Introductory: G1 Cartoon Backgrounds to Use for Backdrops - Part Four

Discussion in 'Tutorials and How Tos' started by OptimusTimelord, Apr 15, 2014.

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  1. OptimusTimelord

    OptimusTimelord Masterpiece Reanimator

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    (Note that this is an image-heavy thread. Just be patient while your browser uploads all of the images. ~Superquad7)

    Back to Part One! --> G1 Cartoon Backgrounds to Use for Backdrops - Part One
    Back to Part Two! --> G1 Cartoon Backgrounds to Use for Backdrops - Part Two
    Back to Part Three! --> G1 Cartoon Backgrounds to Use for Backdrops - Part Three



    Did someone say "City of Steel"?

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    It doesn't feature the best quality art and animation in that episode, so these are the standout shots. Also featured is a decent Ark shot:

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    Here's a random Cybertron scene for your appreciation. They had some really weird stuff on Cybertron! What exactly are those things, Energon shrubs?

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    I think you'd be very lucky to find any shots in the cartoon where the floor is usable for display. bThe 'camera' would have to be looking almost straight down to get the right perspective. But of course perspective is the problem with almost every image I've posted in here. A 2-D backdrop is going to look off from most angles whatever you do, and once you extend it to the floor and side walls it looks even worse because any painted 3-D details become pancake flat! Your best bet is to find a nice piece of card of similar color to the backdrop you've chosen (or if it's an Earth exterior you want, scenic landscape from a modelling shop) to act as your floor.

    If you have side, top and floor available, I'd suggest a display that keeps the background flat on the back wall and not try to match any of it on the floor, walls or ceiling. I'd go for something like this:

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    I don't mean literally use this image, I mean have a flat scenic back wall photo and use the sides, top and bottom of the cabinet as the interior walls. A Decepticon equivalent could be something like this:

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    If you're really feeling creative, you could even put some angled sheets of card along the sides of your display cabinet to replicate the angled side walls. Get the right color, and all it needs is a few straight lines marked on the surface.

    Personally I find those interior Ark panel printouts way too over-complicated to use as floor/walls. If every little detail was in actual sculpted 3-D relief it might look better, but you're still detracting from what you really want to show off - the figures! Keep it simple!

    Some more Ark images:

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    This was a running shot so a lot of coverage of the entrance:

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    From the episode "Changing Gears":

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    ....and the unusual Decepticon headquarters seen in "Enter the Nightbird":

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    Onward to Part Five! --> G1 Cartoon Backgrounds to Use for Backdrops - Part Five
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 30, 2014
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