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If you have decided that you want to design and build a truly elaborate and intricate model train set, you will also need to work to determine just what scale size you would be most interested in building it to. There are some things to take into consideration before deciding what scale to use so that you can pick the one that best works with your needs and wishes.

First, a simple definition of scale for our purposes would the the reduced size relative to the original item being reproduced. The most common model railroad scale is HO (Don Imus’ favorite scale!) This is 1:87 in relation to the real thing. This scale is used by maybe 70% of model railroaders out there. Variations on this scale include Hon3 and Nn3, which are narrow gauge versions of the same size models. (narrow gauge meaning narrower space between the tracks.)

The HO scale has become popular because it can fit into most homes but is not so small that it is difficult to work with. The minimum size for an HO model railroad is 4′ by 8′. HO model trains are easy to operate and look great when displayed in shows. It is also easy to find new pieces for HO scale model trains.

Some other scales that are commonly used but a little less easy to find parts for are the G(1:24), O(1:48), N(1:160), and Z(1:220).

The N scale is about half the size of the HO scale. N scale model railroads are difficult to design well because of their small size but are also quite charming to watch running for the same reason. The work that has to be done to the train motors and the delicate details related to such small scenery require very precision work. Although working on such small trains can be frustrating, the finished product is very rewarding.

Z scale model railroads are another third smaller than even the N scale, which means that people with bad eyesight, big hands, or other difficulties simply cannot work with this scale of model train. One distinct advantage of Z scale trains, however, is that they can be positioned in places that you would normally not expect to see a model train, such as a businessman’s office desk.

Even though they are no longer as popular as they once were, many model train enthusiasts still like O scale trains. These were designed to make realistic noises as they crossed the tracks.

Children’s toys were traditionally made in this size since they were large and easy to play with.

People all over are learning how to make soap at home. It is easier than you might think. If you have the space to make a soapy mess then it is well worth it to make it the center piece of a gift basket.

Making soap is a process called saponification. Wow! I had no clue that it is merely a combination of lye and fats that generates soap. Who knew! In the old days making your own soap was not a preference but a necessity.

Getting supplies is not hard but it can be complicated. The internet offers a great many sites that have supplies. There is a cold soap making as well as a hot soap making method to choose from. I sure there are others too.

Adding a sweet fragrance to your soap makes it uniquely yours and is a luxurious touch. Make sure that the people you intend it for are not allergic. That would be a disaster.

Your soap basket can contain other niceties of the bath like bath oil beads or bath salts. A handy loofah is generally appreciated too. A back scrubber and color coordinated nett sponge.

To personalize a basket for a friend or family do some homework and find out what colors their bathrooms are in. Match your basket’s theme to that color scheme and it will be very welcomed by the recipient. It shows you really thought about them and took the time to notice their home.

A soap gift basket would be good for any occasion. A birthday, baby shower, or house warming are just a few of the events that can be commemorated with a soap basket. A new neighbor will appreciate your hand made soap talent with a soap basket instead of the over used pie and cookies.

I know that you have picked up some ideas about how to use hand made soaps in gift baskets and I hope you will have some fun too. So hop to and get me a soap basket.

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You might find yourself wondering what image file formats Photoshop will open or save in. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each?

Simply put, Photoshop has the ability to open and save a variety of graphic files. Let’s take a look at the more popular ones.

One thing to remember is that when you open an image file other than a Photoshop one, the image will default to the background layer.

1) .psd, .pdd, .eps - Photoshop File

These are Photoshop files. This format saves all of the information found in all of the layers. This format works best if you are going to continue to work with a picture. A downside can be that the file size may be quite large. You should save your work in the most recent Photoshop format available. An example would be is you have Photoshop CS and are sent a Photoshop 7 file, you would want to save it as a Photoshop CS file to maintain any elements that may not be supported in Photoshop 7.

2) .jpg, .jpeg .jpe

This format compresses images in a way that information such as color subtleties and other details are lost. You can select to what extreme you want to compress the image. This is the most suitable format for use on the web. Consists of small file sizes and millions of colors.

3) tif, .tiff

Early scanners typically used this format. It will generate high quality images, but very large files making it inappropriate for use on the web.

.gif

This format is one of the most popular for web graphics as it loads quickly and has an 8 bit format (256 colors max.). It has potential for transparent color and animation.

5) .png

This is a new format for use on the web that is intended to replace both gif and jpeg with its ability to compress, have millions of colors, and support transparencies. It compresses differently from jpeg, and has advanced possibilities, such as alpha channel (opaque or partly transparent colors). The only problem is that Internet Explorer does not support this format. In 8 bit (256 colors) mode it compresses better than gif.

.bmp

This is a windows bitmapped image. It is used by Microsoft Windows applications and provides good quality but large file size. Not for use on the web.

7) .wmf

Windows MetaFile. Useful for clipart, and can be used to make large area, small sized background files.

.pcx

This older format is for general purpose and is basically obsolete now. Not for use on the web.

9) .psp

This format is an internal format for Paint Shop Pro and is useful if you need to swap files between these two applications.

10) .pcd

Kodak PhotoCD format, used with Photo Developing but most photo processors will save your photos as jpegs if you ask.

.pdf

Portable Document File. Adobe’s file system that allows electronic cross platform sharing of documents.

So which is the best format for web graphicsgif or jpeg?

