PlaymoFriends

Creative => Photography & Graphics => Topic started by: Knight Train on January 19, 2009, 23:41:07

Title: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 19, 2009, 23:41:07
Well, I finally set up a few train tables with the intention of making a train display with castles and the like using the train tables (see this post http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2706.0 (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2706.0), but I got a new Circus Ring 4230 set (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4230 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4230)) for Christmas, so my daughter wanted to build a circus display with a train running around it (to appease me no doubt).

So anyway, here's a few pictures of the display.  It contains four Circus Romani 3720 sets, one Circus Arena 3553 http://collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3553.htm (http://collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3553.htm) set, the Cirucs Ring 4230 set, the 3145 zoo http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3145 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3145) and a bunch of smaller sets and a bunch of circus cars.  Even with all this stuff, the overall shots show the setup is a bit sparse.  It using 3 of the now painted train tables (8 foot by 12 foot overall).  But the angled shots look pretty good.

Anyway, here's a few overhead pictures followed by even more pictures.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3210383241_337a715b53_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3210381107_49715764e0_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3211225794_9c15cdd2eb_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3211225200_b64ecd8f03_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3210378241_253ac519bd_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/3210379051_012bce607a_o.jpg)



Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 19, 2009, 23:47:47
Here's even more pictures...

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3211220312_7486f5c757_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3210375909_197c884b2a_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3210376515_6fa18b2285_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3211222580_f8a87de277_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3211226906_385f762127_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3210382713_172a62ed67_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 19, 2009, 23:53:34
Okay, last group...

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3210389361_afbbe1c9f7_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3211234138_fe76fc4c5a_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3210388321_bc590bda8f_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3211230268_e6cb1f2047_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3211231366_cda43df76b_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3210383767_583c3c3fde_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Gepetto on January 20, 2009, 01:19:10
Those are just incredible Knight Train! Your daughter must really love you to go through all that trouble! :lol: I especially like the parade with the accordian wielding clowns, how long did it take to put all this together? Thank you very much for the photos!




Gepetto
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 20, 2009, 05:18:44
My daughter was in charge of the parade and placing the klickies around the outside.  We both worked on it together throughout the Christmas holidays, but only for a little bit at a time - small 30 to 60 minute chunks.  I'd say it took about 5 hours to get all the structures set up (probably 30+ minutes to built the new circus ring), then another hour or so of fine tuning. 

One of the problems is that when I painted the plywood the grain lifted, so the surface is not as smooth as it was.  This means that stuff doesn't slide as easily as it should, so moving and positioning stuff in the center of the table was more work than it should have been.

The biggest headache for me was getting all the sets and bins together.  There is playmobil stuff piled up in a giant corner of my "office" in bins and boxes in very precarious positions.  I'm getting a couple of shelves this week and organizing it!!!
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: macgayver on January 20, 2009, 08:16:18
Nice pics

Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Jimbo on January 20, 2009, 12:42:38
What an impressive circus and train set up! :wow:
Well done, Knight Train :yup:

A little sanding and repaint will take care of the grain that
lifted up on the surface of the plywood.  It usually takes
2-3 coats of paint for a smooth finish.  Just my  :2c: ;)

Best regards,
Jimbo
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Gepetto on January 20, 2009, 18:43:39
I am curious how you will be able to differentiate the different sets when it is time to put it away or will you just combine it and worry about that aspect later if at all?

I think that part of the beauty of Playmobil is that it is something that parents can participate in with their children. :love:



Gepetto
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 21, 2009, 00:32:28
Quote
I am curious how you will be able to differentiate the different sets when it is time to put it away or will you just combine it and worry about that aspect later if at all?

If I have a box, I actually spend the time to put everything that belongs in the box, back in it.  Thanks to Heather's great web site, I can do inventories on boxes when I unpack them and make a list of what's missing so I know what was in the box when we started.  When we set up the display, we tried to make it easy to pack away sets by putting the klickies together.

In this case I don't have too many boxes - two boxes for circus romani, the circus ring, the zoo, the hazmat guys, one horse with jugglers set, and one circus truck set. 

The other thing I'm trying to do is group like stuff together so finding something takes a lot less time - like fences.
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Gepetto on January 21, 2009, 17:32:37
Thank you for the reply Knight Train, I always wonder how other people keep track of their sets.



Gepetto
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Tiermann on January 22, 2009, 01:13:03
That's a fantastic Circus set up. The reversed curves on the performance ring is a very clever way to expand it.
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Rasputin on January 22, 2009, 14:08:34
That is just simply amazing . I was thinking about something like this but you have really pulled it together with such a great collection of Circus sets  :love:. I really like the picture of the close up of the skid loader and the action in the back round .

Thanks for sharing the beautiful set up and collection  :wow:

PS we have the same floor, minus the blue square
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: CIRCUS OLIVER on January 31, 2009, 22:07:57
hi there!
i just joined the forum and found your large circus collection...  :wow:
i hope you have the possibility to visit a real circus somewhere near you in order to get even mor inspired!?
here are parts of my circus collection CIRCUS OLIVER - Enjoy:
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Knight Train on January 31, 2009, 22:53:28
Oliver, I really like how you mixed the various themes with your circus diplays.  Like the western saloons and the knights.  My favorite display is this one with the Dragon's Temple. 

How did you do the glitter in front of the rocks?

Here's the picture:
(http://gallery.me.com/oliverschaffer/100013/100_1762/web.jpg)
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: CIRCUS OLIVER on January 31, 2009, 23:10:08
thanks again for the kudos!  :-[
i wish i would have as many circus parts as you have... ;)

the glitter effect is simply made by glittering fabric pieces cut to the size of the rock archways. it's supposed to be like a show curtain for an artists' entry.
the glitter on the floor in front of the rocks is made of white decoration sand. i also like the effect on the black floor.
the glittering stars on the stage are simply spread out. i think i bought them in a christmas decoration shop...  :-\
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: playmofire on January 31, 2009, 23:56:45
That's a great layout you have there, KT.  Thanks for showing it, and nice to see the circus has a fire engine to hand just in case.
Title: Re: Circus pictures...
Post by: Sylvia on February 01, 2009, 10:46:01

WOW! 8}

This is fantastic, Knight Train! :inlove:
Thank you for sharing your amazing layout with us!

As I look at the photos, I'm imagining how much fun it would be to play with each little part of the scene.
Your daughter must really be the envy of her friends. ;D