By Walter Derksen  

Ever watched a fashion show or a fitness competition and wondered how those people got in the shape they are in? Ever wondered how you can also lose weight and look like a fitness model fast? Well you are in luck because there is a way you to can look and feel like a fitness model.

Imagine if you could get the instruction and no-how from a personal qualified fitness instructor that would help you gain the results you are looking for fast and easy. You could even do this right in the comfort of your own home and over time shock and dismay your friends by the transformation they see in you

You'd have that look. That bright smile exuding confidence, your hair is full and sexy and you stand tall displaying long, sexy, strong legs that say you have the look of a fitness model

Even if your goals are not to become fitness model you still can achieve that look. Anyone can.

Put away those negative thoughts like

• I have to train 3 hours a day in the gym and starve myself to get that look.
• I'd need an expensive gym membership and spend big money on a personal trainer to get those results.
• I'd have to compete on stage to achieve that look of a fitness model
• I'd have to take huge amounts of steroids to look like that.
• I'd have to hire a personal dietician

These are all false and negative thoughts that you might be thinking. You need to forget these and focus on a program that will produce positive thinking and results you can achieve with the help of a program that includes exercise and proper diet all in one.

You should be thinking thoughts like

• To look like a fitness model I need to get maximum results from working smarter, not harder!
• Eat healthy so your body will perform with energy, stamina and endurance.
• You will turn heads because you look like a fitness model
• Create a total body regiment including good looking hair, skin and face giving you the ultimate look of health and beauty.

What you want is instruction right at home, on your television from an instructor who has been through all the trials just like you and has overcome all the frustrations and misgivings that you are facing in trying to lose weight and look like a fitness model fast.

Want motivation? Just take a picture of yourself before you start you new weight loss program. Look at this picture every day and be determined that you will achieve your goals of a brand new look in just a few short weeks.

You want to lose weight and look like a fitness model fast? You want the look of being strong, muscular yet still feminine? You need to focus on what those fitness models do. Forget those long monotonous cardio sessions. Instead focus on a resistance strength training program combined with a high protein diet consisting of 5 - 6 meals every day.

Remember that you can achieve the results you want with a positive attitude, a good work ethic and the proper training from an expert in their field who has also been through just what you are experiencing

By Charlene Hinds  

So you want to become a fashion model? Well you have come to the right place to get a little insight in the modelling business.

A lot of girls (and even some guys) want to be a model because it's glamorous. However, it's an extremely competitive and grueling business that will more likely break you than make you. Here are some cold, hard truths about becoming a model, as well as some realistic advice to make it happen.

Realize that there are qualities every model needs to have, depending on the type of model one wishes to become. Generally, any feature indicative of good health is a must--clear skin, a full head of hair, and overall symmetry. Other qualities such as height and weight depend on what you're modelling.

Decide what kind of model you would like to be. Technically, anybody can be a model. However, do remember that if you don't meet certain requirements, the work available to you will be incredibly limited, and you may have to compensate in other departments (reliability, technique, etc).

You can be quite thin and toned yet still quite curvy to be an average model, or big and curvy to be a plus size model.

If you're tall (at the very least 5'7) and very skinny but with a small breast size, you can be a catwalk model.

If you have large breasts but not very wide hips, you can be an underwear model.

If you don't fit any of the face or body descriptions, perhaps you can be a foot, hair or hand model.

Get some photos done. These don't have to be professional but they should be created for the purpose of showing your ability as a model. Although agencies say they are happy with snapshots, that doesn't mean they want to see an out of focus shot of you out partying with your friends with a little note attached saying that you're the one on the right! As a bare minimum, you will need one headshot and one body shot.

Get a website. It helps spread the word that you're out there and also serves as a place for your adoring fans.

Look up the number of a reputable modelling agency. You can find these in your area phone book or by running a search on the Internet. Make an appointment. Be prepared. When you attend your appointment, they might ask you to pull certain faces like laughing, happy, sad, or seductive. Practice in front of a mirror beforehand. It may help to look at pictures of models in magazines to get an idea. They will ask you to walk and take your measurements, so be prepared for all of that as well.

