New Water Technique: "Window Water"

[Yucca Patrol]

Although it is possible that someone else has come up with this technique in the past, I've looked at hundreds of landscapes and water scenes and have never seen it used before. So I thought I'd share it with the eurobricks community!

I recently came up with this new technique for portraying water using 1x1 round plates that I call "Window Water" because of the tool I use to make it work. It produces a very pleasing rippled effect that is perfect for rivers and streams. As I have never seen this technique used in any other MOC, I believe that it may be a completely new technique, and so I am sharing it with the community here. Hopefully some of you will like it and try it on your own MOC's!

First, lay down a layer of 1x1 round transparent blue plates. I've found that it looks nice if you use both dark and light colored pieces so that you can create the illusion that some areas of the water are deeper than others.

It looks ok with just a single layer, but I don't like how the blue base plate is visible between the spaces of the 1x1 round plates. It's just not right. . . .

But if you add a second layer of 1x1 round plates offset BETWEEN the stud of the first layer, you will be able to cover up the ugly holes that show the base plate underneath. Now you have a really nice textured rippled effect that shows the top of the lower layer's studs between the spaces of the new upper layer. Unfortunately, pressing these round plates between the studs of the first layer is next to impossible to do with just your fingers alone, because the round plates must be absolutely perfectly aligned or they will refuse to go into place. If you try it with your fingers alone, you will almost certainly start thinking bad thoughts and might even say some bad words! But don't despair, because somewhere in your vast collection of LEGO bricks, you have a special tool that will make this seemingly impossible task very easy!

All you need to keep yourself sane while attempting this technique is an old style 1x2x2 window. This window is special because it loosely grips the round studs on only three sides unlike a standard brick that would grip tightly on all 4 sides.

Simply insert one or two round plates into the window and use the window as a tool to press the round plates into place between the studs of the first layer. I've found that I can insert two round plates at a time, but some stress is introduced as the area of water grows, and it gets more difficult if you are covering a very large area. So you might find that it is easier to insert just one round plate at a time. Because this little window only grips on three sides, you can now slide the window away horizontally without risking pulling up the freshly inserted round plates!

Here's a comparison between the look of a standard baseplate, a single layer of 1x1 round plates, and my newly invented "Window Water".

I recently used this technique very successfully in my recent MOC, "Waterfall at the Botanical Garden"

You can check out more photos of "Waterfall at the Botanical Garden" here! :)

Edited October 4, 2011 by Yucca Patrol

[Nightshroud99]

Cool technique! Thank you for sharing this

[Blondie-Wan]

I've actually thought of this same thing (using 1x1 round plates offset between other 1x1 round plates), and not just for water, though so far I haven't finished anything really substantial with it (nothing the size of the examples in your post - yet . I like the possibilities it provides for really naturalistic-looking, irregular terrain and so on.

[Etzel]

It's a nice technique you got there, but the best is your tip about the use of the old window piece. I'll have to find one of those now for later use.

[Yucca Patrol]

I like the possibilities it provides for really naturalistic-looking, irregular terrain and so on.

Great idea! I can imagine a mix of tans, browns, greys, etc for cobblestone streets or irregular stony areas in a landscape. A rocky beach beneath a cliff might look fantastic done this way. And doing this with regular colored plates instead of transparent plates would probably be a lot easier since they are not as rigid and can flex a bit when being inserted between the studs. You might not even need the window tool with regular colored plates.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Yucca Patrol

[cimddwc]

Looks nice! I've used this in smaller sizes for splashing water/small waves in one color only, but this way in multiple colors (and with the "window tool") seems really promising...

[Darth Dino]

Hi

i have seen a comparale layer technique of transparent brick from Spencer R. He used that for his One World Trade Center to fake mirroring surfaces. He used e few lays of clear and blue BRICKS. You will find his amazing buildings at mocpages.

But i have never seen that with round plates and it looks very good for water.

Dino

[drdavewatford]

Thanks for sharing your interesting building technique - I'll have to give it a try !

D.

[L@go]

I've occasionally used a 1x1x5 brick to place 1x1 round plates between studs, and that usually works quite well, but I can see how the window might have less grip and therefore be better suited for it. Good idea!

[lightningtiger]

Thanks 'YP' for sharing your technique.....might give it a go myself.

[Hiawatha]

That's a very clever idea! Thanks for posting it for us to learn from!

[TASTER]

Very cool technique!

[Big Cam]

That does look very good. Honestly I don't see the need for the window. but I understand how you used it.

It looks really good. I actually bought a ton of trans blue studs for this very reason.

[Trent]

I've been using a similar technique to bulk up my blue plates, and I've been adding translucent blue, green and clear cheese pieces to add texture to the water as well.

It seems to work really well, and give a nice effect. Thanks for sharing pictures of your style.

[Yucca Patrol]

Honestly I don't see the need for the window. but I understand how you used it.

The window is helpful because the transparent plates are very rigid and refuse to be inserted between the studs of the previous layer unless they are absolutely perfectly aligned, and the window helps to accomplish this. If you were to use regular colored non-transparent plates, it is easy to insert them by hand since they are much more flexible and forgiving.

[Sid Sidious]

I would have never thought of this. I was recently thinking of doing a MOC with water, so this technique could be really helpful. Unfortunately, I don't have one of those windows :(

[Dennimator]

This is a great idea. I might build a river through my LEGO city this way. Thanks!

Time to search my bricks for one of those windows then..