I want to apologize for LYING to everyone on the n-board about posting photos the next day. Kinda didnt get that done…maybe tomorow!
Now to the question! I am almost done building the main table framework and should most likely consider installing my masonite backdrop. I was wondering what a good looking hight is for the background is above the tabletop. The layout is in the midwest, so no large grades or anything like that. Oh yeah…its N Scale and the top the of main framework is around 47" tall to which I will be adding 1/2" plywood.
The tallest structure will be a grain elevator (the Walters kit most likely…how tall is it?)
Any other tips for backdrops, such as support suggestions?
Thanks All. I will try to get some pics on here tomorow…I hope.
I carefully countersink 1" drywall screws and then spackle over them. Here’s a webpage on how I made mine. This was my first one and I am sure there are better ways.
I’ll agree with most of the preceeding posters that 24" is just right. Typically, when you’re right up next to the layout, such a backdrop is high enough that, in most cases, it will fill your field of vision, just as the real sky does and adding significant realism to the scene.
While 24" sounds good, I think the more important measure is your line of sight. IF you can see over it with normal operation, it’s not high enough. That is unless you use lighting to cast the what’s beyond in shadow.
There will be cases where a short backdrop will be preferable. Backdrop height is a function of use and presentation. Does the backdrop hide what you want to hide, does it emphasize what you want to emphasize.
That was easy for me, I just painted the whole wall a sky blue behind the tables, then I bought a cloud kit at Home Depot for $22 and the rest is history!!!
My earlier back drops were made for modules and needed to have good support at train shows. They were a 1/8 melinite(?) (don’t remember exact name) board framed by 2x1 boards. Now that some of my modules are against a wall I use core (?) board. My older backdrops were hand painted with mountains in the background. My newer ones are spray painted, with mountains in the background. I’m not an artist, but am reasonably pleased with the outcome.[:I][#oops][#offtopic] My backdrops are 20 inches high.[banghead]
You summed it up really well. I will just have to get some cardboard and set it up to see how tall it needs to be to block my field of vision.
Unfortunatley I could not find the cord to my digital camera this morning prior to work.[%-)]
So pics will have to wait untill monday. Bummer.
How tall is your benchwork on y’alls layouts with 24" backdrops? As I stated before, mine is around 47.5" tall (counting 1/2" Plywood base) and I am 5’ 11" tall. Basically, the top will be as tall as I am.
I plan to use 24" wide 1/8" Masonite (tempered hardboard) for my backdrop. I’m 6’4" tall and I plan to make the minimum track height of my new N scale layout 54" off the floor. The top of the backdrop will be 24" above that. At a final height of 78", the top edge of the backdrop will be well above my line of sight. Also, in preparing the room, I painted the walls a sky blue so that the top of the backdrop sky color will blend with the blue on the wall to further disguise the top edge. I plan to attach the backdrop to the wall by screwing it to 1" x 2" furring strips attached to the wall studs with screws. This way I’ll paint the backdrop scenery on the Masonite backdrop rather that directly on the wall, thus making it easier for my heirs to move the layout after the grim reaper strikes.
Mine, too. The layout is nested into a corner of the basement, recently finished, so I just painted the entire upper half of the walls, minus an artful 2" along the upper edge where it meets the ceiling (mostly because I didn’t trust my brushwork to not meet the costly suspended ceiling tiles!) In my opinion, the backdrop should be as expansive as you can get so that its field gives the impression of being immersed in a real setting under a real sky. Sort of the philosophy behind IMAX.
I do appreciate that it complicates things for those who have to support one in the middle of the layout, plus it adds more cost.
SELECTOR: I couldn’t agree more…and I too have suspended ceiling tiles, so I was extra careful, I used a small 1" brush just to be sure, and no celebration glass of Merlot until I finished…MRR rule #1