Be polite and always turn up on time to any appointment or shoot. If you're late or rude, word soon gets around and then nobody will want to work with you.

If going to an interview with an agency isn't something you want to do right now or just doesn't seem right for you, you can consider entering modelling contests. However, make sure you check that these are being run by a reputable agency.

If, for whatever reason, you've decided signing with an agency isn't right for you, you could consider going freelance. But be warned- the pay is usually considerably less and there are fewer safety precautions.

Confirm whether or not there will be a make-up artist on site for any work you are doing. 99 times out of 100 there will be but there may be the odd occasion where you are required to do your own make-up. If there is a make-up artist, then arrive fresh faced.

Be aware of the fact that if you become one of the top models like Naomi Campbell; Tyra Banks the people you work for might ask you to take drastic measures to stay a top model. For example, they might ask you to get nose jobs, liposuction, or have breast implants. And lose more weight.

Other models can be mean, but you're still going to have to smile and hug them for the photos. Get your parents' permission if you're under 21.

It is recommended that you get some sort of training. Like doctors, lawyers, or any major profession a degree and certain amount of training to acquire proper skills is highly necessary. Fashion modelling books are a great resource to help you in becoming a model and to educate you on the business. Some modelling schools are licensed by the Board of Education.

However, whether or not they will teach you have to become a model is questionable and some agencies even say that attending a modelling school can teach you bad habits that are hard to unlearn! They are also expensive.

Be organized! Models often get called off places at the last minute and have very busy days. You need to be on top of things if you want to succeed. Buying a day-to-day planner can really help.

Modelling is a tough business. Try not to be discouraged by rejections. Even top models still get rejected for about 70% of everything they are put forward for! Don't let people get you down! Learn to accept rejection politely. Thank the people for their time.

Be truthful about your measurements. Don't say you're skinnier than you are just to get a shoot. Once there, the stylist will have problems and you will get found out. Word will get around and you could find yourself without a career.

Be wary of any agency that asks for money up front. The majority of agencies get their money through commission- meaning they take a certain percentage of your pay for every job that you do. If you don't work, then they don't get paid. If you've already paid up, there's no incentive for them to find you work.

If you are sure that they are an agency, listen carefully to what they are asking for the fees for. Bigger agencies in bigger markets will often pay for these for you or at least loan you the money but smaller agencies or agencies in smaller markets can't afford to do this.

If the fees are to cover actual representation, this probably isn't a good deal. Although there are some good agencies out there who work on this basis, the majority are nothing more than con artists. Find models that they represent get in touch with them and ask them what they think of the representation they are getting.

Know your limits on style and nudity. If you don't want to do glamour work or are uncomfortable doing full nudity, speak up and don't let people push you past those limits. Also, consider where you want your career to go in the future. Sure, you may be comfortable doing glamour now, but what if you decide you want to do fashion or catalogue work in the future? You might be discriminated against if they know you have done this line of work.

Be aware that the pressure of modelling can cause a lot of long term mental health problems, including eating disorders. Don't be afraid to speak to somebody if you think it is getting all too much. If you just can't handle the pressure, it may be time to start thinking of a new profession. A job isn't worth your health!

If you are invited to a foreign country (i.e. Hong Kong, Macau etc.) for an audition or job, have enough funds to purchase a return ticket yourself. While legitimate jobs exist, there are many scams that provide one way tickets then trap young girls into prostitution rings when they cannot afford to go back home.

If you are planning a photo shoot with a photographer you have met online, it is highly recommended that you bring a chaperone to the shoot. It's for your own safety, as you never know who is who online!

If you can't bring a chaperon (because you are unable to find one or because the photographer doesn't allow chaperons), make sure you do a background search on the photographer first- check out things such as who they have worked with and for and call somebody when you get to the shoot and when you leave the shoot.

Things you'll need

At least three good head shots and several full body shots wearing different outfits, in different poses, and don't forget to add a b&w picture as well to send into agencies.

Confidence will play the largest per cent of what you will need, all the head shots and poses won't mean a thing if you don't believe in yourself.

