My Thoughts on This
I think your mock up looks promising. I understand your need to have input on how to make it better, so let me try and give you some ideas.
1. Perhaps you could find some wheels for it. This would add to the 3D aspect of the model.
2. Make the windows a very dark gray. Like the windows are tinted. Then you don't need an interior. Even if you use clear plastic on the windows, you could paint the insides black. Also, cut out the windows and glue the plastic to the inside would give you an edge around the windows.
3. Make a second copy of the sides and cut the lower sides out and glue them to the sides of the model. This would give you some relief from the flat surface. Also a strip down over the tops of the windows and over the wheel wells. The grill on the front and the headlights would bennifit from this idea too. And so would the bumpers.
4. Make a mock up of the dash and drivers seat, and any other pannels that would normaly be seen through the front window. You cold even add a front seat and put some passengers on it.
5. Cover the whole model with a clear coat to give it a shine. You could use Weldbond white glue and just paint it on with a soft brush. This would make the printed detail look better too.
6. Put real head lights and tail lights in it. I would cut out the destination marker sign and put a light behind that too. You could use a piece of paper for the sign once you cut out the area, and print a destination on the paper with your printer. The ambiant light shining down inside the cab would light up the driver and the front seat, and could be masked with some thin blue paper or blue gel to give it the look of dash lights and mute the glare of the bare bulb.
7. You could use fiber optics to illuminate the marker lights and run the fibers from the tail lights and the head lights.
8. The only other thing I would do would be to make the roof have a slight curve to it. Most busses and large vehicles have a curved roof to help the rain run off, and this would offset the flat look of the rest of the model.
Your model has made me think of other vehicles that have a rather square look to them. Like Postal trucks, bread and milk trucks and delivery vans.
I hope this gives you an idea or two on how to improve your already good model.
TrainClown
