Painting Mole’s Hideout Part 2 – 3D Printed Terrain for D&D
- 3dprintsjrc
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Painting Mole’s Hideout Part 2 (3D Printed Terrain Timelapse)
In this blog/youtube video I go through Part 2 of painting Mole’s Hideout, the 3D Printed terrain piece forDungeons & Dragons, focusing on turning a large FDM print into a detailed, tabletop-ready environment.
In this stage, I move onto the second floor of the build, adding depth, contrast, and texture using fast and effective painting techniques designed for tabletop gaming.
If you’ve ever wondered how to take 3D printed terrain from raw plastic to a finished D&D set piece, this series walks through the full process step-by-step.
Building on the First Layer
This is Part 2 of the Mole’s Hideout terrain build.
If you missed the first stage, check it out here Mole's Hideout Blog 1
The full terrain set is made up of multiple large prints (over 12 individual pieces), designed as a modular environment for immersive tabletop gameplay.
With the roof completed in Part 1, this stage focuses on:
Expanding the colour palette
Enhancing texture across larger surfaces
Bringing the structure to life visually
As more layers come together, the terrain starts to feel like a complete, playable environment, not just a 3D print.
Painting Approach for 3D Printed Terrain
For Part 2, the focus is on building on the foundation of colours already established, rather than starting from scratch.
Key techniques used:
Dry brushing to bring out detail
Selective shading to add depth without over-darkening
Subtle colour variation to avoid a flat finish
The goal is simple: Maximum visual impact with minimal time investment
This makes the process ideal for:
Dungeon Masters preparing sessions quickly
Wargamers building full terrain boards
Hobbyists wanting consistent, repeatable results
Why 3D Printed Terrain Works for D&D
Using 3D printed terrain for Dungeons & Dragons adds a whole new level of immersion to your games.
Terrain like Mole’s Hideout:
Adds verticality to encounters
Improves tactical gameplay
Makes sessions more memorable
Creates a true centrepiece for your table
Multi-level terrain in particular allows for more dynamic combat and exploration, making every session feel more engaging.
3D Printed Terrain in Australia
This project was:
3D printed using PLA via FDM printing
Designed as part of a modular terrain system
Built to be durable and game-ready
If you’re looking for 3D printed terrain in Australia, projects like this show what’s possible using high-quality printing and efficient painting techniques.
Don’t Have a 3D Printer?
Looking for 3D printed terrain in Australia without the hassle of printing it yourself?
At Useful 3D Prints, I provide:
High-quality 3D printed terrain
Miniatures and custom requests
Ready-to-paint or cleaned prints
Whether you’re building a full D&D table or just need a single centrepiece, I can help bring your ideas to life.
Final Thoughts
I'm really happy with the direction that this terrain piece is going. I'm actually able to see the environment we'll have our characters in with some depth and flair and it was a lot of fun to paint, albeit, relatively time consuming, but that's painting.
With added depth, stronger contrast, and more defined structure, the terrain begins to feel like a fully realised environment ready for gameplay.
And there’s more to come.
Continue the Series
Part 2: (You’re here)
Part 3: Coming soon
FAQ – 3D Printed Terrain
How do you paint 3D printed terrain quickly?
Using basecoats, dry brushing, and minimal washes is the fastest way to achieve tabletop-ready results.
Is PLA good for terrain printing?
Yes, PLA is ideal for large terrain pieces due to its durability and affordability when using
FDM printing.
Can I buy 3D printed terrain in Australia?
Yes, you can order custom 3D printed terrain and miniatures through Useful 3D Prints or you can browse our range of terrain pieces here.
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