i would like to make some paper buildings to fill out my bare 4x8 sheet while i plan a grander layout, and right now i am too cheap to spring for buildings [:P]
what i would like are some dimensions to start with to make paper buildings of a depot, industrial buildings, warehouses, maybe a water tank, you name it, anything is helpful. i used to have many MR issues but they were lost, otherwise i would start there. i am doing HO scale.
Get a Walther’s catalogue. In it most of the buildings they offer have the dimensions given. For buildings that I’m going to make using DPM modular sections, I download their pieces, and glue them to cardboard (cereal boxes work fine) in the design that I want. I use that on the layout until I can force myself to part with the money to get the real pieces. I’ve also used CD cases to make modern buildings, but I work in N scale where I can get by with that better.
Better yet, shop online (Walthers is a good start), find a building you like, and many times, the dimensions are given. If your online store doesn’t give dimensions, try the model manufacturer’s website (assuming they have one), look up the item and see if the maker gives the sizes. Worth a shot and cheaper than buying the catalog (but having one is still a good idea).
Grab patterns you like, like brick, cinderblock or roof shingles, off the Web. Use a simple program like Windows Paint to duplicate them up to full-page size, and then print them on card stock (heavy paper, basically.) This can then be cut up and taped or glued together to form buildings. I use this technique to make building interiors, where the appearance isn’t as critical. Since the card stock is thin, you may want to make an inside form out of corrugated cardboard, and then fasten the card stock to the outside.
I’m surrised no one has suggested digital pictures of buildings adjusted in a photo program. Biggest thing to watch for is centering your self on the side you are taking a picture of to minimize distortion (paralax). If you can get one good side you can use it for all four by erasing doors and windows or adding some more.
Another thing to remember is to try and take the shots in the same direction at the same time of day (and season). You’d be surprised how differently things appear at different times of day, depending on the lighting. You can correct a lot of that with image software if you’re inclined to mess around with your shots, but I think it’s easier to try for consistent lighting.
OTOH, for temporary buildings, you might not care.
This is even better, this site has done all the work for you. You just download what you want, print them out, cut them out, and fold them up, and Viola, a whole town! AND IT"S FREE!!!
checkout Dover Press. They have whole villages in a book form for around 8 bucks. Also look online under paper models you’ll find tons of stuff. Paper creek is high quality but expensive too for paper.
Mine downloaded as either a Zip file, or opened with my default picture program. I just created a folder on my hard drive, labeled “PC Whstop”, and when I open it, it opens windows default picture program (I think Picture It) or it shows the Zip file which when opened shows the buildings.
Other than that, there isn’t much more I can tell you.
I tried everything I could think of. I couldn’t get it to open any of them. I can download them, but I can’t open them. It gives me a message that says something like “this file type is not recognized” or something like that.
I did find more good stuff though! It’s in another language, but it’s pretty easy to figure out.
If you save any of these as a word document you can easily resize them to any size you want.
Dover used to publish some books of cardstock structures in soft cover books, in HO scale. I have not seen them in some time but I suspect they are still around. At one time Carstens offered a book of cardstock buildings. I have not seen it available in decades but there might still be some around somewhere.
Our British colleagues in OO scale have cardstock structures available - I have seen them for sale at US swap meets. The cardstock might have a slight plastic content.
