Using Inkscape to make ghost signs for model buildings

[@roystudds1944]

Fascinating video Michael. I’m going to have to watch this again. Probably a couple of times. Thanks for sharing. Roy.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Roy - I hope you can turn it into something! Michael

[@JamesPetts]

Impressive ghost sign - and just in time for hallowe'en, too!

[@Chandwell]

WoooOoOOooOoOOOOOOOoooOOOOOh! :-) Michael

[@valentinsn-ostalgiemodellbahn]

Great idea to make brick walls readable, Michael. And it fits perfectly to cardboard constructions, thanks to your tutorial it is easy to replicate. Thaks a lot for showing us! Stay creative - Valentin

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Valentin! Michael

[@chimpalienbaby7312]

Thank you so much for these Inkscape tutorials, they are so helpful!

[@Chandwell]

You're very welcome! And thank YOU so much for joining my channel and supporting my videos. It means a lot. I hope you enjoy your time in Chandwell! Michael.

[@andrewretallick4614]

That looks really cool Michael 😎 Andrew👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Andrew! Michael

[@Miertreg1]

Super 👍👍👍. Greetings Gert

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Gert! Michael

[@peterstecks7660]

Superb Michael. Don't think we didn't notice the tutorial on Ghost Signs published on Halloween Weekend... Whoooooooooo. Spooky or what... 😱😱😱😱😱 😉

[@Chandwell]

There's no sneaking one past you, Peter! :) Michael

[@brokeastronomer]

Super video Michael. Like any tutorial, you try it yourself using your video (stop/start) as a reference. Thank you for making it.

[@Chandwell]

You're very welcome! Thank you! Michael

[@markhayes789]

This is a great vid to come back to. I'm going to use this technique today.

[@Chandwell]

Brilliant! Give it a go. Let me know how you get on! Michael

[@56NeilWatson]

Thanks Micheal. Just about to watch

[@Chandwell]

Hope it was of use! :) Michael

[@Barbarossamodels]

Hi Michael, wow that’s a lot of information to take in….obviously it’s a trial & error as much as anything to create something like this, but the finished result is awesome😯👌 Outstanding layout you have, and these techniques make the details stand out even more! Very nicely done sir🙂👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much indeed! Michael

[@folkloreofbeing]

You can also match a font width to the box by using copy--edit-paste size-paste width. (right click the box to copy size and paste size on font).

[@Chandwell]

Wow! Every day is a school day! This is an excellent tip - and even better, it keeps it in proportion if you have the lock proportions button turned on. Thank you! Michael

[@davidparker2724]

As usual....Fantastic! There really isn't anything that cannot be done with Inkscape! Well done!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you David! :) Inkscape really is superb - I use it for almost everything Michael

[@davestrains6816]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Dave! :) Michael

[@exehavenharbour]

I do like a ghost sign Michael, good tutorial mate look forward to seeing them on future builds at Chandwell, cheers for now John

[@Chandwell]

Thanks John 👍 Michael

[@folkloreofbeing]

Also, you can age the sign more with some grunge textures and using difference to give them a rough and faded texture. (grunge texture on top, text underneath).

[@Chandwell]

I will have a go at that for my next one! Sounds very "Chandwell"! :) Michael

[@folkloreofbeing]

@@Chandwell I forgot! You'll need to bitmap the texture. Prob best idea is to use the brickwork texture you'll already be using to do it, and the the grainy wear will line up with bricks, then.

[@Chandwell]

@@folkloreofbeing I'd love to see an example. If you have one, please will you email [e-mail]? Thanks! :) Michael

[@markhayes789]

Great info! Thanks!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Mark! They're never as popular, the Inkscape ones, but I know they're appreciated by those who use it! All the best! Michael

[@folkloreofbeing]

In a few place in my home town, there are a few of these ghost signs left. Of course, most of our old buildings were knocked down for modern monstrosities. Such a shame 😥

[@Chandwell]

It really is a shame. These things are part of the fabric of our heritage and should be kept. Michael

[@ericsainte290]

Really interesting. It may even be practical to create faded signs decals using a laser printer for objects using white paint and varnishes to print on transparent decal paper... or directly on a wall of a textured model (like on redutex sheets or painted slaters plastic sheets) I use for N scale as for OO scale. And that can also be useful to make faded signs on panels (billboards) or faded paint on metal advertising signs.

[@Chandwell]

Hello Eric - thank you for joining my channel as a Chandwell Resident! Yes, all of these things would be fun to explore, but I can't think of how you could "print" white onto a texture that already exists..? Maybe your white paint and varnish idea would work. I would love to hear from you if you give something a try with any kind of success. All the best! Michael.

[@ericsainte290]

@@Chandwell it uses the printer Peco use to apply decoratio.s on their N wagons. It is a laser UV printer made by Roland that can print on flat and lightly curved objects, like printing logos on pens, golf balls or lighters. Before they used tampography, but with that machine the result is as crisp, and much more durable as the paint is varnished then 'cooked' using UV light. I design lasercut building kits for a Belgian producer and he uses this type of machine to apply markings on the wagons, coaches and locos he produces in HO and N. Its latest product is a liquid iron transport wagon from Cockerill in HO, and all markings were painted with that machine.

[@Chandwell]

Oh wow. That is amazing. With something like that, the opportunities are endless aren’t they!?

[@normanrowe2831]

Your level of ghostiness is frightening.

[@Chandwell]

WooOoOOOooOOoOOOOOOoooooooh! :) :) Michael

[@kargandarr]

Which palette has the blend modes on it? I haven't found that one yet that I know of.

[@Chandwell]

They are on the Layer palette and the fill and stroke one just near the colour selector. Let me know if you can’t find it. Michael

[@kargandarr]

@@Chandwell Thanks, I see it now.

[@nthechocolatefactory372]

Where do you find your card stock?

[@Chandwell]

I buy 0.5mm, 1mm, and sometimes 2mm greyboard from eBay. I will be making a video soon about the materials I use, so please keep an eye out for that! Michael

[@jimcubie3546]

i AM USING THE NEW VERSION OF inkscape. In trying to place the circles at the corner of the border I cannot find "bounding box midpoint to bounding box corner."

[@Chandwell]

Make sure you've turned on all of the options in the snapping tool and it should work.

[@SHGPMedia]

I can see me using this a few times

[@Chandwell]

Give it a go! Michael

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Michael