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Regular poster 315 posts jpachl Regular poster 315 posts
jpachl
In the last years, I made a series of pictures with TT scale model scenes blended into virtual environments made from computer game screenshots.

For this, I collaborated with in-game photographers who granted me the right to use game screenshots they posted on Flickr. Unfortunately, my main collaborators Anthemios and Xanvast (their Flickr nicknames) somehow disappeared in 2018. Anthemios simply stopped posting. Xanvast declared that he left the gaming community. Of both authors, I still had some older pics I could use for my photo scenes. The last one is the picture above with a screenshot from Anthemios from the computer game 'The Division'.
 
So, I tried something new by using a movie screenshot as a virtual environment for a train model photo scene.

Since my NYC SW1200 does not really fit into the era, I digitally removed the NYC logo to make it look more generic.

Homepage: http://www.joernpachl.de/model_rr.htm

Blog: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/40591
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Rick Sutton Prolific poster 4,358 posts
Rick Sutton

jpachl

You, sir, are a master of that technique! I've often wondered where the backgrounds were sourced and know we know. I'm still trying to figure out the method(s) you use to blend the models into the background. Unique and truly excellent work
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jpachl Regular poster 315 posts
jpachl

How to make a picture

Thanks a lot! For picture editing, I use the free software GIMP. The pictures are composed of several layers. The model scene is added as a silhouetted layer. If the model scene is partly hidden behind some virtual structures, there is also a silhouetted layer of the virtual environment placed above model scene layer. Examples you see in both of the two pictures.
 
Below is one of my older pictures with a demonstration of how it was created. There is no layer above the model scene, however.

_picture.jpg 

Homepage: http://www.joernpachl.de/model_rr.htm

Blog: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/40591
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mijnmodelbaan Active Member 32 posts
mijnmodelbaan

Great stuff!!

I love this! Would it be possible with N-scale models as well? Don't know why it wouldn't, but you never know.

Are you using kind of the same technique as on TV, with a green or blue background?

And which software are u using? Something quite simple or something very sophisticated?

 
  

Willem from Rijen, the Netherlands.

Modelling the Wiesentalbahn, Zell im Wiesental, mid-century in N (that is, after we move to the new house).

read my blog
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jpachl Regular poster 315 posts
jpachl

Picture editing

This works, of course, with all scales. The software is GIMP, https://www.gimp.org/. I photograph my model scenes in front of the wall of my house, which is a very light grey, almost white. Then, I mark the background that should disappear and make it transparent (in GIMP by adding a so-called alpha layer). Now, you can put the model scene above another layer, so it will get the new background. Requires some experience in working with layers, but it works very well.

Homepage: http://www.joernpachl.de/model_rr.htm

Blog: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/40591
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