I've always thought that there is such thing as too much detail. But when do you come to the realization that you are over doing it? I have been gifted with a large area to build my future layout and I do like lots of detail but don't want to over do it. So I pose this question to you guys, when do say stop? Scott
I don't think there are any set rules. Each situation requires whatever it requires. when does a painter decide that a painting is finished?
NEVER ENOUGH DETAIL.THAT'S WHY A LAYOUT IS NEVER FINISHED. ITS THE HOBBY'S WAY OF KEEPING YOU HOOKED & SPENDING YOUR MONEY.:shade:
Details are what make a model railroad bridge the gap and make you think you are looking at real life and not just a model.. the more details you can add the more you will trick the mind into being convinced it is a image of 1-1 real life. In this case More is better!!
You can never have too much detail on a model railroad. Any layout is never finished as one can always add and upgrade the details. Stay cool and run steam.....
I never got my old layout even to finished scenery, so I'll simply say what looks right in photos and what doesn't. It's possible to over-weather. I've seen some models (of railroad equipment or just buildings) so over-worn that they would've been scrapped. A wooden freight car with a number of cracked boards... I won't say such cars haven't run, but it looked wrong. That reminds me. I once read - wasn't it an old RMC article? - about a wood building where some of the boards were of non-standard width. Its builder admitted that this was unlikely in reality. There's such a thing as too much randomness. I've seen layouts with too many road signs in a small area. This leads into a fairly common situation... Too many vignettes. Little scenes of detailed activity are often designed to be unusual. This can become slightly "Where's Waldo"-ish. This is especially common on layouts designed for shows, where they have to compete to get and hold attention. I know I don't like crop circles in a field - too "cutesy" for me. The jury's still out on the chase scene involving the General Lee. In general, I would say "Stop just before the details become distracting."
I agree with Triplex. There can be too many details. It makes it distracting and takes away from the overall feel. I would say pick a few areas that you really want to highlight. Mine are goingto be my engine facilities, a depot, two industries that are prominate and a few of the city buildings. The other areas will have some details like cows in a field, cars on the road, ect. But these wont be overdetailed. Just my thoughts, Eric
I think the key is to remember than any particular part of the scenery requires it's own approach. Presumably you'll have enough space on your layout to have both a town and a rural area. For the town, no amount of detail is ever enough. For the rurual area, put it a few trees and details, but then just keep working on colors, textures, natural looking erosion, etc. It's an art form.
I use the "3 foot rule" due to my vision is more like 10 feet for you. If I can't see it at 3 feet, I'm not going to spend much time adding it. This might show up in my photos but it's my layout and I'll do what I want.
Good rule of thumb- the "good enough" rule. If, after working on a particluar locomotive, car or building, if it looks good enough to you, STOP I add enough details to my Frisco locomotives to hopefully make visitors to my layout recognize 'em as Frisco locomotives- I don't get hung up on such details as cab seat colors, cab interior colors, or anything else. Same way with scenes. Add as much as you feel comfortable with, then move on. It is YOUR layout-if anyone starts niticking, remind them of that fact, and if neccesary give 'em the bum's rush. Don't get so hung up on details that you forget the overall picture. Traingeekboy's "tree-foot-rule" is a good one. ANd above all else, enjoy- it's a hobby.
I agree. Regardless of whether we are comfortable with 10, 100, or 1000 details in a given area of our layout, we should probably think about the distribution or concentration of those details. The detailing that is just right for the front of the layout is over-kill at the back. But even at the front of the layout, we add details to accomplish a particular purpose, generally to add realism to a scene in some way, but also to draw our attention toward one location and/or away from another. Some modelers develop little areas of concentrated detailing, even super-detailing, to arrest the eye and make you focus on one spot or a specific area. Sometimes, it might just be a splash of color, other times some special detail pieces added to a scene. But to enhance the eye-catching effect, many modelers will surround the eye-catching scene with an area that has much less detail, is less textured, and may have duller colors. As others have said, it's a personal choice of what you prefer; and there probably isn't any formula that can define or quantify what is, after all, an art form instead of a science.
This is sound advice. What helps in these situation is a digital camera (merely for the instant availability of the images) and taking photos of the area of the layout you want to detail and a similar real-life area. Study the two and consider where you would add detail to the modelled scene. As you do more you will get a better feel for it and probably rely less on reference images.
details The old saying, “ Its all in the details “ has put many of us in the hole. My previous HO scale Norfolk Southern was one such animal. I used a shoe horn and seemed to fill every nook and cranny with scenery. It became to much for the visitor to take it all in and then later to ,much for me to maintain. In the long run, make the layout with as much detail as you want, but don’t crowed things. When you find your self not wanting to finish a project because its to much work, then take note, you have crossed the line of to much detail. Keep it fun, it’s a hobby and its supposed to be relaxing, nit a second job.
Well hmm a loaded question hmmmm LOL For me I look at it this way. If I stand in front of a tree and it looks the size of an O scale tree, as I am far enough away for it to look that small, I see only so much detail. And if I achieve that on my layout then I am happy with it. My buildings tend to have more because I use to build them. But overall I figure if it is as detailed as real life then it is enough. I don't go up to a layout and say this and that about the detail because mose times I never go up to the real thing and study its detail either. If it look right at about 3 feet away then it is right. As for clutter, that depends on the individual. SOme like and some don't As for counting rivets, if it is not a replica then why bother? Anyhow, that's my two cents worth.
Whatever you can afford and have the time and patience to do. There is also the camera factor. If you will be taking pictures, super detailing is a must.
I must take exception to the honorable gentlman's use of "must". If you will be taking pictures to share - the "Oh WOW" factor will be much greater. Details stand out in a picture because the mind has a smaller area to study.
"I must take exception to the honorable gentlman's use of "must"." Steve- The above quote is from Mr. Lobster Hand. And while we are at it, who said I was either honorable or a gentleman? Now that the above is off my chest (or carapace, as the case may be), I beg to differ. What looks good to the eye will not on a photo with a macro lens unless a lot of detailing is done. Please take a look at either Dudler's or Widmar's work. I am in awe.
Not to take away from any of the excellent "Get you Inspired" photographs I have seen posted on train board, I must admit that the more detail attained in modeling does really brings out the "WOW" factor, making you second guess that it could be a real scene. I have to agree with Fotheringill what one percieves as excelent with the eye, to the camera is altogether something else, and details do tend to enhance the photo.
For me it comes down to this. Can I do that much detail? And will I enjoy it? I know I know, too simple LOL