By Gary Leete  

There are two sources for obtaining the moulding for making a frame. You can firstly start with a straight piece of timber, and using a home routing system make your own moulding shape with a rebate to take the art work. Alternatively you can pick from a large range of ready finished mouldings available from your local frame shop or hardware store. I recommend the latter. It's easier, the choice is much wider, and it's more cost effective. However, one word of warning. Always look for a moulding with a good straight back and not too flat on the surface. If the moulding has a bump or some raised section in the top surface it will cut and join easier than a flat moulding. Most mouldings are made from pine or obeche. These are soft grain timbers and cut and join well. Hard timbers like ramin are more difficult to work with.

Measuring and Cutting

How much moulding will you need? The outside dimensions of the frame are determined by the size of the mounted photograph. Carefully measure the overall size of the matted picture you're framing, adding a little extra (3-smm) for "play" to ensure the picture fits easily into the finished frame.

Add the length and the breadth together, then double the total. This will give you the overall length. But you also have to allow for the mitre cuts, so multiply the width of the moulding by 10 and add this to your total (total length required = 2 x (length + breadth) + 10 x width of moulding). The 45 mitre cuts are most important - a bad cut will never join properly and will always look terrible. There are a number of machines on the market for cutting 45 degree mitres starting with the simple mitre box, radial arm saw with a mitre attachment, or a commercial mitre saw (see picture 1).

Cutting one side of a frame is easy. Cutting the second side to be EXACTLY the same side to the first side is the hard part of frame cutting. Using a measuring system you can cut lengths accurately every time. The FrameCo measuring system will attach to any brand of electric or manual mitre saw and will make the cutting of the frames quick and foolproof.

If you have a saw you can cut without using a measuring system. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to cut mitred lengths for your frame:

* Calculate the dimensions of your frame.

* Place the moulding into the saw.

o Cut off a small piece at 45 degrees with the saw in the lefthand position.

* Remove the moulding from the saw.

o With a tape, measure along the back of the moulding, to the length you require.

To this length you have to take into account the size of the moulding you are using. So you add to the length of the side an amount equal to twice the moulding width - not including the rebate. Then make a pencil mark on the back of the moulding near the top so that you can see the mark.

o Put the moulding back in the saw and align the saw blade on the pencil mark.

o Swing the saw around and cut the next mitre.

o Place the two pieces back to back so you can transfer the size you have just cut to the back of the moulding length.

o Repeat the cutting procedure for the other pieces.

Joining the Frame

To ensure a tight and stable joint, glue should be applied, especially if the frame is large. A light smear of a good quality PVA glue is all that's necessary. Although it is possible to buy clamps that join two corners at a time, it's simpler and quicker to clamp all four corners at once. This allows you to see how the corners match up before gluing and securing the mitres. There are several types of clamps...

Cord Clamps: This simple, but effective clamping system works well for small to medium-size frames. It consists of four flexible plastic corners and a length of cord. (See picture 2).

Metal Strap Clamp: This clamping system is slightly more sophisticated and consists of a metal strap, flexible corner pieces and a screw operated tensioning device which allows you to apply a considerable amount of tension so that the corners are pulled together tightly. The Strap Clamp is suitable for large and small frames. (See picture 3).

Once the frame is clamped together and you've made sure all the corners are aligned, then the mitre joint should be secured or reinforced. Glue alone is not safe and secure enough for most sized frames. Here are some options.

Panel Pins: You can nail a panel pin across the mitre. It is advisable to pre-drill the holes and secure the joint in a vice before hammering the pins into the frame. Punch home the nail head and fill the hole with a coloured woodfiller.

V-Nails: Professional framers use these v-shaped staples, which are inserted using a special manual or pneumatic joining machine. The "PushMaster" is a DIY version of these machines and is suitable for low-volume high-quality framing such as required for photography or portrait framing.

Biscuit Joints: More suitable for large and heavy frames such as mirrors. Most commercial picture frame mouldings are small and a biscuit joint is not necessary.

V-Nail Joining Machines
There are several models of these machines and all are suitable for the DIY or low-volume picture framing. Here are some of the models.

