So one thing I've wanted to do more of (I've really only dabbled thus far) is work on some dio sets. Not so much playsets, and not so much fancy permanent displays. But more like in-scale "movie sets" so that I can take them down and put them up when I want to take some pics. The lack of sets has been the one thing really holding me back from doing a dio story or photo-novel on a recurring basis. I may do some EXCAL style, but thus far, I'm thinking heavily about my sci-fi verse.

Which brings us to this. It's almost shameful how little work I'm putting into this, but I'm pleased with the results thus far. The base piece was discussed in the last JC Podcast, and if you want to see what it looked like unaltered, take a peek at the pic in the podcast thread:

http://www.joecustoms.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=35038&start=30

Here is an early WIP pic, with the base coats of paint applied, and a little bit of the other alterations mapped out:



And here is a WIP even further along, with some of the details taking shape, and a preview of some of the lights being added.



I would welcome input at this point on anything that could be added or tweaked, but let me describe what I'm going for here... ...I honestly don't know. lol.

I've actually decided this piece will be multi-purpose. I think I can use it as a backdrop for a Starship Hangar or Cargo Bay; or for ANY military installation like a Cobra stronghold or something Solid Snake might do some dirty work in.

My wife also pointed out (and I hope my son doesn't make the connection, or I'll lose this dio forever, lol) that it looks an awful lot like a TMNT sewer lair. So we shall see how many miles I can milk from it, before the underlying materials make it disintegrate or my son absconds with it.

plans to finish this out:
-I have a second piece of equal size and material (slightly different sculpt) that I will paint to match, and will then attach them as corner pieces to create the illusion of a huge space, at least for Cargo Bay shots and the like.
-I am looking into some inexpensive styrene sheets to make a metal floor looking base piece to run between the walls. any recommendations would be appreciated. I want some with the metal floor detail sculpted in already though
-I will be adding more lights. the doorway will have a red light that comes on for some scenes
-I will be adding a sliding door and other tech detail still.
-I want to add a smaller pipe that comes down from the top pipe (from where the launcher detail is attached) vertically along the right hand side
-I want to add a vent shaft for the grating on the bottom left to lead to, along with a simple room for the door to lead to as well (to provide depth to photos, but also give my son more to play with).

What else can I be doing here?

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This is really sweet. Looks awesome. Is it packaging?

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Boy, I could see this style being used to make a Superman fortress out of as well. For the flooring (styrene) you could look into the cheap Makin's clay texture sheets they sell at AC Moore and craft stores. They may be cheaper than styrene. I have seen industrial metal grate, just couldnt find a pic

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To add to Meddatron's post:

you can get one of those pattern sheets, or print something out at home, and then just put a sheet of 1/8th acrylic/plexi over the top -

I stole that idea from ... (shoot, can't remember) and then used the same idea for my AIM/Hydra shelves -

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It needs a set of hydraulic chompers.

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every dio needs those!

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Dennis, I'm getting a Batcave feel with the lights, waterfall, and pipes added. This is a good thing.

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Love this. And stealing the $%# out of the idea.

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yes, Brad, yes it is. I think I might need to get multiple different floor types and make the whole thing modular so I can use the back walls to help create a dozen different looks. The spot in the middle is more of a leaky pipe than waterfall though



awesome.

I'll take some more pics this weekend. I've totally copped out on the lighting (thus far) by simply cutting spots in the back to hold those cheap Dollar Tree clip on lights (the kind people were using for their Skystryker engines). But that kind of fits in with the cheap/easy/recycled approach this project has taken on thus far. Similarly, the light fixtures on the front are ends of Mentos gum tubes, with the added benefit that I can pull the cap off and swap on a red tube cap to change the tone of lighting.

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that's amazing. i'll think twice next time i'm about to bust one of those up and stuff it in the trash.

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glad this one is giving some ideas.

here is an early WIP/prep pic of the second wall



Edit: oh, and if you laid this particular piece down flat as a floor, it would make for a sweet assed miniatures game board once painted up

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Very nice start. Looking good.

I am loving this, and we use the same leftover rolls! I use those for both pipes and to simulate trees and such.

The texture of the entire thing sings, and the touch of the mall grating by the hole is great detailing. Your coloring of the pipes is fabulous, and that you added the pipe drip and rust is genius. Seriously, this screams.

Since the floor area is broken up by those separations, you could always make a small under-foundation of murky water using EZ-Water and some coloring. Doesn't even have to be a permanent foundation so you can transfer it to a different bottom depending on your needs.

On the second wall WIP you read my mind! My first thought was.."dang if that couldn't be done up as an entire ruin or destroyed city for both minis or 1:18"

Rockage cubed D. Rockage cubed.

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