PlaymoFriends
Creative => Customs Gallery => Dioramas & Buildings => Topic started by: Ali Baba on July 17, 2010, 23:01:50
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Had a bit of time this weekend so I decided to start building the castle I need for my project.
I have been collecting steck sets and bits and bobs for months now, so it is time to see if I had enough and how it all fits together. By no means is it finished. There is still a lot to do and a lot to modify. This is just to get an impression where the problems are.
The castle wil be mounted on a ground plate and it should be possible to lift it up.
This is a castle that flies through space (spell jamming, in D&D terms). It can also blink (short distance teleport). It is inhabited by a bunch of mad wizards. On the ground floor is a huge magical canon, that protrudes from the underside. I still have to build that. I'll start as soon as I have a good gunmount. Probably the ladder installation of the first fire truck.
This is the front of the castle. I modified the gate piece to fit on the first floor. Normally that is not possible with this piece. There is no entrance on ground level. One needs to enter the castle by non-conventional means. A flying carpet for instance. Or a ladder. Note the spider web windows. I have been chasing those for months and was able to find quite a few.
(http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/albums/userpics/11034/steck_castle_101.jpg)
This is an overview of the entire castle. In front are a few bits that still need to be installed. I have the choice of two magical chairs that I need to control the flight of the castle. In D&D a flying ship is controlled by a helm, which is a magical seat usually. I prefer the big one, but it is difficult to fit.
(http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/albums/userpics/11034/steck_castle_102.jpg)
This is the rear of the castle. It has 2 balconies and 2 bay windows. I wanted the windows under the balconies, but that doesn't fit. Ideas anyone?
The logo on the window covers will be replaced by the shield of the mad wizards, of course.
(http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/albums/userpics/11034/steck_castle_103.jpg)
A shot into the court yard. The main building has a balcony, with some of the mad wizards on it. Somewhere over there I'll have to place the throne to control the flying castle. I'll replace the floors of the first floor with custom made flooring. Combining existing steck pieces is not possible, I found out today. The tabs of the different pieces get in each others way. I was going to make flooring for this floor anyway, because wood isn't quite right. Should be stone tiles or something. See also my thread about making steck flooring.
Note Ali Baba in the background. (He is wearing a golden crown today, because he lent his silver one to the dark overlord of the undead army)
(http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/albums/userpics/11034/steck_castle_104.jpg)
Still haven't decided on who will be the castle guard. I have quite a lot of footsoldiers now. I can make a nice little army of those. But the green men are quite cool, I think. From this angle they look quite not to be messed with.
(http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/albums/userpics/11034/steck_castle_105.jpg)
Still a lot to do. To my big surprise.............I need more steck!!!!!
Need to do a lot of cleaning and bleaching. There are some frightfull color differences between some pieces. I need to make flags, logo's, floors, etc etc.
And I still have to do the interior. Haven't got the victorian bathroom yet and still need some kitchen pieces. Thinking about installing a washing machine.
More later, much later.
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Nice use of steck- So many parts I wish I had... :'( I think a chimney is top on my list...
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Still a lot to do. To my big surprise.............I need more steck!!!!!
Oh, Ali...there's NEVER enough steck! :lol:
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You're finding the hard way, there is never enouhg steck!!!
I really love the scenario and the design of this castle Ali!!! Great work and concept!!! I am anxious to see the throne at its proper place!!!
About the windows and balconies...how can this be possible?
----edit----
oh ok now i see it...the floor clips/teeth are longer and do not fit properly over the roof tiles of the window... perhaps if you saw and cut these floor clips a bit...
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Really cool! Thanks for posting. :)
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Coyote, I have plenty of roofpieces, but only 2 chimneys. They seem to be a bit rare.
About the balcony, it is as you sai, sir Knight. Perhaps I will adapt the little roofpieces that cover the bay windows. I'm not inclined to adapt a floorpiece, because they are often damaged. An undamaged one is hard to find.
The installation of the throne will be very special. It needs to be. It will of course also have a crystal ball, to see where you are flying to.
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It looks really great Ali Baba. Cant wait to see it when it is finished. Love the story and I cant wait for when you spring this on your D&D players.
Good luck finishing it!
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That's a nice looking castle, Ali Baba! It looks fantastical, especially with some of its guards, yet could be be realistic with just a few modifications. Nice work!
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Nice work Ali! It looks great! :clap:
B-W :wave:
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Beautiful castle Ali :love:
I especially enjoyed the way you mixed the characters as it is definitely adding a touch of magic ;)
Karim :)
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Excellent work !!! Love the custom design and the height of it, steck looks fabulus in high set ups. I couldnt help but notice the absence of toasts... tehre are plenty available on ebay and i reckon they do make a difference especially when builind grand steck designs....
My signature says it all.............
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*falls from her chair*
wooooooooooooooooooooooooow this is a huge castle :) can't wait to see more of it :)
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About toast, Giorginetto, still not sure about it. I acually do not like that it is brown, while the walls are grey. I'm still thinking about alternatives. Also I think I want a part that is flush with the walls. But it might be too labour intensive.
I buy from our local ad-site. Loose toast is very rare on it. Might buy them from ebay.
Mina, this is only the first mock up. I will post other versions as my work progresses. I'm pretty sure I'm going with this basic lay out.
Karim, there is going to be even more magic in them. ;D
Thanks everyone!
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About toast, Giorginetto, . Might buy them from ebay.
There is plenty on ebay. And its not expensive . I fully agree with you the brown toast colour dont look that good but add rigidity in the steck buildings thats is for sure !!! Librejoggen has usually plenty for sale . I have accumulated a almost half a shopping bag of toasts , never enough steck , never enough toasts also !!!!! :lol: :lol:
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:wave: Hi this is great castle. You said it was supposed to be a flying castle? I had a small idea ??? If your going to mount it on a board have you thought of putting rocks under it?
Let me explain... I flashed on an image of the new Dragon castles which have a below ground / dungeon level and my first thought was you could stand your castle on just the bottom part of it so it looks like a big floating rock with the castle built on the top. Thinking you could get the parts from DS.
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-20-4142 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-20-4142)
Then I realised a cheaper way wound be to build something similar but with normal rock parts. You could always keep your dragons in it :lol: :lol:
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This is a wonderful castle Ali, it looks very magical, especially with the green windows.
Looking forward to seeing it finished. What kind of kitchen are you using? I have a few spare Victorian pieces if you need any.
Elaine :)
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Hi
I like how to enter the castle you need a magic carpet. Great feature to keep any solicitors away :)9
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Thanks for the tip, Emma.
In D&D a flying vessel has a so called plane of gravity. In this case it will be the mounting board for the castle. Anything above it will be pulled down with normal gravity. Anything below will be pulled up. (Of course up and down doesn't mean much in space).
I was planning on doing something with foam and dress it do make it look rocky. It also serves as a landing gear, as were.
As you see, I will be going for the cheaper option.
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This is a wonderful castle Ali, it looks very magical, especially with the green windows.
Looking forward to seeing it finished. What kind of kitchen are you using? I have a few spare Victorian pieces if you need any.
Elaine :)
Thanks Elaine, I have the entire victorian kitchen accept for the wall element with the stove.