"Scratch-Building Star Wars 'Tatooine'?" Topic

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatooine

Though I am not gaming Star Wars, I do like the look of those desert buildings, for off-world colonies and even Planet of the Apes.

Has anyone done them as scratbuilts? Any tutorials or photos of their projects?

Instead of using my existing Muslim buildings for this, I am thinking of making some with cork sheets and some plastic Easter eggs, with a generous amount of filler covering them.

Any better suggestions?

Any ideas on tekie accessories too?

Thanks.

CC

Look at the Star Wars Miniatures Battles Yahoo Group.

They have/had lots of modeling notes and pictures concerning Tatooine. I know there was one guy with a complete set-up.

Can be found at: link

Augustus,

Many thanks. I have just joined and am awaiting approval.

CC

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H G Walls has built some fabulous Tatooine buildings seen here. Im doing some myself at the moment for my sons star wars minis, gonna double them up for Martian too .

errr…….they wont be anywhere near the quality of HGW's

CC,

TheAncientBalrog already posted a link to my website (thanks TAB). I hope to be doing some new Tatooine models for my collection in the near future, so keep your eyes open for that. Tatooine models are usually quick and easy to do and that's one of the reasons that I like doing them so much.

Herb

err, is it just me or has that first link got lots of re-directing pop ups? Bloody thing kept sending me to some 'Clean your PC' software.

errr think its you aBHs, mine works fine

!

There's a guy on the hirst arts site message boards who scratchbuilt an entire Tatooine playset. Looks amazingly close to the movie.

BTW – HG Walls – your work is amazing! :-)

Oh-my-God!!!

Those are absolutely fantastic. What an inspiration. Thanks.

CC

Herb (HB Walls),

Any tutorials for us lesser beings?

CC

Here's some nice Tatooine terrain: link

It's from an eBay auction a couple of years ago, if anybody has any more info, I'd appreciate it.

HG Walls – Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing all that work.

I don't know guys. The bar has been raised so high, I don't know if I can even reach half way!

CC

For Tatooine buildings push balls, plastic containers, etc into a bucket of wet sand, then pour plaster in the resulting depression- this is a good way to get those half-dome settlement buildings. See the old Rogue Trader book for examples.

Rich

For some nice Star Wars builds go to voidgamers and punch KSKYHAPPY into the search to see some of his work. Some really nice stuff.

Nice indeed!

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CC

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks!

CC, it would take a while to write out all of the different techniques that I use for the Tatooine models, but I could get you started in the right direction. To create fast and easy models look for foam and/or card packing material from TV, DVD players, toasters, etc. I've also used Pictors Studio foam building blanks (Tatooine Works), plastic planters, toys, old plastic TV set casing and good old fashioned scratch building. Add domes, doors, awnings, etc. I sprinkle fine sand over wet paint to texture the models and follow up with a base coat of paint to 'lock' in the sand texturing. More sand can be applied in a splotchy (is that a word?) pattern to create a rougher look (you could even try flocking in place of sand).

Perhaps I should write another 'How-To' article for WI, this time building a Tatooine model. At any rate, if you get serious about building Tatooinesque models I can help if you get bogged down.

Herb

I've made about a dozen Mos Eisley buildings for my Star Wars games. Lots of pics here:
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I built them using a technique described on this TMP thread:
TMP link

The building are mostly white floral styrofoam, shaped with a butter knife, and textured with wood filler.

- Ted

Herb,

Just point us in the right direction and to the right materials. That is all. No need to expend too much time on techniques we can only fine-tune on our own.

Thanks so very much for the outstanding inspiration!

CC

CC,

I'm a bit of a pack rat when it comes to collecting items that 'might' be used for modeling projects. My next Tatooine structures are going to be built from a couple of foam packing pieces that I saved from a DVD player over a year ago. I also saved a plastic container, that some food came in, that had some nice Sci-Fi lines.

Basically, I just keep my eyes open for interesting shapes that I can use for construction. A lot comes from recycling household materials, but I also look for items on store shelves that can be used 'out of context', like boxes, containers, planters, etc.

To do Tatooine properly, you're going to need domes. I tend to use plastic eggs, but foam balls work also. To my eye, a ball cut perfectly in half does not always make a convincing dome. I occaisionally cut the ball/egg to a bit less than half before attaching it.

Give a holler if you have a specific question.

Herb

"Perhaps I should write another 'How-To' article for WI, this time building a Tatooine model. At any rate, if you get serious about building Tatooinesque models I can help if you get bogged down.

Herb"

Herb,

yes please! It's always a pleasure to read you articles & see how you produce your little masterpieces.

Norberto

I will definitely save your link, Herb.

Thanks.

CC

Monolith did some "desert planet" inhabitations that will undoubtably fit. They could even be mixed with adobe buildings or extra outfits from Ainsty/Old Crow to create variety :
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Penchour,

Wow. I had forgotten about mixin in those. Thanks!

CC

Very inspiring creations, HG Walls. The second-best thing about my brother getting an HDTV was him giving me the styro packing for a future fortress . The best thing was getting to watch his HDTV without coughing up the money he had to.

You are right. Those Aintsy/Old Crow adobe buildings are pretty generic:

link

CC

I guess I am starting my terrain next week. Got all the MDF, foam core and foam, and will start sketching this week.

Wonderful suggestions guys.

Thanks.

CC

Well, it's fairly expensive, but Snapdragon does some beautiful stuff perfect for Tatooine… link

The cost of the pieces was borderline pricey, but the shipping cost was just prohibitive. Too bad. They are nice pieces.

CC

Interested in building Mos Eisley?

TMP link

CC

I love what IrishSerb did here:

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Truly amazing.

Now, has anyone ever tried to build Ksar Ouled Soltane for miniatures?

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For ideas on a different desert planet:

TMP link

CC

Interesting effect here:

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CC

This styrofoam version looks awesome:

link

CC