DOMED CITY (1:160 scale) WIP

[Peter54]

The domed city will be part of a sci-fi diorama, which is currently a WIP as well.
https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/a-sci-fi-diorama-1-160-scale-wip.14417/post-212563

Today I went to the plumbers warehouse to see what I could use. I came home with the following.


Online I ordered a 600mm diameter clear acrylic dome.


After taking measurements of the plumbing supply, the following plans evolved.

 

[blakeh1]

1/160 is N scale (or close enough)?

Should have lots of good fodder for buildings and trains with N Scale stuff

 

[Peter54]

1/160 is N scale (or close enough)?

Should have lots of good fodder for buildings and trains with N Scale stuff

Yes, with N scale.
I am still uncertain about the fodder.
Trains? well I may get a tram in the dome. But what I want to do is to buy the train's motor and chassis and create my own bodies for them.

 

[blakeh1]

I figure there are a bunch of power plant, tanks, and industrial kits that might make for some cool sci fi kit bashes

things like power susbtations and transformers etc...

 

[Peter54]

I figure there are a bunch of power plant, tanks, and industrial kits that might make for some cool sci fi kit bashes
things like power susbtations and transformers etc...

Thanks for sharing your ideas about these kits.

 

[Peter54]

While waiting for the dome and an acrylic sheet to arrive, I decided to play around with the possibilities of creating different modules. As you know, the dome sits on a PVC pipe, and the pipe gets to be inserted into a diorama tabletop. This insertion can be used for all sorts of modules from the ground up. The possibilities are endless.

 

[urumomo]

 

[Peter54]

View attachment 94079

Nice modelling job on the burger and chips.

 

[urumomo]

You know , scale model food is a thing in Japan .
I was perplexed by it when I stumbled across the offerings at Hobby Link Japan years ago .

 

[Peter54]

The dome arrived today; huge, clean, crystal clear, without a single scratch. I am impressed.

I took some measurements of the actual product and quickly packed it up again for when it's time to crown the dome diorama.

 

[blakeh1]

Nice idea

Looking forward to it

 

[Peter54]

Finally chosen the dimensions to use for the space (Business Area) under the dome platform. The 40mm clearance ought to be large enough for a grand hall as well as to see things inside that space.
The dome itself will only be resting on its platform. And the platform will be 'keyed' to rest on top of its walls and pillars. Both are removable to gain easy access to both dome and Business Centre areas.

 

[Peter54]

The larger Business Centre changes the overall appearance of the domed city.



Also will include alignment screws to square the structure. I may not need them, but it's better to install them before assembling that part of the framework.

 

[Peter54]

Scribblings on how I might illuminate dome interior.


LDR = Light dependant resistor
PWM = Pulse width modulator

 

[Peter54]

 

[Peter54]

I plan to use a 7-segment display clocking circuit to give a somewhat random looking display of LEDs.
Here I am determining how often certain LEDs are on during a count from 0-9.


The landing platform 'panels' will be Illuminated by coloured LEDs.
Here are some ideas that came to mind...


Replacing the 7-segment display for ordinary LEDs. In the below example I would be using 4 x 7 coloured LEDs for the larger panels. And using rectangular LEDs for the 1-10 LED sequencing towards the centre round LED.

 

[urumomo]

I think you should ask a helicopter pilot what they think about those first , lol .
You want them to land , not crash into a mesmerizing light show .

Concentric rings cascading inward would be cool --- but that's definitely boring compared to those other proposals .

 

[Peter54]

They would be using other resources for guiding a landing, even without requiring visual. AI takes all the fun out of it.
Besides, models are just eye candy for us creative types... it doesn't have to be practical (though it helps) to look good.

 

[Grendels]

This should be interesting to follow....

 

[trekriffic]

Wowsa! This is quite the project, Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.