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After reading the articles in WD 315 (US) about constructing foam boards and tables (particularly the modular hard-core foam), I'm thinking about constructing a few for my own use.

However, I'm not clear on what sort of foam is best for this? I've been buying sheet sytrofoam and block foam shipping protectors from craft stores and the Box & Pack to build terrain and bunker structures out of, but the stuff they're showing off in the WD article seemed almost like blocks of home insulation foam to me.

Is that the right track and I need to make a few runs to the hardware store, or am I completely off base?

Go to your local Home Depot and ask for the blue or pink insulation foam (I think it's polystyrene?).
Comes in a variety of thicknesses, great texture for our needs.

Thanks, Deadit.

Do I need to buy it by the foot or by the board?

It's sold by the sheet, 4'x8' I think it is. About $15 or less depending on thickness. If it doesn't fit in your car, its easy enough to break it up into smaller pieces in the parking lot. This stuff you can also cut with a hot knife or wire if you have one, unlike regular styrofoam this stuff doesn't put out deadly fumes when melted.

-Hans

Ouch... $15? It's usually less than $10 in my neck of the woods. Guess it depends on the thickness... 1/4" up to 4" thick I think... and yeah 4'x8' sounds about right.... though last time I cut a sheet in half... I didn't have perfect squares... hmmm...
Been a while since I needed any.

A hot cutter isn't a problem - I use one for doing terrain modeling on styrofoam already, and my car actually has an AC adapter so I suppose I can bung it into the glove box and bring it and a metal ruler along just in case I need to trim things before packing them in.