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The Forest for the Trees...



Hello All,
If you have followed this blog for a few years, you will remember that I originally I was inspired to do a bunch of woods templates because around 2015 "ish", GW decided to go to "True LOS" for 40k and that meant players could suddenly see right through area terrain and woods templates. (I know the various GW games have gone back on forth over the decades, but this was the most recent flip-flop)

I was annoyed, because in my little corner of the universe (the Gulf Coast) woods DEFINITELY block LOS and about 75% of the time they are also nearly impassible.

See?


These are the woods I know

So in 2016, I designed some templates to reflect my experience.
Here is a link...
Woods Ver 1



Time has passed and I wanted to improve on the look of the trunks. In my previous version, they were simply dowel rods and blue foam that I attacked with a dremel mounting a boring bit. This time around, I own a 3D printer and found a few designs of tree trunks that were absolutely perfect.



Honestly, in the end, I only used the same trunk over and over, just resized it a few times. The one I chose is wonderfully asymmetrical, and by simply rotating the facing of each printed trunk, they all look unique. Plus, the surface texture took a layer of Snakebite Leather Contrast paint perfectly.

The templates on the ground are cut and sanded MDF, flocked with some old GW stuff I still have. The cuts are 1" larger diameter around the trunks and then curved hard inward between them.


This creates nice, natural looking paths between the templates.


For the tops, I cut another set of MDF templates. You can see from this angle

Then I stacked some 1" blue foam on top in the middle of these upper templates. This gave the lichen a "lift" to sit on and made the foliage more rounded in appearance. Lichen was simply attached using a hot glue gun.

I didn't feel the need to pile on the lichen at ground level like I did before. I think this looks better, and, if you play on my table...

WOODS BLOCK LOS

Boo!

Thanks for looking!
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Comments

  1. CodstickerFebruary 21, 2020 at 10:14 AM

    Very nice looking trees. With big thick trunks like that they look like an old growth forest.

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    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 21, 2020 at 6:20 PM

      Thanks, I agree, and it made me realize that these would be a good look for fantasy games as well

      Delete
  2. Frank O DonnellFebruary 21, 2020 at 11:27 AM

    Nice upgrade Wil, as for GW's rules do you remember when they had the little laser thing ? I seen a guy point it through a building that was badly put together & because it hit what was on the other side claimed he could shot it lol

    I 100% agree with your on my table woods block line of sight, rules should only ever be a guide line not something set in stone.

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    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 21, 2020 at 6:21 PM

      A guy used a laser pointer? ...whatevs, lol

      Yep, totally willing to play with others conventions, so my favorite opponents don't mind playing with mine.

      Delete
  3. airbornegrove26February 21, 2020 at 12:37 PM

    I'm in awe of your terrain skills dawg! Wonderful as ever.

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    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 21, 2020 at 6:22 PM

      Thanks man...
      Gotta say, that collection of people you helped bring together is very inspiring.

      Delete
  4. LasgunpackerFebruary 21, 2020 at 1:32 PM

    Great upgrade!

    Although now that woods block LOS (by fiat) you could have some more terran standard tree types as well!

    Are there more 3d printing adventures forthcoming? Are there any designs you need made?

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    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 21, 2020 at 6:19 PM

      Yeah, I thought about mixing up some varied trunks, but then I'd feel like I'd need to vary up the foliage, and then... well where would it end?
      Might lead to dac9ng even. ;)

      As for future 3d printing adventures and plans...
      Let's just say I have been known to build large spaceships...

      Delete
    2. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 21, 2020 at 6:25 PM

      That would be "dancing" of course...

      Delete
  5. davebFebruary 21, 2020 at 10:44 PM

    Great stuff as always. The 'how to' descriptions are greatly appreciated.

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    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardFebruary 22, 2020 at 5:54 AM

      Thanks Dave
      I wish I would remember to take pics along the way...

      Delete
  6. Preacher by dayFebruary 22, 2020 at 1:54 AM

    Another great tutorial! Those look really good on the table.

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  7. SuberFebruary 26, 2020 at 5:14 PM

    These are so cool! Quite an improvement from the previous version -which was already cool , I have to say. Interesting effects you achieved there.

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  8. commissarmoodyJune 7, 2020 at 9:36 PM

    Very cool, this reminds me that i bought some templates to print out some massive Red Woos trees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardJune 8, 2020 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks Commissar. 3d Printing pretty much changes everything.

      Delete
  9. tradgardmastareJune 8, 2020 at 3:36 AM

    Your trees are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maj. GuiscardJune 8, 2020 at 1:53 PM

      Thanks Tradgardmastare
      Been following your blog for a few years now. I like it very much.

      Delete
  10. The ComposerJune 9, 2020 at 12:18 PM

    Well done, Major. I really need to make some large trees. (And by large, I really only mean "typical east of the Rockies deciduous." No need to go for Sequioadendrons here.) . . . (Though that too could be fun.) Anyway, your blog is an inspiration, sir.

    ReplyDelete

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