Easy way to remember is that gifs are typically used for drawings and jpegs for photos. Use gifs for diagrams, illustrations, line drawings and images with large areas of flat color. Jpeg should be used for photographs and images with continuous color tones. While the jpeg has an excellent compression rate, the compression lowers the quality of the image so try out some of the tools in Image Ready to find the optimal quality/file size. The gif format in comparison has a smaller file size but a limited range of colors.

If you are beginner piano and want to be a real pianist, a selection of good piano books is really a necessity. You can spend as much time as you want to practicing scales, but it is simply not enough. If all that you do is practice your scales, you will probably get bored with playing piano, and when you get bored, your playing will suffer.

Use songs that you like and you will keep playing fun and interesting, and that is the most important thing that there is, hands down, to make you into a really bang up musician.

There are many good piano books available for piano learning, no matter what kind of music you are into. From classical, to jazz, to rock, to pop, and everywhere in between, there are books on piano available for every genre to keep your interest.

Personally, I like to mix it up quite a bit. I buy piano books for all of the great classical pieces, and then learn to play the music, but sometimes I want a change. It is good to be able to play the songs that your friends want to hear. I mean, why be an entertainer if you can not entertain? So, I make sure to buy piano books covering all of the most popular songs so that I can take requests whenever I happen to be entertaining.

Be sure to get an assortment of music books that you don’t necessarily care for. Who can guess what your audience will ask for and you have to be ready for anything. You might find yourself really enjoying Old McDonald Had a Farm.

Of course, once you have looked through enough piano books and studied enough songs, you start to realize that you do not really need the sheet music for everything anymore. After years of diligent and daily study, that magical moment is likely to occur for you, I know it occurred for me. When you can play anything that your heart desires without trying at all you know you have it.

You will begin hearing music in your head. The sheet music will just appear in your head and you will not need the sheet music to play your interpretation of that music. If you want to reproduce the exact music then you will need the sheet music. Once you have progressed to seeing the music in your head you can trash the piano books.

Your time and effort will be rewarded by beautiful piano playing. Do not give it up. It is a life long devotion that has gotten me to play what I love.

The very first skateboards were invented in the late 1940s. Back then many kids ran around on scooters, but these were expensive and although popular not all kids could afford them. Some of those kids who could not afford scooters simply destroyed their rollerskates and nailed the wheels onto pieces of wood. They also nailed a piece of wood to the front of this which was used as a handle. I guess most of these kids were not excellent carpenters and these handles probably fell off pretty quickly, thus many kids end up riding around on just the wood and wheels.

Soon after this surfers began to ride on skateboards when there were no waves. And in the 1950s commercially made skateboards were finally available.

Now skateboarding is one of the most popular sports among teenagers in the world. There are competitions held in almost every country that attracts hundreds of both professional and amateur skaters. You can find skate parks in almost every major city and town. With the rise in professional skaters skateboard design is also improving. As a result of this special shoes and clothing have been designed, and there are even extreme sports shows that include skateboarders, attracting huge crowds.

Skateboarding can be separated into two forms, street and ramp. Street skating is basically defined as skating carried out anywhere except on a ramp. Various tricks are carried out anywhere where there is a flat surface, this can be school grounds car parks, or on streets and roads.

Skate parks are an ideal venue for all kinds of skateboarding. They have super smooth surfaces as well as ramps, steers, kerbs, and fun boxes. Street skateboarders jump, flip, and grind over and on all kinds of surfaces and objects. Street skateboarding also includes skateboard racing.

Skateboard racing involves riders pushing off from a starting position, then racing one another down a winding and sloping piece of roadway. They stand or kneel on the fast-moving skateboard, and can reach speeds of over 65 km an hour.

There are two types of skateboard ramps, vert ramps and mini ramps. Vert (short for vertical) skateboarding ramps are huge U-shaped structures between 3.5 and 4.5 m high. At the top of each transition is a short piece of vertical ramp which gives it its name. Mini ramps are much smaller and generally do not have any vertical transition. They are easier to learn new tricks on and are generally better for beginners.

Skateboarding can be dangerous. Skateboarders should follow the following basic rules to keep themselves and others safe and injury free: 1) choose flat, safe ground on which to learn the basic skills 2) skate in control at all times 3) wear protective gear, including helmets, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads 4) skate with friends, in case of accidents 5) keep your board and protective gear in good working order

If just printing photos online and having prints mailed to you then almost any online service will suffice. If you are looking for high quality prints is a priority then you will need to be more selective. There are believe it or not companies that will claim to offer quality prints but will fail to deliver. It pays to do a little homework before placing an order.

Some great options offered by the better printing services are online photo albums. Very affordable with most service memberships this is a great way for everyone to see updated pictures online. you will be given a website that you can email to all your friends and family. Some albums can be very simple and easy to update and manage but the more control and options that are offered the more technical it will be.

A user friendly online photo editing tool or software is vital. Many companies have these available but some are not so simple to use. Editing will make a dramatic difference in the quality of the final print. Make use of the online software provided by your printing company if you are a novice photo editor. The results are more likely to be just right if you use a software that the printer is also more used to seeing.

Many online printers offer online storage of your photos which is a great way to back up all of your images. An advantage of storing online is the automatic simplicity and speed to will take to send the printing service an order.

If you are storing your photos online then of course you will need to access them from your cell phone. This service is free with the higher quality online printing services. With this you can order and view photos from anywhere.

The possibilities can be endless to what an online printing service can do. Anything from postage stamps with your photos on them to desktop wallpaper can be done. Make sure to research what different companies offer. By finding the service that can best meet any of your current or future needs you can save in the long run. Many services offer returning customers promotions and coupons as a way of saying thank you for your business.