I was asked to explain how Cricut's "print then cut" feature works. This will be an overview and it is assumed that the reader has used a Cricut and knows the basics.

 I have a standard Cricut Explore model.....very basic.

I design in Affinity Photo, export a PNG file and import it into Cricut's Design Space.

Be aware that Cricut works on a 144 dpi resolution and the most common graphics software uses 300 dpi. A simple solution (without having to design at 144 dpi) to this mismatch will be explained later .

Inspired by a photo posted on the Web; I bit the bullet and had a go at trying to produce something close to the original. Being half a world away from taking any field trips to collect first hand knowledge; my engineering background was called upon to help out. The photos tell the story of the result and build progress, with a stock [repainted] Walthers wrecking crane for comparison. The finished crane is powered with a DCC decoder to control the rotating beacon, fibre optic rear red marker lights, forward spot lights and crane drive......

These 10 TT scale models of steam locomotives I made by scratchbuilding in the 1980s.

First of all, I'm 82 yrs old. Lazy. All of my equipment has never been weathered. Until recently. I had burned some incense and found that the ashes, although all grey, were very fine. So I saved them until I had enough to play with. I dabbed a finger in them and patted the sides of some gondola cars. Looked OK. Dabbed some on the inside/floor. Looked OK. Using a small brush, dabbed the trucks. The total effect is obviously, very light. And if you handle them, the ashes come off. Also, if you get too much on, just blow the excess off. All this is totally simple and easy as can be.