Nick2253

Can you say a little bit more about the exact algorithms you are using to do the calculation? In particular, I'm curious what assumptions you are making to prune that combination tree. TSPs are a particular area of interest to me, and I'm happy to see this application to LEGO and Bricklink being tackled a bit more efficiently.

I feel like you are setting an awful lot of arbitrary constraints on the concept of creativity, and failing to distinguish between design, medium, and presentation. Why? This is really as arbitrary as me saying: "New pieces have their use as a design tool. But that's where it should end. Real LEGO constructions use only 2x2 and 2x4 bricks." This is where you are misusing the term "medium". For LEGO constructions, the medium isn't plastic, it's the LEGO System. Which exists in digital format (in fact, in a whole number of different digital formats) and physical format. But they are both the LEGO System. They use the same basic building blocks, connected using a pre-defined mating system, which ultimately becomes a model. The constraints that you are trying to impose have nothing to do with the LEGO System. They are constraints that are part of the plastic real-world. Again, skill and knowledge using a digital tool is, as far as the medium is concerned, the same skill and knowledge to use the real world: you have to understand the limitations of the pieces and connections in the LEGO System. The actual manipulation of that system is different depending on the tool used in the medium. But that is no different then, say, the skills of wood carving with a chisel vs. a chainsaw: the tool is different and each tool has its own skills and knowledge, but the medium is the same, with the set of skills and knowledge that exist no matter the tool used. If you believe that a set of constraints enhances your creativity, then, for the sake of your creativity, I would encourage you to embrace those constraints. But again, your constraints are an arbitrary addition to the ultimate constraint, which is building with the LEGO System. And by arguing that digital creation isn't "real" creativity, then you are disenfranchising countless members of our community who, for reasons of space, time, budget, or other complications, are dependent on digital design to express their creativity with the LEGO System. Now, we're stepping on the distinction between medium and presentation. Why is it where you stop is the exact line between "just a picture" and "digital artwork"? I say that any alteration as extreme as removing a background makes that a piece of digital artwork! But both of these are arbitrary lines in the sand. In fact, it as soon as you took a picture of your creation with a digital camera, it became digital artwork. However, in this moment, we don't care about the digital artwork, because we are simply using it as a mechanism (or medium, if you will) to present the MOC. In other words, you always have the picture (which is artwork) of a model (which is artwork). The former is usually the tool to display the latter. But, often, the former is also a quality work-of-art in and of itself. Learning how actual paint responds is an important part of learning the skills and knowledge of that medium. Having a monetary budget is never a part of any medium. It may be limit the scope and scale of the project, but in is not inherit to the medium. Says who? Only "real" LEGO builders? Sounds like a "no true Scotsman" fallacy to me. This community has an entire subforum dedicated to construction tips for digital models. And you'll find That's because fiberglass isn't even remotely part of the cake medium. This is a straw man fallacy. However, you'd probably be interested to learn the term "cake dummy", which are (generally) Styrofoam bricks in the shape of cakes. These are widely used in cake decorating contests because the medium there is the frosting, fondant, flowers, etc. used to decorate the cake. The point here is that you have to understand the medium you are talking about before you arbitrarily ascribe certain limitations or constraints to it.

Hey all! First time contributor to the thread. I've got a few more models to share, just messing with renders and I'll put 'em up. Let me know if I should do anything different. 20013 - Neptune Microsub [Atlantis, 2010] (a.k.a. Neptune Mini Sub, Mini Neptune Carrier) MPD File Errors: - None