NSKLAM Posted March 22, 2011 Hello all. I have been looking all over the net for the instructions for Curtis Black's invisible hand. Was it ever released? if so is it still downloadable anywhere? (or am i couple of years too late?) On a side note. anyone know what happened to BrickCommander? they seem to stop updating since 2008 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 22, 2011 (edited) Hello all. I have been looking all over the net for the instructions for Curtis Black's invisible hand. Was it ever released? if so is it still downloadable anywhere? (or am i couple of years too late?) On a side note. anyone know what happened to BrickCommander? they seem to stop updating since 2008 OMG. What a coincidence. I built Curtis's IH (see my signature). But currently, I'm working on a 108cm long model. It will have the right proportions. And it will also have the same scale as the Venator UCS (see my signature too). Here is a screenshot : I should be able to supply the files in the next days or weeks. For free. So, my only advise : be patient ! ;) Edited March 22, 2011 by Anio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickdoctor Posted March 22, 2011 What's BrickCommander? BrickCommander.com He builds lots of different themes, but in SW it's space craft to-scale with 10030. Star Wars models can be found here. (those built by Primus are his) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NSKLAM Posted March 22, 2011 OMG. What a coincidence. I built Curtis's IH (see my signature). But currently, I'm working on a 108cm long model. It will have the right proportions. And it will also have the same scale as the Venator UCS (see my signature too). Here is a screenshot : I should be able to supply the files in the next days or weeks. For free. So, my only advise : be patient ! ;) Hey Anio How did you build Curtis Black's version? Just from his images uploaded or do you have the CAD file? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickArtist Posted March 22, 2011 (edited) Link journal It just says it all... Edited March 22, 2011 by DobbyClone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickdoctor Posted March 22, 2011 Link journal It just says it all... Um, that's Mark Kelso's Invisible Hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 22, 2011 How did you build Curtis Black's version? Just from his images uploaded or do you have the CAD file? I asked him the building instruction. But I would have been able to built it with photos if I hadn't been lazy. Link journal It just says it all... Troll and trueness ON : The proportion are totally wrong. And it is sometimes poorly designed inside. What the hell are U-joints doing there ?!!? He could have find something better. Troll and trueness OFF. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NSKLAM Posted March 22, 2011 I asked him the building instruction. But I would have been able to built it with photos if I hadn't been lazy. Troll and trueness ON : The proportion are totally wrong. And it is sometimes poorly designed inside. What the hell are U-joints doing there ?!!? He could have find something better. Troll and trueness OFF. Would you be able to upload the instructions somewhere? I have emailed curtis but he have not replied for the past month. Thanks in advance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 22, 2011 (edited) Would you be able to upload the instructions somewhere? I have emailed curtis but he have not replied for the past month. Thanks in advance Yes, I e-mailed him too one month ago. But I get no reply either. Otherwise, I find it a bit annoying to supply the instruction. Actually, it is not mine, you understand. I think that asking to the owner of the model is, in a certain maner, a way to show his recognition. I know that. Cause I built MOCs too. And I'm very happy when people contact me about my (UCS) work. Be patient for few days, and I will give you my 3D file. Edited March 22, 2011 by Anio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamie75 Posted March 22, 2011 (edited) Brick Commander should be updated soon. He now works for Lego and travels alot between the US, Germany, and Denmark. I just got a reply from him the other day!! He said he has alot of new things to add. Curtis Black sent me the CD with instructions for his Invisible Hand years ago, I will see if if I can find it now. Haven't used it since I built his ship. Jamie No luck finding the CD with instructions on it!! I looked through all my disks and nothing! Edited March 23, 2011 by jamie75 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fallenangel Posted March 22, 2011 Was it ever released? if so is it still downloadable anywhere? (or am i couple of years too late?) No offense, but it's a little odd that you would think of asking for building instructions to someone's model without even knowing if there were any. From what I can see of Curtis Black's model most of the construction is fairly straightforward (stacked bricks) so with the number of pictures provided it shouldn't be too difficult, buildwise, to