{"id":398,"date":"2013-09-22T04:55:11","date_gmt":"2013-09-22T09:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smallmodelrailroads.wordpress.com\/?p=398"},"modified":"2019-01-30T10:42:49","modified_gmt":"2019-01-30T15:42:49","slug":"layout-composition-and-design-concepts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/layout-composition-and-design-concepts\/","title":{"rendered":"Layout Composition and Design Concepts"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post marks the one year anniversary of the Small Model Railroad web site. The first post “I Miss Carl Arendt!<\/a>” was a tribute to Carl Arendt who had recently passed away. Those of you who have read the site know that his site and views on the hobby changed my way of enjoying the hobby. I have tried to write about things from a broad spectrum of subjects. Something for everyone, even if they are not wanting to do something small. The plan is to continue writing posts and sharing my thoughts and views on the hobby. This month we will take a look at layout design concepts.<\/p>\n

Composition and Design Concepts<\/h1>\n

When designing a small layout or a scene for a larger layout it pays to do some homework and use some basic layout\/design concepts. These layout\/design concepts are used in other mediums including painting, sculpting and diorama construction. In all mediums the goal is to present a scene that looks as close to the real thing as possible. This is the same goal we Model Railroaders want to achieve.<\/p>\n

The Rule of Thirds<\/h2>\n

This rule is used by many artists as a basic tool of composition. The rule is to draw imaginary lines across the scene splitting the scene into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. Then align the key features along these lines (more detailed info here http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rule_of_thirds<\/a>). While our track and trains may move through the entire scene, the extra bits that mimic the real world should be placed along these lines. Some bits could include, figures, mini scenes, buildings, doorways, trees and so on.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>
This photograph of a sunset taken in the Thousand Islands region demonstrates the principles of the rule of thirds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the following image we take a look at Carl Arendt’s Somerset Agricultural Products (SAP) Line<\/a>. Although we are the mercy of the photographer who took the photo, it is clearly plain that the scene is split into thirds. Even the sky and roof line are approximately 1\/3 of the scene. The far right edge of the building and the figure align with the RH line. The track and travel of the train align with the bottom third.<\/p>\n

\"SAP
SAP Line Divided into Thirds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Designing with Forced Perspective and Vanishing Point<\/h2>\n

A sense of depth helps to provide the scene with a more realistic feel. Many model railroaders add smaller figures and buildings to the rear areas of the layout, but there is much more that we can do. While designing the scenes for Mound City 1862<\/a> I wanted the viewer to look into the scene and see further than the 18 inches that was presented. To do this I knew I would have to use some Forced Perspective<\/a> to get it done. One of the first things I did (other than the basic track plan) was to lay out the roads using a  Vanishing Point<\/a>. At the front of the layout, the road be wide as in the prototype. As it moved toward the rear of the scene the road would narrow. I could not do this too suddenly as the trains half way back in the scene would expose the illusion. I choose a vanishing point that was several feet beyond the back of the layout. I will hide the edge rear edge with a layering of building flats and other view obstructions. So far I have just started the buildings but the mock-up shown below shows great promise for the use of the vanishing point.<\/p>\n

\"Looking
Looking down a street in Mound City 1862<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Even
Even from an angle the street appears to grow smaller as it nears the back of the module<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Layering Objects<\/h2>\n

The use of background buildings and flats is not new to model railroading. The layering of flats and the use of exaggerated angles can also suggest additional depth. The following images are from a series of dioramas produced by Brian G Kammerer. Brian’s depiction of a street scene in Hannibal MO shows the technique very well. The scene appears to have depth and it is not easy to see where the actual buildings stop and the background begins.<\/p>\n

\"Hannibal
Hannibal MO Box Diorama by Brian G Kammerer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the next couple images we can see how Brian fooled the viewer with buildings that were almost completely flat. The odd angles used on the side walls of the buildings gave an additional impression of depth. The entire scene is really only a few inches deep.<\/p>\n

\"Hannibal
Hannibal MO Box Diorama by Brian G Kammerer as seen from above.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Additional
Additional view of Hannibal MO Box Diorama by Brian G Kammerer as seen from above.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only Model What Will Be Seen<\/h2>\n