PushMaster: Similar to a large punch, the PushMaster is a handheld, easy to use tool for inserting the v-nails into the back of timber picture frames. The vnail is loaded onto the magnetic end of the PushMaster, sharp end down, then simply pushed into the wood. The v-nail pulls the joint together because it is made from spring steel. The advantage of the PushMaster is that it doubles as a fitting up tool. The magnetic tip can also be used to fit flexipoints and backing nails to secure the picture into the frame.
(See picture 4).

BenchMaster: The BenchMaster is ideal for the serious DIY framing photographer. The powerful cam action of the handle combined with the heavy duty Push Master drives v-nails into the hardest of timbers. Its gentle hand action suits joining small or odd-shaped mouldings. If you start with FrameCo's Push Master you can upgrade to the BenchMaster at any time. (See picture 5).

V-Nails - How Do They Work?

Upon entering the wood moulding from the base, the sides of the metal v-nail are deflected outwards. As the v-nail pulls back into its original shape this pulls the joint tightly together. There is a little curl on the outer leading edge of the nail that locks the nail into the grain of the timber. This stops the nail from pulling out of the end of the mitre, keeping the joint stable and secure. The v-nail method of joining is the preferred method of professional picture framers. With a few simple hand tools it's possible to achieve the same result with a minimal outlay in machinery.

Making Multi-sided Frames

With most good quality suspension type mitre saws there's always the possibility of cutting mitre angles other than 45 degrees. The problem is that the saws do not have a system of measuring the length of the cut. The FrameCo measuring system has a clever scale included with the unit. It allows you to measure a length for any angle. A six-sided frame has the six mitres cut at 30 degrees, while an eight-sided frame has the eight mitres cut at 22.5 degrees. The Measure Mate Scale converts the measuring system into a multi-angled scale so that each one of these different angled mitres can be measured.

So it's possible for the amateur framer to make attractive multiangled frames that add style and creativity to your framing.

Finishing and Assembly

Now that the frame is joined and the glue joints dry you're ready to assemble your mounted photograph into the frame. The PushMaster can be used to fit backing nails or flexipoints into the frame to hold the picture into the rebate.

Seal the back of the picture with gummed tape or good quality backing tape. The best backing tape to use is a silicone coated tape as this will not peel off over time.

Screw two small O-rings or screw eyes into the side of the frame, approximately one third of the distance down the top of the frame, then attach a length of wire or cord securely through the O-rings or screw eyes. After that, your image is ready to hang on a wall.

By B. Conley  

When one is a model railroader you might expect to see some train pictures on the wall and maybe train and model railroader magazines laying around but, there just might be a little more to it than that. In this article we will reveal some of the obsessive qualities a model railroader may exhibit.

1. Talk Of The Model Railroader-A model railroader probably at some time will be mumbling and rambling on about numbers and letters such as 2-6-0, 4-8-8-4, GP38, SD40-2 just to name a few. If one is unfamiliar with such terms those are descriptions of steam and diesel locomotives. The names of several different men who have been a big influence on the hobby will most likely come up in conversation such as John Allen and George Sellios. Of course they are always talking about expanding the model railroad layout at some point.

2. Model Railroader Furniture-In the home of a serious model railroader you might walk into the living room and find him sitting there watching the latest model railroad DVD by Allen Keller on his custom built cabinet TV that looks like a boxcar and his remote to the TV looks like a railroad flatcar. Of course there is a G-scale train that comes from the kitchen right to his chair side hauling a special load of refreshments in coal cars such as chips and dip, oh and a ice cold glass of ice tea. A coffee table with a glass top so you can see a N-scale model railroad inside it. His decor on the walls consist of railroad memorabilia he has collected over the years and at train show swap meets. He waters his plants with an old railroad oiler's can. His dinning room is of course decorated like that of an old Pullman dinning car. And if a model railroader can score one, a restored wooden caboose sitting beside the house. As you can see it can get quite compulsive.

3.Model Railroads Everywhere-Of course there is a HO scale model railroad consuming the entire basement. A train running around the top of the walls going from room to room throughout the whole house. Model railroad dioramas mounted on the walls. The yard outside of a model railroader's house is occupied by a G-scale garden railroad. There might even be a z-scale model railroad found in his briefcase. Yes, also the coffee table N-scale railroad as mentioned earlier.

