First appearance: Going Beyond Official Lego Kits

Like to the highest degree of United States, I played Lego American Samoa a child. With a handful of large kids now, I've gotten backwards into it. It is still a great way to spend time together a be creative.

Up until recently, I've always classified Lego activity American Samoa one of two musical mode: Kit edifice following the instructions, Oregon "free caper", where you just build what ever strikes your fancy from what ever pieces you have on hand. I've come to discover an additional world of Lego where people make and share MOCs (My Personal Founding). This might sound like the free play scenario, but what I wanted to share with you is the community of people and tools for designing, building, and sharing models.

Step 1: Resources

There are a amoun of places to receive and share designs.

  • BrickLink, which is also a place to buy bricks
  • MOCHUB, where creators put up sell custom kits.
  • Rebrickable, which also has cyclical builds for Official Lego sets.

To boot, there are people who design, deal out, and percentage plans. Present are a couple of my favorites:

  • NK Custom Bricks sells kits and designs and has a number of free instructions.
  • JK Brickworks who's Sisyphus model was featured on Adam Savage's One Day Builds (a great watch if you wishing to see an adult share his unabashed love of Lego).

That is obviously just scratching the surface. Contribution your favorite in the comments and lets go on!

Step 2: Obtaining Parts

Lets say you induce found a model you deficiency to ramp up. How do you know what parts you need and how do you get them? Every kit, including the official ones, comes with a part list, or a bill of materials (BOM). This gives you the quantity and color of the parts you need for the make.

  • Lego will deal you individual pieces victimization their Pick a Brick service.
  • BrickLink has resources for creating part lists and linking you to individual sellers of new and used Lego parts.
  • Ebay and Craigslist are good agency to buy assorted pieces by the ram or stack. Explore for "Lego parts".

Footfall 3: Part Terminology

In searching for parts, and even when building with friends, it helps to know how to describe what part you are looking.

Element is the official term for a Lego piece. Its description volition loosely let in the category (brick, collection plate, tile, etc.), color, size, and / or other selective information so much as round, curve, or angle.
Brick is used As generic term for a Lego piece, but it more specifically refers to the traditional thready piece with studs connected peak. Additionally, you specify the size of the brick by numeral and shape of studs in a brick. In all probability the most picture piece is the 2x3 brick.
Plate is an component that is 1/3 the stature of a brick.
Roofing tile is a home plate that does not have studs on top.
Slope denotes a nibble that has a flat surface that is not horizontal and is usually specified by the angle such a 18, 30, operating theatre 45 degrees.
From there there are course many an early special bricks. There is an unofficial term called "Snob" or Studs Not On Top that is especially useful.

Step 4: Design Software system

I've been amazed at the quality of the free software that can be accustomed build an document Lego creations.

  • Stud.io is BrickLink's rid software. It has an educational activity creator and can give photo realistic renders. You can also upload the file to BrickLink to create wish lists to rescript the parts you ask.
  • Lego set Member Designer is Lego's official software. It is no more supported, but can still be downloaded and used in off-line mode.
  • LDraw is other free software than can be wont to document builds and instructions.

If you want to try Stud.io, you can download my version of the F14 Tomcat at https://www.dropbox.com/s/sat8sz1wr8lii5z/Micro%20F14%20Tomcat%202.2.io?decilitre=0

You can also upload the file to BrickLink to create a Parts Wanted list. If you just deficiency to see an representative of the instructions you can created, I've related a copy to this step.

Step 5: Tips and Tricks

I am not an expert, simply here are several of the things I have learned along the way. Finger free to share your ideas in comments!

  • Just because you do not have a specific element does non mean you are cragfast. By their very nature, Lego elements can be combined to form what you motive. For example, three 1x1 plates flux to put back a 1x1 brick.
  • Just because you found a piece in Studhorse.Io, does non mean it is available. The more you stick to common elements, the easier it testament be to source the pieces.
  • Impartial because you can build virtually does not mean it can be assembled easily in the real world. I will spend lots of iterations going between virtual and world to make sure information technology can be assembled logically and won't break away when handled.
  • There are variations of elements that are many usual that the original. The 3069b Tile 1x2, which has groove around the bottom is much more available than the 3069a Roofing tile without the groove.

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