When building structures, it is common to think of four walls, full roof and foundation. Within the layout you only need to think of the few angles that the scene can be viewed from. The viewers mind will automatically fill in the blank spaces. Below is a scene from the diorama Union Camp, Culpepper, VA by Brian G Kammerer. When viewed from the front all appears complete and even the depth seems deeper than it really is as the mind puts space between the background and the row of tents.<\/p>\n

\"Union
Union Camp, Culpepper VA by Brian G Kammerer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In actuality there is not enough room behind the tents to complete the tent. Brian has only modeled what was seen and our mind has filled in the rest.<\/p>\n

\"Union
Union Camp, Culpepper VA by Brian G Kammerer side view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Using these techniques can increase the depth and perception of the model railroad scenes. As my layout Mound City 1862<\/a> progresses, I plan on using more of these techniques.<\/p>\n

About Brian G Kammerer<\/h2>\n

Brian is an accomplished artist with 35 years of Advertising experience and is a member of the Yahoo Civil War Model Railroading Group<\/a>. You can find out more about Brian’s artist background at http:\/\/www.bkmmrr-art.com\/<\/a> and his Civil War Battle Map Art project at http:\/\/www.cwbattlemapart.com\/<\/a>. Brian is also the creator of a movie called The Other Great Locomotive Chase (http:\/\/www.toglc.com\/<\/a>). The movie is a fantastic model railroad parity to the original Great Locomotive Chase<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post marks the one year anniversary of the Small Model Railroad web site. 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His writings on small and micro layouts at\u00a0http:\/\/www.carendt.com\/\u00a0changed my view of Model Railroading forever.\u00a0 Over several years I had attempted to build a few different layouts and all ended with a semi-constructed \"plywood central\" that did not satisfy or keep my attention. Each time I would get\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Layout Spotlight"","block_context":{"text":"Layout Spotlight","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/layout-spotlight\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"I miss Carl Arendt!","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/peek240.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":108,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/consider-the-small-layout\/","url_meta":{"origin":398,"position":1},"title":"Consider the Small Layout","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"October 14, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"NOTE: Many of the sample layouts featured in this article were borrowed from\u00a0Carl Arendt's web site. Links back to appropriate page on Carl's site have been provided. Among North American Model Railroad Hobbyists, there is a\u00a0predominant\u00a0thought that a \"real\" layout is one that fills a large space such as a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Small Layout How To Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Small Layout How To Articles","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/articles-on-small-layouts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Carl Arendt's Squarefoot Estate Railway, G scale in one square foot","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sqrfoot1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3075,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/small-layout-challenge-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":398,"position":2},"title":"Small Layout Challenge 2020","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"January 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"One of my favorite layout designs by Carl Arendt is Carl's Imports. Carl designed the micro layout to fit in a shoebox. Using what he referred to as an \"intercontinental research project\", Carl determined that the optimum sized shoebox (male variety) was determined to be 13 x 7 x 5\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Small Layout Design Ideas"","block_context":{"text":"Small Layout Design Ideas","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/small-layout-ideas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/challenge.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/challenge.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/challenge.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":860,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/the-4x8-layout-a-right-of-passage-for-the-model-railroad-rookie\/","url_meta":{"origin":398,"position":3},"title":"The 4×8 Layout – A Rite of Passage for the Model Railroad Rookie","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"July 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"I have been a model railroader for many years. My first layout was the classic 4x8 sheet of plywood. It was placed on top of an old pool table that was no longer used. I built several track arrangements on the surface and learned a lot about what works and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Small Layout How To Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Small Layout How To Articles","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/articles-on-small-layouts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The St. Louis Central Railroad is a project railroad from NMRA Gateway.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/history-museum-layout-overhead-view-640x326.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/history-museum-layout-overhead-view-640x326.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/history-museum-layout-overhead-view-640x326.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2125,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/all-the-model-rail-layouts\/","url_meta":{"origin":398,"position":4},"title":"All the Model Rail Layouts","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"September 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"While showing layouts as part of free-mo, I am often asked about my home layout. My response is often \"which one?\" At any given time I have at least four layouts in process (six right now). These layouts are always at various stages of completion and represent several scales, gauges\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":731,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/christmas-display-layouts\/","url_meta":{"origin":398,"position":5},"title":"Christmas Display Layouts","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"December 15, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"This month we will take a look at a series of Christmas layouts by Brian G Kammerer. 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