Where to start?

TerryR

New Member
I would like to model the attached scene in N scale. I know how to do everything except the building.

I'm at a loss on how to start.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
 

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davidstrains

Active Member
for the building, I would start by assigning a measurement for some object that could then be used as a basis for measurements for the rest of the structure. For instance. I would assign a value of 3'x5' for the window in the small structure on the left front. Using that you can come up with a pretty close estimate for the overall length and height of the structure. You can then estimate the width and draw up some working plans from which to construct your model.

Shamus will probably have some good tips on estimating the width of that building.
 

TerryR

New Member
I can come up with reasonably accurate scale drawings - I have several high-res photos from 3 sides and drafting experience. It's what to do after that that's got me confused :confused:

For anybody that's interested, it's a farmhouse B&B in the Dordogne valley in central France. For my layout, I'm moving it to the Loire (Oh, the power!) It's even next to a railway. The field in the foreground is usually full of cows but, IIRC, they were off being milked when I took this picture.
 

TR-Flyer

Member
Hi:
Most shutters are between 12 and 18-inches wide. Doors, in this country are 3’x 6’8” on most residential buildings. Old structures like this may have wider doors, usually up to 3’-6”, but the height doesn’t increase much unless the story height is increased. These look like they have a short floor to floor height. Older buildings often have narrower windows, 24-30 inches wide. Remember, the stones will be of a size that a local mason could pick it up and lay it without a “crane”. Looks like a greenhouse on the back and the glass in it is probably about 4’-0” wide. Much more span and it gets pretty thick if you use it on the roof. Diamond shingles are usually in the range of 16-18-inches square.

Draw it up, build a rough model out of cardboard and see if the proportions look right. Adjust using a copy machine to enlarge or shrink the “plans” it till it looks right.

Neat little building. Just put my easy chair in the left corner of the greenhouse.

Ted
 

60103

Pooh Bah
You don't start with the easy ones, do you Terry.
Divide the building into boxes-the right hand building is one; the other is two -- one for the extension at the back; the greenhouse is another. Build then out of cardboard or plastic sheet. Then add the surface texture -- some sort of plastic stonework or paper. Same idea for the roof. What is the roof, shingle or tile?
Can't help with the chimney; I have a pair to go on one of mine.
 

TerryR

New Member
Thanks all.

My problem with projects like this is always getting started - once I start, I generally finish. Bearing that in mind, I'm going to concentrate on one wall of one building and go from there.

David, this is the easy one! Wait until I get to the two chateaux :D The roof is tile on the two main buildings and tin on the outbuildings.

Ted, I'm afraid that spot is already spoken for, that's where Monsieur has his breakfast and Madame sits to do her paperwork. Do you have a second choice? :)
 

roryglasgow

Active Member
That's looking great, Terry! When you're done, you oughta send a picture to the folks who own the farm. I bet they'd get a kick out of it!
 

shamus

Registered Member
Hi Terry, You don't need my help on this project, you are doing real good. Excellent looking start.
Shamus
wink.gif


 

TerryR

New Member
Shamus,

Actually, I do need some help. I did the sun room today. This is the 4th attempt :eek: . It looks pretty good with the lights on the inside but I don't like the way it looks in the daytime.

Any ideas on how to get the black lines without covering the whole thing in paper? I tried cutting them out but the lines are just too thin. I also tries various pens on the inside but nothing would stick to the transparent plastic.

Or am I being too picky?

Apart from that and a couple of dabs of paint and the two downspouts, I'm calling this one finished and moving on to the next building.
 

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TR-Flyer

Member
Boy Terry:
When you “start” you really go for it! Great looking interpretation. On the greenhouse, what about using small balsa strips, painted black/charcoal before hand, and gluing them onto the plexi “greenhouse”? The glass material looks translucent in the photo. I’d opt for a “Clear” material, maybe something with a gray or smoked tint so the view to the interior of the greenhouse was darkened but not totally obscured. Some notebook covers work well for this type of thing.

Keep it up, oh,… I’d like a big pillow in front of the center dormer upstairs.
Ted
 

TerryR

New Member
Ted,

I did use transparent material - actually it's a piece of the hard plastic that things come in that is welded to a piece of cardboard. It works really well - reasonably easy to cut and bend (if you score it first). The only problem is that you can't seem to mark it at all. I printed the lines on paper and glued it to the inside which makes great lines but rather spoils the transparency :(

To be in scale the lines need to be about as wide as an exacto blade is thick and there is no way I could cut out just the lines without them breaking. Believe me, I tried - several times :mad: I even tried glueing the whole sheet down and then cutting away the white parts but the black lines were so thin they just peeled up. Plus the glue made a mess of the transparent parts anyway. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can cut electrical tape that thin.

I've reserved the dormer for you but you may want to wait and pick out one of the rooms in the next building - that's the B&B part. This part is the proprieters' own residence.
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Another suggestion

Back in the days before GIS and computers, maps used to be made by hand, and people often used "draftsman's tape" (unsure of the real name - I only used it a few times) to make lines. It comes in a variety of colours and widths (some quite narrow). Maybe you can find some at a drafting supply store or art shop? It would save you trying to cut tape yourself.

Alternatively, what about masking the clear panels and painting the lines on?

Andrew
 

TerryR

New Member
Andrew said: "Alternatively, what about masking the clear panels and painting the lines on?"

I said: "Why didn't I think of that? :confused:

Thanks Andrew.

I covered the whole back with one piece of masking tape, drew the lines on it, and cut them out. It's a lot easier to leave the big parts in place and remove the small parts than it is the other way around!
 

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60103

Pooh Bah
Terry
If you need to stick things to clear plastic, try the crystal-clear (or is it Kristal Kleer?) stuff that's supposed to make window panes. If you use it as a glue it dries clear and transparent and any ooze-out can be taken off neatly.
But your masking and paint seems to have worked.
 

60103

Pooh Bah
nearly forgot: to make generic plants for a greenhouse, use some of the lumpier bits of ground foam that fall off old trees. make up a planter of something and just stick them down. you don't have to identify them; say "I'm not a horticulturalist". Some of them will look kike cabbage that's past its prime.:D
 

TerryR

New Member
And construction continues :)

BTW, I'm amassing quite a few JPGs of various textures (tiles, stone walls, etc.) as I go along. If anybody wants copies, please feel free to ask.

[Edit] Forgot to resize the image :eek:
 
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