabba's Palace and Rancor pit are coming along brilliantly! The lighting looks superb!
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Yeah,I should be back on it soon.........somehow misplaced my soldering iron,hid it when the little one was playing with the dio
Hid the thing too damn well it appears,as I usually do ;D
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Great looking dio indeed.
Ron