Goodbye Rebrickable – I won’t miss you

[yqc]

So, I am a quite active member of Rebrickable, both the main site and the Forum. While I also don't like every single decision made by them, I think it's a very one-sided hate against RB here, with some, from what it seems like, just agreeing because they react emotional to the first message, without even having had real experiences before.

On the Forum, there are quite active discussions about rules/features/etc. of Rebrickable, so if you're unhappy you can always go there.

Just so it's clear, Rebrickable is in the LAN, the Lego Ambassador Network. So they might be pressured by Lego to do some things, they normally maybe wouldn't have done.

But besides that, I want to respond to some critique points:

On 6/16/2025 at 9:18 PM, Sven J said:

A MOC inventory now has to include all elements used to build the model.
As e.g. for cut hoses, this is basically impossible due to the lack of a part number, which is why I always point out in the model description that pieces of rigid hose are needed. However, this practice is no longer allowed.

You can just add any length hose and say it needs to be cut. But that's just the way Rebrickable's inventory works

When you build a MOC using Rebrickable's build tool, it could very well be, that one of the following options can match, if the user has any hose instead of the specific one:

If you're unsure, again, you can ask in the Forum. If it's not included in these options, you can suggest to add a new option or include it in these in the Forum.

On 6/16/2025 at 9:18 PM, Sven J said:

The main photo of the model must not show any stickers that can't be downloaded along with the instructions. I frequently use thin self-adhesive tape for trim lines on my model – how on earth should I be able to upload that or include it in the inventory???

So there's nothing printed on this tape? Then it was a mistake on the admin's side. Although you would still need to state that in your description. If you have added this to your description, just re-submit it for approval.

On 6/16/2025 at 9:18 PM, Sven J said:

Photos of the model must not reveal any third-party parts. Thus, I would have to show my two-axle passenger car without wheels; I would have to take a photo of my Tu-144 with gray hinges for the canards because Lego doesn't offer white ones.
But I did always explicitly mention all third-party elements in the model description! It was clear to everyone and I’ve never received a single complaint.

"Rebrickable is a site for fans of LEGO." It's their decision to make that, but then it's a design decision to not allow any 3rd party parts except the ones listed at

https://rebrickable.com/help/non-lego-parts/

This is also not a rule I completely stand behind, but you need to accept their rules. So, that is, in my opinion, the online thing, where it's valid to be upset about.

And again, Rebrickbale is a Lego Fan site in the LAN. If they just allow non-Lego parts, they would get kicked out of the LAN very fast.

On 6/16/2025 at 9:18 PM, Sven J said:

All three items have never been an issue and have now been introduced through the back door, literally overnight.

No, those rules have been added a bit longer ago, admins just can't physically check every MOC at once. Once they came across one of your MOCs, they checked all of your MOCs for possible violations.

On 6/16/2025 at 9:18 PM, Sven J said:

I'm now supposed to revise the “warned” models and request a new review.

Exactly, your MOCs aren't ok with the rules anymore, so you are allowed to change them to be ok with them again. But it's also your decision to not do that and just leave them disabled. You're also missing out on Rebrickable's ability to market your MOCs.

So, in the end, if you want to build with 3rd party parts except the allowed parts, yes, Rebrickable is just not for you. If you want to bui with Lego parts only and inventory your collection, etc., this is what Rebrickable is for.

[Sven J]

23 minutes ago, yqc said:

You're also missing out on Rebrickable's ability to market your MOCs.

That's a fundamental misunderstanding and, if I may say so, would be rather self-assertive if RB argued the same way.
It's no loss for me, not in the least, as all my models were for free. On the contrary, it saves me time and nerves as I don't have to keep .io files 100% accurate and don't need to make instructions.

So, if at all, it's a loss for the community, but it's not up to me to decide whether my models were of any value for anyone.

And that shall have been the final words for me to say about this matter.

Edited Tuesday at 04:34 PM by Sven J

[yqc]

1 hour ago, Sven J said:

And that shall have been the final words for me to say about this matter.

Ok, it's your decision, but the following point is wrong, which I just want to correct, in case someone else will read this.

1 hour ago, Sven J said:

don't need to make instructions.

You don't need to make instructions on PDF format. The .io file is enough for any free MOC. And if you don't even have this, how would you even share it? So (as long as the model file is correct) Rebrickable has no additional hurdles for instructions.