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Multi-layer photo backdrop Journals/Blogs
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New member 16 posts kziebarth New member 16 posts
kziebarth

The main scene/diorama on my layout represents my hometown, Miles City, Montana, in 1959.  This diorama is 16" deep and 16' long, along one side of a former single car garage.  In order to provide staging and multiple train possibilities there are two hidden tracks behind the diorama, next to the wall.  I need access to these tracks, but don't want to see them otherwise.  So the backdrop behind them needs to be easily, and selectively, removable.  In many areas there will be structures, but at the west end of town the main line crosses the Tongue River so scenery backdrop is needed.

My first decision was to put the 'sky' on the wall instead of making a tall backdrop extending above eye level.  Here is an eye level view of the river area, with initial scenery but no backdrop, and with the hidden tracks in view.  (The truss of the Central Valley bridge has been removed for its protection.)

l_before.jpg 

And here is the same view from overhead.  There are spaces for the removable backdrop but track clearances are tight.  The black lines show the limits along the switch.

d_before.jpg 

In order to see how high the backdrop would need to be, I marked my square and used a standard boxcar as the test.  (No extra tall cars in 1959).  There will need to be several layers of different heights and distances from the layout, tracks, and wall.

_measure.jpg 

I ended up using 4 major layers.  From back to front they are:  distant bluffs, angled to provide clearance at the switch; distant trees in two areas center and left; river with a highway bridge and trees; and foreground trees, right and left.  Here is how they look from overhead.  Each one is mounted on foam core and held in place mainly by pieces of the flat magnets that come printed with advertising, glued to the backdrop sections and the layout.

ad_after.jpg 

And here is the result, with the bridge truss replaced.  I intend to add foreground 3D trees and other vegetation, and I see that the river boundary needs work, but the overall result is as good as I hoped.

el_after.jpg 

 
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nosredna13 New member 26 posts
nosredna13

Right on

Your finished scene is going to look great. The multi-layer backdrop is a great idea and you have pulled it off pretty well.
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Kevin Rowbotham Prolific poster 2,336 posts
Kevin Rowbotham

Neat!

This is a really good idea.

The only thing I can see that looks off to me, is that I can't see any blue sky through the fringe of the tree line in foreground.

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.
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Scarpia Prolific poster 2,152 posts
Scarpia

A very interesting idea

A very interesting idea - I like the way the layered images look.

I'm doing something similar but using "real" model trees and elevation to hide staging; now you have me wondering about a mixed media application.
HO, early transition erahttp://www.garbo.org/MRRlocal time PST
On30, circa 1900  

 
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Jurgen Kleylein Prolific poster 1,119 posts
Jurgen Kleylein

a little too clean

I'm wondering if using a wire brush in a motor tool or something like that to rough up the edge of the trees, and then touching it up with appropriate paints to hide the white of the paper that would expose might give the sky transition a more realistic look.

Jurgen

HO Deutsche Bundesbahn circa 1970

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bcarhoff New member 27 posts
bcarhoff

Perhaps another 'layer'

Perhaps another 'layer' of photo is needed at the far back of the backdrop at an elevation above the trees?

Maybe another hill painted on the 'back wall'?

From the "ground level" shot (second photo) the scene looks very realistic.Something does seem odd with the treetop line.

Overall, Very Nice Work.

bcarhoff
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MickeC New member 1 post
MickeC

Real nice work! Micke C

Real nice work!

Micke C
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seanm Regular poster 121 posts
seanm

Very theatrical.  Well done!

Very theatrical.  Well done!
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mikeconfalone Regular poster 479 posts
mikeconfalone

Foreground trees on a photo backdrop

This is a really excellent effort, and something new and different using photo backdrops. Great job!

The perceived problem with the tree line is the simple fact that it's near impossible to cut around photos of foreground trees and have them look realistic. The 2-D quality of the foreground trees makes them look strange, especially at the top.The texture of the leaves or needles is gone and becomes a round blob. I've tried it..it doesn't work real well.

Quick rule of thumb. Generally speaking, use photo backdrops to represent distant things (hillsides with distant trees, mountains..). where the top of the photo is not clearly defined. I'd probably make that front layer actual 3D trees and set them against the distant layers for a killer effect.

Mike Confalone
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kziebarth New member 16 posts
kziebarth

Yes, foreground veg is needed

Mike, thanks for the kind words!

I view the nearest layer of 2D trees as still 'background' and do intend to add some foreground 3D trees and other vegetation to tie things together.  3D trees as tall and dense as the nearest background layer would be needed to hide the tracks behind, and I am not sure that could be accomplished with the 'eastern Montana', floodplain but still semi-arid, look I want.

Ken Ziebarth
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Kevin C New member 11 posts
Kevin C

Briliant.Idea

I like the idea of the staggered backdrop. i have a scene on my future layout that could use the same method of scenicing.

Kevin

 
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aabruce New member 4 posts
aabruce

Genius!!

What an excellent idea. Like most truly great ideas, it is the simplicity and obviousness if the idea that stand out. The idea is (of course) only obvious when it is articulated. I assume that the idea will work best for layouts which are at or near eye-level. The ability to remove the layers for, amongst other things, maintenance is especially attractive. I would be very interested to know how the removeability was set up.
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kziebarth New member 16 posts
kziebarth

Completed river scene

6_102056.jpg 

Here it is as 'finished'.  
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kziebarth New member 16 posts
kziebarth

Finished scene

Here it is with foreground added.

6_102055.jpg 
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SJVRR Regular poster 372 posts
SJVRR

Very nice result!

Very nice result!

Jack from France (SJVRR or JAMO)

My blog: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/35227
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Nice concept and looks good.

Nice concept and looks good.
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