Would like to start building dio's

  Hey, another Aussie! Welcome to the wonderful world of dioramas.  

  Sorry somenewguy, i am not sure if it is just me but i am not sure how to interpret your question. Can you clarify? Everyone here is always willing to help if they know what you want. Great bunch of fellas on here!!

  Boomer...

g'day boomerang, sorry 'bout the confusion, i'll try and re'phrase. i would like to begin building diorama's and putting appropriate models in them, but i have hardly any idea on where to start. i know you need a base, a surface and then like a scene with vegetation and stuff. and i don't know but i'm pretty sure that model railroading scene accessories (e.g. plastic tree frames; mountain formations and dirt, grass, sand, bushes shrubs and other vegetation) is the stuff all or most serious and pro diorama modelers use. is this true if so is there anything else you can use to make dio's. if it isn't what they use then what do  dio modelers use to make them. and what are the the first beginner steps to starting your first diorama?

    It's all good. You have a lot of questions! It is probably hard to get them all answered in one thread. My suggestion is to browse this forum. Example, if you want ideas about diorama bases, put 'diorama base' into the search tab and see what you get. 

    If you start building a dio, ask questions as you go. Come up with an idea and throw it into into the forum if you are not sure if it is a plausible dio or not. Become happy with your idea and picture it in your mind and ask lots of questions. Draw some sketches if you want. You say you already have an idea where to start and you are on the right track. We can build on that!

    Depending on what scale you want to build in will determine what you use for accessories. Remember, a lot of model railroad stuff is 1/87 scale. A bit small for 1/48 and larger...

    Materials for terrain and plants can come from anywhere. Check out SteveM's post 'Exercising my flabby terrain muscle' not far back in this forum. Pretty awesome stuff, and i think Steve found it all in his back yard, not the local hobby shop....

    Don't make your first diorama complicated. Keep it simple. Obviously you need a base. You can use many materials. If you use wood, remember to seal it (check some recent posts). I like to use picture frames. Take out the glass, seal the join between frame and backing board (seal the backing board too) and you are ready to go.

    Again, develop an idea and visualise it. I also reccomend sourcing a couple of good books such as Shep Paines How to Build Dioramas. Most guys on here will tell you how valuable that book is.

    Don't forget the value of browsing this diorama forum. You will find your questions have been answered before. But if you get stuck just ask.

    Remember to have fun.

    Boomer...

The model railroad stuff can be used to a degree, but, as mentioned, some is too small for 1/48, let alone 1/35. Have a look here for a really good listing of ground work materials. These are more in line with 1/35 scale. John ships outside the US for what appear to be reasonable rates. Stop  by Armorama.com and check out the features. Lots of really good stuff there.

But as far as dioramas, research and planning are super important.

You want to tell a story without having to explain it. A title may help, but only to put your dio in context.

All the elements should be consistent: if you're depicting action, all the figures should be part of it. No one should be casually walking in a scene where others and exchanging fire.

Avoid the temptaion newbies (including me many years ago) to lay some glue on a piece of would and pour on some "dirt" or "grass." You aren't modelling the 18th hole at the golf course ot the Bonneville salt flats. In nature, the flattest surfaces have slight undulations due to vegetation, burrowing animals, tree trunks and rocks. Also avoid the large flat grass mats in the railroad sections (been there and done that, too). They never look real.

Artistically and dramatically. posing things at an angle to the edge provides a more dramatic and interesting display.

Plan your dio. Draw things out. Test place your figures and take digial pictures to examine the scene. Back when I started this, that wasn't an option and taking regualr pictures meant sending film out and waiting a week to get them back, as well as paying significant money tfor processing.

big thanx for the help guys, now i've got some knowledge to work on.

Hi somenewguy!

First time building a dio can be a daunting task. My first one never came to completion and was left aside for a couple of years. It's now that I realised that the best way to start is reading up on as many post and articles here and elsewhere and focus on what you want to achieve and go for it. Look out for improvised methods as opposed to buying overly priced items on the market. Take your time and enjoy the build.

 Cheers

M. Sharif

   I have three dios on the go. One is a MarderII. Just have to add more figures and i want to replace the tracks with indy's. It is 90% finished.

   Second i am working on a PAK40 AT gun in a concealed postion.

   And thirdly i am working on a FLAK36 in a street setting being over run by US airborne troops.

   I keep changing my mind with the last two as to layout and how i want the 'story' to be conveyed....

   I will get back into them soon and hopefully have a camera so i can post progress pics.

