Future Kit?

Just got this scratch build photo from Vern Shaw. My brother thinks it might make a nice kit. I agree. What do you think?

Comments

[Charlie]

Hello everyone:

I’m glad to see the work from Vern Shaw, very nice, but it brings up a question I have had for a while.

How do you go from printed texture to structure? Meaning, after I print out the texture and I’m looking at the sheet, what is the next step? Do you just start cutting and folding and hope everything lines up in the end, in a basic shape you had envisioned?

In the past, I have used Photoshop layers to “super impose” the texture of my choice over the top of an existing Clever design. However, it is not a new design, only a new texture.

What step am I missing to come up with a unique design to use the textures on?

Sorry if this seems like a newbie question, but it has me stumped.

Thanks.
Charlie

[Dave]

Charlie, just start cutting and folding. the fit of our kits are exceptional. I computer model each kit. the unfolding is also calculated by computer..
As you build more, you will understand our approach and feel confident as you make your own changes and perhaps completely new models..
one word about modified kits. we ask that you limit sharing to one or two and
certainly no selling of kits using our textures. they are under copyright.
Mostly, have fum and be creative..

[Charlie]

Hey Thom:

Maybe I did not ask the question correctly.

First, I think I have just about all the CD's, and most of the downloads that you provide, happy customer here, no plans to share anything except maybe photos of the finished models if I think they merit sharing.

What I want to do is to better take advantage of the textures you made available. At this point I'm over laying the textures that I like on top of building to get the proper size of walls, windows, roofs etc. What I want to be better at is what Vern did above. I want to use the textures to make my own buildings. What are the interim steps (between texture printed on paper to finished model?)

After reading this I think I'm asking the question the same way. Maybe we can talk at Trainfest if your coming up again.

In any case, thanks for any pointers you or your readers can provide.

Charlie

[Donald Albury]

Charlie,

I like to think about how the prototype (real or fictional) was built. Decide what the deepest layer that will show looks like, and build your basic structure from an appropriate texture. Cut subsequent layers to expose what you want showing. I have been using doors and windows from other kits or from the extras pages in the texture collections. I cut and layer them like I do with the kits. You will need to decide how deeply recessed you want the Windows and doors. I cut individual boards from texture sheets to use as trim boards on corners and under roofs of wood frame buildings. (This last is particularly fun in N scale.) It looks like Vern cut individual boards to make the long side, which gives me ideas.

Donald

[Dave]

Charlie
Another way to increase you skill and creativity is to take some of the drawings that are regularly published in all the model railroad magazines and use them as a basis for our textures. I know this doesn't exactly answer you question, but it is a good interim step in developing you understanding of what goes where and why in building design. I think, in time, you will have enough background where coming up with new structures is second nature. Tell you what. Let's plan on spending some time B.S. ing about it at Trainfest. Don't know where our booth is yet, but as soon as I find out, I'll let you all know. Let's get a bunch of folks discussing this. Sounds like a great time.
Dave