any tips on making a backdrop
there is a big article in the MR october 04 issue. you can probly find the article on the MR homepage. there is one article on how to do pho backdrops-they look pretty realistic
http://www.trains.com/Utilities/get_galleryfile.asp?idOLG={E2319672-0FA0-4A82-B602-003FDD17A535}1]
you can probobly find an articler here on painting backdrops too
Here is a very easy tip on making a backdrop. Two easy ways.
A removeable one-
Use Woodpanel which is $7 a sheet and cut it in two pieces down the middle the long way using only a box cutter. They cut really easy and it is very flexible too. Paint the back of the sheet first whatever color you choose. Then if you layout is not a shelf style built into the wall you can make it removeable. Just go under the layout and where your base 2x3 or 2x4’s are add a block of 2x3 by drilling a whole in it so it will not split when adding a 3" drywall screw. Place it at the base of the 2x4 and screw them in. They will all be the same hsght so no need to measure. Then after that ius done just place one of the sheets os 2’x8’ of painted woodpanel on it and it will not go to the floor and be suspended up nicely. The backdrop will lean back very slightly.
If you want permanant do the same thing at the begininng but buy 1x3 wood and place the backdrop on the side of the2x4 and hold it straight. Then place the 1x3 with pre drilled holes for nonsplitting. and then just use drywal screws to each of the boards and boom your done. The woodpanel is very light and flexible so you will like it.
oh oops sorry that link didnt work. oh well, just go to the MR home page and go to the left and click on scenery and then click on “Photo Realistic Back drops” and there you go
I’m very impressed with the selection from http://www.backdropwarehouse.com
They are expensive, but I’ve seen a few come through Ebay. The company also has some bargains with lightly blemished backdrops that have minor imperfections.
The other option I was considering: Paint a blue sky, apply clouds with the spray can method using gray and white colors.
Another option is to purchase printed paper backdrops, have them dry-mounted to foam board, then attach the foam board either to your benchwork or wall. If you are using the backdrop as a scenic divider its very important to use the Gator brand of foam board as it is much more rigid than other brands.
I did my own. As a matter of fact I started a topic about backgrounds yesterday.
Tracklayer
wow someone did some digging, this post is almost a year old!!! sense this post i have painted my own backdrop.
mount a piece of plywood to the edge of your layout and use something like this http://www.sceneryexpress.com/products.asp?dept=1100&pagenumber=1&sort_on=&sort_by=
We just talked about this in some depth on the layouts page the other day. Here’s a link;
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55494
Hope it helps.
bump