Windows headache

[Bandit Mick]

Does anyone have any tips on making simple (factory) windows. Windows bought in the past always seem too heavy and I don't want to buy expensive lazer cut or similar. Every time I scratchbuild a building the windows always seem to go wrong. Any simple tips would be greatly appreciated.

[footplate1947]

Just an idea ...........Get some glassing sheet.
Then make up the frame cutting the window frame from plasticard, does not have to be in one piece you can make the frame from strips and over lay the strips to build up the frame thickness. In this way you can design what ever window type you want. If the walls of your building are thin you can make frames over size and stick to inside of wall ...
Cut out piece of glassing to cover window frame and cover the back of frame.
You can make the frames as simple or as complicated as you like by over laying strips of plasticard.
Plsticard comes in a huge range of thicknesses making it one of the most versatile modelling materials going. You will need a good quality craft knife and a cutting board also steel ruler and maybe other shaped items to help you cut out other shapes you may need. I use all sorts of thing. Some old coins come in handy. So do some jar and bottle tops.

[Tricky Dicky]

Probably the easiest way of producing windows on a mass scale is to print directly onto acetate. Until recently it was still possible to get A4 acetate sheets for overhead projectors from the likes of the now defunct Staples, I used them to produce masks for photoetch PCBs which I have not done for a while but I am sure a search will reveal some suppliers.

The only problem with printing is producing white window frames. A company in Germany called Ghost

https://www.ghost-white-toner.com/

Produces a white toner that replaces the black toner cartridge in a range of laser printers so on any black design will turn out white instead. For modellers they produce a decal transfer foil once printed it is used as any other decal. However decals do not solve your window problem. Since the white toner cartridge is just used in a laser printer in the normal way barring some property of the toner I cannot see why it cannot be printed onto acetate maybe an enquiry with them might answer that question. It looks expensive to set up from scratch but if you are lucky to own one of the compatible printers then it's only the toner and printable media to purchase.

Richard

[Bandit Mick]

Thank you for your replies. As I was building a low relief machine shop for the back of my layout I thought I'd experiment as the windows will not be seen close up. I copied some dirty windows from images on the net, cut them to size and 'glazed' them with plastic. Once set into the building they look quite good (although not 3D of course). I don't think I'll get away with it for buildings in the foreground. Saying that however, there are firms who produce fences and the like which are just flat images. I'll keep experimenting with different techniques.