Good morning guys, I have been looking for some threads having to do with the use of Das modeling clay but have not had much luck I found one on using an "h" styrene column to make bricks in 1/35 scale but was looking more for how it is used to create diorama bases and why it is preferred over other much cheaper by volume materials. Like foam, plaster, celluclay, and I'm sure there r more than I listed. Thanks for any input, Pat

I think every modeller has their own preferences and what material they like working worth. Its doesn´t always mean that another materail is worse or better. I bought a large bag of Das clay years ago to experiment with, but have never used it ... basically because I found many other ways that work for me as well.
I think I read somewhere that it doesn´t shrink as much as some of the other methods you mentioned ... maybe thats why?
Foam on its own will melt if using glue or thinners, plaster shrinks and cracks when drying and celluclay Ive never used.

I use it a lot but I am not really sure I understand your question about it. Like Plasticbattle mentioned, there are no right or wrong materials, use what you are comfortable with and what gives you the results you are looking for. I think the reason it is used, at least this is why I use it, is because I have much more control with shaping and forming the base then with foam or paperclays. I do mostly diorama bases and I rough out the basic shape with foam sheets cut to size then sculpt the details right on this base to save money and weight. One thing I always do it to make a mini version of what I am trying to do first. My dioramas are very large, the one I am working on right not is 35 square feet so if I put a new product up I have to be sure I am comfortable with the directions for use and like the look because to make a change can be a huge chore if I make a mistake.

Here is a photo of the mini rivers edge I made. The rocks and mud are made from Das clay.


I use it as a thin base above the foam. Most of the work I do is in polymer clay but it has to be baked to harden, Das doesn't so I can work with it on the model and then just wait until it is cured and then I paint the finished item. It is good for me because it has some weight to it so I use it as an anchor or stand for different figures, it can be placed on the diorama at any time since it air dries, can be filed, sanded, or carved after it is dry so you can still shape it at any time during the build just be careful, it is fairly brittle so it you are rough you can break or crack the piece your working on.

There are some problems with it, the packaging doesn't seal up very well and if it is left open it will dry and be useless. I not only close the package as it says to (it has some unusual sealing strip on it that I don't trust to keep it sealed) but I also keep it in a zip-lock bag with a wet paper towel wrapped around it. Also if you are working with a large amount of it you have to be careful not to let the piece get too dry or it will not be workable. With that in mind I usually use small pieces and just keep adding more from the bag as I need it. Keep a cup of water around and wet your fingers and tools frequently while you work with it to keep it soft and to smooth the edges where the seams are,

I hope that helps, if you have more questions please ask because as I mentioned I am not sure what information you were looking for in your post

Frank and Phil, thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post. Ok Frank since you don't use the clay what is your go to ground cover base, I use the foam as well and rough shape that and then use a mixture of the above mentioned products depending on need and how fast I want to get back to it. The celluclay takes days to dry which is a bonus and a detriment depending on what you want. I know if you want to set a set of tracks or ground a structure into it, it is just what the doctor ordered.
Phil, I would love to see some more of your work and any how tos you might have posted anywhere on your beautiful dioramas? The question I guess that I would like help with is, what product is best to use in which situation? Thanks much Pat

Here is a link to my introduction, there are several photo of one of my dioramas there:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/179351&page=1
I have not posted any "How To's" yet but I have done some for other forums. Most of my dioramas are not done for military modeling but these types of scale models are the most popular and similar to what I like to do. I do sell some pieces, mostly to model railroaders but also some bases and plants for dioramas and dollhouses. So far this site has the best overall information I have found, especially for scratch building which is what I do, all of the dioramas I do are from scratch although I do buy laser cut paper flowers and leaves for certain types of plants.

To answer your question I can't tell you what the best product is for a project. Here is how I decide what I want to use. Lets say I want to add a tree or large bush to a diorama. In that case I make it out of polymer clay as a separate piece so I can bake it, paint it and add the foliage at my workbench and then just put it on the diorama. If it is an addition to a scene or plant I use paper clay because it air dries, is very light, and can be blended and painted while on the scene with very little trouble. If I need to add something with weight I use Das Clay because of the weight, it makes a great anchor so I can stand a piece up and give bulk to something that will have to support some weight.

My process is to look at what I want to accomplish with the addition and then decide what the final use will be. Each of the above types of clay has advantages or disadvantages but are great in certain situations and I just pick the one that gives me the desired result for a particular use.

As for a tutorial, what are you trying to make and I'll let you know what I would do to make that particular item or dio, right now I am experimenting with different types of bark and I found a perfect way to make dried, cracked mud by accident, so my next mini base project is going to be a dry pond with the bottom of dried mud and dead aquatic vegetation.

Phil, many thanks for the complete and thorough break down of what to use when. The reasoning is exactly what I needed, as for what I'm trying to make(if I only get to pick 1) I guess a date palm with the rough scale texture on the bark is on the top of the list. I searched your bio and found your intro post and have to say that is the WAY to make an opening statement. Love the dio with all the animals!! Pat