This is certainly dating me, but I used to see loads of lovely diorama interiors online, both real-life and CG-produced, around 25-30yrs ago. For example medieval castles, Dungeons&Dragons-type fantasy scenarios, and lush, detailed historical settings that filled up the entire screen, making the viewer feel that they were inside the sets. Wallpaper material, one might say. The feel was like in the OP, as well as maybe this one:
https://www.trustedreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2008/06/7832-Indy1-1.jpg
Again, the cropping made you feel like you were inside the piece, as opposed to it being a build sitting on a table or whatnot, like so:
Not sure if anyone knows or remembers what I'm talking about, but my basic question is just-- anybody have source for stuff like the former..?
You mean the instruction booklets in sets?
Those have been at least relatively common since the 80s, and I have booklets that should date back to the 60s, 70s.