Diorama Guide, opinions wanted. - Aircraft of World War II

Airframes · 10-31-2008, 07:52 PM

At the moment, the Diorama Guide is progressing well, with the introduction and Section One completed, and work advanced on the first 'Build Guide', with drawings and photographs describing planning, materials, the baseboard and the actual build of the first aircraft diorama. This includes the figures and accessories, how they were sourced and/or converted or scratch-built.
However, in order to make this a worthwhile guide, which should really be published in (printed) book form, I have decided to go a little more 'in depth', which will result in the finished work being a lot bigger than originally anticipated. The first section described above is already in excess of 105 Kb, plus pictures and diagrams/drawings.
In order to make this available to the forum, and particularly as a useful aid to those that are new to the hobby, or still learning (as we all are!), I thought that it might be a good idea to post this in stages, in relevant sections.
Just to give an idea of the proposed layout, the complete guide starts with planning and preparation, covers basic materials, research and baseboard construction, and the first 'build', showing a fairly simple 1/48th scale fighter dispersal point in the E.T.0. during WW2. It then goes on to cover various scenarios, including landscapes, scenery, backdrops, and the more complex build of accessories such as servicing platforms etc., which are all incorporated into separate diorams. Culminating on hints and tips for producing dioramas for photography, using mixed scales, the guide will also include a listing of some sort on materials, their availability and source.
What I need is your opinions.
Do I post it in stages, or as a complete (lengthy) work, the latter taking some time to complete?
I will also need, eventually, some advice on the format for, and how to, post this in the best way for easy reading and reference.
Thanks in anticipation.
Terry.

rochie · 10-31-2008, 07:57 PM

i see no problems with posting each topic or chapter as you finish them terry

109ROAMING · 10-31-2008, 08:21 PM

Yup I agree Terry ,proberly best to post in stages make it easier on yourself

Wayne Little · 11-01-2008, 08:45 AM

Sections sounds like the way to go Terry, you may find helpful hints to be added by other members to expand upon what you post too!

B-17engineer · 11-01-2008, 08:52 AM

AGreed with everyone!

Lucky13 · 11-01-2008, 08:57 AM

I agree with the fellas dear boy!

Airframes · 11-01-2008, 07:19 PM

Thanks chaps! Like your idea Wayne, I was going to suggest additions by others, including yourself, of course!
So, I should be able to post the first section by the end of this month, all being well.
I could use some advice from mods on the format and how to post etc. Obviously, I can provide details of the text/illustration context and layout.
Thanks again,
Terry.

Wayne Little · 11-01-2008, 08:21 PM

Not being an expert, I have been working on a build sequence using a word doc and then converting each page to PDF, this for me at least has worked well. Especially in reducing the size of each page.

Airframes · 11-01-2008, 10:46 PM

Thanks Wayne. That's how I'm doing it for now, but I think if I did it in 'Publisher', I could incorporate the pics and drawings as they would appear in a book, with proper page layout, if you know what I mean!
Somewhere in the vast array of stuff on my P.C., I should have the tools to convert to a PDF file, but perhaps if someone could give me some tips, it would help; this would be particularly pertinent if I decide to include some scale drawings/plans, for such things as 'accessories' to be scratch-built, in order that readers can download/print to the correct scale size.
Maybe Wurger, Matt or Micdrow could advise?
Thanks for the input,
Terry.

Catch22 · 11-01-2008, 11:16 PM

I BELIEVE you'd just use Adobe Acrobat. Not the reader, but the actual program. And I agree with the guys, post 'em as you finish 'em!

10-31-2008, 07:52 PM	#1
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,037	Diorama Guide, opinions wanted. At the moment, the Diorama Guide is progressing well, with the introduction and Section One completed, and work advanced on the first 'Build Guide', with drawings and photographs describing planning, materials, the baseboard and the actual build of the first aircraft diorama. This includes the figures and accessories, how they were sourced and/or converted or scratch-built. However, in order to make this a worthwhile guide, which should really be published in (printed) book form, I have decided to go a little more 'in depth', which will result in the finished work being a lot bigger than originally anticipated. The first section described above is already in excess of 105 Kb, plus pictures and diagrams/drawings. In order to make this available to the forum, and particularly as a useful aid to those that are new to the hobby, or still learning (as we all are!), I thought that it might be a good idea to post this in stages, in relevant sections. Just to give an idea of the proposed layout, the complete guide starts with planning and preparation, covers basic materials, research and baseboard construction, and the first 'build', showing a fairly simple 1/48th scale fighter dispersal point in the E.T.0. during WW2. It then goes on to cover various scenarios, including landscapes, scenery, backdrops, and the more complex build of accessories such as servicing platforms etc., which are all incorporated into separate diorams. Culminating on hints and tips for producing dioramas for photography, using mixed scales, the guide will also include a listing of some sort on materials, their availability and source. What I need is your opinions. Do I post it in stages, or as a complete (lengthy) work, the latter taking some time to complete? I will also need, eventually, some advice on the format for, and how to, post this in the best way for easy reading and reference. Thanks in anticipation. Terry.

10-31-2008, 07:57 PM	#2
rochie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: billingham nr middlesbrough uk Posts: 3,107	i see no problems with posting each topic or chapter as you finish them terry __________________ "We're not easily frightened. Also we know how hard it is for an army to cross the Channel — the last little corporal to try it came a cropper. So don't threaten or dictate to us until you're marching up Whitehall! ...and even then we won't listen!" quote from B.O.B movie

10-31-2008, 08:21 PM	#3
109ROAMING Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 4,994	Yup I agree Terry ,proberly best to post in stages make it easier on yourself __________________ "When all else fails read the manual"

11-01-2008, 08:45 AM	#4
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511	Sections sounds like the way to go Terry, you may find helpful hints to be added by other members to expand upon what you post too! __________________

11-01-2008, 08:52 AM	#5
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,675	AGreed with everyone! __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

11-01-2008, 08:57 AM	#6
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,128	I agree with the fellas dear boy! __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

11-01-2008, 07:19 PM	#7
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,037	Thanks chaps! Like your idea Wayne, I was going to suggest additions by others, including yourself, of course! So, I should be able to post the first section by the end of this month, all being well. I could use some advice from mods on the format and how to post etc. Obviously, I can provide details of the text/illustration context and layout. Thanks again, Terry.

11-01-2008, 08:21 PM	#8
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511	Not being an expert, I have been working on a build sequence using a word doc and then converting each page to PDF, this for me at least has worked well. Especially in reducing the size of each page. __________________

11-01-2008, 10:46 PM	#9
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,037	Thanks Wayne. That's how I'm doing it for now, but I think if I did it in 'Publisher', I could incorporate the pics and drawings as they would appear in a book, with proper page layout, if you know what I mean! Somewhere in the vast array of stuff on my P.C., I should have the tools to convert to a PDF file, but perhaps if someone could give me some tips, it would help; this would be particularly pertinent if I decide to include some scale drawings/plans, for such things as 'accessories' to be scratch-built, in order that readers can download/print to the correct scale size. Maybe Wurger, Matt or Micdrow could advise? Thanks for the input, Terry.

11-01-2008, 11:16 PM	#10
Catch22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,293	I BELIEVE you'd just use Adobe Acrobat. Not the reader, but the actual program. And I agree with the guys, post 'em as you finish 'em! __________________

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