jonte Wrote:... Perhaps if you've a spare moment or two some time, Reinhard, you could show me how you do it. ....

Jonte, the basic steps are easy but they depend on the computer you are using. I use an iMac.

1. Select an area you want to get a building front in Google maps.
2. Make sure Streetview is available for that area a and they did the recording not at sunset etc.
3. Stroll the streets until you find your object.
4. Goto full screen and "copy" the rectangle from the screen with the building into a file
5. Get a program to eliminate the distortion
6. Get a program and cut the precise buildings front
7. Edit it to remove people, trees etc.
8. Edit the color to match with your printer
9. Print 3 copies
10. Glue each copy to cardboard
11. Spray them with dull coat
12. Put #1 to the side
13. Cut windows, doors etc. from #2
13.a Take a felt pen (black?) and paint the edges of the windows etc.
14. Glue #2 on top of #1
15. Cut signs etc. from #3
15a. Take a felt pen (black?) and paint the edges of signs etc.
16. Glue the details from step 15 on top of the result tom step 14
You are done :-)

Hi, Reinhard, and thanks for the prompt response.

That sounds really straight forward (I remember capturing an image once from Street view using the print screen button).

May I ask which programme you use and whether I can download a free source from the 'net?

Hope you don't mind and thanks again.

jonte

Jonte,

This is the same method used by Lance Mindheim for several years with excellent results. One other thing is that you may need to know is the scale. This is outlined in Lances section below.



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Larry

I did not post the names because I run on Apple iMac. I assume you need other programs for Windows.
Mine are:
DxO Perspective is a free program to correct the distortion and Photoshop Elements 10 ("Elements" is the low cost version for hobby use) for all other corrections and printing.
Larry's pointer to Lance's page is very good. He is doing it at master level.

Larry,

That's most kind; thank you. I'll enjoy reading that.

Reinhard,

Thanks for taking the trouble to update me.

Thanks, guys


jonte

The tracks in the industry area will be mostly at street level. That requires to do a lot of street running (without any plaster!!!! )


I use a layer of 2.5mm (0.1") blue foam up to the ties (that is for Atlas code 83 tracks, you may need another thickness) and cover it with 0,3mm (0,012") styrene up to the side of the rail "under!" the rail head. The styrene is so thin you can see the rails through it for easy marking of cutting lines. Another help is intentionally design of straight tracks where possible.
Simple strips of 1,5mm (0.06") blue foam is used between the rails (paint the edge prior installing in the track).
Everything is mounted with water dissolvable white glue. The blue foam and the styrene joints should not be at the same location.

Neat 'n' clever, Reinhard

jonte

All track work completed




Industrial brick building kits (Middlesex, Roberts Printing, 103 Smallman St) pile up..... lots of work for the next weeks

Reinhard,

This looks really good. I need to get a restart on mine.

Larry

Your appetite for layout building, Reinhard, is second to none. Amazing!!

Despite that, your attention to detail is something to behold and your street lines are very effective.

jonte

Madness! Madness!!!! and I'm not talking about the Kwai River Bridge!

Very interesting rebuilding process. I was, for a few weeks, totally speechless seing the destruction going on, but once again, I'm a believer. Those streets looks quite good, at first, you can tell if they are cast in plaster or not, but without the issues you already underlined in your previous post.

Matt

Got the second kit of George Robert's Printing today and started fiddling and playing with the walls for an industry complex at the west end.




ps. I had a funny incident. The old ground cover (sand) and the old ballast is quite light colored and should be toned down. I mixed a wash from some simple black wall paint with water and a detergent. The wash was applied with a pipette several times until I was satisfied with the result. It is much darker now and has nothing in common with the south west and sand anymore.
So far so good but it is almost unchanged on all photos I tried to do with my digital camera. The photos are much lighter than the reality. I am speechless and have no explanation. Did I use secret invisible black paint in my wash.... :o

Of course you did, Reinhard. We believe you

Lookin' good!

jonte

I think someone once had green ground cover that looked yellow in photographs.

I have got a question.

Many gates of old brick warehouses have been replaced with roller gates like the one shown on the photo. Since when are those modern gates available and a common choice to replace older gates? Are the early 1970th a valid assumption?

This is one of many example from the West Bottoms in Kansas City Mo.