thanks for the input! i was planning to use led's instead of bulbs just for the heat+paper=fire factor. i'll have to look into the electrical tape angle. i usually do plastic model and have just gotten hooked on paper just recently. i know when i light my plastic one's i usually mask off the area i want the light to penetrate with tape, then spray paint with black paint. i can't see this working well with paper. first the tape would want to bond with the paper and would probably rip things up more than work right. secondly the paint would more than likely bleed through the paper. another way i was thinking is along your electrical tape idea, and that's to use the aluminum tape that they use for duct work. that way i not only get the light block but i also get the light to bounce around inside the model better so i don't have to use as many lights and the light is more even all the way around. but how would you guys suggest getting the right sized and shape holes for windows and such in the right spots? let me know what you guys think.