Day 4/5 and onward

With the first set of templates layed out to scale it’s back to the photos.  First task is creating the brick master.  One might assume I just photograph the wall and be done.  I wish.  To maintain our level of resolution, I have to recreate each wall as a composit from close up detail pix.

It takes 2 to 3 hours to recreate a brick wall with enough charecter, minimal repeating paterns are a priority.  Lens distortion, contrast, the list goes on.  Each door, window, board and detail gets a couple of hours of attention.

Heres the first complete wall.  Approx 1/3rd resolution.

Comments

[John]

Thom, you are just having a field day. Enjoy! :) John

[bob bruce]

Yes, we are following along, eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Happy 4th!

[cnwnorthline]

Related question: how much additional work would it take to make this brick a texture? (Not saying you have to...just asking)

[Thom]

There will eventually be a brick texture.

[cnwnorthline]

There will eventually be a purchase. By me.

[Dave R.]

This is a very interesting and informative series of posts. Question: do you selectively compress designs so they fit on 8 1/2 x 11 format (roughly 30 x 40 ft.) or do you choose prototypes that fit this parameter?

[bob bruce]

Agree with Dave R., this is a great series. It has me glued to your blog.
In keeping with Dave's question, would you splice a part if it would not fit
on the page at the size you think is right? (Yes, I know you splice the tall
chimney on the freebies page)

[Dave Miecznikowski]

We have always spliced pieces on large buildings. We just try to do it in a way so you don't necessarily realize it is a splice. Carolina Casting has some butt spliced walls. AKRON Machine not only has spliced walls, but needs to be printed on large paper which we have suggested can be obtained by butt splicing sheets of paper into a longer size. Our latest construction information file on the FREEBIES page also discusses splicing sheets together. It is not a new thing for us. In fact, Thom and I were just talking about releasing Cream City Tool Works in O scale. The only reason we haven't done it yet is because it is such a large complex of buildings, almost every wall would require splicing and up to now, that was a bit much, but we have decided to move forward with that.

[Dave]

I usually try not to compress a design but if I'm within a foot or two, I'm not against doing it. Some designs are small on purpose for practical or esthetic reasons.
On the current mill project I am shortening the large chimney to fit the page.

[Dave]

I went back to wood's mill today to get more detail. It was open today and the docent on duty was able to show me some archival photographs. The mill was originally built in 1866 as a wood structure the brick structure we are building was attached about 20 years later. when the mill was restored in the 1970's, the wood mill was demolished and the first of 2 waterwheels was added. WHHHHHA!
Thats right, the vertical wheel was added in the 20th century by the restoration team because people expect to see one on a mill. the original mill used a horizontal turbine. The first one made of wood. it was later replaced by an iron turbine (very forward thinking) and when that wore out the mill converted to steam.
The current water wheel never ground an ounce of corn, its electric.