Modeling windows for visual storytelling | Train Talk #6
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- We see them everywhere but may not pay attention to their value as storytelling elements in models and dioramas. In this video, we examine how modeling windows in buildings can offer important visual clues that enrich a scene. This video focuses primarily on industrial urban scenes. However, many of the principles can also be used when considering residential structures and other models.
I love what you are doing in modeling scenes from my home town, really, from my childhood, youth, and young adulthood. ❤ I’ll be 74 next month, so those days were in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s! I haven’t been back in a while, but, thanks to you, I’m there, in my heart, right now. ❤
Hi Christopher, really glad the layout sparks some happy memories. Sure does for me as well.
I agree 100% about the windows. They are the eyes of the building, and can really tell a story. I always look for windows that are broken but not patched. A sure sign that the building is on it's way out. Some buildings you can a progression of different fills that get cheaper and cheaper until they are simple OSB. I also look for very faded signs. They also tell a story as to the age and who lived in the area 'back in the day'.
Absolutely true!
That guy that builds a kit (Building) and plops it on the lay-out, But makes sure that the air horns on his BNSF engine are perfect. I'm starting to feel like they are doing a dis-service to the story of their layout. That's what I love about your layout. The currency exchange, with the cat and dog looking at the Pizza. Loved it. The Chicago Fire Dept Engine looks like a CFD engine running to a call. Sooo cool ! All of my years in Chicago (38 years) and watching theses videos make me think alot about Chicago. I can tell you this. Looking at your pictures. [i never realized that so many buildings have a Doorway that leads to nowhere...lol.
Hi Jeff, true that I'm probably the inverse of the locomotive hyper-detailing guy. It's interesting how the hobby is so big that rarely is any particular hobbyist a master at all of it, and I suppose I get that some folks just want to run their fancy locos on some unitrack and call it a day! This is sort of a labor of love and recreating my old hometown is incredibly fun and rewarding. Glad you've enjoyed too. Also have doors to nowhere on a few of my builds (and in the real world). Best I can tell is they were probably openings to move in larger equipment or the like, or whatever they led to just got deleted later.
Great talk. I totally agree that windows often tell the tale better than any other facet of a building. The total disregard for aesthetics in the name of function and practicality, really make for realism and often, stark contrasts to the original form. I’ve got a few buildings that scream for this sort of treatment. This series was inspiration for moving forward with those modifications. Thanks!
Glad this was helpful Brooklyn - will be fun to play with the rest of the windows on the Cassidy building. Part 2 of the renovation is already in the can so mostly just editing now :)
Great video. Details, or lack thereof, on a model railroad are what makes a layout a "moment in time" experience or just a destination for a model train to go to for an operating session.
Totally agree!
This video gave me several ideas for window substitutes on my current structure build. My junkbox has some brick and concrete block embossed sheets that have gone unused for decades. And there is also some leftover Evergreen corrugated panel material that could pass for fiberglass if painted right. Lots of possibilities. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Fantastic! It's often amazing what sorts of treasures accumulate over time. There's probably virtue to some low-grade hoarding in this hobby.
I will be modeling a large brick factory that had the huge multi paned windows covered with metal siding. White metal siding likely put up on a wood frame fitted into the window area in top of the window.
I will be modeling it when they actually had the windows in use, but that's how they covered them after the factory closed and a new business moved in.
Seems like a really fun project and a nice approach to customizing your structure. Will be great to see how it turns out, be sure to let me know.
Excellent segment on windows. Your video premiered literally during my browsing for examples of modified industrial windows.
Glad this was timely, and hope the info helps!
great ideas... thanks for sharing
You bet, thanks for stopping by Todd.
Ok, excellent video. I am in the process of needing to do this and have not found anything this relevant on UA-cam. Thank you.
Funny, I'd wondered whether this video would actually be relevant to anyone :)
Gteat Video. Nicely put together.
