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I'm starting to build a cityscape from scratch. I was wondering what's the best material to use to construct the buildings. Plasti-card? Styrene? Thicker foam?

Thanks in advance!

I see a lot of people use foam board, like what we all used for science fair projects. It's fairly inexpensive and can look nice. Plasticard I would only use for smaller details, since it's strong and you don't much for the cost (even though it's fairly cheap still). Foam board is also great because you can use a ball point pen to press bricks and stones for a nice texture.

Of course, you could use anything. The game store I was at the other day used fish tank model pillars as a terrain piece. They did no work to the pillars and it was pretty good looking.

Fast, Easy, Inexpensive - Foamboard

Fast, Easy, More expensive - Gatorboard

More work, Incredibly durable, Relatively inexpensive - MDF

More work, More durable, More expensive - Plasticard or Styrene

Personal favourite - A combination of them all. Walls I like to make out of Foamboard (generally) or MDF (for flat unmarred surfaces), decorated with plasticard/styrene detail bits. Floors/roofs I like to make out of Plasticard or MDF.

Sometimes I'll even use 1/4 inch Styrofoam Insulation for walls (great for gothic looking ruins and pillars).

A great way to do it, but much more labour intensive (and requiring some practiced skill) : http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/569338.page

TL;DR - There is no "best" .. use what you've got and what you're used to using! Whatever works for the look you're going for.

I second the "mix material" option. Foamboard/foamcore is good where you could need depth, plus you may easily detail it with some cardboard (cereal box) cut to shape. Insulation foam/extruded styrene in good where you need more than 5mm (about ⅜") thickness, or just bulk (sort of). Plasticard is rather versatile, but quite expensive. Mdf/masonite is sturdy, often seen for basing.

As a side note, I saw some cake bases being in styrene sheets - that's plasticard... If you happen to buy those pies/cakes, you can wash the plastic plate and you have about a 20" plasticard round sheet.

Rorschach9 wrote:
Fast, Easy, Inexpensive - Foamboard

Fast, Easy, More expensive - Gatorboard

I've never heard of Gatorboard. What is the practical difference between Gatorboard and Foamcore? Google says they're pretty similar but with wood? Does it have a wood grain or is it smooth?

According to the product description of Gatorfoam, it's smooth. I've also heard corrugated plastic (the kind usually used for free-standing outdoor signage) called "gatorboard" - not sure which one he's referring to. Micromark also sells a foam-cored product with PVC faces that can be curved with a heat gun.

If given the option, I'd take foamed PVC sheets (Sintra) over any and all of those, but I generally settle for foamcore, due to cost, with styrene details.

 Ouze wrote:

Rorschach9 wrote:
Fast, Easy, Inexpensive - Foamboard

Fast, Easy, More expensive - Gatorboard

I've never heard of Gatorboard. What is the practical difference between Gatorboard and Foamcore? Google says they're pretty similar but with wood? Does it have a wood grain or is it smooth?

It MAY be the wrong brand/name I'm thinking of but (from what I have used) "Gatorboard" (again, may be the wrong product name) is more like matte boards used in picture frames (which also works great btw). It is not a foam product like foamcore. It's usually about 1/8" thick, sturdy and durable as can be and made of compressed fibers instead of foam. You'll likely find it at artist supply stores and no, there is no grain to it, it's smooth.

Thanks