4. Model Railroaders Shopping Habits- A model railroader will not go shopping willingly unless it is to a hobby shop. If he goes to the grocery store it is the one located closest to the hobby shop. If sent to the hardware store for the wife to pick up vacuum bags for the vacuum he will most likely come home with tubs of plaster or any other materials he can use on the railroad. He probably have to go back to the store because he forgot the vacuum bags the first time.

5. A Model Railroader's Vacation- Of course there will not be any vacations that do not center around a railroad somewhere. Either to ride the train or to take pictures of it or both. Maybe it might be to go see the world's largest railroad classification yard. Sometimes a vacation might be to spend several days at a model train show and swap meet.

So as you can see when model railroading becomes A Way Of Life it can be quite concerning for family members or friends or the neighbor who is looking in awe when the caboose is being delivered next door who doesn't know that this hobby is quite addictive. A a side note if your are wandering about the wife in all of this. Most likely this guy is a bachelor or has taken the time yet to look for a wife that would put up with all of this. Yes there are wives that have to live with this obsession and we thank you for putting up with us. Until next time keep the trains running!

By Walter Derksen

Ever seen one of those before and after pictures? Well now you can be that person in that after picture. If you are looking in the mirror and seeing a person you do not like, you can turn that image around and now you can look like a fitness model fast.

There is a system out there, you just need to find it, implement it, and put it to work. You can turn your look of frumpy and unhappy to joyful, happy and go-lucky with a quick, easy to follow workout that you can do right in your own home.

Imagine having someone who has been there, done that, teaching you everything you need to know about how to lose weight and help you to look like a fitness model fast. You could learn much easier and faster from a qualified professional who has been through everything you are going through and has been victorious in the fight to lose weight fast.

You need to learn from someone who is a qualified fitness instructor, personal trainer and group fitness instructor. You need someone who knows about supplements and how to use them effectively. A trainer who has written countless articles on health and fitness and is famous in the world of fitness.

You want to look like a fitness model fast and do it in just 4 short workouts a week right in the comfort of your own home. You don't want to have to use a lot of big cumbersome weights and exercise equipment, but something that will work fast and a system that is easy to follow.

You need a system designed for all types of women of any age. You might be a at home mother, a student, a business woman or maybe even another fitness model looking to improve on your look. You want that look of a fitness model fast with that jaw dropping magazine cover look that won't take up a lot of time, money or energy.

Wouldn't it be great to not only lose that unwanted fat and cellulite but to look great and get that sleek sexy body back again in short order? Not only get that youthful look but feel young again, with life, and energy you never knew you had. If you are going to spend all that money on a new designer bikini then you need to make the effort to at least look great in it.

The truth is that all women can look like a fitness model fast. Even if your goal is not to appear on the cover of a fitness magazine, or compete in a fitness competition on stage, you can achieve the look you desire and know that everyone can do it.

You need to get rid of the negative thoughts like
No matter how hard I try, and how healthy I eat I will never look like a fitness model.

I have to kill myself working out in the gym 3 hours a day, and eat next to nothing to achieve the results I want.

It would be far too expensive to pay for a gym membership and a personal trainer to begin to look like a fitness model.

You need to put these negative thoughts aside and stay positive and focus on a complete exercise and diet system that will get you the results you want and give you the look of a fitness model fast

By James Hayslip  

There are several things to consider when choosing an HDTV for your home theater system. First where will the theater be placed in your home or office? Then you need to measure for the screen size. Next, can you afford an HDTV with the best picture available? You can discover what is currently available by never leaving your home and shopping online. You can price many models and learn about delivery cost as well.

While there are some complete systems available with included installation, you might get better deals shopping for the components of the system separately. You can also save by buying from a discount TV store. Many websites may now be visited to learn more about prices and delivery. Information on how to set up the system can be found in from articles such as this one on the internet.

