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Post by runningwolf on Apr 4, 2014 17:44:06 GMT
OK so I have a few ideas and all the materials I need to try out some tree stuff. I have a decent idea on how to make a tree that is not obnoxiously tall, a 3ft tall tree on the gaming table would just be too outrageous most of the time. Seems like everyone makes a tree about the size of an HO model train (give or take) which is a good size to have on a table. My one project will be roughly the "normal" size most people seem to be crafting.
So I have an idea for a "huge" tree. And I thought that maybe I could get some feedback from everyone before tackling this. The diameter and length will be the size of a regular TP roll. Figure it's big enough to convey how big the base of the tree is. Want a few opinions on how best to do the canopy/foliage. Having an inch or two of foam/packing peanuts/faux branches and leafs....
What is the consensus for finishing the "top" of the tree? Should I leave it somewhat flat? Make it a bit randomized? Make it a bit like a dome? I'm not sure which aesthetic I find more appealing..... The idea being that the tree will be huge like in an old growth forest but limiting the actual height while in play.
Any time I read about what someone is doing and other chime in I usually see a few idea I like and that would most likely be awesome when thrown in a blender and merged.
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Post by adamantinedragon on Apr 4, 2014 17:50:36 GMT
For a tree of that size I would strongly consider getting a trimming from one of my shrubs outside. If I really wanted to craft it I'd probably use wire, aluminum foil and plaster or air dry clay for the trunk and most of the major branches, then get some moss, lichen or other flower arranging materials to create the foliage.
I dunno if I'd want a tree that big on the table though.
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Post by runningwolf on Apr 4, 2014 18:05:25 GMT
For the canopy diameter I was thinking of limiting it to about as round as a mayonnaise or peanut butter jar... more for giving the impression that the trees are mega huge
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Post by Brainbot on Apr 4, 2014 18:06:07 GMT
I have made many trees using the wire form method. Here's a site that demonstrates such.
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Post by sgtslag on Apr 4, 2014 20:31:42 GMT
Fat Dragon Games makes card stock trees where the canopies have shelves in them, for mini's to stand on, to represent the figures have climbed, and are on upper branches. Granted, the card stock trees are basically flat, with printed textures, but the concept of flat areas of foliage, where a figure can stand, is very appealing. I have not tried it, yet, but I would love to create flat shelves, for figures to stand on, in the canopies. I've had PC's climb trees to hide, numerous times. Best of luck. Cheers!
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Post by runningwolf on Apr 4, 2014 20:55:52 GMT
for the smaller tries I have the idea of a similar wire frame with the branches sticking out... and some carved packing peanuts. I think I have the idea down for the bigger tree, so will hopefully see how it goes later on tonight. I think a lot of it now will be how well some of the materials will hold the paint. I know the foams don't take kindly to spray paint so will be a few step process.
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Post by bloodchoke on Apr 4, 2014 21:24:15 GMT
I made some using TP rolls, topped with a cardboard base, and then added foliage around the top of the platform. For some, i just used some plastic foliage from the hobby stores, others just clump flocking, and for a few I made branches out of small RR trees and then added clump foliage. Here are are couple pics so you can see what I'm talking about. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to let us see it!
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Post by adamantinedragon on Apr 5, 2014 1:14:44 GMT
Nice trees Bloodchoke. I had visualized toilet roll trunks being part of a much bushier and larger foliage, but these show that you can have a very nice looking tree with only a relatively small amount of foliage, which makes them much more usable in games than I expected trees with trunks that size to be.
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Post by runningwolf on Apr 5, 2014 13:03:13 GMT
I made some using TP rolls, topped with a cardboard base, and then added foliage around the top of the platform. For some, i just used some plastic foliage from the hobby stores, others just clump flocking, and for a few I made branches out of small RR trees and then added clump foliage. Here are are couple pics so you can see what I'm talking about. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to let us see it! That's about the effect I am looking at, basically that the trees are huge but they don't take up a ton of room. When I think of an old growth forest I tend to think of the canopy being at least as high up as the roof of a house. You're not going to be whacking your head on branches. A newer forest (or your run of the mill local neighborhood woods) I think of the trees being smaller and the branches being at chest and face level. Much thanks for the pics. It gives me more Chinese Food Ideas.... Oh "Chinese Food Idea" is when I think of a few things and see a few things and pick some stuff from one, and another and put them together. Like a Chinese Food Menu picking something from column A and something from column B. So now I am pretty much set on a design for the big trees. I don't have any wire at my place, except for some coiled electronic wire. If I had some Romex (house wire) I would be set for the small trees. I think I am going to try a few types and see which one is the most easy and which is the best looking. I don't have any decent wire or I'd try the wire idea I have seen suggested (they do make some nice looking smaller trees). A bit broke this week or I'd have the option to run out and get some wire. Being broke is the mother of improvisation . I have a few thin wire hangers I am thinking of using. I was thinking do one with some of the TP mache, and the other with some caulk. Hot glue a few curved branches on and cover those. And I have these funky packing peanuts I will use for the foliage
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Post by Brainbot on Apr 6, 2014 13:01:11 GMT
Something occurred to me after my last post. Buy paintable caulk. Having no experience with it I''m not sure how well paint sticks or not to the non paintable.
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Post by DMScotty on Apr 6, 2014 13:43:33 GMT
Paint sticks well to acrylic caulk but the caulk can be heavy.
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Post by runningwolf on Apr 6, 2014 23:20:10 GMT
I misplaced my caulk gun. Working closer to home this week, and got some of my tree stuff done. I just have it drying overnight (the spray paint) so should have more pics coming soon. Actually using some of DM Scotty's idea with the caulk stalagmites I thought of making a cactus that way. I used the TP mache for some of the trees. Just hot glue on the TP rolls for teh big trees. From one or two trees I used bits of wire coat hanger and just hot glued it (put some white glue and sand on it when it dried to see what sort of cool texture it might make for e a tree)..... The cactus I made today was just from hot glue, a q-tip stick, and a small (1 inch) piece of bent coat hanger. I cut the q-tip stick so the "arms" of the cactus would be in it, not on one side of it. I'l edit this post in a few minutes with a link to the WIP. Not sure which ones I have pictures on.
WIP Album
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Post by bloodchoke on Apr 7, 2014 2:27:44 GMT
Nice trees Bloodchoke. I had visualized toilet roll trunks being part of a much bushier and larger foliage, but these show that you can have a very nice looking tree with only a relatively small amount of foliage, which makes them much more usable in games than I expected trees with trunks that size to be. Thanks man. I kinda have a strange affinity for trees, so I probably like these better than anything else I've made. They're definitely problematic scale wise, especially the bigger ones, but they work as long as you only have one person in them. They're basically just DM Scotty's 2.5d trees on a trunk. RunningWolf, your trees are coming along great, can't wait to see them finished! Looks like a good mix too, so you'll have some variety. Thanks for sharing1
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Post by runningwolf on Apr 7, 2014 10:31:30 GMT
Thank you. Yeah hundreds of different types of trees with just about as many different looks... Must put on Rush's Trees while painting them For the most part I was just wanting to check out some ways I haven't seen done before, or tweaking a few concepts that I have seen.
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