Backdrops

[rick.geerts.3]

I'm redoing my layout (moving it) and I'm going to build a new backdrop this time I'm going to try photos glued to a blue sky background anybody done this and or has any suggestions thanks

[deemery]

If you're using photos of structures, glue them to posterboard, and then "paint" the white edges of the posterboard with a dark grey artist marker pen.  This will add substantial relief, the dark grey will look more like a shadow than stark black.


dave

[S&S RR]

I'm redoing my layout (moving it) and I'm going to build a new backdrop this time I'm going to try photos glued to a blue sky background anybody done this and or has any suggestions thanks

Rick


Take a look at the backdrops for Franklin, Bedford Falls, and Filmore yard on George Sellios' F&SM layout.  George glued photographs to the backdrops to add depth to the scenes.

[rpdylan]

Dave is right on, I used spray adhesive to mount pictures on foam board, then cut the building out of the foam using a sharp razor knife, paint the edges. 
check this site out---
http://www.gatewaynmra.org/2011/industrial-warehouse-background-buildings/

you can put photos/pics on a flash drive then bring to Staples or such and have them print them out.

here is another site for stuff:
http://www.larcproducts.com/railroadgraphicscd.html

King Mill offers software kit to make custom building flats:
http://www.kingmill.com/

[Dave Buchholz]

I have prepared a few backdrop photos for use in the harbor area of the North Coast Railroad. I made sure they were of reasonable proportion by simply printing out a few different sizes, both larger and smaller by percentage.
 Keep in mind you can also flip an image end for end of they aren't being viewed from the correct direction. (Watch out for words, or signs that would become switched right for left)

The are programs like "Gimp"  that allow manipulation of the image. You can pull corners of the frame up/down, either stretch or compress that image that isn't just quite right. You can easily change the apparent viewing perspective of the image.

I will be using them between gaps of buildings. That way, the buildings hide the edges of the prints.

I purchased an art kit with about 40 different colors of markers. Rather than just color exposed edges black, I colored the edge with a marker that was close to whatever was on the print.

[Dave Buchholz]

on this topic, on the North Coast Railroad, you can see where I put a backdrop photo on 1/8" display sandwich  board.

The freighter and the grain silo between buildings is a picture from the actual Buffalo harbor. I changed the original picture by flipping it horizontally right to left so it would match the scene better. I try to remember to keep the image perspectives all flowing in the same direction, the same line of sight.

I downloaded the image manipulating program called GIMP.

I used it on both pictures to  flip them and pull the corners to get the angle of the structures into the needed perspective for the scene.

There are two or three more that will fill between buildings to the left of the malt house and cannery.


To me. It adds depth to the scene far better than my painting ability would ever render