Coolest backdrop ever...but how was it made?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

ooks like it may be a transparency that was backlit. Has anyone ever tried this? Stores, esp. in cosmetic sections, use this method.

http://www.trainyard.net/the_layout/our_trains/sky_wall-03.jpg

scroll near end to see sky “adjusted” and some comments:

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?q=Y&a=tpc&s=63160042&f=57660482&m=232002716&p=2

2

WOW !! Dave

3

I’m wondering now if this wasn’t “photoshoped in”?

I sent him an email asking about it.

However, I stand by my idea that this could be accomplished with a backlit transparency. Another method would be to use a projector (like those popular holiday ones they sell that portray christmas or holloween scenes on th sides of buildings.

IMO modelers have not taken advantage of some of these cool techniques and continue to be traditionalists. I’d like to hear from someone who has done something novel like this

(not that traditional paintings ain’t cool too)

4

Its a photo-mural, screened from a print and hung like other wall papers. The registration of the seam lines is demanding but otherwise it is unremarkable.

Contact your local interior designer for a catalog of it and similar items.

Randy

5

Digital composite photo - sorry. Problem with actual backlit is additional 4" space for lighting (tubes generally) and getting the a continuous image to pull off the effect. Very pricey for a hobby, but in a bookcase layout it just might work!
sm

6

Far from “the coolest backdrop ever” as far as I am concerned. I’ve definitely seen better. Most likely a photoshop trick that’s not reproducible in a true layout situation. Alternate possibility, but unlikely, is it could be a photo mural. However, the foreground scene seems much to dark looking to be a balanced photo of the layout and backdrop viewed together. And a photo transparency of this size is extremely unlikely because of cost.

CNJ831

7

To me, it looks like a photo enhanced on computer. Not a real physical backdrop.

8

From what I’ve seen of front-lit “sky” scenes that they’ve done at Caesar’s Palace and other venues in Las Vegas, I don’t know if it is worth the time and considerable expense to produce phototransparency enlargements.

9

awesome.

10

Are sure its a backdrop?

11

Holy cow that’s impressive!