Orange are the New Props

Over the weekend the DioWarriors R&D received some orange 3D Printer filament -- a different plastic than the two standards we use, called PPLA. The first print was some typical construction cones. But as the cones printed we noticed the quality of the plastic was quite good, resulting in a very clean print. So the decision was made whenever we find a color in PPLA we will use that instead.

The orange color, however, proved interesting in other ways. Ideas started shooting back and forth: we can print construction cones, yes, but how about a new "cone", something like a traffic barrier post. So R&D designed a simple post and printed it. Other ideas developed: orange is kinda like a hazmat color, so how about some of the DioWarriors canisters made in orange? It would be compatible with props like the orange case that the Cobra Hazard Viper (GI Joe) comes with to store Compound Z. Certainly then other hazmat props could be made and printed with this orange.

Orange can also be used for an industrial look. Home Depot uses orange as a theme in their stores: shopping carts, even the heavy shelving they use are orange. In the past DioWarriors had used orange for some truss's as part of the 2014 Zombie Lab dio. The color certainly gave an industrial look -- it wasn't the typical gray or white commonly seen in dioramas. The color did bring attention to certain areas of the dio, and served to break up the dio in a subtle way. The color function as a visual barrier which meant we didn't have to make an actual barrier. Just place an object outlined in orange and the mind's eye will compartmentalize it.

Using the orange as an alert/safety color for a workshop environment also has benefits: many dioramas in the 1:18 scale tend to be drab in color (unless it's an urban scene.) Typically the diorama is a warehouse setting -- some place resembling a hangar -- an enclosed space with the walls the same color as the floor. As a result the only real items that break up the monotony is the occasional splash of color, and 1:18 scale dios being mostly military, the splash of color are usually from the figures or vehicles themselves. So platforms and catwalks with a bit of orange can benefit the dio with color that draws attention. Used strategically the orange prop can draw the eye of the viewer to areas of the dio where the artist wishes the attention to be.  

So we are doing some experiments with orange colored props this week. The items will be available in the store, but keep in mind this is a new filament plastic and there may be some unforeseen aspects that might appear as we use it, and that might change our plans. So far everything looks good. We will post pictures here in this site and also at the DioWarriors Store page in Facebook. If you have questions about the orange, please ask. And especially if you have ideas for something that would look good in orange, let us know.
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