How to Make a 3D Model of an Aztec Castle

Aztec temples can be recreated for school projects or even for table-top gaming.

Creating scale replicas can be useful in school dioramas or projects on Aztec culture, the architecture of ancient castles or Aztec castles. Building models of Aztec castles can also come in handy for hobbies or particularly even table-top gaming. Styrofoam is the best way to build the Aztec castle and is also extremely inexpensive. Special Styrofoam glue must be used though, since other glues will either not bond or eat away at the foam. Joint compound must also be used, so the paint won't erode the castle.

Things You'll Need

• Blue board styrofoam
• Styrofoam glue
• Hand saw
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Joint compound
• Brown acrylic paint
• Grey acrylic paint
• Black acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Putty knife
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Draw a triangle with a base of 15 inches and a height of 13 inches on the long slab of blue board styrofoam. Draw the triangle near the edge of the styrofoam so it will be easier to saw out. Saw the triangle out with a handsaw; saw vertically so that it is even and neat. Draw a second triangle that is of the same dimensions; draw a line at the top of the triangle that is parallel to the base of the triangle that has the length of 1 inch. Where that inch-long line meets the slants of the triangle, draw a line down to the base of the triangle that is parallel to the height of the triangle on each side of the line. You will now have two right-angled triangles. Saw out the two triangles with a handsaw.

2. Saw off the 3 three inches of the big triangle and the two right triangles from the top. Make the cut parallel to the base of the triangle. Apply styrofoam glue to the heights of the right triangles and then glue them to the middle of the bigger triangle, making a skeleton of a pyramid.

3. Measure and draw four squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 6 inches by 6 inches. Measure and draw four more squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 5 inches by 5 inches. Measure and draw four more squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 4 inches by 4 inches. Measure and draw six more squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 3 inches by 3 inches. Measure and draw four more squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 2 inches by 2 inches. Measure and draw four more squares on the blue board styrofoam that are 1 inch by 1 inch. Cut out all the squares with a handsaw.

4. Glue the four 6-inch squares to the bottom of the pyramid skeleton, with one on each side of the X skeleton. Glue the four 5-inch squares on top of the 6-inch squares. Fit them snugly against the bisecting triangles. Glue the four 4-inch squares on top of the 5-inch squares, fitting them snugly against the bisecting triangles. Glue the four 3-inch squares on top of the 4-inch squares. Glue the four 2-inch squares on top of the 3-inch squares. Glue the four 1-inch squares on top of the 2-inch squares. Glue the two extra 3-inch by 3-inch squares on top of each other; then glue them on top of the temple, crowning the castle. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Apply joint compound to the entire castle with a putty knife. As the joint compound begins to dry, dab your finger along the entire surface area of the castle to give the surface texture. When the joint compound dries, paint the entire castle black with the acrylic paint. Apply brown paint to the paintbrush and then wipe off most of it with a towel. Apply the brush lightly to the surface of the castle as you paint over it - this is called dry-brushing. Apply grey acrylic paint to the castle using the same dry brush technique. Allow the paint to dry.

References

• Aztec History: Aztec Castle
• This To That: Styrofoam to Styrofoam
• Univfoam: Styrofoam Retailer