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I am in the early construction phase of my layout which will include a 10-12" high backdrop board with a distant scenery on it. Because my design is a large "L" shape there will naturally be a 90-degree corner in the backdrop which I wish to eliminate. The alternative? I plan to create a curved corner or say, 4" radii.
Do any members have a substantial curve in their backdrop to eliminate sharp corners? I am assuming that it provides a more natural look to the distant background?
I'm not positive, but you might not gain much in appearances until that radius is pretty large. It might be a good experiment to try layered backgrounds at angles for the appearance of stacked mountain ranges, if that visual fits your locale.
I'm not positive, but you might not gain much in appearances until that radius is pretty large. It might be a good experiment to try layered backgrounds at angles for the appearance of stacked mountain ranges, if that visual fits your locale.
Yes I take your point. i can imagine it would be more beneficial to a radius in feet, rather than inches. I'm trying to eliminate that hard, sharp corner. The more I think about it the more I agree with you. Well no harm in trying it. I have to build the square backdrop anyway, I may as well attempt a curve.
depending what you are using for a back drop, i used some thin mdf and curved it. i laid it up both ways, and found the curve better than the 90 degree look. i think the final radius was about 15 inch.
Wright2626, I have some large sheets of 3-ply which is 1/4" thick. I was only going to make the height 12" above the track level. Right across the top edge of this backboard I am planning to fix some 3/4" aluminium extruded angle which is left over from a previous job. It's lightweight but provides rigidity to the backboard.
Naturally being 1/4" thick it's not going to curve too easily so I have some off cuts of 2mm-thick 3-ply which is very flexible (like cardboard). With this material was going to cut some 12x12" squares and create a curve in the corners, the secure them in place with some bracing behind them.
Ken, what has lead me to this is my current N scale layout (7' x 1/2') has backdrops on the two ends and the rear with two 90-degree corners, and the more I look at them the more is can't stand them so I hear what you're saying.
I'm going to attempt the first section this coming weekend and will post back.
My dad and I coved the corners when we built a backdrop (masonite), but we didn't have a facing edge to deal with. If your curve is too sharp for wood products, maybe sheet flashing would do the trick? I seem to remember seeing someone use that with good results.
My dad and I coved the corners when we built a backdrop (masonite), but we didn't have a facing edge to deal with. If your curve is too sharp for wood products, maybe sheet flashing would do the trick? I seem to remember seeing someone use that with good results.
I just located some thin laminate benchtop material (Formica?). Very flexible, but yes some galvanized flashing or tinplate would be equally as good for the job!
I just located some thin laminate benchtop material (Formica?). Very flexible, but yes some galvanized flashing or tinplate would be equally as good for the job!
BN1000, I think that you will be most satisfied with results from using that laminate than any other product. I have several curved sections of backdrop on my layout that used 1/16" plastic bathtub surround/kitchen backsplash material that I purchased cheaply from Home Depot and cut to size. It did a beautiful job in my opinion. It can be curved to quite a tight radius and is easily feathered/blended into the adjacent flat backdrop areas, leaving absolutely no trace of any joint.
As perhaps a piece of additional advice, might I suggest that you plan to make your background somewhat higher than you posted? 10"-12" is really very low and not very convincing. Something like 18" is much more viable in my opinion and experience.
Below is a picture that is centered on a curved section of my HO layout's backdrop. The radius of that section is about 18" and it curves through 90-degrees.
NYW&B, thanks for the advice. The benchtop laminate is the way to go I think. I understand your concern regarding the backboard height. I should have explained my reasoning behind this height slightly better. It is effectively a shelf layout only 400mm deep and 1200-1300mm from floor to track height. Being only 400mm in depth at that height I am able to stand and operate the layout quite close up. I didn't feel the need to increase the height of the backboard much beyond 300mm however I will cut it at 450mm see how that looks. Incidentally I'm sure you're correct, it's all in trying to visualise it.
