I am creating I backdrop with a special effect.
It will create a scene with Lightning & Thunder. I am working on the design and would like to hear some idea you may have.
Here was what I have already. The area is about 4' x 1.5' It is at the back of the layout facing you.
On a piece of Plastic 3/32" thick I have put the lightning bolt with White Glue and have primed over the sheet. I am now going to use an Air Brush to layer the storm sky color.
Hear is where I could use some advice. My plan now is to use a strobe in back of the plastic with a Push Button on my panel. When I hit the button the lightning would flash.
The sound will be a different subject but I already have a Sub Woffer ready to go.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Harold
The tornado module is impressive. The silly reporting of those two reporters though, pretty hard to listen to for more than a few seconds.
"Over 90 little trains all hooked together to make one big one" Really?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker The tornado module is impressive. The silly reporting of those two reporters though, pretty hard to listen to for more than a few seconds. "Over 90 little trains all hooked together to make one big one" Really? --Randy
Mel
I am not sure what you mean buy a light tube. Picture clear plastic with a light source behind it. Now grey out everything except the bolt of lightning. The only thing you will see is the lightning.
hwolf Mel I am not sure what you mean buy a light tube. Picture clear plastic with a light source behind it. Now grey out everything except the bolt of lightning. The only thing you will see is the lightning. Harold
Unless you want the strobe effect of repeated flashes at an exact interval you don't need a strobe light. If you plan on manually pushing a momentary switch button for ever flash any incandescent light will do . If you need to control light spill there is black tin foil designed for use with theatrical lighting to block unwanted stray light.
Instead of using a button, I would buy a light which is sensitive to sound. The sound waves activate the light so that the lightning flashes with the sound of thunder. You can find lights like these in autoparts stores or musical instruments/DJ stores.
For sound effects check out Thunderstorm Sounds, a CD you might be interested in using. This is the last copy of it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161840574209
Why model the bolt of lightning? It's going to be the same shape and in the same spot every time it flashes. I think I'd eventually get tired of something like that. Why not just have a hidden light source flash to simulate a nearby, but unseen, lightning strike.
Steve S
Not a bad idea steve. I like the lightning for dramatic effect. It is a large area so the flash gets minimized.