Foreground background. Neat

That's the Ticket !!!

What a great idea !!  It brings EVERYTHING together. There is "no end to the world" Whoever thought of this was inspired. Easy to do, but time consuming but makes it worthwhile. A COMPLETE CANVAS.

A first time seeing

A first time seeing that.....looks pretty good. 

Well...

My question answered. I had posted this very question (if anyone had attempted this for their fascia) in a past post on here.... am interested to see if this catches on. Not competent enough to provide a link, lol... Sorry.

Seen something similar...

What I had seen on another layout was the geology layers under the top soil.  Like this;

http://lariverrailroads.com/fascia/sed_layers.jpg

Another painted it like the concrete in the LA River;

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/steamage/DSCN2980.jpg

Den

An interesting idea

An interesting idea. I've thought about doing something like that. Just enough to fool the eye in photographs so the black edge of the world doesn't show.

"Paint it like your

   I imagine this is one of those things that sound better in theory than in practice. when viewing the layout in person the  edge would still be there, just 6 inches or so lower down adding 6 inches of  distraction in front of the actual scenery, and in photographs cropping the fascia out is probably gonna look better than a foreground that's not 3 D scenery?   I think if I was gonna make the fascia green I'd rather cover it with carpet so it would be softer to lean on.....DaveB

Link to previous posts and pictures

This is at least one of the other threads about this great idea.

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/18681

In looking at the effect from

In looking at the effect from some of the video I did not find it that pleasing. I would suggest instead of trying to match the backdrop which is likely different than the foreground, matching the foreground. If for example your aisle way is the location of a river, and your shelf the riverbank and flat developed  area and the backdrop the hill or mountain next to the river it would look better to represent what was in the foreground rather than what is on the background.

The difficulty with this method arises when one has a large number of fascia mounted controls and schematics needed for operators of the layout to know what they are doing. In many cases a neutral color that is predominate in the scenery will be less jarring and still provide alternative uses for the fascia. 

There may be places that this would come in handy but they would not be on a railroad I designed and they are not applicable for any that I have had the privilege of running trains on. That being said if someone were to design something that makes no use of the fascia at all the camouflage technique would surely have merit.

A plus for Photography

Hi LVN,

It's a nice idea and would make photography much easier.

I wrapped the plaster scenery over the fascia on my layout wherever a photograph might be taken(Tunnel opening, bridge over gorge, etc.).

Picture frame?

Why do pictures usually have frames? - to help "set off" the picture.  I like the way that fascia and valances "set off" a layout.  A picture frame isn't usually designed to look like the picture.  Although painting the fascia like the backdrop is an imaginative idea I personally don't care for the look.

That said, I completely agree with a person's decision to do that for their railroad as it is THEIR railroad.

Continuation ...

In the areas where the rock cuts show up in video, why didn't you carry that theme down onto the fascia? It would have made it more interesting and breakup the camo look.

Den

2 decks

I think this could work well for layouts with double decks like this one.  For a single deck layout I don't think it would be as helpful.  Looks OK though.  Main thing is if the layout owner likes it.  In that case, discussion over it's a great idea!

Seen Before

It was new to me.  I did not intent to imply that it had never been done before.  Thanks  

Keep Sharing Chris!

I think it's amazing how many backdrops you've influenced in your area!

Thanks for sharing,

Interesting

It's an interesting technique, but I don't think it's one for me. Thanks for showing us the idea though!

John

To each their own....

but I have to say that I personally don't care for the effect.  I'll stick with my flat black fascia and valances even with all the maintenance that flat black finish entails. I'm in agreement with Rick. I want my layout "set off" and framed.

Michael

Brilliant

To me this is a breakthrough. Brilliant!  I predict this idea will take off in many directions

Mike Lee.    

Frame

i agree with having a frame around my layout - black fascia with black curtains and eventually black valances as well.

i do plan on hiding the sharp edge of the top of my fascia with scenery where possible as has been mentioned here.

Don't do a thing for me!!!  I

Don't do a thing for me!!!  I would never do this on my On3 layout

Not a Fan

Not a fan.  

Fascia is supposed to bring focus to your layout.  "A picture frame if you will".  

I could see where this could be distracting to the main layout which is why it is advised to keep the fascia attractive but neutral. 

Joe

Depends on your goals, like anything

Yes, it depends on your goals, like anything.

I think the frame analogy is a good one. I don't paint the picture frame to blend in with the picture, nor do I paint the wall to blend in with the picture I hang on it. I want the delineation, and a well-chosen frame or wall decor can complement and set off my picture in a very pleasing way.

Trying to make the layout scenery to not end by masking the fascia just moves the problem out one level - what happens when I get to the edge of the fascia? Do I start painting the carpet and the operators so they blend in as well? (wink and grin)

Great Discussion

It is absolutely awesome to see the differences in opinion.  Not every idea is for everyone.  Glad so many took an interest in this.

Faux painting

Prior to your post I had given thought to something along this same line. I was considering using faux stone painting techniques to give a sense of rock. Not to convince the viewer he was seeing the bedrock below the scenery but rather as an alternative to plain solid color fascia. Something that would add visual interest and have at least a drop of relation to it in place of an arbitrary solid color choice.

Haven't experimented yet. Haven't needed to make the decision yet. Not that far along in construction.