One of the new HDTV sets available for your installation is the Panasonic 58 inch 1080p Plasma HDTV. This is a large set and I would suggest that you measure for an extra 4 inches all around for proper ventilation. If you really have room, Samsung has a 61 inch set, and Mitsubishi has a 73 inch set available. Both are 1080p (highest definition currently being sold) and both have the DLP chipset for a sharp picture. Samsung, Hitachi, and Zenith also have 50 inch sets available.

If you need to fit into a smaller room, 46 inch sets are available from Samsung and Sony. Even the 40 inch to 42 inch size can provide for a nice home theater. The smaller sizes are less considered for this purpose but regardless of the size, the high resolution and high contrast models are available to fit your plan.

I do recommend buying a set with the DLP chipset. It has been around for projectors since 1996. In 2006 Texas Instruments introduced the DLP chipset for HDTV. The first HDTV to use DLP was a 65 inch 1080p set by Samsung. It was a LCD set with about 50 percent more brightness and had 200 trillion color shades. This is a huge success for picture quality. Now is the best time to get a great looking picture by choosing DLP.

What ever you decide, you can avoid costly mistakes by planning ahead for the size, quality and cost savings. Shop online first for convenience and remember to check the discount sites for the latest models available. You might save a bundle.

By Jochen K Talmon

There was a time when being discovered as a model meant lining up at audition after audition waiting for your big break. Now, with the web playing host to modeling agencies, model talent searches and online modeling communities, and professional photographers it has become much easier for models to promote themselves and book more modeling work. Here are few things every model should know about getting online and getting discovered!

Promoting yourself online

When it comes to taking the reins of your modeling career and promoting yourself to the world, there's really no greater tool than the web. Model-slash-everything types such as Tila Tequila have used MySpace, FaceBook and other social networking sites to create a buzz about themselves in the online world. And aspiring models can do the same just as effectively. Post your information on top social networking sites. Get your head shots in there and include your resume and all the information you can about what makes you special (and what makes you unique). Take it even further. Start a blog about your modeling experiences. Build a CompCard and Profile on coachmodels.com. It's all a part of a new kind of self-promotion. Why wait to be discovered when you can do it yourself? Sit down and spend an hour or two a day working it in front of your computer and before you know it, you'll be a known commodity all over cyberspace (and more importantly, in the real world as well)!

Casting calls from the comfort of your own home

A wide variety of online modeling agencies now allow models to post their headshots and resumes online. Casting agents then simply visit the site, search for the type of model they need for the job and voila, a star is born! Aspiring models looking to increase auditions should plant their head shots firmly on several of these sites. For best results, spend some time on the major modeling sites such as onemodelplace.com or exploretalent.com. Pay special attention to the parts of the country best represented on each of the sites - and choose the ones that seem to service your area the best.

Getting perfect headshots

Before the advent of digital photography, headshots were the domain of only a select group of professionals with the proper lighting, shooting and developing equipment. And although working with a professional is still the preferred method of obtaining picture-perfect headshots, more and more aspiring models are turning to home digital photography for their most important calling card.

If you know someone who is a digital camera expert, have them take your headshots using a high-pixel camera. Then, remember to take more shots than you think you will need, so that you have plenty of choices when it comes down to selecting the perfect headshot. The beauty of using digital photos for your headshots is that you can take as many pictures as you want at no real additional cost.

If you choose to work with a professional photographer for your headshots, many modeling sites give you a chance to find top photographers in your area. The best thing about these listings is that they provide an opportunity to see the actual portfolios of professional photographers - and get a good feel if they are going to be a match for you.

Finally, with the tremendous number of opportunities for models online, come new opportunities for scam artists and potential predators as well. Much like in the off-line world, there's safety in numbers. Check out comment boards and other sources to verify the credentials of any site (or individual) that offers services to help aspiring models.

By Victor Epand  

Building model cars can be fun and rewarding. It is a wonderful hobby that can build skill and allow you to showcase your talent. It is okay to display your car on a shelf but it can be even better to display it in a manner that will give it even more character. This can best be accomplished by displaying your model car in a diorama.

