How do I make REALISTIC windows?

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

This is a tough one for sure. I study architecture and build quite a few scale models. I´m not sure how to do realistic looking windows.
This is the problem:
I´ve used clear plastic most of the time but it´s just too transparant. When you look at a window in daylight, you will not actually see into the building but rather see a ‘mirror image’ of what´s in front of the window. This is the effect I want to create.

Ideas?

2

Just a thought, have you tried putting aluminum foil behind the windows? Bob

3

My recollection is that the “mirror image” you describe often has a slight color shift in the blue direction, which brings up an interesting option: window tinting… you should be able to find some do-it-yourself material in a range of colors from silver to various shades of blue.

4

I used to make architectural models as well. If I remember correctly, we used 17% gray tinted acetate sandwiched behind clear glossy plastic film to simulate windows. Look at the images of my ferryboat “Tacoma” on the Ships Forum to see an example, especially at the detail image at the bottom of the page. This was standard procedure at the shops I worked at, we used this on virtually all of our building models, sometimes varying the shade depending on customer’s preferences. It also allows you to darken or black-out the interior of the model without actually painting the windows black.

5

Thanks for the advice.
I thought about tinting the windows but haven´t tried it yet.
Usually, as I build mostly 1:200, I can get away with not putting in any windows at all and painting the interior black (in those models I don´t build interiors).

6

Micro-mark sells a product called micro-glaze. I have not tried it yet, but it looks like a good product.
mark956

7

Real ordinary glass does not create mirror images if we loof perpemndicular to it unless there is a reflective or dark background. However, when light strikes it at an angle or we look at it at an angle it could create reflections whether of light or images.

Unless we want to model tinted or shaded glass, I believe using clear acetate would be fine. I have had some experience in building architectural scale buildings and even with a clear acetate, we could simulate the effects of real clear glass windows.

But as I have said, if we want to get that reflective type of effect then leopold’s suggestion is a good one. Also if you can get colored transparent tapes, you may also use them.

Good luck.