Diorama Drape (1 Viewer)

[playsetaddict]

In the "A Day of Play" thread, I've been sharing the fun I've been having with the diorama drape I created. It's given me the ability to quickly shift from setting to setting enabling me to enjoy my collection more than I have in years. It's also allowed me to manipulate the contours of my "sets". When I was a kid, what I loved to do was dig up my play area in the back yard and make hills and rivers and roads and then set up the guys. The use of the drape has allowed me to recapture that same thrill.

I intend to sell some of these on eBay and I hope to have some available in Chicago. (I'll only be there Thursday night, Friday and Saturday morning.) My problem is that I don't know what sizes to make. I like a big one...8 1/2 by 4 1/2 because I love the ability to make hills. Mike Miller wanted a 3 by 5 one to fit his work space. Some one else was interested in a 6 by 4 one. A 2 1/2 by 3 should work well for small photo dioramas. I would sure like your feedback about what size you would prefer, assuming the price was right. With OTSN approaching, I need to stop playing and start working...but I'm stuck about what sizes to concentrate on. I also have to figure out what accessories to have available.

But, as I wait for some input from y'all, I think I'll keep on playing.

 

[playsetaddict]

 

[debrito]

is this CONTE? have you any Roman shots?

rod.

 

[playsetaddict]

Rod, here are some Romans. More later.

 

[debrito]

Rod, here are some Romans. More later.

Superbe Joe, the helmets see from behind, thanks for the time.

Rod.

 

[Alexdakar]

Way cool I love marching armies!!!

 

[wadepat]

Rod, here are some Romans. More later.

Hi Joe,

What an outstanding display! I am enjoying viewing it very much and I certainly look forward to seeing more of your Roman dioramas! Thanks for posting these terrific photos!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[mikemiller1955]

Beautiful stuff Joe.....just spectacular.

 

[The Templar]

Looks great - Joe!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Andanna]

These look great. I assume the drapes are plain and the foliage and buildings are modular?

 

[playsetaddict]

"These look great. I assume the drapes are plain and the foliage and buildings are modular?"

The drape itself is the grassy groundcover. I've put some info about how it works at http://playsetaddict.com/Diorama Drape.htm. I hope to get a video done soon showing how easy it sets up and tears down.

Since you guys liked the Romans so much..her are some more shots. I'm quite pleased with the way my "pond" turned out. I do love making the accessories and seeing them accomplish what I had hoped.

 

[debrito]

is this 1/30 scale Romans?

 

[nasirkasmani]

smashing dios.

 

[Spitfrnd]

It looks very interesting and I sent an email to be notified when available. For size, for me a 3 ft square would be ideal but if it isn't too expensive, a 4 ft square would do as well since I assume you can cut it easily. Can you also vary the "grass" length but cutting that? Does it blend well with other scenic material like lichen and the other grow cover and turfs available from Woodland Scenics?

 

[lancer]

"These look great. I assume the drapes are plain and the foliage and buildings are modular?"

The drape itself is the grassy groundcover. I've put some info about how it works at http://playsetaddict.com/Diorama Drape.htm. I hope to get a video done soon showing how easy it sets up and tears down.

Since you guys liked the Romans so much..her are some more shots. I'm quite pleased with the way my "pond" turned out. I do love making the accessories and seeing them accomplish what I had hoped.

Nice dio. Very convincing foliage. Is that Boudica hiding and watching the Roman advance? -- lancer

 

[playsetaddict]

is this 1/30 scale Romans?

Rod, they are more 1/32. They are dwarfed by the King and Country Romans.

 

[playsetaddict]

It looks very interesting and I sent an email to be notified when available. For size, for me a 3 ft square would be ideal but if it isn't too expensive, a 4 ft square would do as well since I assume you can cut it easily. Can you also vary the "grass" length but cutting that? Does it blend well with other scenic material like lichen and the other grow cover and turfs available from Woodland Scenics?

I'll contact you soon about the difference in price between the two sizes. A four by four is like 77% larger than a 3 by 3, so there would be a considerable difference in price.

As to the cutting of the drape to vary the length of the grass, the answer is sort of a yes and a no. It does cut easily. However, the coloring does not go all the way down to the bottom of the blades with total consistency. I will be offerring 'sculpted' drapes which will have varying lengths of grass and also dirt areas. I'll cut them first, then do the coloring and adding sand on the bare areas.

This picture shows a piece of a 'sculpted' area.

The drape should blend with other scenic materials. I use pieces of moss and lichen and field grass in the set ups. I'm not sure how it would work with the Woodland Scenic trees. I've always had trouble getting them to stay standing on their little bases. I use trees that have a nail imbedded in the bottom that penetrates the drape and goes into the styrofoam insulation boards underneath. That works fine.

I must say that I believe in spending money on good trees. The trees I feature most come from Sweetwater Scenery and they're not cheap...39 bucks a piece now. However, I figure you use trees in all settings and themes. A great tree I'll constantly use is worth the cost of one and a half figures I'll rarely use. But then I am a 'player' and not a 'displayer'.

I'll be in touch.

Joe

 

[playsetaddict]

 

[debrito]

Rod, they are more 1/32. They are dwarfed by the King and Country Romans.

Good to know. I started a 1/32 collection from Ancient times, East of India Greeks and plan to go with the Romans too, so is good to know that Conte has these figs in 54mm.

Thanks

Rod.

 

[playsetaddict]

I haven't actually seen the EOI Romans. It seems to me that the EOI stuff is a small 54mm. Conte's are a little bigger.