Airplac Creative Kit:
4 Airplac Premier 5 mm
3 Airplac Black 5 mm
1 Airplac Kraft 5 mm
1 Airplac CORE 5 mm
1 Airplac Graphic 3 mm
2 TAC self-adhesive sheets
Other tools and accessories:
1 cutting mat
1 precision cutter (start the project with a fresh blade)
Spare cutter blades
1 metal ruler
1 pencil
1 eraser
Black markers in various thicknesses (1 mm, 3 mm)
Prerequisites for completing the project:
Patience
Focus
A clear, uncluttered workspace
Artist Ad-Rien invites you to create a miniature world using foam board. This relatively complex project is intended for people who are comfortable cutting with a craft knife and assembling precise components. However, to keep it accessible to as many people as possible—and to encourage you to start without adding unnecessary difficulty—Ad-Rien has designed three levels of creations.
Here is Level 1, the easiest to make:
a diorama with a landscape mounted on a base.
The first part of the tutorial consists of transferring the templates onto the different foam-board sheets.
Download and print the templates on thick paper (at least 90 gsm) to make tracing the outlines easier.
Cut out the printed templates.
Be sure to cut inside the template line to maintain accurate dimensions.
Using a ruler is recommended for straight geometric shapes.
Transfer the templates onto the foam-board sheets.
Caution: Since the black foam board is available in limited quantity, carefully follow the layout instructions in the placement guide to optimize its use.
Using a pencil, trace the outlines of the templates onto the foam board.
Fill an entire foam-board sheet before beginning the cutting process.
Tracing tips on foam board:
Position your templates in the corners of the foam-board sheets to obtain clean right angles, which will make assembly easier later on.
The tracing doesn’t need to be perfect for organic shapes like mountains—slight imperfections can create interesting contours.
Pencil lines can be erased after tracing if needed.
For the box, take measurements and use a ruler rather than the templates, as a full sheet of black foam board is required.
Drawing on the elements (optional)
Before moving on to cutting, it’s best to finish all the drawing work, as it becomes more difficult (though still possible) to draw on the shapes once they are cut out.
It is recommended to use black markers with 1 mm and 3 mm tips for the illustrations.
You can follow the illustrations provided with the templates or create your own completely different designs.
Cutting
Once all the elements have been traced and illustrated, you can start cutting them out. The number of pieces varies depending on the level you choose. Here are the techniques and tips that will help you achieve clean, precise cuts.
Important notes about cutting:
If this is your first time working with the material, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with different cutting techniques. Don’t hesitate to draw shapes on a sheet of AIRPLAC PREMIER WHITE 5 mm to practice various types of cuts (straight lines, curves, angles, etc.).
Caution:
Black foam board (AIRPLAC BLACK 5 mm) is available in limited quantity, so make sure you’re confident before you begin cutting into it.
Foam-board cutting tips
Always position the cutter blade outside the line of the shape to avoid slipping into the important part.
For straight geometric shapes, use a ruler to ensure accurate, straight cuts—even if you already traced the lines using the template.
If the blade becomes dull, don’t hesitate to replace it to prevent tearing or rough edges.
Keep all leftover foam-board pieces generated during cutting.
They will be useful later for creating supports during the scenery assembly stage (and can also be reused in future projects).
Techniques for cutting rounded shapes
A multi-step cutting method is recommended:
start with a rough cut, then make several additional passes to gradually refine and smooth the curve.
See the foam-board cutting technique video corresponding to this step.
For the moon, cut the circle using small, gradual cuts while keeping the cutter blade perfectly vertical.
Go over the circle repeatedly, pressing the blade deeper each time until you cut through the full thickness of the foam board.
See the foam-board cutting technique video corresponding to this step.
Technique for cutting obtuse angles:
For shapes like fir trees, begin by roughly cutting out the overall silhouette.
Then refine each angle by cutting from the center toward the outside of the shape, crossing the cutting lines to achieve clean, sharp angles.
See the foam-board cutting technique video corresponding to this step.
Cutting and texturing the clouds
You can use the back of the craft knife or a pencil to add texture to the clouds, gently pressing to create small bumps and a subtle relief effect.
Cutting the cloud shapes with a slight angle can also enhance their texture.
The natural texture of foam core is an advantage for this type of shape.
Checking and assembling the elements
Before beginning assembly, use the printed templates to verify that all the pieces have been cut correctly.
Assembling the base and back panel
The method is the same for all three levels. Only the top and front pieces differ in Level 3, which includes notches for the gear mechanism.
Apply glue to three edges of each side panel (do not apply glue to the edge that will sit on the ground).
Attach these sides to the bottom edge of the back rectangle.
Apply glue to the rear edge of the base’s top piece, then attach it above the two sides.
Apply glue to the upper edge of the front piece and attach it to close the base.
Assembling the scenery
First, cut small foam-board pieces that will serve as spacers between certain layers.
The layer order is numbered on the first page of the templates.
Important: Layers 2, 7, and 8 are empty.
Follow the assembly steps carefully, as the order is important.
Assembly – Step 1:
Begin with the kraft mountain (layer no. 3).
Glue three small spacers, each made of two layers of foam board.
Next, apply TAC adhesive to the bottom of the mountain and to the three spacers, then attach the entire assembly to the back panel and the base.
Assembly – Step 2:
Glue the white mountain (layer no. 4) directly onto the kraft mountain (layer no. 3).
Assembly – Step 3:
Proceed the same way as for the previous mountain, using the white mountain (layer no. 5).
Add one spacer on the rear right side of this mountain before attaching it.
Assembly – Step 4:
Here, you will pre-assemble the castle (layer no. 5) together with the mountain (layer no. 6).
Use the element placement diagram to help you verify the correct positioning and assemble the pieces accurately.
Glue the castle + mountain assembly onto the scenery.
Assembly – Step 5:
Just as in the previous step, pre-assemble the trees (layer no. 9), the fox silhouette (layer no. 9), and the mountain (layer no. 10).
Once assembled, add two 5 mm spacers behind the tree (layer no. 9) before gluing it in place.
Assembly – Step 6:
In the same way, pre-assemble the trees (layer no. 11) and the mountain (layer no. 12), then glue them onto the base.
There are no spacers for these elements—only apply glue to the bottom edge of each shape before attaching them.
Assembly – Step 7:
Glue the clouds and the moon onto the back panel.
Diorama completed — Level 1
Did you enjoy this project and want to try difficulty Levels 2 and 3 of this model?
Visit the Tutorials page!