 Somenewguy...., at the start, don't try and be as good as some of the guys on here. Just start at the beginning and develop your skill levels. Don't worry if you think it is not the quality you see here at times. I am only saying this in reference to your signature line. Maybe it shouldn't read as it does. Maybe it should be......  wannabee/gunnabee...hmmmm? 

   Boomer...

 First take Boomerang's advice and get Shep Paine's How To Build Dioramas.Read it and then read it again.The section on painting figure's is worth the cost of it alone.Second look, listen and above all ask.I've gotten a lot of complement's on my work since I started posting my stuff, (thank's again to all)maybe I should post some pic's of my early attemept at figurer painting....or maybe not.Any way have fun and good luck, looking foward to some pic's in the near future.                   

Somenewguy 

here are some suggestions, Afrika Corp in the desert or maybe even better for you, The desert rats of Tobruk { ya gotta love a group that are "insulted"by being called rats and turning it around as a badge of honor!}

The best part of the desert rats, they used German weapons as much are even more than their own.

Desert is an easy diorama to make, sand a a bush or two. You can build a sandbag bunker for 25pounder or a Stuart {Honey} or a Lee tank or even your favorite German tank in Aussie markings 

G'day, with all the aussies here its as if I were back home! Apart from Shep Paine's book I would recommend Ken Hamilton's book on Auto dioramas, also published by Kalmbach. Also check out model railway fora (is that the plural of forum?) they are experts at modelling ground cover, buildings etc. Good luck with it.

panzerguy wrote:

First take Boomerang's advice and get Shep Paine's How To Build Dioramas.Read it and then read it again.The section on painting figure's is worth the cost of it alone.Second look, listen and above all ask.I've gotten a lot of complement's on my work since I started posting my stuff, (thank's again to all)maybe I should post some pic's of my early attemept at figurer painting....or maybe not.Any way have fun and good luck, looking foward to some pic's in the near future.

Panzerguy and Boomerang are right!   I have both editions of Shep Paine's book...the cover to the first edition is about to fall off and pages are falling out from reading it so much--the second one is well on it's way to the same fate.  I've lost track how many times I have read those books and still keep finding good tips in 'em (or at least refreshing the tips that apply to what I am working on)!!  And keep posting, asking questions and getting feedback! Learn from your "mistakes" and most of all the "mistakes" of others. And by "mistakes" I mean "learning experiences!"   Your work will improve exponentially!  Experiment with ideas that you may have about trying new techniques and using new materials for your models and dioramas.  Best of luck! And welcome to the fun world of diorama building!!

hi guys....i am a noob here

i wanna start building my first diorama but i don't know how to start.....

any idea how to create wire fence?

thanx for your help guys

Hey Hardhat! Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of dioramas! If you'll read the previous posts on this thread (and other threads in the Diorama subject) you will gather some more info on how to start! But here are few tips (these are the steps that I use, others most likely have another process):

1) Get inspired--find a pic, cartoon, story, have a creative thought or idea about the subject you want to model.

2) Plan--sketch, write out or somehow develop the idea and plan your dio.  Think about the who, what, where, when and why of your dio and the idea you want to convey to your audience (those who look at the dio). Ask your friends and/or other modelers opinions--maybe show it to them and don't explain it to see if it the idea makes sense. 

3) Get the model(s)--buy or pull the kit(s) from the shelf and start working.  Modify kits as needed (battle damage, figure posing, turned wheels, etc) and continue to think about and plan your idea--sometimes this is an ongoing process.

4) Layout your dio once you have some progress made on your kit(s).  Determine how big a base you will need, how you want to position the kits within the scene.

5) Groundwork--I use styrofoam blocks and carve them to shape, cover them with plaster cloth (Woodland Scenics C1203), I also use Drywall Joint Compound for minor touch-ups or build-ups on the terrain.  When it is still damp, add any vehicle tire or tread marks, footprints, etc.  Once dry, I brush the groundwork with white glue and sprinkle on sand and the gritty stuff that builds up in the street, curbs and gutters (sift it first to get out the big stuff and trash).  Once that's dry, I paint the earth color, add any buildings.  Brush on more white glue followed by a sprinkling of static grass or snow (Woodland Scenics products), add any rubble from buildings here.  Add trees and bushes (if you want to know more, ask) then spray with Testor's Dullcoat in the spray can. 

6) Add kit(s).

As far as a wire fence, depends on the scale you are working in and the type of fence you are going for: barbed or straight wire/farm fence?  There are aftermarket (AM) photoetch (PE) kits for barbed wire in various scales or you can make your own.  For farm fence, just find some wire with a gauge that is suitable for the scale you are building, find a good reference (real fence or internet pic) and start working!  

Good luck and keep us posted!