Park Hotel Missoula. Silhouette.

[nthusiast]

Another question (admittedly, none of my business):

When all is said and done, would you be willing to share what your out-of-pocket expenses were just for materials (we can figure out the cutter and supplies like glue, paint, etc.)?

[Cajonpassfan]

3d print the filagree and soffits, and craft cut the 2d components. I tried Googling the place but came up with nothing. Apparently either I have lost my ability to keyword search or Google just wants to feed me unrelated junk, for the sake of looking important.

Yea, Google is not all that useful for some pre-Google era things.With apologies to Andrew for cluttering his thread,
here's another pic of the Comet Hotel in its later years. It shows the intricate details that have me scratching my head.
Hence my interest in Andrew's clever Silhoulette technique...

Btw, looking forward to some Park Hotel progress pics...
Otto K.

[hegstad1]

Incredible model.

Two questions

How did you glue the three floors together?

What adhesive did you use to glue the vinyl/glass to the back of the styrene?

To glue the floors together, I first taped them together on the back with regular masking tape,  I then ran a very thin bead of CA down the front side.  The seams are further strengthened by the addition of the trim work.  To adhere the two layers together I have either 3M all purpose spray adhesive or Elmers general purpose spray.

[MVW]

Another question (admittedly, none of my business):

When all is said and done, would you be willing to share what your out-of-pocket expenses were just for materials (we can figure out the cutter and supplies like glue, paint, etc.)?

I've been wondering the same thing. Actually, the question first came to mind when browsing some of the RP threads. Was wondering if it was cost-effective, or if you pay a premium to be able to indulge your creativity. (Not saying that's in any way a bad thing. We're all spending money to scratch an itch.)

Jim

[hegstad1]

I've been wondering the same thing. Actually, the question first came to mind when browsing some of the RP threads. Was wondering if it was cost-effective, or if you pay a premium to be able to indulge your creativity. (Not saying that's in any way a bad thing. We're all spending money to scratch an itch.)

Jim

Cost effective?  Maybe in the long run.  The material cost is nothing more than any other project (I'll try to come up with a number later).  I don't want a layout with all the same structures everybody else has and I can tell you it's cheaper than kit bashing.  And the cost of paying someone to do it for you???

[hegstad1]

A little project inside a project.  I decided I needed a bit of an interior on the bottom floor to fill the void behind those big windows.   I did a google search for 1940's hotel lounge and cafe interiors.  I downloaded them into the Silhouette software and resized them to fit the windows.  I then just printed them out on regular paper.  I sprayed the back of the picture with the same adhesive used for the windows and attached them to some sheet styrene.  I then glued them behind the windows on a strip of styrene used for base support.  I think the point here is not to think everything has to be perfect or absolutely prototypically accurate.  I have no idea what the lobby looked like or the cafe that was once there.  This is a background model and it will be quite difficult to see what the interior looks like from the aisle.  There just needs to be SOMETHING in there.  Below is a not so sexy view of the back side.

[hegstad1]

Some "sexier" pictures.  The roof and walls are now assembled and some details are starting to show up.  Lamps (Precision Scale) on either side of the entrance and a roof over the Flamingo Lounge door.  You can also see the interiors.

[basementcalling]

I've read the thread twice. I'm a bit confused what the Silhouette cut and what you still had to cut with traditional methods.  In the sexier picture, can you detail what features the machine did vs what you had to do by hand?

[Mark W]

"Best of The Railwire" build right here!  Just fantastic work, Andrew.

But, because this is The Railwire, I gotta point out that perspective on the interiors.  They start to pull me back out of it. 
I bet you could fashion a shallow depth 3D interior, and even add some lighting to really make that lounge pop!

[hegstad1]

I've read the thread twice. I'm a bit confused what the Silhouette cut and what you still had to cut with traditional methods.  In the sexier picture, can you detail what features the machine did vs what you had to do by hand?

This picture shows all the parts cut by the Cameo.

[peteski]

"Best of The Railwire" build right here!  Just fantastic work, Andrew.

I second that motion!  Superb model, and excellent write-up.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, fantastic! I do love protobased scenes and structures and this one is just da bomb!
Otto K.

[hegstad1]

Well, Thank you all for the complements.

The sign...The "PARK HOTEL" lettering is easy with Plastruct letters.  The "Dine/Dance" part is another story.  The best picture I can find is the one Otto posted.  I have tried to trace it and manipulate it with the software I have but have not been happy with the results.  Drawing it is tricky as well.  The font is very unique and would need to be done letter by letter I believe.  The squiggly light bar is another tricky feature...and the martini/wine glass.  Any ideas?  Help?

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, it's such an iconic sign, I can see you want to do it right.
What is is about copying it and cleaning it up in photoshop or some such that doesn't work? I know you need a reversed view image, with the squiglies on the outside (left) but it seems to me that reversing that image and overlaying the glass and lettering as is should do the trick? I would also think tha laminating the print over 1/16" thick black styrene would give it the depth you need?
Otto

[peteski]

I would try to fix the perspective and use the photo as a template to trace the sign outline and letters in Corel Draw (because that is what I use).  The letters are fairly simple, and the "DINE" uses similar typeface - just have to make the letters italic.  As for the glass, I would fix the brightness/contrast and just cut out the glass shape, then paste it into the artwork. It will be so small in N scale that even the low-res image should be fine.