approximate something similar. But currently, I'm working on a 108cm long model. It will have the right proportions. And it will also have the same scale as the Venator UCS (see my signature too). I'm glad that there's at least one other person who's also concerned about proportions on an MOC. If I remember correctly you even mentioned on SeTechnic that the proportions on Black's model were pretty off as well. Even though it's not intended to be a model I think having something close to the correct proportions on an MOC of something is important because often it just looks better. I think the reason the proportions are so skewed is because the MOC might have been based on this. Troll and trueness ON : Can I borrow this...? The proportion are totally wrong. And it is sometimes poorly designed inside. [snip] What the hell are U-joints doing there ?!!? He could have find something better. I agree with what you said (even worse, because getting proportions about right would be relatively easy in a model of this size - I think it looks too phallic, and apparently he does too). It's admittedly ironic, though, that you had a similar issue before. BrickCommander works for LEGO? I wonder how he feels about his job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 22, 2011 If I remember correctly you even mentioned on SeTechnic that the proportions on Black's model were pretty off as well. Yes. I think the reason the proportions are so skewed is because the MOC might have been based on this. Your link is broken. :/ It's admittedly ironic, though, that you had a similar issue before. The UCS Slave is not my best MOC. But I'm very satisfied with it. I think that I can not improve it anymore. I really get what I wanted to get with it. ^^ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fallenangel Posted March 22, 2011 Yes. Wow, they're really off. Your link is broken. :/ Whoops. I was referring to the illustration shown in the Episode III Incredible Cross-Sections (in which the ship is portrayed as being stubby and fat). Another reason why I have largely stopped using 'official' sources like the Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels as reference. The UCS Slave is not my best MOC. But I'm very satisfied with it. I think that I can not improve it anymore. I really get what I wanted to get with it. ^^ Yes, I agree, and I'll say that in spite of its inaccuracies it's really good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickdoctor Posted March 22, 2011 Whoops. I was referring to the illustration shown in the Episode III Incredible Cross-Sections (in which the ship is portrayed as being stubby and fat). Another reason why I have largely stopped using 'official' sources like the Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels as reference. Try this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamie75 Posted March 23, 2011 BrickCommander works for LEGO? I wonder how he feels about his job. Quoted from Brickcommander.com And last, but not least, I got a new job. In January I have been hired by .... LEGO Denmark to work as a Digital Model Designer! :D While I am currently helping designing LEGO Universe, the upcoming MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game), I'm doing quite some travelling between Denmark, Germany and the US (where LEGO Universe is being developed). Actually I just returned from the US after a months stay. And I brought some new stuff with me: the Kelswa tank from MW and a preview on new Microspace content, as well as my copy of the Recusant cruiser from Star Wars episode III - along with three 'Mechs! As for how he feels about it. I would think he likes it, because, he was doing this for free for years on brickcommander.com. Now, he gets paid for it. Jamie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fallenangel Posted March 23, 2011 As for how he feels about it. I would think he likes it, because, he was doing this for free for years on brickcommander.com. Now, he gets paid for it. The thing is that The LEGO Group and your average AFOL do not always see eye to eye on how something should look when it is LEGO; for example, I learned upon reading an interview with another designer that works for the company that they advocate studded builds. I also know that they have a strict policy against illegal connections and, to a lesser degree, SNOT (I swear, they've got something against it). So it wouldn't be quite the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 23, 2011 (edited) they advocate studded builds. I also know that they have a strict policy against illegal connections and, to a lesser degree, SNOT (I swear, they've got something against it). That's perfectly normal. Edited March 23, 2011 by Anio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 26, 2011 Hi, I should be able to supply the files in the next days or weeks. For free. So, here it is. The 3D file : http://up.sur-la-toile.com/iKxV 2153 parts, without greebs (to do good greebs, I need to have the parts in my hands :p) A few shots of the model : Dunno if you like it, but I'm not very satisfied with it... Ok, proportions are right, etc. But when I look at the ship, the first I'm thinking to is that it is pointlessly big ! *_* There is not more details than in the previous version. :/ Building big MOCs for the sake of building big MOCs is not the way I design my MOC. The previous IH certainly had wrong proportions, but it looks better, doesn't it ? What do you think about that ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fallenangel Posted March 26, 2011 Dunno if you like it, but I'm not very satisfied with it... Ok, proportions are right, etc. But when I look at the ship, the first I'm thinking to is that it is pointlessly big ! *_* There is not more details than in the previous version. :/ Building big MOCs for the sake of building big MOCs is not the way I design my MOC. The previous IH certainly had wrong proportions, but it looks better, doesn't it ? What do you think about that ? While I can certainly see where you're coming from (all that size but not much that's been done with it) I wouldn't say the size is solely for the sake of making something big. For one, the increased size allowed you to achieve proportions on your MOC that are closer to those of the ship seen in the films, which in itself is a great feat in that it not only made the ship more recognizable but also more aesthetically pleasing (I personally prefer this long, sleeker rendition to Curtis Black's chubby model). However, I will agree with you that there could be some more work done concerning details, and I think that this has partly to do with that you've increased the size without changing critical aspects of the build (at least externally; I don't know about the frame, so I won't say anything about that). Larger size should basically allow you more freedom with the bricks as more complex structures are possible in a larger space, and I see some areas where you could take advantage of that. I mean, wouldn't you agree that this is largely a straight up-and-down "sculpture" build, whereas many UCS sets such as 10030 and 10143 are mostly angled plates? By the way, I think I see three engines, and then I think I see two; which is it? (There should be three.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickdoctor Posted March 26, 2011 By the way, I think I see three engines, and then I think I see two; which is it? (There should be three.) It looks like the third engine wouldn't fit in LDD, so he left it off to the side.Looks great, Anio. If you make it bigger, I don't think anyone here will object. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 26, 2011 While I can certainly see where you're coming from (all that size but not much that's been done with it) I wouldn't say the size is solely for the sake of making something big. For one, the increased size allowed you to achieve proportions on your MOC that are closer to those of the ship seen in the films, which in itself is a great feat in that it not only made the ship more recognizable but also more aesthetically pleasing (I personally prefer this long, sleeker rendition to Curtis Black's chubby model). However, I will agree with you that there could be some more work done concerning details, and I think that this has partly to do with that you've increased the size without changing critical aspects of the build (at least externally; I don't know about the frame, so I won't say anything about that). Larger size should basically allow you more freedom with the bricks as more complex structures are possible in a larger space, and I see some areas where you could take advantage of that. I mean, wouldn't you agree that this is largely a straight up-and-down "sculpture" build, whereas many UCS sets such as 10030 and 10143 are mostly angled plates? By the way, I think I see three engines, and then I think I see two; which is it? (There should be three.) Few months ago, I tried building the model with plate instead of bricks. But it is not viable. The shapes of the IH are too round for that. As for the detail, I do not know what I can add. :/ On the real model, most of the surfaces are sleek. Eventually, the 3rd engine is in the file but not on the ship cause I didn't success to attach it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xecom Posted March 26, 2011 Oh damn wish i had all the pieces to make one :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anio Posted March 26, 2011 If you make it bigger, I don't think anyone here will object. Yeah but you know me. You know that this is not what I'm looking for when I design a model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickdoctor Posted March 26, 2011 (edited) Yeah but you know me. You know that this is not what I'm looking for when I design a model. I know. But in this case I would say get the proportions right and worry about the minute details later.By the way, how big is this compared to your Venator? EDIT: Corrected misspelled word. Edited March 26, 2011 by Brickdoctor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
