If you need tips or help in making your diorama, well this is the right place.
Please email your questions by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
I will post the replies here so that everyone can benefit from the tips.

01

I keep seeing you mention "foamcoore" and I don't know what it is, could you tell me please?
Mathew Chitty
Foamcore is an amazing material. It's what all architects use to create 3D versions of their blueprints. Basically it's a sheet of styrofoam (from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick) sandwiched by 2 sheets of paper. You can easilly cut it using an exacto knife and can glue it together with a hot glue gun. It is super smooth and comes in many colors. You can purchace foamcora at any art supplies or buisiness depot style store - like Staples. And its cheap too :)

02

Can you tell me how I can make cool patterns like you did for the Death Star?
DarthMaul
I can do even better then that! I just added a new section, go to DOWNLOADS and you can save any of my textures to your desktop. All you'll have to do is print and then glue to carboard or foamcore. Then send me the picture and I will post it in the Visitors dioramas section. If you still want to make your own I used a software on my Imac called Adobe Photoshop. It is really the best out there.

03

I am computer illiterate. How do I print from my desktop when I save an image ?
Tim
After you save the image on to your destop you neep to open it using an image viewer like
photoshop, jpeg view or any that can read Jpeg pictures.

when the picture is opened just select print in the file menu on your computers top menu bar.
At least that is how i print on my Mac,

If some PC friends out there read this and can help out if it is different for your computers please let me know asap.

04

I know what plaster of paris is but I don't know what a plaster bandage is. Could you fill me in on that ?
Bob Ray
Plaster bandages are what the doctors use when you break your arm or leg. It's strips of cotton with plaster of paris powdered into them. You cut the strip the length you need, dip it in a bowl of water and place it on a surface. 3-5 minutes later it is hard like a rock. You can then apply extra coats or
apply plaster of paris for a smoother finish. They can be found at any design / art supplies store or medical supplies store.

05

Can you use foam core to make round corners/roofs ?
Bob Ray
You can make foam core "turn" a corner but not round like a ball. Using a very sharp exacto knife,
slice through the foamcore without going deep enough to cut the paper on the other side (or you would cut the piece in half) Go deep enough to cut 3/4 of the styrofoam mid-section. Then repeat at 1/4 inch intervals for the width you want to bend. Now your foamcore will be "flexible" and very delicate but can be wrapped around a corner or round shapes. See Pictures below to better understand.

06

Is it latex paints that make the neat color and weathered looks on your dioramas ?.
Rayangel 6
Yes latex "liquitex" or any latex paint with added water - 2-3 times amount of paint gives wonderfull weathered results to plaster. Dont water down the paint to put on foamcore though cause it will warp and change shape of the foamcore - will not stay flat anymore.

07

How do you create water effects?. Like for ships on the top of the water?
Wolfpack
water, hmmmm - you can maybe put them on water in a fish tank? - LOL

Seriously, if i had to do water I would do one of these tricks maybe. One way is to crinkle up some saran wrap and place it over a blue floor surface (blue cardboard) this could give you neat waves effect and a glossy transparecy of water surface. Or just place it slightly scrunched to form more a lake then waves. Again, the glossy look of the transparent plastic is what will make it look like water

if you want to go the expensive way, I have used in the past a special resin sold at model train hobby stores. It is manufactured for the purpose of making water surfaces in miniature dioramas. You make a little pond or lake like area, mix the resin and pour. In 1 hour it hardens like hard plastic, if you use a hair dryer as it hardens, it will create wave ripples on the surface. Make a mistake though and its impossible to remove without wreaking your diorama oh and kinda stinks real bad.

08

When I cut the foam core with my exacto knife, the foam core frays because of the
amount of pressure I need to put on the knife to cut the foam core What should I do?
Mrmaul99
The trick with foamcore is to use a very sharp blade, watch out for your fingers! After 3-4 cuts even, the blade gets dull and needs replacement. Foamcore is an enemy of exacto blades :( If your blade is sharp and you cut slowly you should not have any problems getting a perfect cut.

09

How the heck do you make those quicktime vr things? I'd like to make some but I haven't a clue how. Jeff
You need a special software called Quicktime VR Authoring Studio. I use the one from work, but if you can get your hands on it then its really simple.

You just take various pictures - as many as you like and hit the render button. The software does all the work for you. It also makes the QTVR of the dioramas you can look around in.

10

what is the big difference between SCULPEY and SUPER SCULPEY?
Martin
Besides the color - Super sculpy (tan, skin color) and Regular Sculpey (white) The main difference is in the softness of the putty. Sculpey is half the price of Super Sculpy but too soft for tiny details. If you are making basic shapes like Jedi Chairs Regular Sculpey is just fine. If you want to make details like on an action figures face the Super Sculpeys hardness is your best bet. Both cure (harden) in the oven or at high temperature like a heat gun.