Need suggestions on how to make my buildings realistic

since you're fairly new, please look in the Scenery Sourcelist for both sources and ideas. Most Forumites are here to help you so I hope you get lots of advice.

Dave G.

Dave,

Long time no speak! Thank you very much for the info! 

Greg

Outside detail can also be added. There are a lot of small detail parts that can add.

Masters kit from BTS.

Another small kit with detail parts added.

Another great structure, Mike. Your attention to structural detail and accessories is astounding. I have enjoyed all your posts. Thanks much for sharing.

Add a few Arttista figures.

If you check Westport Model Works on the OGR scenery list under the topics 'interior details you will find many details for commercial and residential structures that should aid your project.

Les Lewis

Check out Rusty Tracks, Scenic Accents, and scenic express. Your about to venture into one of the best aspects of this hobby

Thank you all so much for the help! I am really looking forward to adding detail, both inside and out, to my structures!
God Bless,

Greg

I would suggest studying the Woodland Scenics built ups carefully.  they are a lesson in "realistic."  I realize they are not perfect, but you have to go to the extremes of skill to get any better.  

Note where and how they color and weather.  And all the "stuff" they tack on to the sides, back, front, roof, etc.  Dogs asleep near the front door, AC window units, sacks and stack sin front of the hardware store, that very cool "horsey ride" in front of the forthcoming AG grocery store, flower boxes outside windows, awnings, dumpsters, utility electric meters, etc., etc., etc.  You get a good idea of what it takes to make a building look more realistic.  

One of the pitfalls and over powering feelings that newbies get when starting to 'realistically' improve their layouts is they take on too much at once.  You can't do the whole layout at once.  What I use is a toilet paper tube to help in deciding what to do.  Really!  Pick an area you want to work in and LOOK at it through the tube.  The ONLY things you can see are the details!  You can't see any of the other distractions in the room, just the details.  Now what looks WRONG in the scene, fix it, add to it, maybe even look at things like how shiny is it!  It just might take a bit of Dullcoat or weathering to make it perfect.  Bottom line, scenery is always a work in progress, have fun, and keep at it, it will get better and better.  Russ

When I built my N gauge shelf layout, I used ground foam in different colors. That wasbthe tricky part being color blind. I used a tooth pick and traced a jagged line with white glue then sprinkled the foam over the glue. It made nice looking vines. I then sparied hair spry over it when the glue dried to hold it in shape. You can do the same with those power poles and lines to make it look like the vines climbed up and across .

Thank you all so much for the advice/suggestions! I am overwhelmed with the ideas people have given me. I love this forum 

Thanks again,

Greg

The most important thing I've learned so far is when you add interior lights to most plastic buildings, it makes the walls glow.  Unpainted plastic is suprisingly translucent.  This tends to ruin the intended effect, and is difficult to correct once a building is built and detailed.  It also causes some mild swearing.

Before adding detailing, I recommend painting the inside black or silver (silver has been recommended by others as the best option to defeat glow).  It may take several coats if hand brushing, and the best option (for unassembled structures) is to spray paint the interior walls before assembly.

-Dustin

Another often overlooked area in buildings is the roof details.  Chimneys, air conditioners, water tanks, access doors, soil pipes, TV antennas, and etc.  Paint them a flat color.  Hang washing on them.  Have people doing various duties on them.  Have a crew tarpapering the roof.

The great thing about the them is that are usually noticed right as most layouts we are looking down at them.

Art 

Just as an example, here's a small station that I made a few years ago () that was evne a kit that I had developed as a teaching tool.  This is a bit more dressed up than the kit version.

and the interior and lighting....

Art's comment about roofs is right-on.
BTS kit. with added Builders-in-scale corrugated metal roof.

Another view with diamond shaped shingles.

I had also done work with brass gutters and down spouts.
Korber 304 Roundhouse with a custom roof.

Exterior to put interio into context:

On the 1st floor:

On the 2nd floor:

Part of the interior - the rafter system:

Interior details were either fabricated, Berkshire Valley, or "other"......

Another interior. Problem is you have to take the building apart to see it.

Nice detail, but again difficult to see.  A fair amount of time on these (3) coal conveyors.

Under the structure.

Another interior....

Here's the front 3 quarter exterior...

and the interior:

This is a great thread.  I love some of the buildings here.  Wow!  I want to build some now!