Fooled me!

5 stars and here's why -

1.  Another great use of computers in model railroading, in this case, as an artist's palate.

2.  PAPER!  I'm seeing a resurgence in paper modeling, thanks in part to that infinite artist's palate, the www, a source of so many textures, colors, patterns, etc.

3.  Finally, you fooled me!  The texture and relief of the curtains just looks as if there's no way that can really be a 2-dimensional graphic.  Any time you can use a 2D trick to fool the eye into believing there's more to it, then everybody wins.

Super job!

Fooled you

Ocalicreek,

Thank you for your nice words.  I'm glad that you found the article helpful!

Rick

now that is a cool way to

now that is a cool way to make curtains. I think I will be returning to the inside of many of my structures and removing the manilla folder "Blinds" I installed and upgrading them using this technique. Thanks

Thanks, Mbowline

I'm glad that you enjoyed the article.  Since part of the process is scanning the building sides and since your buildings are already assembled, you could probably scan the outside of your buildings to get the template to add the window treatments.  I hope that you will post pictures if you decide to do this.

Rick

A timely piece...

Right on time!  I was just thinking about ways to detail the windows in the cornerstone building I am building.  This looks like a great idea.

I've got to get my own color printer!

A timely piece

14,

I'm glad that this article was published just as you are going to do some windows.  If you have questions about that process please don't hesitate to email me directly.  I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures!

Rick

Enjoyed the article Rick

Another great contribution to the publication Rick! Had thought about the idea, so it was nice to see it in fact could be done effectively. Well done my friend!

Windows treatment article

Kevin,

I'm glad that you liked the article and I see that you are getting ready to do a town scene on your excellent railroad.  I hope that you'll give the method a try and post your results.

Rick

Great Idea

This is a great idea, Rick. Necessity, the mother of invention. The steps are easy to follow and the pictures are great. Thanks for sharing.

Roy

Computer window treatment idea

Roy,

Thank you - I guess that I'm basically lazy, so when I find an easier way to do something I'm happy!

Rick

Window treatments

My wife and  I have operated a drapery/window treatment workroom for twenty + years. We complete 350 + projects a year. We have never sewn a drapery with the the decorative (face) fabric facing the street. The back (street) side has a lining fabric that is either white, off white or tan colored. Indeed, in many settings, such as apartments or condos the managers specify the lining color you are allowed to use. This is done so as to present a uniform window appearance to the street. It is otherwise a great article

Window treatments - street facing

$smith,

Thank you for your experience - I never thought about that and you are correct in that the colorful portion of the fabric would face inward.

I'm going to continue to use "artistic license" and have it face outward even though it isn't prototypical as I just like the way it looks.  Perhaps I'll "fade" the colors so that it appear that the viewer is looking through the fabic and seeing the hint of pattern from the side facing inside.

Rick

Window treatments viewed from the street images

I thought that I had seen some buildings from the street where I could plainly see the curtains.  I don't want to post the images here, as they may be copyrighted; however, if you click on the links you can see some examples.

http://www.fotosearch.com/IGS277/is217-035/

http://www.fotosearch.com/IMG013/124789h/

http://www.fotosearch.com/UNR156/u27855428/

http://www.fotosearch.com/DSN024/1823201/

http://www.fotosearch.com/UNQ266/u10956062/

http://www.fotosearch.com/WTD264/hhf01533/

http://www.fotosearch.com/WTD005/lff00041/

http://www.fotosearch.com/UNR125/u13858149/

Now, those are just a few images that I found in only a few minutes - I'm sure that there's lots more.  As far as window treatments being visible from the outside on multi-story downtown buildings I know that they exist as I've seen them in my hometown of Louisville, KY.

Hope this helps clear things up.

Rick

Paper Models

I've downloaded the plans and have made the cabin, slightly modified. Instead of using cardstock, I used foam core to back the walls. Balsa was used for the roof and I trimmed the eaves with scale 2x6 and added a chimney. To create some profile for the door and windows, I layered them on the finished cabin and touched up the edges with acrylic paint.

These models make great background buildings and are easy to put together. They're also a lot of fun.

Roy

Paper Model Buildings

Guys,

A great idea!  You may want to start a seperate thread as this is a little off subject for "Computerized Window Treatments"

Rick