The sheet in Bob's link might be better than the ceiling panel, as the texture on the ceiling panel is more three-dimensional...perhhaps better-suited to depicting rougher water.
There's also the possibility that there are ceiling panels similar to that sheet in the link - at least it would save the shipping cost.
Wayne
Give this eBay site a look see.....15.875" X 15.875" or cut to order.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DP-32-TEXTURED-PATTERNED-CLEAR-ACRYLIC-SHEET-1-8-X-15-875-X-15-875-/201713215987?hash=item2ef70b69f3:g:jtMAAOxyfSpSTW3J
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
Thank you for all the replies. Hadn't thought of the ceiling panels nor my local sign shop (plastic supplier).
Was hoping to find colored panels, not to large. However, as I think about it the clear may be better, you can vary the color underneath to indicate changes in depth, just as we do with our pours of Envirotex or similar products.
A 4'x8' sheet of clear textured might be a bit much, but a ceiling panel would make a lot more water than I need, but I could share the extra.
Thanks again,
Richard
You can search "plastics suppliers" on-line to find the textured acrylic product. I purchase 4' by 8' sheets of white styrene from a local plastic supply house and they have more plastic products than I ever knew existed. Special knives are available to make "score and snap" cuts of most plastic sheet materials including acrylic sheet.
Hornblower
A band saw will work,if you have one
If you use a table saw, do not raise the blade more then needed . The teeth should just clear the sheet.It seams that any more exposed blade will grab and crack the sheet,and feed slow but steady. This has given me good results
A table saw with a carbide blade would be good. Finer teeth would be better.
Ed
You may wish to look at the acrylic panels used in drop ceilings to cover fluorescent light fixtures, particularly the ones sold under the descriptor "Cracked Ice". While the panels are clear, placing them over a suitably-coloured base may give the effect you're after, especially if you install the three-dimensional side of the panel "up".I'm not sure of the proper way of cutting the panels, though, as they're very brittle. I tried the score-and-snap method with very limited success....perhaps a fine-toothed veneer blade in a circular saw, or an open-ended hacksaw with a metal-cutting blade.
Last train show I went to, one layout had an expanse of water made of a blue acrylic sheet with a texture of rough water. It had come from a broken door "glass". It looked good and would be quick and easy. I have seen other good methods for expanses of water, but probably none as easy.
Any thoughts on where to get the material, other than bashing someones door, apologizing and cleaning up the pieces?
Just another idea.
Thank you,