A diorama is basically a model of a natural setting created to scale. It can be of a cityscape, a natural scene, or any other sort of setting. It can be enclosed in clear plastic such as plexiglass or even in glass. They can also just be mounted to a board such as plywood for general display purposes. Now that you know what a diorama is it can also be helpful to know why you might choose this method for displaying your model car.

Dioramas have been around for many, many years. They were created as a method of reproducing life size scenes but quickly adapted to depict scaled down scenes as well. Museums used them to recreate historical and prehistorical scenes of everyday life. Soon people, especially children, were creating their own dioramas at home. Typically using shoe boxes they would make miniature recreations of their own rooms complete with tiny dolls and all. Modelers, however, had completely different plans for the diorama.

Modelers would build dioramas to suit their favorite models. For example, a nineteen forties model sedan might be placed in a diorama modeled after a filling station complete with pumps, hoses, and all. A nineteen fifties model might be placed in one that is modeled after a drive-in dinner. The setting was totally up to the imagination of the model builder. As the years have moved on so have modelers. Some have gotten out of building models totally and others have just given up the skill of building a dioramas.

By choosing to build a diorama to suit your model you will be helping to continue an old tradition that could otherwise pass away. You might wonder how you would get started in your endeavor to build one. It is very easy however. The first thing you must do is to figure out what time period in which you wish to set your car. This will help you to know what sort of scenes will be available. You would no more see a Model T at a drive-in movie scene than you would see a futuristic model car parked outside a nineteen fifties malt shop.

Once you decide the time period for your diorama the next thing you must do is to research what sort of scene you wish. Be it outside a gas pump, a restaurant, or wherever you will want to know what they looked like in that time period. Luckily there are many pictures available to get ideas from. While you may not be able to get the exact scale from the picture if you can find one with a car sitting near it you can get a pretty decent idea. For the gaps of the picture you cannot see just use your imagination.

Whether you get your information on the Internet, from books, or from personal photos it does not matter. What matters is that you are now on your way to keeping the art of diorama building alive.

By Victor Epand  

There are many benefits for model car collectors when considering buying a car kit from another country. You can get a model of a car that may not be available in your home country. This is also a good way to pick up concept cars from other countries as well. This can be a way to beef up your collection to an enviable level. Let's discuss the first issue which, to some, seems to be the hardest to overcome.

Many model manufacturers today sell models that include multilingual instructions. Some however do not. It is these that we will concentrate on. The Internet is today's great equalizer. If you do buy a model that comes with instructions written in a foreign language then the first thing to do is to identify what language it is written in. If you know what country the model came from then this part is very easy.

The next step is to find a way to translate the text. If it is written in an alphabetic based text such as German, French, or Spanish then all you have to do is to type the instructions into an online translation tools such as Altavista's free tool babelfish. Once you choose the languages you are translating from and to then you can easily get a rough translation of the instructions you are trying to translate. One tip is to only do a block at a time as most of the different translation tools only allow you to do so much text at a time and you do not want to stop in the middle of an important step.

The next thing you must do is to look at the pictures and match all your parts up with their respective pictures. This will ensure that you received all the parts that you were meant to. If you did not, then you have one of two options. Either you can run an Internet search for the model manufacturer and see if they have a website in your own native language, or you can just attempt to modify a part from another cheap model to take its place. With the cost of shipping what it is today this may actually be your best option.

If it is just a tiny part and you feel pretty comfortable doing so then you might consider trimming the part out of the leftover parts trees that you might still have on hand. It does take a little skill to self craft a part like this but it can be very rewarding as well.

The last step is in assembly. Since you may not have been able to read or translate the directions this will take a leap of faith. Match up the parts for each step by the picture on the instructions and begin to assemble them in the order listed. If there are no pictures on the instructions then you should actually assemble the parts from the inside of the model out. In other words, start by assembling the interior and the engine assemblies. Next mount these to the chassis and add the wheel assemblies. Finally add the body. By assembling in this order you should be able to get everything in the right place with little trouble.

Always make sure to test fit everything before you apply the glue so that you know that they are going into the right place. This should help you out if you find yourself in a position where you are not able to read the directions on the foreign model car that you just bought. Have fun!