Glad you enjoyed David, thanks.
Thanks for another thoughtful video!
You bet Keith. Thanks for stopping by!
This was really good. All the details you mentioned fade from view but add up to an impression of realism.
Exactly! The goal is to present a 'big picture' in model form.
Woah, two videos this week! Thanks.
When it rains it pours...glad you dropped by Chris.
Great tips in this video
Thanks Joe, appreciate the feedback!
Always so fullfilling story. The advantage of smaller layout, is more free time to add so much detailing. Old industrial buildings are so rich in design and architecture.
Here my dream : is any kitbuilder ever think to make them like in a puzzle form ? I mean, we open the box, glue the 4 sides, add roof, and voilà. Finish !!
Won´t it be cool to have walls in multi section, sort of puzzle that you can make it uncomplete like an old building being demolished ?
With précision moldings we have these days, i don´t think a big price increase in production for them. For us more pleasure time in assemblying it complete or partially destroyed.
I send you e-mail on that subject Éric.
Thanks for your usual knowledge sharing and think about.
Actually ITLA and N scale architect make what essentially amounts to a standardized concrete curtain wall structure where you can customize and modify in a modular way. I've never played with those but should given I have room for some 3D background flats.
@@ChicagoCrossingRR
Like that idea. It gives us more freedom. Sort of Lego blocks that interconnect while leaving the modeler free to modify or dedtroy it as he wants. Military diaroma would love it. Trying it in plastic with an X Acto, saw or Dremel is virtually impossible. Same with plaster as bricks are stronger than mortar joints. Yes bricks can crack also but most of the time, watching a brick house being torn down, large chunks of bricks fall following those joints.
My family lived just off the corner of Armitage and Cicero in the 50s, kitty corner from the huge EKCO kitchen tool factory. It looked a lot like the building you are modeling!
These sorts of buildings were kind of ubiquitous in Chicago. I can't get enough of them. Might scratchbuild a few more as background flats.
Great video, thanks.
You're welcome Gary, glad you enjoyed.
It should be noted that back in the 70's when energy costs skyrocketed, many older industrial buildings with large windows got them covered with inserts made of things like insulated metal siding. This was probably much cheaper than replacing them with cinder block and went a long way toward reducing heating costs.
That's an excellent point Thomas! I used that rationale for reducing the size of the display windows with metal siding on the corner Southside neighborhood building and it absolutely makes sense. Especially given all of these industrial windows were just single-pane glass curtains, energy savings would have been a major issue.
Great!
Glad you enjoyed it John.
very nice, as well as using the Tamiya clear paints you can also use fine sandpaper on clear plastic to turn "clear" glass to "translucent" glass useful not just for aging but also for bathroom windows where they might be overlooked
Thanks David, that actually fits with one of my behind-the-scenes journeys which is to find the optimal way to model glass block (which likewise would do well with a sanded or clear painted reverse side). I've played with a few different approaches but haven't settled on anything yet.
@@ChicagoCrossingRR one of those little palm sanders and a very fine grit 600 or higher works well, the palm sanders give a random pattern which is good for frosting
Great work! Really enjoying this series. It's giving me some ideas for how to further improve the large kitbashed warehouses on my own layout 🙂 You should also check out the fire escapes by Gold Metal Models. They're very nice.
Glad it's helpful and thanks for pointing out the Gold Medal fire escapes. I really like Gold Medal's stuff and that would be a fantastic retrofit for the building!
Buildings play a great deal to the layout but a lot of guys seem to give structures a low spot on the da do list. To me an unweathered structure sticks out like a sore thumb. My personal thought is we like our layouts to look real not a toy. I am working on a back ground building got a good start but lots to do yet. One of the window scenes will be workers finishing up a new section of a bricked up opening scaffold and two guys and what they need to get the job done.
Really enjoyed seeing this building Will. I think you've nailed it in terms of setting up some interest and a storyline that will immerse a viewer.