Friday 19 July 2013

Tarzan Board Update 2

Firstly thanks for the suggestions last time. Following the suggestions that I needed some water features, (ahhh Charlie Dimmoak) and that a pool with stepping stones and a waterfall was the way to go I leaped into action with the speed of a Sloth on "Mogadon". Every self respecting waterfall needs a cave underneath it so grabbing a 22mm spade bit and an electric drill I added one, as you can see. It looked a little two regular at this stage so I slapped a bit more plaster on.




 Slightly better I thought, but still too artificial looking. So I set at it with a chisel. Those reading ahead can start smirking now as lo and behold the inevitable happened and the plaster on the left hand side of the cave decided to detach itself and crumble. Grrrrrh! A set back, but not a disaster. And I can when in a better mood fix that in a matter of 10 minutes or so. Which means It's on the list when I finish writing this up. So when I blog board update 3 you will see it has all been taken care of.



Next came the tricky idea of a waterfall. As gamers we are always going to want to be able to move figures behind it. Running it straight down the plaster cliff would have been easier for sure, but easy was not in my vocabulary yesterday so a three D waterfall that figures could get behind sounded perfect. And so the idea is and that's the snag. Idea great reality is much harder to achieve. But I'm working on it! The idea is to take a 1.8mm thick strip of clear Perspex to act as the water flow. As you can see I have notched out a section of the cliff at the top which snuggly holds the Perspex in place at one end. I did try to notch the chip board bas at the other end but gave up very rapidly and now have a hole to fill and get smooth as it will represent water and no one like holes in their water! Obviously bare naked Perspex is not going to give the look and feel I want and while might look like a waterfall in abstract, will not do for what I want so there will need to be a lot more work on it.

To cut the perspex I simply used a "Stanley Knife" and a steel rule as I do not have any power tools that I can use that would not shatter the Perspex. Obviously that is not the ideal solution but given some time and effort it will work. Scoring and snapping works better if working on small sections but for a length of 12 inches It would in my experience be very likely to shatter. To get the bend I simply heated the Perspex with a paint stripper heat gun and bent it into shape. In order to get figures underneath along with the required hand to move them I have had to project the water out quite a long way. so I may go back and add some more rocks and cliff at the top section I will see how I feel later today or tomorrow.
And that is the problem with retro-fitting an idea. Still it is a very good idea and worth the effort I think. Despite the fact that I will probably have to remake the whole section of the cliff.




 Elsewhere I have covered the polystyrene edges where the water will go to create a rock shelf . Not very clear in the picture, but at least it gives a clue. I have also created this rocky effect on one of the other edges which is not visible on the pics today but you will notice on the final reveal.

So that should give you an idea of where I am with this board and where I intend to make some adjustments. I will continue to move the board on as well as paint a few more figures for it. Talking of Figures I would like to say a public thanks to Michael at  28mmvictorianwarfare for furnishing me with a pair of 28mm crocs! One of which is on the paint table at the moment, the other is waiting to see how it's friend turns out! Two crocs on this size board is MORE than enough I would think and will definitely put bathers off!

Despite the fact that not a lot if showing, quite a bit of progress has been maid. I hope to have the start of the Villainous cast ready for Sunday so until then Take care keep cool and try to avoid sun-stroke! All the best Clint.


33 comments:

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    1. Thanks Ferret. Still a LOAD of stuff to do though.

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  2. I'll give you credit old boy that's not bad, looking damn good!

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    1. For me it's at the Ugly stage. I can see where it's going and now I have to just keep plugging away at it. But it's slowly getting there.

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  3. I like where this is going!

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    1. Thanks Barks, I think this is your first comment on my blog. SO please keep lurking and feel free to comment as much or as little as you desire.

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  4. atunning work so far Clint. Keeping me eye on this one,

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    1. Thats stunning work. damn fat fingers!

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    2. Thanks Carl, and no worries about spelling on this blog. Rite N Zpel Ow U Lyc!

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  5. OK, so you're not finished yet. BUT, it's showing a lot of promise. Stick with it; we're all inspired by this!

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    1. I hope the final board does not disappoint. The joy of keeping the board loose at the beginning is you can adapt it. The Pain is that the adaptions come at a price and can make it a messy process. Fear not I will persevere at least until Monday when real life may side track me for a week!

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  6. Excellent work so far Clint, I think this is gonna look pretty cool!!!

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    1. Thank you Ray. I think a lot of it will depend on the foliage. But it is slowly getting there.

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  7. What a great idea! I'd suggest you build an overhanging "ramp" to the point where "waterfall" is bent, so it looks more natural, gives some stability and doesn't make it look like it is defying gravity. Whatever you do, I'm sure this 3d waterfall will be worth it in the end!

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    1. Already 1 step ahead of you. Just waiting for the glue to dry and hold the overhang in place. So I should add the plaster tomorrow.

      Great minds think alike...... although yours seems to be thinking faster!

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  8. Looking very good Clint; the waterfall is very ambitious and will be well worth the extra effort in the end. I think if you had angled it away from the cliff rather than perpendicular to it (about 45 degrees either way) it would really have made placement of figures behind it much easier (easy to say after the even I know).

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    1. Darn yes I had not thought of that, you are right it would have worked just as well and made life easier. DOH! Past the point of no return now. Oh well yet another one I need to chalk up to experience. But at least this way players can reach right through it which adds to the playing experience.

      One of my uncles saw it and did suggest real water..... luckily I am not insane! After all real water does not scale (like that's the only reason not to use a real liquid!

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  9. Nice progress despite the unfortunate setbacks.

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    1. Nothing ever goes 100% right first time. At least not in my life. SO setbacks are all part of the process. Thank you Simon.

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  10. Now that is seriously impressive a walk around waterfall - genius Sir! Looking forward to seeing the painted crocs.

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    1. There is no point in making up a piece of terrain if you can't at least try to make it a bit special. As you did with the cannibal cook pot!

      The first Croc is looking OK and sends it's regards. Probably show it on Sunday along with the evil African priestess!

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    2. I want to see the evil priestess!

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  11. Nice of Michael to send you the crocs as they'll be the perfect addition to your water feature. I didn't realize how tough this build was going to be,especially a waterfall. It's going to be worth it all in the end methinks.

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    1. Nothing worthwhile is achieved without effort. I do hope it comes out all right, and only time will tell. And I agree it was very nice of Michael I hope approves of how they come out.

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    2. I don't know if you can use this or not, but Papermau has a jungle hut available for free download.

      http://papermau.blogspot.com/2013/07/simple-jungle-hut-paper-model-by.html

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    3. I already have 4 hut options. But I do appreciate the thought.

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  12. Clever idea like it a lot.

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    1. I just have to bring the idea to life now. And that's the test! I should have a better idea by about Thursday. So I'll have to be patient until then.

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  13. Looking real good thus far, I look forward to seeing a game played on this.

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    1. I hope to have it done three weeks from today..... but caution says better be 5 weeks! I too am looking forward to seeing a game on the board as well.

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  14. I like where this is going there old boy and I cant when to see how you tackle this and well done to Michael too for the croc giving

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    1. Thank you PK. With luck a croc reveal tomorrow.As mentioned above I should get a better idea if this will even work by Thursday next week. Ok Maybe Tuesday IF I get lucky.

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