Harry P.

No, you didn't create those images in Word, that would be impossible. What you did is find existing images somewhere (either online or you scanned images)... then you opened up a Word document and placed those existing images into the Word document. Which is exactly what I said Word can be used for. There is no way you created those images using Word. What you did is use Word as a page layout program, and laid out your page (your decal sheet) by importing existing graphics from other sources.

Looks like you got it!

I think he's talking about the touchpad area, not the keyboard.

You can't display models out in the open... they'll get dusty in a day! Ya gotta have some sort of enclosed display.

Same here. I build all kinds of models (ships, planes, trains, etc.)... but as far as model cars go, '20s-'30s (or even older) classics.

Exactly. World's biggest selection, they never close, and they ship to your doorstep. I'll be honest... if the last brick and mortar hobby shop closed tomorrow, I couldn't care less, as long as there's an internet.

Interesting. But why the need to come up with a new term for "dust storm," which is about as straightforward and self-explanatory as it gets?

I see it done so often, I just had to ask. I mean, I really don't get it. Mirrors are such an obvious feature (more so when they're obviously missing!).. why do so many guys leave them off? It can't be laziness or lack of attention to detail, because in every other way these models are so well done. Again, this isn't meant as a "complaint" about Harold's model.

Epoxy paint is pretty tough, it might work for you. Not sure if there is a silver epoxy paint, though. Check Home Depot or a similar store (the spray paint aisle).

Ok... how can I ask this without sounding like I'm slamming Harold's model.... Obviously Harold put in a lot of effort on this model. His attention to detail, the chassis detail, etc. etc. This model is not a slapped-together gluebomb, it's a very nicely done model. Jeez, even the side marker lights have been detailed. Just want to be clear about that. So why do so many people (not just Harold, but a lot of you) sweat the details, yet you leave off the mirrors, both inside and out? To me, a model of a street car (or especially a factory-stock) that's missing all the mirrors jumps out at me immediately. I mean, leaving off the mirrors is like skipping the headlight lenses or the steering wheel. So what's up with that?

Haboob? What's the origin of that term?

Not if you know what you're doing. If you understand resolution and how it works (screen resolution vs. print resolution), you can create graphics with a bitmap/raster program that are just sharp as vector art. But you have to know what you're doing. And I'm talking about actually creating images, not going on google and grabbing images (although that will also work, again as long as you understand the relationship between image size, image resolution, etc. It gets a little complicated and "inside baseball," but decals can be made perfectly well with raster software. It's not true that vector must be used. But it's probably true that for someone who doesn't really know graphics software too well, vector is more "idiot proof" for a beginner than raster/bitmap.

The biggest problem with most graphics software is the cost.

Who pays full MSRP for anything? Seriously... why would you, when there are so many places to buy stuff for way less, including model kits.

Photoshop is not vector, Illustrator is. I think Corel Draw is also vector, it's sort of the same thing as Illustrator. But it makes no difference, decal art can be created in vector or raster based programs (as long as you know what you're doing and know how to create graphics correctly for output).

Corel Draw and Photoshop are two completely different programs. Corel Draw is made by Corel Corp., Photoshop is made by Adobe. Microsoft Word is not good for creating decals... it's a word-processing program, not a graphics creation program. What you need to make decals is a graphics program, like Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, or something similar that you can use to actually create graphics with. But if you are just scanning existing art, you can import the scans into MS Word and use Word to lay out your decal sheets... but you can't really create graphics with Word.

Sort of the same thing, but flash is bigger-it's that thin sheet of plastic that sticks out from some parts. This is flash:

http://www.similr.fr/index.php?lang=en

Or the $$$ to buy a pre-drilled one.

Too much wear and tear on your finger?

It's part of the hobby only because of lousy quality control by the manufacturers. And that was the original question: whether flash was a measure of quality (or lack of quality). And the answer is yes, flash is a reflection on a kit's quality (or lack of).

Looks like this one was a little too hard! Only a few correct answers. The car is a 1939 Fiat 1500 Cabriolet. Who got it right: PatRedmond george53 ChrisR Johnny trogdor Foxer Badluck 13 G Holding

Got it, and it's a beauty! It'll be part of the feature. Got the pix... but do you have any larger ones? The photos you sent are borderline for print repro.

There's nothing more frustrating than having to re-engineer just about every kit part because of all the flash. To me, excess flash does say "poor quality."

Make sure you post photos... and welcome aboard!