Challenge: Figuring dimensions off photographs.

[PAL_Houston]

I know this is not contributing to the discussion, but that sure is a piece of architecture only a mother could love. Looks like it should be at an airport.

+1. 

I was going to say that you should do something about the aesthetics when you build it, but this is obviously one of those times when you just have to adhere to prototype fidelity.

I predict it will be the conversation piece of your layout....of course, you knew that, didn't you?!!

[rochsub]

+1. 

I was going to say that you should do something about the aesthetics when you build it, but this is obviously one of those times when you just have to adhere to prototype fidelity.

I predict it will be the conversation piece of your layout....of course, you knew that, didn't you?!!

Yep, I got to admit its pretty ugly.  I think it will be cool none the less.  Will definitely need to hang a photo of the prototype on the wall above that particular location of the layout!

[Bsklarski]

Those security cameras on the roof are all standard size. I know its smaller than a window or door but its something "of known size" to go by

[jnevis]

I've used Google Earth and Sketch Up to rough out a couple structures.  It takes a little pratice and TLAR (That Looks About Right- **official gov't engineering term) but the end result will have scable dimensions.

[wcfn100]

Something you could look at for a building like this is to first build model in a 3D program.  You would then be able to view it at whatever angle you want and compare it to photographs.  Better programs will even let you adjust the camera zoom to match a telephoto lens.  Once you build it to proportion, any known dimension can scale the model.

edit: Missed it by that much.  LOL

Jason

[sirenwerks]

That Looks About Right- **official gov't engineering term

That's in the FAR, right?

[Bob Bufkin]

GEFGW (good enough for government work).   Used this most of the time.

[robert3985]

Just for comparison's sake, here's the yard tower I'll be building.  It's for the Riverdale Yard in Utah and stood from 1947 until the mid 60's.



Gotta say although I congratulate anybody who decides to model prototype details, I'm really happy that my chosen era doesn't force me to include the subject of this thread!

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[Bob Bufkin]

Just for comparison's sake, here's the yard tower I'll be building.  It's for the Riverdale Yard in Utah and stood from 1947 until the mid 60's.



Gotta say although I congratulate anybody who decides to model prototype details, I'm really happy that my chosen era and road don't include the subject of this thread!

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

Neat looking.  Reuse of an old water tank?

[pnolan48]

Now that is ugly.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, I think Bob is trying to outugly Darryl, with some success I might add
Can't make this stuff up...I love this hobby!
Otto

[DKS]

Just for comparison's sake, here's the yard tower I'll be building.  It's for the Riverdale Yard in Utah and stood from 1947 until the mid 60's.

That's one of those oddballs that, if modeled faithfully, anyone unaware of the prototype (which would likely be virtually everyone) will think the builder had gone 'round the bend.

[NARmike]

Now that is ugly.

He He... Looks like something "Pa Kettle" would have built

Mike

[jnevis]

It looks like someone put the kid's play house on a water tower then stuck an outhouse underneath.

[bill pearce]

I have always used to good result the known door height figure (You can often assume that a door is 3 feet wide, too), but I have seen several clinics at the Naperville meets where modelers have taken ordinary yardsticks and painted them to be more visible, and put them in reference photos they took.