ok... The facts:- N-trak Standard "Modified" Open Frame 2'X4' Straight Module "Modified" to allow for a viewable area under the Mainlines Mainlines go straight across the module The idea:- A future city (ala- Star Wars, Judge Dredd, etc.) with the mainlines being a "museum" where the trains are a "hologram." Walking areas to either side of the mainlines. The "museum" is to be on the 150th, or higher, top floors. Two "floors" below is the "skyway;" a high speed rail system WAY above the ground. The "buildings" in the background start just below the mainlines by 2" to 3" to give a fill that they are complete. The problem:- Should the background buildings be Z scale for forced perspective? How should the buildings be arranged to give a HUGE city feel? Should I use a form of the Modular sections as mentioned in the Jan/Feb 2003 N-Scale (Pgs. 30-32)? Hmmm.... That's all I can think of now. Looked at all the books and articles on planning and perspective. Need an outside look, I'm standing too close. Your help please, and Thanks.
WOW! This sounds like quite a project! You've certainly got an interesting idea - I'd like to see pics on how it turns out! I think, that with only a two-foot-wide module, you might not have enough depth to use Z scale structures for a forced perspective. Since you're probably going to have to scratchbuild your structures anyway, simply reduce the scale for the buildings further from the front. A good backdrop will really help, with structures that shrink as they get further away. Creating the illusion of height, especially that from the ground 150 stories below, will most likely be the more difficult task. Perhaps using a mirror (or two or three) at the base will help. Pat
I'm not a building flat "fan" but in your case you will need them for the city cluttered look. So very back, flats. In front of flats, with a very narrow road maybe between flats and next buildings, are high, but narrow buildings, maybe only an 1 1/2 deep. Then more full size buildings in front of them. Try to keep many of the buildings atleast 7 floors and higher. You might even consider doing some creative stuff with a mirror, to extend the visual layout beyound the backdrop.
Arrnut- Mirrors are an idea in the back of my head that didn't gel; till you brought it to the front. Thanks. Rsn48- Hmmm... Flats. Completely forgot about those. OhhhHHH... How about flats that are behind the larger buildings, but are reflected to the front by a mirror? Got some juice going now! Thanks!
