Backdrops/backgrounds

I am going to do what this guy did. I think he is a member here. He went to harpers ferry and photographed the scenery, then edited the scenes in panarama. I think kinkos printed it. But its a great idea and will be cheaper and higher quality then the small peice together backdrops.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rABOHJBOUVc

Try www.walthers.com to see if they have something in that area. They do carry backdrops.

Went there this morning, no joy.

www.backdropwarehouse.com claims to have 500 different backdrops and the price looks reasonable. I have not used them.

The link below is to a package that let's you make/edit/print color pictures of buildings.

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/model-builder.html

 

I use this to make a number of building fronts that I mount on thin (4mm) foamboard, I cut out the foamboard where windows and doors are tape those parts of the printed building picture to the back of the foamboard so they show through the hold.  The tiny 3D dimension makes them look much more realistic. Add a few similar 3D features to the front (lights, short awnings) and they are no more than 3/8 to 1/2 inch deep and they look quite real.  I then double-stick tape them to a buildingless backdrop: I have the urban look I want with good detail and can con trol just what size and shape of buildings I want.

I think the problem here is that most backdrops are scenery, not buildings.

I think Lee has an excellent alternative.

The www.walthers.com sight has HO "Instant Buildings" #s 949-722 through 5 that can be used for O. They include small town stores and western town fronts.

 

Also, www.scenicexpress.com has "Scenic Backdrops" listed.

 

Pioneer Valley sells cardstock buildings that can be used as backdrops. There are other venders that sell cardstock buildings too.

 

Check on the scenery forum source list.

 

Paul Goodness

We have a winner. Walthers HO Instant Buildings. Main Street. Exactly what I pictured. I'm kind of limited on time so this is the easiest solution, cut 'em out and mount 'wm foam board. I told my boss I knew exactly what I was gonna do when I heard about this, so know I have her curiosity piqued. I'm the oddball developer amongst a bunch of process oriented analysts whose process I am analyzing and improving.

Gotta keep 'em guessing.

go here...free graphics...instructions...one shown is HO...but...building fronts available for free in O and others as well...

 

http://littleglitterhouses.com.../hl_store_fronts.htm

 

http://www.bigindoortrains.com..._building_fronts.htm

 

can't beat free...

 

howard...

The link to Backdrop Warehouse doesn't work. There is a comma at the end which shouldn't be there and confuses the browser. Here's one that works.

 

http://www.backdropwarehouse.com/indexbdwh.htm

 

Navigating this site is not real intuitive and the Web design looks like it was done by a 12-year-old on acid who was in love with different colors, styles, and typefaces but you get used to it after a while and they do have an enormous variety. 

Something I've done in the past as part of the Cheesy System is use fabrick reminants out of the budget bin at a fabric store. Like I said it was part of the Cheesy System and it was Cheesy. It just depends on the effect you're trying to acheive.

Gets my vote for the most convoluted website of all time!

ftauss, when you mount these to the foam board or masonite, you can leave a few inches at the bottom blank. That lifts the buildings higher so the trolley will not block the view. A fence, trees, or other scenic details can be placed between the buildings and the trolley track. This gives "forced perspective" to the scene so the buildings look like they are in the distance. To cover the full six feet you will need more than one of the "main street" sheets. The "western town" buildings also look good like an older section of your main street. You can either have a painted blue sky on the 6 x 1 1/2 foot masonite, or if you cut the buildings out a blue background can be placed behind the cut out buildings. This too will increase the illusion of depth.

 

I am sure your coworkers will be impressed with your display.

 

Paul Goodness

You can also just buy Ameritown building fronts by themselves - there is a standing display of them at my LHS.  These are just the front panel to the various Ameritown kits.  They are about 1/4 inch thick.  You install windowglass, doors, on the reverse side, then paint them and put on company names, etc. and again, double stick them with tape to the backdrop.  The reason I don't use them is not just cost (foam and printer paper is way less costly) but repetition: I have nearly every Ameritown building on my layout - I can print out 'different' looking buildings.  But if you have not used so many as I they are quick, not that expensive, and offer an alternative to the foam method.

I guess the answer depends upon the application. When my wife and I decided to build a North Pole Christmas layout this year, she made the backdrop to fit our needs.

 

 

First step ... Paint your sky!