Best Of Static Grasss vs. No Static Grass

[rochsub]

I'm experimenting with static grass on the UPRR Geneva Subdivision and am looking for feedback on whether is improves a scene or not. Side by side comparison photos are on my blog.  Check them out.  Your feedback is appreciated.

http://genevasub.blogspot.com

Daryl

[John]

As long as it's not overdone, I like the static grass .. I just need to get one of those rube goldberg machines ..

[Blazeman]

The difference is palpable. How much more work is it for you to do the static grrass and is that worth it to you?

But since you are asking, the static scenes look "better" to me.

[Hyperion]

The difference is definitely noticeable.  The first shot you have in particular is greatly improved with the static grass.  But I think, all-in-all, the improvement is most noticeable (and worth the effort) as scenes are viewed at closer to eye-level.  From looking-down it's not that great of an improvement, and from scale-eye-height, the difference is mammoth.

[sirenwerks]

Without sounding like a women's hair care product commercial, it takes the relatively flat, dull ground foam and adds depth and richness. The static grass is definitely an improvement.

[bobcat]

I think the static grass is an improvement too.

Can't wait to get one for myself. I put the Noch static grass applicator on my Christmas list for my wife to get me. ;D

[chuck geiger]

D-Man do the grass.

[Philip H]

Once you go grass you never go back.

[mark dance]

To me the added grass in your photos made a very positive difference.

For what it is worth, I find static grass makes the most difference right along the layout edge so I tend not to use it on "the other" side of the tracks...

Please note that my experience is limited to my second deck as it is the only sceniced deck right now.  That deck is 50-54" high so the viewer is looking through the grass in some spots at the trains so the difference can be quite dramatic. 

I use it sparingly, for example I don't use static grass in my forested areas ...I havent' found a blend that does a better job there than my other techniques (dirt, ground leaves, twigs, ground foams)

thx
md

[chuck geiger]

Mark - Great point on doing the right side and keeping
left side normal. It gives depth to the grass, higher
points closer to the viewer and lower points farther
away.

[GaryHinshaw]

I definitely prefer it with the grass.  In fact, I would be tempted to mix in some longer [6mm] flock as well to convey a feeling of the prairie grass.  I have in my mind pictures like this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=290875&nseq=33
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=338051&nseq=48

[I love that first shot by Schmollinger!]  A little weed-killed brown grass adjacent to the ROW would be cool too.  You're definitely approaching that variety with the addition of the static grass: the scene is coming along very nicely!

-gfh

[wm3798]

Phil came over and did a few square feet on my layout, and while I still haven't finished detailing around it, it makes a vast improvement.  Ground foam still has it's place, but the static grass adds another layer of texture that really makes the scenes "pop".

I say keep going...

Lee

[Ian MacMillan]

For me static grass is a must. You need to mix heights and colors along with other scenery materials. I will never go back to laying down WS ground foam after having used static.

[diezmon]

As long as it's not overdone, I like the static grass .. I just need to get one of those rube goldberg machines ..

Oh, I dunno.. have you seen Caleb's work?  He applies it w/out the machine and his looks great. 

[DKS]

Oh, I dunno.. have you seen Caleb's work?  He applies it w/out the machine and his looks great.

Successful application depends on a number of factors: how prominent the grass appears, how long the fibers are, the general nature of the scene, etc. For example, a large field of grass looks much better when applied with a static device; longer fibers will look better as well since they'll tend to stand up straighter. However, a natural, more "wild" area that has grass, low growth, shrubs and so forth can be developed quite well without the static device since the grass isn't as prominent. It also takes a degree of skill to get the grass to look decent without a static device; it's not just a matter of applying glue and shaking on flocking. A static device makes the process a little more fool-proof.