Hi im Efrain from Puerto Rico. Im interested in this hobby. I started with scale cars but searching in the internet ...boom! Found military dioramas. A new challenge for me because this requires good skills.

I have some question if you can help me plz:

1- What is used for simulating ground?
2- How can i made ruins of a building?
3- How can i simulate water? i read some here but i dont know what materials i can use
4- What are tha campaing that you have here?
If you have any other advice or comment for me plz reply this message.

Thanks

First of all - welcome aboard - you have found the best site around for modeling.

We'll start kinda at a high overview level and as you starting things just ask more detailed questions. You will find all the answers here!!

First of all
1. Ground works - I use wall spackle from the local Do It Yourself hardware store. To make sand dirt etc. Use sand/dirt from the back yard. You can use Cat litter for larger material such as gravel and rocks. Typically use build a base out of wood, stain it, seal, apply a coating of spackle (or paper mache). Paint it. Then coat it with 50/50 (30/70) water white glue mix. Then sprinkle on the sand/dirt. You can mix the sand with the spackle too if you like.
2. Grass - it can be purchased at hobby stores or you can use hemp rope cut to length or the bristles of an old paint brush. Use water/glue glue mix to fix it down.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/11708&page=1
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/11582&page=1
3. The buildings are a bit more complex. It really depends on the design.
Here is a good start for scratch building
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/10746&page=1

I would recommend reading EVERY DD at this url - Keith is an authority on diorama building.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=listarticles&secid=13
4. Water - its a fun one!!
I personally use the stuff in this article
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/150
There are lots of other material - stay away from EZwater (The bead stuff), results are poor.
Here is a thread with other products
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/11740&page=1

and 5 - The campaigns are 'contests'. There is a defined theme in a sepecific genra of modeling and everyone who wants to join jumps in and builds their thing. Its not a pressure deal at all. You do it to have fun and share ideas and common experiences. Some will have prizes, some wont.

Slodder, do you have that post saved in your "My Documents" folder? If you don't, you ought too. Good answer to what seems to be a fairly common question...

Ola Efrain

Welcome to this site. I`m sure you will learn a lot from this site Ask and you shall receive answer.. multiply and mostly the same day.

As far as I can see Slodder did a good job in showing you some good basics to start with. All are good URL`s I want give you also a URL to an article that I have written It`s a step by step of a dio that I made for the Winter diorama campaign.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/142

I hope it`s of some help at least welcome here on the site hope you have a good time here

keenen - Thanks, good idea - it is now.
Faust - Nice addition!! I'm sure it will help bestfreshman a lot.

Hi,

A warm welcome to this fantastic site.

All others have allready give you very good answers, so I only can say that if you do searches on the foruns about 'grass', 'water' and 'buildings' you will have alot of topics dealing with those questions with several good tips.

hey bestfreshman. Welcome to armorama...... hope you enjoy your visits!
I was going to post Docs Dios site as another good tip for scenery, but my link doesnt work any longer. Anybody got the new link? I would like this as well!

Welcome to our little nest of maniacs... as you can see, folks like Slodder, Faust, Pbattle, Keenan, Tuga, Roadkill and Sprue always take care of new people interested in our addiction! If you just listen to these people alone you will see marked improvement in your works almost immediately. These folks are VERY top notch artists, and their guidance is worth a small fortune if you have the time to follow and experiment with the advice they offer. Look at some of their work, and you will see that you have solid guidance to follow. If you have any questions after reviewing the multiple links suggested, just drop us a line... you have several MASTERS (imho!!!!) at your disposal!

Bestfreshman

This is the link where Plasticbattle was talking about. http://www.docdio.com/ This is a good site with very usefull step by step articles on the do`s and do not`s Really a usefull site.

Thanks for all your help. I already start to work in my first dio, not a theme in specific but just to see how i did and later to show all of you a get some feedback from you. One more time thank you guys you r great!





"You are good when you allways try it"

Hi!
If you have any doubts, please feel free to contact me. I am here in PR. The best material for ground iconsdier is CELLUCLAY, you can maybe get some at the craft section in WAL-MART, the best pace to get it was at MICHAELS by Plaza Carolina. It closed down, but I am infomed there is one in PONCE.
It would please me to tell you more. Let me know if you need any help!