Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can find info on modeling building interior details? Currently I'm working on a general store and would like to find information on how I can go about modeling some of the dry goods, etc. that old time general stores seemed to have stacked all over the counter. I'm already using some small detail parts like small cans and boxes and other types of objects like that but would like to also add some modeled dry goods, candy jars, etc. Any information that you can share would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
In several buildings on my layout I put "cans" on the shelves. I cut various sizes from styrene sprues left over from various kits. I then painted them in different colors. Unless you are standing at the window with a magnifying glass you do not need to worry about a lot of detail.
I put a lot of interiors in my buildings. One thing I've learned is that it's not easy to see in the windows in HO-scale structures. So, the level of detail doesn't have to be as good as it would outside the building. In this liquor store, I made the shelves by folding up little images printed on cardstock. I just Googled up "liquor store shelves" to get the pictures:
I bought a Preiser set of beer bottles, kegs and barrels. This also came with some loose bottles. I used a few of them here, too. I hadn't put the front door on yet, but this is what it looks like from the outside, with the interior illuminated:
Similarly, this grocery store from City Classics was done with downloads and cutouts:
Figures, tables and chairs and some of those bottles go a long way.
When you buy kits, save assortments of the plastic sprues that parts come attached to. You can cut these scraps into piping, or use short pieces for "paint cans" on a shelf. The clear acrylic sprues for windows can be cut down and used for large jars on a counter top. These shapes are available from Plastruct or Evergreen, but the packrat in many of us serves us well.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
A trip to a Cracker Barrel retaraunt could be good for a starting point for ideas. Or a trip to a local library and brouse some of the historical material. Check some local convenience stores
Maybe instead of building a lot of inside detail, find a photo of the inside of the type of store you are modeling, scan it (hi def) into a file, and use a computer program like Photoshop or Tileprint to reduce it to a suitable size to use on a false wall behind the front display windows.
Some years go, (Johnson was still Senator from Texas, not President) I built a couple Suydam (I forget who is handling the line now) kits that actually had materials and suggestions for interior details. On their Hobby Shop kit, I even included a couple planes from a Revell Aircraft Carrier model I had into the window display, and carved and colored a small piece of 3/16" . Even then, in my early teens, I quickly realized a high level of detail is only practical for a contest entrant or personal pride, not really for something that is going to set very far from the layout edge.
I still have a number of kits that I intend to add interior detail to, using small componennts I got from Walther's.
These guys have a lot of small detail parts. A bit pricey, but one or two individual items clearly visible through a large window would be interesting.
http://www.scale-structures.com/
On my layout, the Clampetts are so proud of their new washer, they keep it out on the front porch for everyone to see:
Thanks for the idea Omaha53. I think I might have saved some sprues from some kits so I will definitely use this info. Thanks again!
Thanks Mr. Beasley. Those are all excellent ideas and i will definitely use them! Thanks for sharing the photos too, nice modeling.
Thanks EM-1. Those are good ideas and I can incorporate them into the work I'm doing. Thanks again!
Thanks Mr. Beasley for more tips. I'm coming to the realization that intricate details are better off displayed outside of buildings (like the Clampett's washer). Cheers.
Really interesting models Mr Beasley.
Over 11,000 posts?
Have fun,
Jim Murray The San Juan Southern RR
Hi,
There is a guy with an ebay store, that sells building interiors. that are printed, like Mr Beasley stated. he also has his own website. If you google "John's Model RR depot", you should be able to find it.
MisterBeasley I put a lot of interiors in my buildings. One thing I've learned is that it's not easy to see in the windows in HO-scale structures. So, the level of detail doesn't have to be as good as it would outside the building.
I put a lot of interiors in my buildings. One thing I've learned is that it's not easy to see in the windows in HO-scale structures. So, the level of detail doesn't have to be as good as it would outside the building.
Yes, this is certainly true. I find that unless I want to get waaay down on hands and knees and change glasses a few times, I would not be able to tell an actual shelf item from a cardstock background.
Therefore I completed the interiors of my townsite with images downloaded and resized with Photoshop, printed and mounted on curved cardstock on the ground floor (after painting the interiors with dark paint and "roofing" between floors with cardstock to prevent sightlines between floors.
And you may have noticed, that peering towards an actual store front when you are downtown from the relative distance that an HO structure appears to you on your layout.....that even colour is not available to the human eye...or not much of it....
So I found images such as this, glued in a curved panorama inside a store, work very well.
Or knock yourself out with tiny cans.
For stores close to the front edge of your layout, a fair amount of the interior can be seen, especially if it's close to eye level. For the record store, I made a counter in the back and record racks on each side of the door. I found images for LP's from the early 50's era of my layout, resized them for HO, they were REALLY small, and put them on the racks. A few posters on the wall and a customer and clerk finished the job.
The dress store was easy. I just created a display area just inside the windows, then added mannequins. The window signs add more interest.
I hope this is somewhat useful,markalan
markalan,
Very nicely done interiors! A couple of my own scenes will include multiple retail storefronts fairly close to the layout edge (I'm still in the plywood pacific stage). I'll have to remember your tips when I get that far.
I have also used sprue pieces and pieces of styrene rod to model cans and bottles. It really doesn't take that much to suggest an item to the viewer and their imagination takes over from there. I tried my hand at weathering and super detailing an Atlas Refreshment Stand kit and was amazed how easy it was to suggest lots of extra detail, even on the exterior. I used pieces of sprue and styrene to make cans and boxes to place on the cooking area shelves and food cooking on the grill. Squares of styrene sheet were used to create doors for storage below the counters. One of the best effects was achieved by sharpening one end of a thin styrene rod, then cutting off a small length beneath the pointed end. Paint it yellow or red and I had mustard and ketchup bottles to place around the perimeter counters. A small length of square styrene strip painted silver on two sides and the top created napkin dispensers. I used a small diameter hole punch to cut circles out of 0.010" styrene sheet and, even unpainted, I had paper plates. Bits of colored gift wrap tissue paper worked for wrappers and other trash. Add a few appropriate figures and the place really came alive. Best of all, I spent very little money.
Hornblower
I suspect a number of useful items can be found at the local craft store in the bead section. I think some of the tiny beads might resemble glass jars.
Dan
rrnewb
Lots of useful images can be found on the net. Here are a few that I found by googling 'grocery store shelves'
Depending on your era, the colours may be a bit too bright but given the size of the HO display that may be a good thing.
I have also done the sprue/square stock thing for cans and packages on shelves. It works quite well but you will need a very fine brush to paint them. Here is my plumbing store interior. The pipe fittings were made from bent guitar strings.
Crates are from Life Like. please let me know what you think (says I - shamelessly grasping for compliments!)
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Here is a source you might find useful.
http://www.oakridgehobbies.com/index.php/model-railroading-railroad-diorama-miniatures/scale-miniatures-diorama-scene-scale-details-accessories/ho-scale-miniatures-for-model-railroading-scale-modeling-smaller-scale-miniaturists-set-designers-and-scale-diorama-scenes?p=2
hon30critter Crates are from Life Like. please let me know what you think (says I - shamelessly grasping for compliments!) Dave
Really nice. One of the reasons I like to run trains at night with the room lights dim is to "show off" the interiors of illuminated buildings, even if I'm the only one there.
Faller has a building interior kit with over 200 pieces in HO scale,P/N 180545.